to RB or not to RB

[240eclipse]

alrighty then im new to this fourm and im gunna have a few questions for all......one.....94 240sx 230k miles 300$ auto blown head gasket"ez fix" perfect body cept rusted hatch thats about it .....worth it? two.....i pretty much just want an a ss load of power not really want to drift with it ...hears my options......sr20 redtop.... blacktop .... or the rb25det .........i think the rb26 is outta the question here what do you all suggest

[240RB1]

whatever floats your boat

[masticatingcow]

Welcome to NICO.

Don't waste your time thinking too hard about an engine swap. None of those options are original anymore, so just do what is easiest. I'd wait for a running KA'd 240sx and turbo the engine. When it blows you have replacements in every junkyard in the nation and for cheap.

And search.

[180fan]

whatever floats your boat

And search.

well said. well said.

[Chukidori]

If you are considering an sr20...why not an RB20??

[0wn3r]

If you are considering an sr20...why not an RB20??

why would you recommend an RB over an SR?

[bone_stock_240]

Because it is harder to find parts for and is not a direct swap. Those are the main reasons I would recommend one. Complication FTW!

[Chukidori]

No more complicated than an RB25 or 26. And no Worse off for power than an SR20.

Plus it sounds loads better than an SR20 and is alot smoother And you can get them dirt cheap.

Cheaper than CA18'S

[bone_stock_240]

Yeah, that is true. The reason why I would not personally go for one is you are adding alot of weight and difficulty swapping, and significantly harder to find parts, when you could just get the same displacement from an SR. Either way, this is not an SR vs RB thread, so I will keep my opinions on the matter to myself. Hell, all I have used is a stock KA.

[qwarnon]

personally im going with an rb20.. due mostly to price. and i like the inline 6 design. yeah its more weight... but its not too bad. you have almost unlimited options here. pretty much every JDM engine has been swapped into a 240 at sometime.. or someone is working on it.

[240eclipse]

so pretty much this is what im going for.......which motor can support more horse power outta the box cuz im looken to go big with a turbo but i dont what to change out the guts anytime soon

[Eikon]

so pretty much this is what im going for.......which motor can support more horse power outta the box cuz im looken to go big with a turbo but i dont what to change out the guts anytime soon

How much HP do you want?How much money do you want to spend to get it there?What are you going to be doing with this car?What is your mechanical aptitude?Do you have tools to work on the car?

Answer these questions and then I'll give you a more reasonable answer.

[180fan]

out of the box eh? then... drum roll please...

*drums roll*

2JZ-GTE.

Yeah, I said it. I've seen way too many examples of crap coming from these clips and motor sets nowadays for the SR's, CA's, and the older RB's. You can find a decently shaped 2JZ's stateside, and then get raped on the installation, but it'll be able to deliver more power than your rear axles will probably be able to take in their stock form.

[240eclipse]

ok well im looken to get around 400 hp then ill be happy....pretty much got about 3-4g after the motor..... probly going to take it to the track maybe make it a show car.. i know enough where i can rebuild an entire motor so i think a swap should be cake......and tools i work at a autobodyshop/garage so its all good

[Eikon]

ok well im looken to get around 400 hp then ill be happy....pretty much got about 3-4g after the motor..... probly going to take it to the track maybe make it a show car.. i know enough where i can rebuild an entire motor so i think a swap should be cake......and tools i work at a autobodyshop/garage so its all good

Cool.. At least you know what your are doing.. We get entirely too many kids who don't know how to do an oil change asking these rediculous questions.

400whp is achievable on stock internals for Rb20, RB25, SR20, and probably even the KA24. So you shouldn't need to drop too many dollars on building the engine itself.

You will however, need to spend money on fuel, airflow, and engine management, as well as a nice size turbo.

SR20 is just less than $2000 to buy, while RB20 is a little more than $1200 to buy (on average) plus you'll need either custom mounts or a R32 xmember. The RB25 will run you around $2k as well.. but require a mount kit and driveshaft, making it the most expensive of the bunch.

Even though the RB20 is cheaper to acquire, it's more expensive to mod. You can get 400whp out of it.. but most experts say that's about all you want to try with stock internals. I've heard of more from some people.. but I think the rule of thumb is to keep at 400 max.

It's an age old arguement.. . SR vs. RB.. Basically comes down to what you want..

SR (+) easier to swap, easier to wire, easier to mod, cheaper parts and better aftermarket. RB20 (+) more unique, better sound, smoother feel,

SR is also a bit lighter if that's a concern to you.

RB25 is a better engine than both of the others. More torque, more hp potential, the beefiest trans you can find, etc.. But, it's more expensive as well. If you want to push 400 and still have room for more hp.. it's a great engine. It will cost you $3k+ to install (engine, mounts, driveshaft, wiring, misc, etc..)Another $1500 or so should get you to 400whp.

Good luck!

[240eclipse]

damn man thats pretty helpful you know your stuff....i really like the tone of the rb's so how difficult would it be to wire it all up........what about the rb26dett how do they fit in 240's and how could it be converted to awd if thats at all possible

[driftneil]

damn man thats pretty helpful you know your stuff....i really like the tone of the rb's so how difficult would it be to wire it all up........what about the rb26dett how do they fit in 240's and how could it be converted to awd if thats at all possible

Your being handed all these answers man...He just gave a butt-load of info....now search. Dont be greedy.

[masticatingcow]

Ignorance is expensive. Searching is free.

[Eikon]

To get an Rb26, you will need an RB25 trans and a lot more work. Expect to spend $7k+ to get the 26 installed and running in a 240sx. Forget about the AWD.. the geometry is all wrong for the front wheels.. Sure.. it's been done.. but by experts with their own shop and a lot of money.. just forget it and waste the time dreaming.

If you really want a RB26.. start with a RB25.. learn it, drive it, enjoy it.. then you can upgrade to a 26 someday later when you hit the lottery.

[240eclipse]

so it looks like im throwing an rb25 in my 240 wish me luck...... ide rather get info from a pro rather than bits of **** here and there

[HxC_Nismo]

GO RB cause its well worth it cause i dont regret mine at all.