RB26-Z33 Project Thread

[002-M-P]

Figured I would start one main thread to share my progress rather than make a bunch of small ones.

All pictures of the progress can be seen here... http://mp-racing.net/Gallery/rb26

First off I got the motor torn down enough this weekend to check out the crank collar...I feel like the luckiest man alive right now...





UPDATE (12/21/06)

Got the head off last night and snapped some pictures. Cylinder walls generally look good except for #3 has some nice scratches (see pictures). Not sure if they can be honed out or if I'm looking at .020 overbore and new pistons yet.








Modified by 002-M-P at 1:18 PM 12/21/2006

[TOPSECRT88]

this is gunna be pretty awesome, keep us updated for sure..

[nissanman04]

ooo can't wait to see more...

[ATpossible]

congrats! good luck with the rest of the project. how much work to check that collar? like was it pretty much a complete tear down and how long did it take u? also what do u plan on doing next? thanks and good luck again.

[Carl H]

cant really tell but is that a crank collar or is that a late model r32 crank?

[DriftingisLame]

You lucky bastage....

[002-M-P]

Thanks guys, I'll do my best to keep the thread as up to date as possible. As for the getting to the crank collar...its a real pain. Take off the main pulley...sucks, then oil pan, but have to take off the flywheel to get that off. So yeah its no fun to get to.

Carl: It is a late model R32 crank

[pirate87]

Raleigh eh? I'd love to see this when its all put together, I say between me, you, carl h, and the few other NC RB'ers we could have a pretty sweet local meet.

[Darius]

I second the "you lucky bastard" comment That is the best looking stock oil drive I've seen.

[002-M-P]

Just posted some update pics of my motor in short block form in my first post. Cylinder 3 has some nice scratches, so I am going to be needing to get it bored most likely and getting some oversized pistons. I was hoping to keep the stock pistons, but probably not going to happen. The head and cams seem to be in good shape too.

I am going to take the rest of it apart today or tommorow I think so I can inspect the crank and bearings. Any input as always is appreciated.

M-P

[Carl H]

i bet cyl 3 has cracked rings and damaged ringlands due to detonation...thats what my bores look like when mine went.

[Darius]

Now you have an excellent excuse to bore it out and throw some forged pistons in there. I love seeing fresh rebuild pics, so keep 'em coming.

[the_momo]

so i am wondering...are you going to use the stock z33 ecu to control all of the non engine related functions and the rb ecu for the engine, or are you going to do something like a stack gauge cluster and say to hell with all of the power stuff. just curious as from what i have seen that seems to be the biggest issue with any swaps into the z. either way, youll def have a bada$$ car when its done. id like to see some dyno vids. mmmmmm they need an i-6 z car.

no more multi platform cars. skyline is awd 2 door i-6, z is rwd 2 door i-6. thats what nissan shouldve done.

[Sil240]

so i am wondering...are you going to use the stock z33 ecu to control all of the non engine related functions and the rb ecu for the engine, or are you going to do something like a stack gauge cluster and say to hell with all of the power stuff. just curious as from what i have seen that seems to be the biggest issue with any swaps into the z. either way, youll def have a bada$$ car when its done. id like to see some dyno vids. mmmmmm they need an i-6 z car.

no more multi platform cars. skyline is awd 2 door i-6, z is rwd 2 door i-6. thats what nissan shouldve done.

What else would the ECU control???It's not a Auto is it?? Plus Nissans usually have a seperate computer for that.

Stack gauge cluster??He would have to fabricate something to hold it onto the steering column.Because the Gauges move with the steering wheel.I would rather just wire up the stock gauges.If not then see if there are gauges that fit in the stock houses or make them fit.

[the_momo]

from what i understand, the z33 uses a single ecu that controls everything in the car. thats why i ask, and stack makes a display that replaces the stock one, doesnt need to go on the column.

i wasnt sure about the ecu, thats why i ask. most who do any swap into a z or g35 need to still utilize the stock ecu to control body functions and such. just a simple quesiton, i wasnt 100% on that info.

[Kansei240sx]

from what i understand, the z33 uses a single ecu that controls everything in the car. thats why i ask, and stack makes a display that replaces the stock one, doesnt need to go on the column.

i wasnt sure about the ecu, thats why i ask. most who do any swap into a z or g35 need to still utilize the stock ecu to control body functions and such. just a simple quesiton, i wasnt 100% on that info.

You understand very wrong. In any new nissan or any other company for that matter post OBD-II or even OBD-II vehicles, have multiple controll modules, such as TCM, ECM, bla bla bla.

[the_momo]

right. thanks for answering my question. wow. that is honestly the first time i have seen or gotten a specific answer. but with the swap, he'll still need diff gauges. i still wanna know whats gonna be used.

i personally am going to get a digital dash (dakota or stewart warner...$$) and modify it to fit in the stock opening of my s13. but yeah off topic. cant wait to see this car done. itll be one of the best seen here im sure.

[002-M-P]

You understand very wrong. In any new nissan or any other company for that matter post OBD-II or even OBD-II vehicles, have multiple controll modules, such as TCM, ECM, bla bla bla.

It does not work that way exactly with the 350Z. If you remove the stock ecu, you lose pretty much everything. Headlights, windows, gauge power/lighting, CAN bus, turn signals, etc etc. And yes, I am positive.

So for this swap, I will have the stock ecu running all the body electronics and whatnot and then have the RB26 ecu (apex'i pfc d-jetro) running the engine only. Wiring is going to be a pretty big pain in the ***, but is doable. As far as gauges go, I am going to try to use all of the stock ones. But will probably end up just using the 350Z harness and sensors along with the RB26 sensors, so I don't have to worry about the Z gauges taking a different signal.

[the_momo]

so i was right in my assumption. thanks for the clarification. i remember seeing the signal skyline with the sr20 and the article said they needed to use both ecu's to make everything work. that seems dumb that they would use only one computer to control so much, but i bet it cuts costs a lot.