My original plans were to go with a red top s13 engine in the spring. well i've been having a change of heart and am now looking at the RB26dett. i will def, have the money to do the swap and im wondering how bad will it actually effect my weight ratio... and if i redo the entire suspension, how bad will it affect the great handling of the car. I am thinking of redoing the entire suspension so i can somewhat retain the handling of my car. Does anybody know the weight difference between the SR20det and the rb26dett? I know its alot of engine but how bad will it actually kill the weight ratio? If i went with a really stiff setup in the font to counteract the added weight do u think i can keep the handling a little bit. I'm talking lower ladder arms, new tension rods, really stiff strut/coilover setup etc. i am willing to sacrifice some of the handling. I will give up Auto X in return for some 11-10 sec. time slips anyday. the engine really can boast alot more HP capabilities than the SR and it revs high really nice too. the ultimate goal in doing this swap would be a 700-800 hp streetable car with nice high speed stability for the bigger tracks out there. Any replies would be greatly appreciated on the weight issue. Rude i know you are going with the RB25, i'd like to see how that comes out too! Thanks alot!

 

man. i know some things about RB powered S13's
the weight diffrence of the two engines isn't too much, but the car will understeer unless you use alot of camber.

you'll also need to convert to a single turbo set-up for ease of instalation(unless you want to fabricate new steering links or get an upper turbo manifold and deal with hood clearance)

IMO use coilovers and keep the fronts about an inch higher then the rears for added travel

there are a few tricks that i'm not about to advertise for free on here so get at me and i can put you on. the swap is stright foward but you need a few extras. i can get you the RB26 wiring diagram if you need it.
PM me we can work this out

 

Sorry to reiterate, what is the weight difference between the two engines? And does the 25 weigh about the same as the 26?

I had a guy tell me you couldn't drift as well with the heavier RB swaps because of weight, but I'm not so sure I believe that. With proper suspension/tire pressure tuning, why would it be that much more difficult?

Enough ?'s for my virginal (noob) post, i suppose...

 

rude knows his stuff I dont know wut the exact differnce of weight is but i belive its 50-60 lbs. And all RB engines weigh about the same, maybe a little more or a little less. I belive the RB26 weighs more then the 25 or the 20. And if u have the proper suspension set up, and do a battery relocation to the rear u should be A-OK with drifting and auto x.

 

I am in process of doing the RB26 swap myself. I recieved all of the parts I will need now from pistons to the turbo. I will start to post pics when I get the block back. I am making my own turbo manifold. It will be either out of titanium or stainless steel.

 

Ever see the jms rb20s13? a typical rb not the 26 weighs about 50 lbs max over a ka. a 26 weighs more cause the oil pan has a diff hanging off the side of it. if you goto RWD and single turbo then it weighs the same as a 25.

take the battery throw it in the trunk. remove the following: front bumper,ac dryer,ac condesor,charcoal can, old mechanical fan,ac lines,battery tray, window washer bottle,ac fan. and also if it's a s13 if you do a silvia convertion that will lose 27lbs also.

another thing if you use mounts IE -UH- or mckinney the motor will sit lower and back which also helps weight dist.


i hear this weight dist. bs agument all the time. and even from people who pull the whole interior and that can mess up front to back weight but it doesn't matter.

and i know all this from experience too not just hearsay.