Thoughts after 1st day in RB26DETT 240SX.....Chris- Underground

[underground]

Today was the first day I had behind the wheel of my RB26DETT 240SX since we started the build last September....

I have had several cars, but none of them prepared me for this....

The Exedy Twin Plate Clutch for one (rated for 700+ HP) is really, really hard to drive... Once you are out of 1st gear you are cool, but it is extremely sensitive and just wants to jolt into gear and take off....

I was wondering what kind of ride to expect. As for now, I have left it on stock boost (7 PSI, makes about 315 HP)....

Its scary how fast this thing goes from 3K- 8K.... I would guess it takes about 2 secs.... I was simply trying to drive it home, and once it hits boost, the twins just lite up...

You really don't feel that, "put you back in your seat feeling," you get with most big singles... The twin turbos work very well together, and the experience is amazing.

The powerband is very smooth, and if I didn't have the BOV, I would guess I was driving a N/A Honda Accord...

I just can't explain how good the ride is... I can't wait to put on the new big single, but as for now, it is one amazing street machine (even in stock form)...

I think its the smooth boost that amazes me, it doesn't feel like a turbo car.. You get the killer power of Dodge Viper, with the ride of a Grand Marquis.... To me, this is the ultimate car....

Just wanted to give you guys an idea that were wondering about how the car handles...

I haven't felt any of the comments people have made about how it would be top heavy.. It feels like the motor belongs there, and I haven't had any of the cornering issues people speculated on....

McKinney Motorsports Motor Mount Kit sits the motor very low in the engine bay, partially to accomodate the extra weight and to approve handling...

Take care!

Chris

Modified by underground at 12:36 AM 9/16/2004
Modified by underground at 12:39 AM 9/16/2004

[Spazz]

Chris, i just went to underground motorsports and checked out your vids. Your car is Sic. Your engine is Sic, I am not worthy!!!

[jayz706]

Im excited... Mine should start for the first time in the 240 today.

Congrats on yours, the car looks awsome. Sound like it runs good too.

Did they put it on a dyno? How do you know the hp? No recirculation BOV's it must be running fat, is that why the hp is lower than it should be?

[JonPowell]

Im excited... Mine should start for the first time in the 240 today.

Congrats on yours, the car looks awsome. Sound like it runs good too.

Did they put it on a dyno? How do you know the hp? No recirculation BOV's it must be running fat, is that why the hp is lower than it should be?

Lower than it should be?

You know that this motor is rated at 280HP at the crank, before drivetrain loss and without accessories like powersteering, AC and alternator, right?

How is 315 low?

[jayz706]

Mac @ Mckinney motorsports said the motor should put 400 to the wheels in stock trim.

280 @ the crank is a gentlemans agreement in Japan.

[JonPowell]

There is a guy in Alaska running an RB26 in his Z with an SDS stand alone, 680CC injectors and a big nasty Trust FMIC, stock everything else....only 392 at the wheels. I think Mack might have exagerated a little.

Still runs low 11's though

http://www.nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=56770

[DETurbine]

Nice to see that the thing is running well and you are enjoyin. Instead of rushing and getting a single, why not max the stock twins? you can take them up to 450hp.

[Nameless EJ6]

I thought stock boost was 9 psi?

[jayz706]

maybe i misunderstood what he said..

[Wulfgang]

The ride of a Grand Marquis???? I'm confused... did you put the RB26 in a 240 or in a Q45?

[b-s14]

hows it handle in the corners... feel a bit of over steer or under..?

[DSMs_Suck]

The ride of a Grand Marquis???? I'm confused... did you put the RB26 in a 240 or in a Q45?

lol

[BoostFab]

that's awsome.... let's see a vid of an onboard camera during a test drive

[SeVa-S13]

The RB26 may BE ABLE to put down 400 with the stock setup, but rolls off the factory floor with about 320bhp, like the MKIV Supra, both being rated at 280bhp though.

[Imissmyturbo]

Congrates on your swap!! Makes me wish I went RB26 instead.

I have about 6-7K in my RB25 swap and only going to make about 350-375 WHP. I bet with an RB26 swap I could have done that without going aftermaret turbo and PFC.

[underground]

Today I had a little more time in the car, and I found a few negatives...

First, the downpipe is hitting the steering column... McKinney built a really nice downpipe for me (custom/prototype), but its not perfect..

When I get on it (the motor shifts), and try to turn, the steering column locks into place and its very scary...

As soon as I hit the brakes though and the motor goes into stock location, it turns fine again...

SO, there will have to be some modification done when I get back from NOPI....

The car does feel a little top heavy, but its nothing what I expected. I really dont see it being enough that I am going to suffer performance wise...

It doesn't help that I have 18" wheels on the front, very bad idea that I will soon be fixing..as they rub pretty bad...

The factory boost is 7 PSI, and I gotta tell you, its scary fast....

Well, now to change out the radiator fluid... All that motor gunk from sitting at a junkyard has gotten in my water, and has turned it a crap brown color...So time for a little distilled water and water wetter...

Thanks for following the car...

Chris

[Nameless EJ6]

So do you know if there's going to be steering clearance probs with the stock RB26 and their downpipe they sell for the 26? I just got their mounts for it and I don't want to have rubbing issues like that.

Maybe an engine dampener would help or something..

[b-s14]

hmm... moving engine..? doesn't sound goooood...

[RMiller]

The engine tilts side to side from the torque. You can wiggle it with your hands.

[jayz706]

Did you drill the holes and install some nuts and bolts in the cross member to support the mounts and keep them from moving in an upward motion?I havent drilled mine yet.

[FAST-DATSUN]

the safety straps are not drilled on the UnderGround car as it had to go before we could test drive it (no plates) the motor in the correct place with the saftey straps drilled and bolted in place should stop the rubbing if not we will adjust the R33 TT down pipe as necessary.....the pipe on Chris car is a proto-type R-33 pipe we had no time to make the changes, the Production pipe will not hit........

[Joe]

Chris congrats man! im glad you got it going well. any snags during the whole process?

[74260zt]

Very nice Chris. Your whole package looks top notch. I'm sure all the little bugs will get worked out. Thats always the case when we try to go against the grain, and do something thats not real common.

I will be in the same kind of test waters with my rb26 install into my early 74 260z. Sure, its been done before, but I haven't laid my eyes on all the little dodads that need special attention to make installs like ours, a no brainer...Its my first dealings with the rb26 in a Z car, but hey.... no problem

Anyhoo, looks great!!joel

[Saint]

Hay Chris, I saw your 240 at the NOPI nats.Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!! For all-you-all who have been hedging on this swap. DO IT!

And Chris, get the blue valve cover to match. just my $.02

[PROJECTRB240SX]

GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE FINALLY GETTING THE JOYS OF DRIVING THE CAR YOU'VE TALKED SO HIGHLY AND IN LENGTH ABOUT. GOOD LUCK WITH GETTTING ALL THE KINKS WORKED OUT!

SOON I WILL HAVE THE JOY OF DRIVING MY 400HP 280Z. ALL ITS NEEDS IS THE LASH ADJUSTED AND THE VALVE COVERS PUT ON AND UNIMAGINABLE BURNOUTS HERE I COME! CHRIS IF YOUR EVER OUT MY WAY LET ME KNOW... I'D LIKE TO MEET UP. OHH BTW I GOT A ECLIPSE TOO ONLY MINE IS THE GS AND THE HEADGASKET IS BLOWN ALSO.