180sx engine conversion

[SirDoc99]

I'm looking to put a RB20 or RB25 in my 180sx. Will it slide right in or will I need some mods?:confused:

[sssgtr]

Mods are definetly required. i.e cross member, possible firewall mods, engine mounts etc.

[Zac]

From what I've heard mods to the extent that sssgtr is talking about aren't required but I'll wait for someone who has done it tell you how to do it.

[sssgtr]

It was just a general scenario i was talking about, get the dimensions of the RB engines and compare them to the current motor.

[meggala]

its just crossmember mounts etc no fire wall its a common conversion so no prolbems the cars have similar floor pans to r32 skylines
meggala

[intrepid]

There was an article in one the latest ZOOM or HPI mags, that had the conversion done in a s13 sr20 silvia.

It would basically be the same thing i guess. My mate over east has a rb20 in his sil-80, but im not sure on the details of it.

[racedriver]

From what I'm told there are 2 ways you can do it. One is the make plates that mount the engine mounts forward of the x-member and line the geabox up with the shifter hole. The other is to use an R32 x-member and bolt all you suspension and steering to that. This is how the ZOOM guy did it. I've been told that this is no good because it mounts the engine too high in the bay. I guess this might cause cooling and/or handling problems and may make the rest of the conversion harder.

[JLY82]

ask japanese motorsport they have done rb20det conversion on a s13 silvia. their website is www.japanesemotorsport.com.au

i have also been told that the rb20 and the rb25 are the same plan so u can put either one in if u have the money to back it up...

[Nismo_Boy]

yeah they both fit i'm getting tokyo toys to do a rb25det swap now, don't try jms they are way over priced!

http://www.tokyotoys.com.au/

[SirDoc99]

Excellent, thanks for the input guys. Looks like I'll start the hunt for a used RB25 engine. Anyone know of a 6-speed tranny that will hook up to that? It's a long shot but if I come across it and I have some extra cash....why not? :D

[RhOmEL]

and after talking to a pile of RB converted silvia owners, i would stay away from the above tokyo toys...

[Nismo_Boy]

why?

[GTSBoy]

They get fast but they also get front heavy.

[Sushi]

Front heavy is not that bad. Well, it is bad, but it is the degree of it. In this case, what you earn could be a lot bigger than what you lose by being front heavy. The result of being front heavy can be covered by changing your driving style.

4 cyl engines have more displacement per cyl, therefore easier to turn the turbo. SR20 kicks in from around 3500rpm, and RB20 from 4000 (depends on your engine's health condition though)

6cyl is designed for higher rpms, therefore, higher output. If you can back it up with intercoolers and engine balancing etc. to withstand high rpm, you have better chances of beating SR20s.

Conclusion: SR20 for race tracks where there's frequent on/off of turbos. RB20 for high speed crusing where you just need to floor it.

If you're going for RB25, I reccomend using softer suspensions in the rear to gain traction. Again, it all depends on your driving style. Good luck finding what matches you best.

[dabigbolf]

hey how u doing,

i just bought the rb25det motor for my S13 silvia. Apparently engineers would not approve it with the manual gearbox, so i had to get the auto.

After its approved the transmission can be swaped over off the guy i bought it off. The engineer reckons there was to much cutting and changing to make it approved at a reasonable price.

I am not sure on anyone elses experiences but it would be good to get some feed back.


P.s

ALSO MEGGALA I WANT TO BUY YOUR CROSSMEMBER, COULD U E-MAIL ME YOUR PH NO. SO WE CAN ORGANISE SOMETHING.

[Nismo_Boy]

dabigbolf, what you have been told it wrong! a manual is going into mine and there is no cutting to make it fit. who the hell is doing the convertion for you.

[meggala]

check you email big dabolf
meggala

[dabigbolf]

hey nismoboy,

so your putting a rb25det in a silvia.
what are u sitting the engine on.
and have u bought your motor yet.

[Nismo_Boy]

dabigbolf, yes ive bought a motor, and it's sits on a 32 or 33 cross memeber

[racedriver]

Hey Nismo_boy,

I've heard that using the Skyline x-member wil fit but sits the engine too high in the bay? Are you able to confirm or deny this? How far through the conversion are you?

Cheers

[Beavis]

I'd rather a CA18DET or an SR20DET in a 180 over a RB20DET. Then again, if you only got a DE..

[racedriver]

Yep. It's broken tho.

[dabigbolf]

Nah sorry i sold my ca.

Nismo-boy which mounts and crossmember are u using??????


And what power steering lines also.

[Nismo_Boy]

I'm getting toyko toys in bris to do the convertion they have done over 30 convertions so far so I don't know that much about it.

dabigbolf, as I said above.


racedriver, it's a tight fit but it fits.

[jimbo]

to all you guys that have done this conversion
did you use the ca18s gearbox or the skylines gearbox?

if you used the ca18s did it bolt straight onto the rb or not?

did you make a custom bell housing?

[dabigbolf]

i don't think anyone would be silly enough to use the ca's gearbox on such a powerful engine.