SR20det swap vs. RB20DET swap
02-07-2004, 02:25 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 37
SR20det swap vs. RB20DET swap
Hey what's up everyone
I am new to this forum, and just trying to gather a little information. I have been reading a lot about SR20 and RB20 swaps into 89-93 240's. I am trying to figure out what exactly is needed for each swap, and to compare the cost of each. I would really like the RB20, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I like the SR20 because it swaps in so easily. I just don't want to have any problems with the swap. So far this is what I have found out:
SR20DET: 89-90 chassis needs power steering lines from a 91-93 chassis, otherwise the motor swaps directly in, uses 240sx driveshaft, etc.
RB20DET: Requires some modification. Needs a mount kit to lower the engine and move it further back (?) so it will fit. Needs custom downpipe, and probably some other stuff I don't know. Do you need to buy an RB20DET front clip to get everything you need for the swap, or can you just buy the motorset? I am kind of opposed to getting the front clip, because I have no use for any of the Skyline body panels, or anything besides the engine and trans. Also with a clip, you have to remove 2 engines instead of one. Plus, what the hell do you do with a front clip when you are finished with it?
So basically, the RB20 is cheap, but requires more 'small' things to swap it into a 240, while the SR20 is a little more $ initially, but swaps in with no problems. Please feel free to tell me your opinions, and any info you have about this!
Thanks!
Jeff
I am new to this forum, and just trying to gather a little information. I have been reading a lot about SR20 and RB20 swaps into 89-93 240's. I am trying to figure out what exactly is needed for each swap, and to compare the cost of each. I would really like the RB20, but I'm not sure if it's worth it. I like the SR20 because it swaps in so easily. I just don't want to have any problems with the swap. So far this is what I have found out:
SR20DET: 89-90 chassis needs power steering lines from a 91-93 chassis, otherwise the motor swaps directly in, uses 240sx driveshaft, etc.
RB20DET: Requires some modification. Needs a mount kit to lower the engine and move it further back (?) so it will fit. Needs custom downpipe, and probably some other stuff I don't know. Do you need to buy an RB20DET front clip to get everything you need for the swap, or can you just buy the motorset? I am kind of opposed to getting the front clip, because I have no use for any of the Skyline body panels, or anything besides the engine and trans. Also with a clip, you have to remove 2 engines instead of one. Plus, what the hell do you do with a front clip when you are finished with it?
So basically, the RB20 is cheap, but requires more 'small' things to swap it into a 240, while the SR20 is a little more $ initially, but swaps in with no problems. Please feel free to tell me your opinions, and any info you have about this!
Thanks!
Jeff
02-07-2004, 04:06 PM
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pasadena,ca
Posts: 10,109
Yea this has been covered a million times...ill still reply though
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
02-07-2004, 05:08 PM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 156
Originally posted by -HyJynX-
Yea this has been covered a million times...ill still reply though
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
Yea this has been covered a million times...ill still reply though
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
02-07-2004, 08:27 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
Originally posted by -HyJynX-
Yea this has been covered a million times...ill still reply though
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
Yea this has been covered a million times...ill still reply though
RB20 is cheaper then the SR, even for a front clip. All you need to do is swap the 240sx cross-member with the R32 crossmember, shave a little off the turbo elbow, hood and sway bar and thats it. Some clips/motor sets dont even come with the stock downpipe. It will still come out cheaper even if you have to buy a downpipe. IMO, RB20 all the way
02-08-2004, 07:29 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 75
if you want the best RB 240sx related forum go to NICO or www.nissaninfiniticlub.com
02-08-2004, 02:09 PM
#9
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 37
cool . . . thanks for the replies everyone. i did do a search (i'm all about searching), but i was still confused as to exactly what is needed for an RB20det swap.
so basically what i am hearing is that you need custom motor mounts, a downpipe, R32 crossmember, and adjustable sway bars? does the stock ka24de drive shaft bolt up ok? i have heard several different things about this, and i'm not sure which is right. i have looked at several different sites, and it looks like an rb20det motor set is about $1800. is there anything else besides the crossmember that you would need from a front clip? i'm asking because i don't really want a clip unless it's absolutely necessary.
when you talk about shaving the turbo elbow and the hood, is this complicated? i kind of don't like the idea of cutting or shaving anything to make something else fit . . . it doesn't seem like a good idea really. anyone else have any relevant info or opinions? the help is appreciated!
so basically what i am hearing is that you need custom motor mounts, a downpipe, R32 crossmember, and adjustable sway bars? does the stock ka24de drive shaft bolt up ok? i have heard several different things about this, and i'm not sure which is right. i have looked at several different sites, and it looks like an rb20det motor set is about $1800. is there anything else besides the crossmember that you would need from a front clip? i'm asking because i don't really want a clip unless it's absolutely necessary.
when you talk about shaving the turbo elbow and the hood, is this complicated? i kind of don't like the idea of cutting or shaving anything to make something else fit . . . it doesn't seem like a good idea really. anyone else have any relevant info or opinions? the help is appreciated!
02-08-2004, 03:11 PM
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Pasadena,ca
Posts: 10,109
Originally posted by JeffSchmitt
cool . . . thanks for the replies everyone. i did do a search (i'm all about searching), but i was still confused as to exactly what is needed for an RB20det swap.
so basically what i am hearing is that you need custom motor mounts, a downpipe, R32 crossmember, and adjustable sway bars? does the stock ka24de drive shaft bolt up ok? i have heard several different things about this, and i'm not sure which is right. i have looked at several different sites, and it looks like an rb20det motor set is about $1800. is there anything else besides the crossmember that you would need from a front clip? i'm asking because i don't really want a clip unless it's absolutely necessary.
when you talk about shaving the turbo elbow and the hood, is this complicated? i kind of don't like the idea of cutting or shaving anything to make something else fit . . . it doesn't seem like a good idea really. anyone else have any relevant info or opinions? the help is appreciated!
cool . . . thanks for the replies everyone. i did do a search (i'm all about searching), but i was still confused as to exactly what is needed for an RB20det swap.
so basically what i am hearing is that you need custom motor mounts, a downpipe, R32 crossmember, and adjustable sway bars? does the stock ka24de drive shaft bolt up ok? i have heard several different things about this, and i'm not sure which is right. i have looked at several different sites, and it looks like an rb20det motor set is about $1800. is there anything else besides the crossmember that you would need from a front clip? i'm asking because i don't really want a clip unless it's absolutely necessary.
when you talk about shaving the turbo elbow and the hood, is this complicated? i kind of don't like the idea of cutting or shaving anything to make something else fit . . . it doesn't seem like a good idea really. anyone else have any relevant info or opinions? the help is appreciated!
02-08-2004, 10:10 PM
#11
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: buffalo,n.y.
Posts: 2,209
not to mention the RB helps the S13 not understeer as bad.
and although you have the same displacement, the RB is a "safer" platform to go with you wana make reliable power.
not that the SR is unworthy.
but it is a better platform.
i bought a RB20 clip last week
and although you have the same displacement, the RB is a "safer" platform to go with you wana make reliable power.
not that the SR is unworthy.
but it is a better platform.
i bought a RB20 clip last week
02-10-2004, 07:33 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 37
Would a carbon fiber hood eliminate the need for cutting the hood? not that i would cut a carbon fiber hood or anything . . . obviously you can't. the part of the rb20det that hits the hood is that pipe that crosses over the valve cover and goes to the intake manifold, i'm guessing. is this correct?