swapping RB26 valve covers

[Count Zero]

I know that there's a difference in the R34 motor and the R32/33 motor, mostly camshaft and valves and internal stuff, but..

Can you put the red R34 valve covers on a R32's motor? Are the differences in the motor purely internal?

[Kansei240sx]

yes, you can put RB26 valve covers on an RB20....but why would you do that? So you could lie and tell everyone its an RB26DETT?

[Joe]

then they see it has 1 turbo. smaller than eithre of the 2 on a stock RB26, and also see that its not that fast (in comparison to a rb26 car)

poser alert! poser alert!

thats no better than an interfooler.

[Count Zero]

yes, you can put RB26 valve covers on an RB20....but why would you do that? So you could lie and tell everyone its an RB26DETT?

Not a RB20, a R32's RB26 motor.

Long story short, the guy I"m buying my R32 from is selling it because he got a R34 (Both are GT-R's)....but he'd built up the R32's engine so much he decided swap them and sell the R32 with the still-stock R34 motor. But he's wanting to keep the R34's valve covers (for the same reason I want them.....they look cooler)

My problem would be, and I guess this is a follow-up question.....How would I tell for certain if it's the R34 motor for certain (I don't think he'd trick me, but I'm paranoid enough to want to look).

But then, assuming he's honest (which I'm sure he is), how would I convince people it's really an R34 motor with R32 covers on it?

[Sil240]

Check http://www.jbskyline.netMaybe they have some information to differntiate them.You can tell by the crank snout, but I doubt your gonna start pulling this guys motor apart.

[Count Zero]

Thanks for the link, though it didn't tell me much more than I already found out: it's primarly a difference in camshaft design and valve size/timing.

So, I'm guessing there's no easy way to tell from the outside.

I know that US cars have an engraved Engine ID that matches with the overall VIN, so you can compare them and see if it's the original motor in a car or not.

Wonder if the JDM cars have matching numbers like that.....

Well, worst-case scenario and he keeps the newer valve covers, I'll just get the black R32 covers painted red and then go find the R34 plate somewhere.
Modified by Count Zero at 5:55 PM 11/27/2006

[noodl35]

Oh there are plenty of ways to tell between r32,r33, and r34 rb26dett motors.

1. Of course you know that the basic r34 rb26dett motor comes with Red valve covers

2. Only the r34 motors come with the different CAS that has a Black cover.Here is a stock R34 rb26dett with the black CAS as well as the Red valve covers.To show you a bigger picture of the black CAS, here is a Tomei Built R34 Rb26dett with the Black CAS.

3. R34 Rb26dett motors came the intake manifold unpainted. It is just stock aluminum form. Notice on the stock r34 rb26dett picture that the aluminum intake manifold is unpainted.

4. R33 and R34 Rb26dett's had a different knock sensor harness. You can tell by this Light Grey Plug that sits on top of the fuel rail and next to the intake manifold (collector).

Here is a picture of my grey plug on my R33 rb26dett.

Hope this helps everyone distinguish the motors. Of course there is the different crank collar versions but that is something you can not see unless you take crank pulley and oil pump out.

[Count Zero]

Excellent. Thank you very much.

Like I said, I trust the guy, but will look to satisfy my paranoia anyway...I'd hate to spend money for something like a Power FC and get the wrong one because I actually had a R32 motor when I thought it was an R34....

[Count Zero]

Followup question:

So, does the R34 motor need to have the R34 ECU as well? I'd think it does, but want to make sure before I get the car... Just in case he leaves the R32 one in there and it needs the R34 ecu.

[RbKouki]

Quote »To show you a bigger picture of the black CAS, here is a Tomei Built R34 Rb26dett with the Black CAS.[/quote]Its not a black CAS its a black pc of plastic that covers your existing CAS.

[digzsublime]

[QUOTE=Kansei240sx]yes, you can put RB26 valve covers on an RB20....but why would you do that? So you could lie and tell everyone its an RB26DETT?[/QUOTE=Kansei240sx/]

Man, no offense bro but do you EVER post any positive responses to questions? It seems as though almost every response you post is made to degrade someone either for lack of knowledge or because you find their question trivial. I don't get it.

You automaticly assumed the worst about this guys post without even bothering to to figure out the true reasons behind his question. I'm sure you know everything there is to know about the RB but not everyone does.

I'm not trying to be rude to you. But, from what I've seen so far, the majority of people in this RB community are willing to help without prejudging everyone; unless they ask something copletely basic that someone with basic automotive knowlege shoud know.

Just think about how crappy it would've been if people on here treated you like you were stupid when you had all your transmission issues. Without people here being patient and taking the time to understand your problem, you may not have found out that you had the wrong transmission.

Anyway sorry for the rant.