yes, yes i know...s13 rb26 swap question

[GXRINDER]

alright, so as you may notice i am new to this forum in terms of my post count. however, ive been coming to nico for all my answers since 2007. this website is my bible. with that being said i know the routine(i.e. read stickies, search, search more, read, read, read and read more, then post). i am also very mechanically inclined, i am ase certified and i was a certified meredes technician until i joined the air force. i have accomplished a few swap, multiple mods and owned 3 different S13s, my current one being the best.


now heres my big question: what is required for a successful rb26 swap into a s13 keeping the stock turbos?

now, here is the info i found: post4596587.html?hilit=rb26%20swap%20s13#p4596587
its from a sale post so naturally im a little suspicious as to if that is everything needed. i have searched and searched and searched and 99% of what i find is ignorant people. so please, if you dont know then dont reply. i dont wanna hear "to be done right its gonna cost you 10k and thats beinig cheap"... no it wont.

i plan to do all the work myself, what i need is a list of REQUIRED parts and mods for this engine to start and run with full functionality and stock turbos.

heres what i know, tell me what im missing please:
driveshaft
mount kit and crossmember
rb25 or z32 trans
FMIC
downpipes



and here is a pic of the future implant patient

[breadbox]

yep, pretty much. Type in rb26 s13 into a search engine, there are a bunch of threads of people doing them. single turbo is better than twin unless you are trying to keep it stock, then twins have great response.

[Carl H]

proper wiring and custom intakes as the stock ones dont fit very well.

[GXRINDER]

breadbox, thats what i search. spent hours reading that shiz.

and carl, do you mean custom intake manifold or custom intake piping?


i also forgot to add to my list oil pan modification

[Carl H]

custom intake piping and charge piping.

[GXRINDER]

sweet. thats what i thought, just wanted to make sure. seems like a lot of people blow this swap out of proportion. i know its not a simple bolt up and wire affair, but this doesnt seem like it would be that much more complex than a rb25 swap.

thanks yall

[breadbox]

It is. You should go with rb25 for ease.

RB26 needs a bunch of rb25 stuff to make it work as RWD. So why not build a simpler RB thats cheaper and already RWD.

Are ITB's and twin turbo really worth, swapping the oil pan etc. for RWD and then you still need an RB25 trans... It'd be faster and easier to do RB25det swap and will be just as fun... and cheaper in the end.

[GXRINDER]

to be honest when you put it that way... no.

however, im saving up for a RB swap. i dont particularly care for the sr20 or rb20, i don't want another ca (too old and not much of a gain for the price) and a ka-t would be nice, but i prefer the rb. its just a matter of 25 or 26 and before i rule out either and commit to a swap, i want a realistic idea of what the 26 will require. ya know?

[Carl H]

budget 10k for a stock 26 swap...might not burn all of that but you'll get close!

[whoareu]

i did the 25 swap a couple of years ago. i did it myself with some help from knowledgable friends. i spent close to 6k give or take 500. the way i looked at it was like this. you need the 25 transmission either way. so i figured the cheapest route for me was do the 25 and then if im not satisfied later on i could upgrade. that was my thought process. and im pretty sure you will need a 26 ecu to run a 26. i could be mistaken. i believe the 25 oilpan will mount up. once again i could be mistaken. and im sure you already know this as this isnt your first swap id budget in another 2k for misc bs that always pops up. and while the engine is out clean everything and do new seals and gaskets...

[breadbox]

pretty sure rb25 pan fits but has less capacity. Most people make a custom pan or weld up the 26 pan, pretty sure.

[GXRINDER]

budget 10k for a stock 26 swap...might not burn all of that but you'll get close!

i guess the sad reality is, i have to accept this budget for this swap.

and the 25 pan doesnt line up 100% but some people do use it

[Carl H]

you can modify a stock 26 pan by hacking off the front diff and welding up the holes for the axles...time consuming but not hard.
stock pan is better than a 25 tho, it adds quite a bit of rigidity to the block and has better surge control.