RB25 issues, judging sensibility of potential project.

[PantherRacer]

Hey all. I'm looking at buying an RB25DET Silvia, and from the pre-previous owner, it seems it has a few(ha) kinks that need to be worked out. I didn't get to do a full diagnostic on it, but from what the guy who owns it now has told me, and from what I have checked out, these seem to be the problems.

He says that the car drives, but doesn't go into boost, and that the plugs he put in are fouled. Also that he can smell a bit of fuel at times. He hasn't installed his wideband so I can't check the AFR's.
When I went to check out the car, the maf was not properly secured to the coupler that it was on, all other connections seemed to be straight. When I disconnected it, the car shut straight off. no limp mode. (Of course, now that I look back,I believe I should've told him to try and start the car when it was disconn. huh? )
Now, the car boosted fine when he got it, seems like the problem developed around the time when he tried to install an AFC. The harness colors were not the same as the instructions. Maybe the wrong wire was cut, but he followed the instructions by the pin location. Then decided not to put it in.

I didn't have my multi-meter, or the testing procedures for the rb25 maf on me since I only went for a look, so I couldn't check it. I guess I could go back and try it when I find the info. So, does it sound like a bad maf, or just shoddy wiring?

Speaking of wiring, the harness is a mess. connectors everywhere, and like I mentioned, he said the wire colors didn't match for the AFC instructions. Now I'm not 100% sure if he used the skyline or silvia instructions, as they would be different right? but seeing as it would be those 2 put together it wouldn't be too hard to figure out no?

My second question would be, which replacement harness(es) should I get? This is an S14 Silvia, so should I try to find a complete SR20 harness, or would a 240SX harness be able to work without giving me too much extra headache? The wipers and A/C are not re-wired back in and that WILL have to be solved. It seems the engine part of the harness is fine, it's just where the wires are spliced (near the connector by the ECU) that has that buttload of connectors on the wires.

I guess it's here where I got a lil confused. It should be a complete RB25 harness from engine to ECU right? and then connected to the S14 body harness? or is there a bit more than that?

Cliffnotes: RB25DET will drive, won't boost. Potential maf problem? Which harness would be best to use in the S14(silvia, not 240sx) for this project as a replacement?
Anyone need more info just let me know and I'll find out for you. I'm quite determined to get this car, and I would like to have the shortest downtime for this particular problem so I can move onto more important things with it.

[GSDKinked]

With the way it sounds, you're buying a potential ticking time bomb. And if you are going to get it, you will have to check and replace alot. You would need a harness from ANY s14 and then an Rb25DET motor in order to have that converted properly and cleanly. Then you have to check the vitals of the engine thoroughly. Once that is done and you know what yo'u're dealing with you can mod it.

[PantherRacer]

It's alright, I'm a trained mechanic
I have a good idea of what I'm getting into. I'm well able to rebuild the engine, or swap in another one until the RB is running right.
I'm not worried about mods right now, and this isn't my first S-chassis build. I just want a little backup on the problem, as I wasn't finding out much documentation dealing with that problem. yinno, hoping someone has run into this specific prob and had some words of wisdom.

I might just solder the wires myself to get rid of those ugly connectors...there's enough that the Ecu doesn't want to fit behind it's panel properly. :eek

Thanks for the info on the harness, but I guess I should've stated it differently....I'm really wondering if switching up harnesses would change up the wire colors significantly. and which ones should I get to have the proper wire colors. I COULD just go by the ecu pin #, but that's a bit of wasted time, no?

[l0nestar]

As far as harnesses go, Your choice to send it to Carl H, or I believe Wiring Specialties is now selling OE 'swapped' harnesses, but I don't think they are available for RB's yet. Also, I'm not sure about shipping to Baha'mas would be.

[meet07]

I would check continuity from all sensors to there designated areas. Like sensors to ecu,grnd to grnd....Start from scratch and in the process make everything nice and neat.

Cut the safc wires back to the original colors and grab you some wire(same diameter and color) and wire the thing up yourself. Then you will know everything is right and go on from there...

Good luck