RB20DET swap into D21

[jmd]

I have a 89 d21, I just ordered a RB20Det swap to go into it. I have searched this and many other websites and googled about this swap, only to find nothing. Has anyone heard of or know of this swap being done in a hardbody? I have found plenty sr20 swaps but not the first rb swap.
Modified by jmd at 11:26 PM 9/14/2008

[nismopu]

Its been done in a frontier before but the pics are hard to find. There was a vid floating around of it on youtube for a while but I havent seen that either in a while. lol! The engine bays are virtually the same size maybe slightly wider but deffinately not much longer. peace.

[jmd]

Got the engine swap in tuesday, installed it wednesday, wired it today and got it running.

[Rev_D21]

You seriously had to shoehorn that thing in.

[hessianben]

Wow! Lets see some more pics!!! I honestly have never seen or thought of that swap before!!! There're so few SR20 (edit: RB haha oops!) swaps.... Nice work on goin out on a limb!Lets see it run!
Modified by hessianben at 10:52 AM 9/21/2008

[jmd]

I could have got it in without an problems. I did cut out the very center of the upper radiator support, welded 1/8 plate metal to it, matched it and drilled holes to match the existing radiator mount holes, so now the whole center section is now removable, to make working on the front of the engine very easy. I am getting the driveshaft shortened Tuesday, so it should be driveable by next thursday or friday. Not too bad to have swap like this in and completed in a week or less. Motor sounds very good and strong, I need to order a turbo gasket and a MAF. But first I am going to try wiring a Ford Ranger MAF the size matches and the specs. So in theory if wired correctly it should work and priced way less. I have some much better pics with my camera I will post up later, all those pics were from my phone.

[jmd]

Here are some better pics

[nismopu]

It doesn't look like any firewall mods, and did you just flip the shifter plate around or did you do a front transmission case swap? I think its cool that its like the VG's and that it just bolts into the front crossmember. peace.

[jmd]

It doesn't look like any firewall mods, and did you just flip the shifter plate around or did you do a front transmission case swap? I think its cool that its like the VG's and that it just bolts into the front crossmember. peace.

Yes I just flippped the shifter plate 180 degrees. As far as bolting into the crossmember, it does not. I had to cut the engine mounts of the frames and move them forward 6-7"s then reconfigure and reweld them to the frames. Match the tail section for the transmission mount, make sure the engine is centered and high enough to clear the front sump oil pan so it does not hit the steering centerlink and the turbo clears the steering shaft. The Z24 engine is a rear sump, so it makes it a little tricky. The trans mount went straight in with no problems.

Not sure about how long it will be now before I can get the driveshaft cut down, because I live in Baton Rogue and we are about to be nailed by hurricane Gustav. But when it gets done I will post up some more pics.

[nismopu]

WOW! It looks like factory mounts from the pics so, good job on the fab skills! I didn't realize the RB20 was a front sump design. Anyway, yeah keep things bolted down man and come back to us when that **** b lows over. peace.

[hessianben]

MMmmmmm.... .....spaghetti.....

have fun with the wiring!

[jmd]

MMmmmmm.... .....spaghetti.....

have fun with the wiring!

it really is not as bad as it looks. that pic is of the new harness mixed in with some the old harness to be remov ed. not sure how long it will take to finish now. hurricane done some major damage here locally and to my shop.we haven't had power for 3 days. i am posting from my cell which just got working today.

[hessianben]

Wow- Hope everyone's ok! Keep us posted. Good luck!

[sr20gt30r]

Does someone know if it's harder to fit an RB20 in a D21 4WD?

[TeamGuam]

nice job

[jmd]

Does someone know if it's harder to fit an RB20 in a D21 4WD?

should be the same exact swap as mine other than trans issues and possibly the front sump oil pan possibly interfering with the front axle.but anything is possible, it time time, thought & money

[jmd]

Wiring done and 97 dash installed.

[AL1222]

does the 97 dash fit right or do you have to modify it to make it work...i want to put that dash in my hardbody..i have a sr20det in mine...but great work man!!! let me know about that dash thanks

Wiring done and 97 dash installed.

[jmd]

does the 97 dash fit right or do you have to modify it to make it work...i want to put that dash in my hardbody..i have a sr20det in mine...but great work man!!! let me know about that dash thanks

there are a couple mods, the defrost duct and the two side ducts are different, the steering column mount it different and needs modding, the center support and driver side brace is different, and the lower mount on the left and right sides are different. the ac panel from the old d21 fits back into the 97 dash, all you do is swap the face plates. the instrument panel has to be completely rewired, and you will need a 97 speed sensor because it is electronic not cable.

SO basically if you have a 97 truck that has the complete dash and can get the speed sensor, your good to go. It sounds like a lot but it's really not bad. If you decide to do it, email or pm me and I will email you both IP panel wire diagrams to rewire it.

ANYHOW..... I cut and shortened the driveshaft, it's in and the truck drove out the shop and back in on it's own power for the first time. I just ordered the AFM yesterday. I put the carpet and 79 280zx center console, getting ready to install the 280zx seats. only things left now are the intercooler and radiator and it's ready for the road........well actually for it's first drift comp in 3 more weeks.
Modified by jmd at 11:05 PM 10/10/2008

[poopoobutter]

lol bad A$$ swap A+++. Say good bye to traction on the rear tires, defiantly don't use a open diff.

[95hb]

what did you do for motor mounts. cause i am thinking of doing an rb25

[jmd]

i

what did you do for motor mounts. cause i am thinking of doing an rb25

I used the motor mounts that came on the rb20

[mitch]

Did you take any pics of the engine mount work you did, and did you say that the transmission crossmember bolts straight up?

[nismopu]

Thats an fs5w71c transmission pictured above so it most deffinately will bolt up to the stock crossmember.

[mitch]

I'm not sure if I was too clear. I meant does the RB mount fit straight onto the D21 body or do you use the D21 crossmember?

[nismopu]

the HB has a fs5w71c transmission so there fore the fs5 used on the rb20 in the pics will bolt up to the HB crossmember. If your talking about an engine crossmember there is none. peace.

[XJared]

Is this thing completed, up and running now? Do you have any pics of what you did for the radiator since the engine is so long?

[jmd]

due to other major car related projects and home projects this truck is for sale. needs radiator, intercooler and seats. It DOES run and drive. $3000.00

[s13_240_rb20]

can you help me with my swap: rb20 into a 1993 d21??

I am deep into it, and would really like to start chatting with you about some of the things that might need to be done.

I reaaaalllly need help figuring out the ECU wiring of the truck. Need a pinout desperately. And does the stock truck driveshaft slide into the RB20 transmission?? I am going to make them reach one way or another..lol

you can find my thread here in this truck section..

Thanks,

--TJ

[jmd]

the stock shaft does fit the transmission. the rb transmission is 3" longer, if you install the motor like i did( cut off the frame mounts and relocate) the oil pan and starter fit perfectly. the transmission crossmember will fit perfectly and you will need to shorten the shaft 3"'s. the wiring is fairly simple really. do a google search and you can find the rb pinouts and the truck pinouts. but overall it's really not bad.