Building an RB powered Z32...

[SuperHatch]

Hello all, I'm new here but certainly not new to Nissans. My "Resume" if you will, includes KAs, SRs, VGs, and lately VHs. A good friend of mine has decided to swap an RBXX into his Z32, and I'm going to be doing the majority of the work for him.

That being said, I am new to the RB. I've done a good deal of research, I have a good grasp of the oiling issues of these motors, and I'm confident I will have no problems per-se with getting the RB physically mounted into the Z or with the wiring.

My first question to this forum, is your recommendation. My friend wants no less than 400WHP out of the box with whatever engine he chooses. From what I've read, a heathy 25 will do about 400WHP on pump gas with a bolt on internally gated GT30 series turbo, a front mount, injectors, and a good tune. Is there truth in this e-claim, or is that a pipe dream?

Can 400WHP be made on an RB26 with a front mount, stock injectors and the stock twins with a good tune?

Reason I ask is because I can get my hands on an R32 RB26 complete conversion (engine, AWD trans, harness, ECU, accessories, etc.) for under 3k. I can get an R33 RB25 conversion localle for about 1800. The turbo and injectors on the 25 will more than make up for the price difference between the two, and from what I gather the 26 is the more stout foundation to build from.

The oil pump drive issue doesn't concern me at this power level and stock rev limits... or should I be concerned?

General maintenance before installation will cost about the same between the two (timing belt, water pump, engine gasket kit (for intake and exhaust removal, cleaning, and reinstallation as well as replacing all seals))

AWD versus RWD trans doesn't matter since either bell will be swapped to the VG trans.




In the end, my vote is for the 26... make me feel right in recommending this to him, or convince me otherwise...


Thanks!

[Allan74]

Can 400WHP be made on an RB26 with a front mount, stock injectors and the stock twins with a good tune?

Yes......and No.

My car all stock with nothing but breathing mods (int/ex) made 350 WHP on a notoriously LOW READING Mustang Dyno here in Calgary (3500ft above sea level) @ 1.0 BAR on stock twins fresh off the boat on an Impul Tuned ECU. Other cars that did similar put down over 400 WHP on other Dynojets in town.

Now, with that as my baseline, upon installing my PFC and doing the initial base tune, my tuner was able to get just over 300 WHP with NO TIMING at .6 BAR....but that is as far as we went before I sold the ECU.

I think that a GOOD TUNE, 1.0 BAR and Dynojet is EASILLY 400 WHP, or more, as it can almost be done on a Mustang Dyno.

[Allan74]

Here is a heat soaked run from that first day. As you can see, I was WAY rich on the top end thanks to elevation, but it was my saving grace, as the Impul ECU had WAY too much timing tuned in......but look at that TQ curve ;)

This is FRESH OFF THE BOAT, 1.0 BAR on OEM Twins, Impul Tuned JDM ECU, Trust 3.5" Front Mount, Big Downpipe, 3.5" Exhaust, De-Cat, All hard piping, Open Intake Filters, OEM Manifolds and Dumps on 91oct Fuel.

http://www.gtrpwrgtrpwrgtrpwrgtrpwrgtrpwrgtrpwrgtrpwr.com/downloads/pics/~misc/april6airfuel.gif

The first Cold Run was a 360WHP/310ft.lbs and after a few runs, we setled on a 340WHP/290ft.lbs print out as being the average.

[mcfly]

Andy's car

rbz32.com owner was pretty sweet when it had the th400 swap too.
you can do 400 wheel with stock twins but you would be much better off buying a set of r32/33 n1 turbos to do it(cheaper then r34 n1's)

400 wheel has been done though on stock ceramic turbos with a good tune.

[SuperHatch]

Well I appreciate the feedback so far, and from what I've read above I'm still leaning towards the 26.

I've been a lurking member of RBZ32 for a while now, Andy's car is certainly something to aspire towards. He uses the same TH400 setup that I run in my S14 drag car...

My S14 with the TH400, amazing what a trans brake does:
YouTube- Godspeed VH S14 goes Elevens

My Z just for giggles:
YouTube- 450ZX Acceleration Demo

[Allan74]

It's too bad you weren't from around here.

There is a shop in Calgary trying DESPERATELY to sell a JDM-Built-and-imported RB26 Powered Z31 that they have been sitting on for over a year now I believe (where I bought my car from, JDM Tuners in Calgary AB.).

I know is not a Z32.....but a Z none the less ;)

http://www.jdmtunersinc.com/galleries1.html
(second row down, $8200 CAD O.B.O)

[rb-racer]

Im not going to lie, they have some butt ugly cars

[mcfly]

I always like this video of Andy's
just like how a rb sounds on a converter

http://www.gtrpwr.com/TH400_First_Pass_11_7.wmv

[j-ran]

http://forums.hybridz.org/

this is a great forum with tons of information on swapping any motor you can think of into any era Z car. Probably lots of helpful info for your particular swap

[SuperHatch]

Yea I've seen that vid of Andy's car, pretty sick. It's a shame he pulled the 400 out of it and put the 5 speed back in. He said he couldn't get it onto the converter for a good launch.

I'll check out that forum, thanks! I just figured the folks here could better make the recommendation between 25 and 26 than anywhere else...

[j-ran]

I'll check out that forum, thanks! I just figured the folks here could better make the recommendation between 25 and 26 than anywhere else...

id say if 400 whp is your goal the 25 is safer, but needs more modification... 26 incase you want more power in the future.

that forum is more for ideas on how to do your swap than info between rb engines, this forum specializes in that. :D

[SuperHatch]

Well, the decision has been made... going 26.

[mcfly]

I like that choice, better potential right off the bat.

[SuperHatch]

Honestly, so do I, which is why I pushed it.

I figure, stock RB, upgrade the twins with a used steel/inconnel set or a new N1 set, upgraded injectors, front mount, and some form of engine management and the car should make 400 without a problem. Maybe even 450... which would make him very happy.

[Gdzilla]

You might want to contact Charlie at Speed and Sound in St Louis he has a big single turbo on his RB26 powered Z32 and he was selling kits for bolt in set ups.

Unless you already have the new cross member and driveshaft already set up.

[SuperHatch]

You might want to contact Charlie at Speed and Sound in St Louis he has a big single turbo on his RB26 powered Z32 and he was selling kits for bolt in set ups.

Unless you already have the new cross member and driveshaft already set up.

I've done a fair share of fabrication on my own, I'll be doing the crossmember and motor mount fabrication for this swap myself.

Example... A VH Z32 crossmember I did:

http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=43&stc=1&d=1259530303


http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44&stc=1&d=1259530303


http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45&stc=1&d=1259530303

[DrMango]

thats nice work dude. Is there any finished pics with the VH(45?) in the car all complete?

Kyle

[SuperHatch]

thats nice work dude. Is there any finished pics with the VH(45?) in the car all complete?

Kyle

Thanks,

Here are a couple...

http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49&stc=1&d=1259582012


http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50&stc=1&d=1259582012


http://gtrpwr.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51&stc=1&d=1259582012

[mcfly]

now that's cool

[DrMango]

HEHE that makes me gitty :D
Is it a bitch to change the spark plugs?

Kyle

[SuperHatch]

It's no harder to change the plugs than it is in a Q45, which is a pain all in itself. So, yes, it is... but it's not the cars fault.

[DrMango]

nice. thanks for the response. Now i cant wait to see your new project get on its way ;) Keep us updated with the RB26 Z32

Kyle

[mcfly]

I bet its a lot easier then changing the plugs on a sti haha

[bobbo]

I bet its a lot easier then changing the plugs on a sti haha

Ahhh the Subs aren't bad. You just need to know how and move a couple of bits out of the way!

I think it's been said a few times before but for this gentlemans info. and money savings the stock fmic can flow enough for the 600hp range. Cheaper to get an oe one than dropping a grand on an aftermarket one.

just my 2cents... and holy $h1t those things sound mean!

[Wedge]

http://forums.hybridz.org/

this is a great forum with tons of information on swapping any motor you can think of into any era Z car. Probably lots of helpful info for your particular swap

I am a member their and in undergoing a RB26 plant in a S30 Z . if i can give you an advise is search before you post because their they will not tolerate noobs that dont know how to search . Their is amazing knowledge on that site and its a great community .:cool: Good luck

[Allan74]

.... if i can give you an advise is search before you post because their they will not tolerate noobs that dont know how to search .

I f#cking hate shit like that. What's the point in having a Forum/Community if all people do is bitch and cry about SEARCHING every time someone asks a question ? Lame....very Lame.

It take just as much energy to type something positive and helpful as it does to be a complete dick most times, so you have to wonder - is it really a good community ? or just somewhere for all the Internet Queens to hang out and point fingers at the Newbs ?

A 'Knowledge Base' or 'FAQ' website is for searching.

A Forum is for interacting with others that share the same interests.

Anyone who pulls that kind of shit around here will find themselves on the fast track right the f%ck out of here.

[mcfly]

I agree, we have a forum for posting and discussing. Search never works on big boards and it pisses me off more times then not.

[DrMango]

when that same "my car hesitates at 3500 rpm" question gets asked for the 400th time it really gets old though..

Kyle

[j-ran]

when that same "my car hesitates at 3500 rpm" question gets asked for the 400th time it really gets old though..

Kyle

true, but i am able to ignore it... some people on other forums are unable to ignore these posts and must point out that the op is a newb and they should have used search...

[SuperHatch]

In those cases I usually state something like...

"I hope you understand that this has been a topic that repeatedly comes up on this forum. Here is a brief answer... bla bla bla

For a more in depth answer and more responses, I would suggest using the sites search feature."




I've been a member of hybridz for a while, just never post there. I troll a lot of online forums to gain as much knowledge as possible. I don't post just for the sake of posting.