RB26DETT 350Z Hybrid Swap

[TheRBguy]

I think this is a cool swap and build, i own an rb and have drove 350z's so why not combine two awsome things?!?! I like the idea.

Thank you, What do you have your rb in? How reliable has it been for you?

I have an Rb25 in an s13, its my drift car and i am going to daily drive it when i get my license, and so far beating the s*** out of it drifting it has done great and i love it, have had really no issues with it at all other than fixing little stuff here and there that i knew where gunna need fixed.

[Ace2cool]

One other thing to look at is the availability of replacement parts in the RB vs. the VQ. Obviously the VQ is going to have a much larger availability of parts. When things break (not if, but when), where are you going to find replacement parts? Get ready to pay a gratuitous amount for basic parts. Just my $.02 on the matter.

[OutToWinPAHC]

I like RB swaps, but if I were you Id keep the build VQ. However if it was stock and you wanted to go inline, I'd personally go with a 1JZ-GTE-with VVT-i from a late model.

Now where are you from? Is this going to be tagged for the street? And if so do you require smog or emissions?

[Cjmartz2k]

I'm typically nice to the new guys, but I have to agree with everything Greg said. I think you're in over your head. It looks as if you came to the forum looking for attention, instead of to learn and share. I recommend you use the search feature at the top right. It'll save you a lot of embarrassment in the future.

Agree.........except I'm usually and a$$hole to new guys

[xJC350x]

I like RB swaps, but if I were you Id keep the build VQ. However if it was stock and you wanted to go inline, I'd personally go with a 1JZ-GTE-with VVT-i from a late model.

Now where are you from? Is this going to be tagged for the street? And if so do you require smog or emissions?

TheJZ was a viable option, and I considered it in engine selection. The only reason I didn't go with that engine is because I want to keep the theme of the car Nissan... Now an Lexus IS or something that probably would be the way I'd go. I like the fact that the Supra motors are a little stronger but I just don't want to sacrifice the ability to call it an all Nissan car, however you make a good point.
I live in Northern California and it sucks because, as I'm sure you know, CA is very tight on emission, smog, etc. It is still going to be a car that is driven at least 4-5 times a week. I do have the whole smog issue taken care of however, but I want to keep the car a sleeper as possible, so I am not going to be too aesthetically noticeable. I am going to run an exhaust with mufflers in back to silence the sound as much as possible but run an exhaust cut out to exit out the bottom/side of the car for when I am in high boost.

[xJC350x]

One other thing to look at is the availability of replacement parts in the RB vs. the VQ. Obviously the VQ is going to have a much larger availability of parts. When things break (not if, but when), where are you going to find replacement parts? Get ready to pay a gratuitous amount for basic parts. Just my $.02 on the matter.

I was reading somewhere online and it said that is not uncommon for these engines to go well over 100,000 miles and some going over 200,000 miles. Do you think this is a true statement, and I don't know if this is for stock or upgraded engines... I would think that since the RB is made from the factory to handle boost it should run into less issues than a VQ, built or not. Would these be a true assumption?

[xJC350x]

Here is something else for me to consider: I really love the torque of the VQ and I know I am going to miss it. BUT I wonder how much worse, if at all, is it going to be if I go Twin to Single turbo. Here is what I was just talking to my Dad about:

I still have some time to decide if I am going to keep the twins or go single on the RB. What do you think? If we are talking about a few hundred RPM difference in lag that is not too bad, but when I am driving around town how noticeable will it be? I have time to say lets keep the twins, but will the single truly yield me more power yet maintain its' drivability in town?
From what I understand, it will give me more power in the upper RPM ranges, but will it be a dog below say 4,000 rpm? Also, Twins will give me more power down low but will "run out of legs" quicker than the single once I am up at about 6,000+ RPM, But if it isn't significantly less then I don't mind sticking with twins... I can see if it is a dedicated track car and I will live in 5-6k RPM or higher. But for the majority of the time this will be street driven.
My scenario: Daily Driver, like torque and boost to kick in as low as possible (I am accustomed to 550 lbs/ft torque) however I know this won't match that at all unless I am pushing some ridiculous amount of boost, be a great DD, and (very) occasional track use. And another goal high on my priority is to be able to beat the AMG E55 in the quarter mile (11.7 or faster). I know my goals are lofty, but I like to be hopeful. Sorry for being so long winded. What do you think?

[AZhitman]

How's it gonna pass smog legally?

[xJC350x]

How's it gonna pass smog legally?

I will know when I cross that path, but as of right now that isn't much of a concern. That was one of the first things I thought about in doing this but even with a Greddy TT on my VQ those technically aren't CARB legal either. How do other people with Turbo Zs pass smog in CA?

[Cjmartz2k]

How's it gonna pass smog legally?

I will know when I cross that path, but as of right now that isn't much of a concern.

you might want to make it a concern if you plan on driving this on the street in the Democratic People's Republic of California.

[OutToWinPAHC]

How's it gonna pass smog legally?

I will know when I cross that path, but as of right now that isn't much of a concern. That was one of the first things I thought about in doing this but even with a Greddy TT on my VQ those technically aren't CARB legal either. How do other people with Turbo Zs pass smog in CA?

But the 2008 350 is a ODBII with can bus. I dont live in CA but when they do inspections dont they plug in to the ECU. The RB motors are not ODB2, neither is stand alone. So you may have some issues to consider.

[xJC350x]

I completely understand what you are saying, and trust me it is something that concerns me because I don't want the car that I am putting this money into to be taken away from me. I don't want to be a finger pointer, but I want to ask again how every other Z the are not CARB legal are getting around in CA?

[xJC350x]

I will know when I cross that path, but as of right now that isn't much of a concern. That was one of the first things I thought about in doing this but even with a Greddy TT on my VQ those technically aren't CARB legal either. How do other people with Turbo Zs pass smog in CA?[/quote]

But the 2008 350 is a ODBII with can bus. I dont live in CA but when they do inspections dont they plug in to the ECU. The RB motors are not ODB2, neither is stand alone. So you may have some issues to consider.[/quote]

Hmm, point taken... I hadn't thought of that. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Any other input on that?

[xJC350x]

And not to quickly glance over the smog issue at all, but any help on post about twins vs single turbo setup?

[AZhitman]

To answer your question on CA smog, there's only one way around it: Pay off some schmuck at a testing center and pray that everyone you meet likes you SO much that they won't turn you in.

Oh, and don't ever get pulled over in your incredibly unique car, either. I mean, it's not going to stand out or anything, right?

Most modded car owners in CA are either running CARB-compliant parts, OR they're well-connected with somene who can pass their car at inspection time, OR they drive in constant fear of being pulled over.

Re: T vs TT - There's not much of a concern there. The "differences" that people are pointing out are minimal and inconsequential. They're overexaggerated. That's something you'd have run across in a search as well.

Another important question: Which transmission will you be using?

[xJC350x]

You are correct in what you say, but I recognized this back in december when I ordered my Greddy TT kit. Trust me, I am not in the dark to what I am doing, but when the time comes I will have it taken care of. I just hope and pray nothing ever happens to the extent of having the car taken away, but that's why I will take it to the track to race and not the fast and furious streets... Thank you for the concern too

I will be using the RB25 5 speed transmission but installing 300zx internals as I hear those are stronger and will handle way above the HP I will be running for the time being.

[AZhitman]

Of course I'm correct. I've been doing this for 10 years, building cars since the mid-80's, and I didn't build the world's largest Nissan forum by passing out nonsense.

RE: the transmission - Again, you've been misinformed.

Those transmissions are identical internally. The only thing you need to do in order to bolt a Z32 transmission up to your RB motor is swap the bell housings. Or, if you already have the RB25 trans, you're set.

Again, more stuff that would have been revealed with a simple search.

[xJC350x]

Man, one thing I know is you don't mind being haughty... Sorry I said it wrong, that is exactly what my shop told me but I am no expert like you. Humble yourself and maybe you will be blessed the more. Thanks again...

[OutToWinPAHC]

Yes the Z32 and RB25DET RWD trans are the same minus the bellhousing, clutch and flywheels

[AZhitman]

Man, one thing I know is you don't mind being haughty... Sorry I said it wrong, that is exactly what my shop told me but I am no expert like you. Humble yourself and maybe you will be blessed the more. Thanks again...

Humble this. I'm plenty blessed.

You came in here asking for opinions. Yet when you GOT opinions, you made it clear that you'd already made up your mind.

Now you don't like being spoon-fed the information you CLEARLY aren't willing to go get yourself?

If this "mystery shop" already told you that the two transmissions were the same, why did you claim you were already planning to put the internals from one into the other? Why?

Trust me, I am not in the dark to what I am doing

Yes, you ARE in the dark.

It's very clear from your posts, your lack of knowledge of OBD I and II, the fact that you think your Z is different from an 03-06, your half-a$$ed ebay auction, and your inability to keep your story straight.

Humility works both ways, Sunshine. See, my credibility was established long before you strolled in. Yours wasn't. If you had walked in here and said, "Guys, I did something colossally stupid.. I bought an overpriced TT kit for my 350Z, and changed my mind... I know nothing about modding cars, but I think I want to pay someone to swap in an RB to be unique... Help, please!" then I'd have gathered up all our resources to walk you through this thing.

That didn't happen.

Still, you're welcome. No more whining.

[xJC350x]

Yes that what he had said before but I had forgot exactly how he put it. I knew it had to do something with combining the Z32 with the rb25. I would have liked to use a six speed but that is not an option because of the awd setup of the r34. I will work out the gearing after I set her in the car.

[AZhitman]

You won't miss that extra gear - at all.

[xJC350x]

Man, one thing I know is you don't mind being haughty... Sorry I said it wrong, that is exactly what my shop told me but I am no expert like you. Humble yourself and maybe you will be blessed the more. Thanks again...

Humble this. I'm plenty blessed.

You came in here asking for opinions. Yet when you GOT opinions, you made it clear that you'd already made up your mind.

Now you don't like being spoon-fed the information you CLEARLY aren't willing to go get yourself?

If this "mystery shop" already told you that the two transmissions were the same, why did you claim you were already planning to put the internals from one into the other? Why?

Trust me, I am not in the dark to what I am doing

Yes, you ARE in the dark.

It's very clear from your posts, your lack of knowledge of OBD I and II, the fact that you think your Z is different from an 03-06, your half-a$$ed ebay auction, and your inability to keep your story straight.

Humility works both ways, Sunshine. See, my credibility was established long before you strolled in. Yours wasn't. If you had walked in here and said, "Guys, I did something colossally stupid.. I bought an overpriced TT kit for my 350Z, and changed my mind... I know nothing about modding cars, but I think I want to pay someone to swap in an RB to be unique... Help, please!" then I'd have gathered up all our resources to walk you through this thing.

That didn't happen.

Still, you're welcome. No more whining.

If my thread gets under your skin so much why are you still worried about it? I don't need your kind of criticism, sarcasm, and you have not given me any helpful information. I may not have been doing this for 10 YEARS, I may not OWN A SITE, I may not claim I KNOW SO MUCH INFO, but I don't have to, so why do you? Look man, I didn't come here to have a constant argument with you ok? If you don't want to help don't, if you want to be a jerk and sarcastic with every one of your answers I rather you not post. If this is YOUR site, then please don't let the guy who you say has "no experience", no "knowledge", and nothing to offer distract you from doing important things, cuz this obviously isn't important to you. I guess when you started with cars you all the sudden knew it all, or did you have someone be extra sarcastic, jerky, and haughty to you and you are just replicating what happened to you? Look man, for real I am done with you, you are not worth my time going back and forth with, this will be the last time I respond to you.

[xJC350x]

Hey everyone, sorry this thread could not be conducive but it happens, and for some reason I just couldn't fit in... Thanks for all the helpful answers and I will continue my build and maybe post up the finished product. Thanks again

[AZhitman]

Guess I was right, or you'd have had a good answer.

Sorry you couldn't find all the helpful information in my posts - Sometimes it's hidden in plain English.

[xJC350x]

[mixeds14]

man this guy is just HARD HEADED, is like he keeps contradicting himself on his next post, just making himself look like a dumda$$....everything u try to tell or explain goes in one ear n out the other..

[dasoupdude]

Oh lordy, another one..

Pretty young member on here has had it done for quote a while now:

my-rb26-powered-350z-t465441.html

you have not given me any helpful information.

wtf.

[xJC350x]

I actually got good info from some of the members, which I do appreciate. But I don't appreciate someone who is a wise guy the whole time and saying I'm lying about things, that's all. I'd really like to share my project with you all but without hit man giving tons of crap. Yes I'm the new guy and have a few new guy questions, but don't discredit my entire thread and paint me to be a complete idiot to cars. When I got instantly put in the corner I lashed out so for that I'm sorry. I just wanted a few ideas as to where to go with my project on a few things, which some of you were helpful doing, and thank you. So is it cool to squash all the other junk and maybe turn this thread around in the right direction?

[Ace2cool]

Honestly, Greg has given you a LOT of the info in this thread, as far as I can see. Sure, he was being smart, but that's just because he doesn't really take kindly to being smarted off to on his own forum, and if you owned a forum, I imagine you wouldn't either. People have been giving you the advice you don't want to hear, and that is to finish the VQ, so then you tuned them out and kept talking about the idea that was generally regarded as the worse option, obviously having nothing in your head other than "I want a Skyline engine in my 350Zso it can be groundbreaking, even though there have already been RB26 swapped 350Z's before".

I'm not gonna beat a dead horse here though. Let's just drop it.

Weigh the potential benefits of the VQ, and the benefits of the RB. Then, weigh the negatives. I can guarantee you with almost 90% certainty that the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to it being a California car. At least if you have the VQ in it, you can try to fly under the radar. With an RB, there's almost no way. Also, I mentioned earlier about the availability of replacement parts for the RB26, especially in California. You'll have to go to a specialty shop for everything, and usually prices are jacked up at places like that. You've already got an almost completed VQ35HR with all kinds of goodies. Why throw that away and start dumping money into an older engine? Just doesn't make sense, man.