RB25 in SoCal...?

[yelnatsch517]

I created a similar thread in the 240sx forum, but I think it would be better if I moved it here. What are some good places in SoCal to get an rb25det engine swap done? I have been looking at Mckinney's and they seem like a really good place to go, but its kind of far. Is that the best place to go around my area? Also, does anyone know how it would cost to have the engine swapped including labor? I really want to do the swap with some friends of mine, but I think it would be kind of hard without a lift. The reason I wanted to do it with my friends is so that I can learn some stuff about cars (as of now, I don't know anything). I just got a '95 240sx from my cousin and I wanted to be a project car. Do you think Mckinney's would let me watch them do the swap a couple times a week? I seriously want to learn some stuff. This is me reading most of the posts in technical threads . And my conscience looking down at me . And this is how I feel after all that .

How many of you here have done an engine swap yourself. How hard is it? O yea, my car is an auto right now so I would have to change it to manual first. How hard would that be?

On another note, how many horsies can an rb25det crank out reliably with the stock turbo on? I am looking for 350-400whp. If the stock turbo can't handle it reliably, what are some turboes out there that can and where can I get them?

PS I have a lot more questions and will be asking them later on. Please bear with me for a bit.

[Yellow4g63]

I did my own swap, wasn't hard at all. Just need to know what your doing. It's not rocket science. I think the RB25 motors are goin for 3,330+1400 for the mount kit. Not sure on the labor. Call phase 2 they might be closer for you. If not drive out to McKinney's.

[yelnatsch517]

I did my own swap, wasn't hard at all. Just need to know what your doing. It's not rocket science. I think the RB25 motors are goin for 3,330+1400 for the mount kit. Not sure on the labor. Call phase 2 they might be closer for you. If not drive out to McKinney's.

Where did you get your engine at, phase 2? How did you get the engine in, isn't it like a couple hundred pounds? How much HP are you getting out of your car now?

[TheOne]

with a cherry picker(engine lifter), those don't cost much.......try mckinney, they should be good. or do it yourself, it would cost a lot less, but if you don't know about the wiring, send it to mckinney or if phase 2 does it.

[Nameless EJ6]

Do your own swap. You'll get raped with labor if you have a company do it.

Engine hoists are 200$. Jackstands are like 30$. A decent tool set is 200$.

All you need is a computer for your help. That's how I did it my first time.

And before you jump into any of this stuff.. RESEARCH!!

[xjon]

Yeah! What he said.

[yelnatsch517]

COOL!!! One of the main reasons about 40% of my decision came from the fact that I wanted to learn about cars. This way I can learn. =) OK, now my question is where is a good place to purchase an rb25det with trans? I would like it to have low mileage (<45k) and be pretty clean.

Does anyone know how much hp an rb25det can crank out with its stock turbo reliably (enough to be daily driven).

[Yellow4g63]

No I got my motor from a guy in the LA. Power? it's stock and waiting for the errr smog check.

[Nameless EJ6]

There's no defined "cap" for the amount of horsepower you can get out of an RB25DET reliably since every engine is different. One dude here got something like 570hp out of his fully tuned. That is an INSANE amount of power.

I would say 300 would be a good amount to stay with reliable. As long as you dont beat the **** out of the engine on a daily basis it'll probably last a few years at that. In that few years you can save for an aftermarket rebuild.

If you have questions on how to do the swap just ask people here. But before you ask each time be sure to search.

[xjon]

I think he's talking about just the stock turbo. Maybe uping the boost on it. But that 500+ hp rb25 is not a stock turbo.

[yelnatsch517]

Does phase 2 sell complete kits (everything I would need to get the engine working in the car) for the rb25 like mckinney does?

[sil820]

LS Automotive does the swaps and so does SIX autowerks. If i were u i would just do it your self, but make sure u have EVERYTHING b4 u even START

[yelnatsch517]

LS Automotive does the swaps and so does SIX autowerks. If i were u i would just do it your self, but make sure u have EVERYTHING b4 u even START

Hahaa, okay... Bare with me a little bit , but I'm going to ask a very stupid question since I know nothing about cars. What is the complete list of parts I need? Anyone know where I can find a complete lists of parts to swap an rb25 into an s14? Or can someone compile a list and post it here?

[TheOne]

rb25det, transmission, either mckinney complete mount(driveshaft, mounts and downpipe or so...) or custom(tho i think there's another company that makes'em).wiring harness done by whichever company you want, or do it yourself.a pair of electric fans or just 1, whichever works for ya. and maybe a better radiator if you live in a hot place. if not then i guess you could stay with the stock 1, oil/coolant and bla bla bla.

as far as the rest goes.......not sure as to what.

[yelnatsch517]

Anyone know how reputable this place is? This place is no further than 10mins from my house and I was wondering if that place would be a good place to purchase my stuff. Also what do they mean by "Mickey Mouse" They don't have very many pictures of their motors so I'm not too sure about them, but maybe they just aren't very computer literate or don't have a good digital camera or something (i'm a rather optimistic person ). If they quote $8,000 for everything including installation, how much do you think it will be without labor? I just want to get the best engine. So far I'm considering this place, phase 2, and mckinney's since they are all within driving distance although I am still open to suggestions. Which place do you guys think would be the best place to get my parts?

O yea ... what is a wiring harness? LOL Is it just that plug at the end of the clump of wires (looks like an atx power cable for those you computer people).

[Yellow4g63]

Anyone know how reputable this place is? This place is no further than 10mins from my house and I was wondering if that place would be a good place to purchase my stuff. Also what do they mean by "Mickey Mouse" They don't have very many pictures of their motors so I'm not too sure about them, but maybe they just aren't very computer literate or don't have a good digital camera or something (i'm a rather optimistic person ). If they quote $8,000 for everything including installation, how much do you think it will be without labor? I just want to get the best engine. So far I'm considering this place, phase 2, and mckinney's since they are all within driving distance although I am still open to suggestions. Which place do you guys think would be the best place to get my parts?

O yea ... what is a wiring harness? LOL Is it just that plug at the end of the clump of wires (looks like an atx power cable for those you computer people).

How many RB swaps have they done? Do you know anyone who has gotten work done by them? Do they get the work done on time? Is it clean work? Do you trust them with that much money not to take you for a ride and you end up with a crappy motor and install? All things to think about.

[Nameless EJ6]

Hahaa, okay... Bare with me a little bit , but I'm going to ask a very stupid question since I know nothing about cars. What is the complete list of parts I need? Anyone know where I can find a complete lists of parts to swap an rb25 into an s14? Or can someone compile a list and post it here?

Dude if you cannot research our forums and find out the parts you'll need (which have been posted too many times already) then you shouldn't be doing the swap.

Can you change a tire? No offense.. but It sickens me to see people jumping into this stuff. Especailly if it's their first swap project. This is what Hondas are for.. to learn on.

[yelnatsch517]

Dude if you cannot research our forums and find out the parts you'll need (which have been posted too many times already) then you shouldn't be doing the swap.

Can you change a tire? No offense.. but It sickens me to see people jumping into this stuff. Especailly if it's their first swap project. This is what Hondas are for.. to learn on.

LOL, no I have never changed a tire before, although I'm sure I can do it once I've seen someone do it once. BTW, did you read my first post? I got this car from my cousin. Why would I go out and buy a Honda do to stuff to it when I got this car for free? That just doesn't make any sense. If I mess up on this car, I'll just get another one. This is supposed to be my experimental car (learning car). Why do you think I want to do the swap? I live in California and if you do not know, the cops here are strict. Especially in my area. You would know if you looked around on the 240sx forum. People avoid driving in my area just because of the cops. I am not going to go racing everyone on the street and stuff and since I am a college student, I also probably won't have much time to go to the tracks. I am merely doing this swap so I can learn and have a little fun once in a while when no cops are around. Once again, this is supposed to be my project or learning car. I know so little about cars that I don't even know what to search for when doing a search, thus the point of this thread. If you can give me some keywords to search for, I'll be happy and read the threads already posted.

PS Since my area is so full of *** cops, there are very few people who have done engine swaps etc. so it is kind of difficult to find someone local I can sit down for a couple of hours and talk with. O yea BTW... I am not jumping into this stuff at all. I am not even planning on doing the swap till summer, maybe even later. The time between then and now will be dedicated to research, etc.

How many RB swaps have they done? Do you know anyone who has gotten work done by them? Do they get the work done on time? Is it clean work? Do you trust them with that much money not to take you for a ride and you end up with a crappy motor and install? All things to think about.

I don't know anything about that place and that is why I posted that question to see if anyone on here knows anything about them.

[xjon]

No offense Nameless but I jumped into this as my first swap project and everything is fine so far. If the guy wants to try it, let him. If he fails, his money. Sounds like this guy can afford the trial and error.

BTW, I've seen some hack jobs from some shops. Make sure they are reputable.

Yel... Top of page is a "search button". You can just click it and type keywords such as "rb parts swap list" and it should pop a few things for you.

Good luck.

[Bluefire]

Hey if your ready to do the swap just call my shop up. They have a series2 front clip in stock right now and are located in city of industry.

G-Dimension626-839-3777

-Bluefire

[yelnatsch517]

Hey if your ready to do the swap just call my shop up. They have a series2 front clip in stock right now and are located in city of industry.

G-Dimension626-839-3777

-Bluefire

LOL I know G-Dimensions. You know a guy named Kevin that works there? Maybe you are Kevin. Doesn't Kevin live in walnut? Do you know a guy named Robin? He went with you guys to a drifting even recently. Pretty good friends with him, neighbors also. Naw, not going to do the swap so soon. Need to do some more research and stuff first. I might get a sound system for my car first because the stock speakers are messed up. They make this weird surround sound effect where one speaker turns on and off at certain parts of a song so it sounds like the voice is moving around the car.