NightXCZ77

Many of you have your views on the SR vs. RB engine swaps. I can not speak from experience on the SR swaps, but I can on the RB swaps and I can provide information that may change the way you think.

I get extremely aggrivated reading about how people say the RB swap is too expensive or that it is too hard to do, or that you can't find parts, because all of that is not true.

The RB series engine is the soul of Nissan. It is the strongest engine ever built by man. The Nissan Skyline block is among the only blocks in the world never to have been blown. It has sustained over 2200 HP with nothing being done to the block.

The RB engines are also light for their size, having similar displacement to the KA24DE motors, they weigh relatively the same. After removing the AC condensor they are practically the same.

A common RB engine can be purchased through anyone that buys and imports engines. I can get the RB20DET, RB25DET, and RB26DETT clips for little cash. The RB20DET clips run just $2250, RB25DET clips just $3000, and the RB26DETT clips are close to $5,000. Match that price against their potential and you have a winning combination, especially when people want $2750-$3500 for a SR20DET clip.

Another common mistake is thinking the RB engines are solely AWD, though this can be done simply (when having a clip) in a 240SX, it is not the case. (and to mister know it all who thinks that there aren't AWD 240's or in Japan the Silvia/180, think again!. Ever heard of the BlueBird? Came with 231HP stock and a top mount intercooler...AWD tranny and was in the 180SX rally cars???) The two most popular for the swaps are the RB20DET and the RB25DET which both came with RWD transmissions (unless you have the GTS-4 which came with AWD and the RB20DET engine).

Now, as far as power goes, the common red top SR20DET pumps out a good 275 with the stock turbo. The RB20DET pushes up to 350 easily with the stock turbo, the RB25DET pushes easily to 400 with the stock turbo, and the RB26DETT pushes up to 500 with the stock turbos. The torque on the RB engines (the stuff that really matters since hp is an imaginary number derived by torque and rpm) is also greater on the RB series engines. Better torque, better speed.

Installation on the RB engines is relativey the same as the SR20DET's. They both use the stock engine mounts and stock tranny mounts on the 240SX, however all that has to be done on the RB series engine for the tranny mounts to line up, is to dis-assemble the tranny mount, turn it around, and re-assemble it. The only difference here on installation is that the RB engine is longer, so the stock engine fan cannot be used without radiator relocation (this is why you get dual power fans)($100) and you need to have a new driveline made ($400).

As far as parts go on these engines....they are both from Japan!!! That means all parts are ordered from Japan!!! Anyone that carries Trust (Greddy), HKS, Blitz, Apexi, or whatever, has access to these parts. I myself am a dealer in these parts, both new and used. Just as well, the stock parts on the car are easy to come by. The RB20DET and RB25DET both use the same clutch as a non turbo 90's model 300ZX. They also use the same oil filter!

Now when comparing the two....SR20DET clip for $3,000. RB20DET clip with driveline and fans - $2750, RB25DET clip with driveline and fans - $3,500. Come on people, which makes more sense? A SR20DET has rarely, if ever, been taken over 1000hp. I believe the strongest made was around 600HP by Signal. The RB engines have been taken over 1000HP as a daily thing in Japan. Which engine has more potential? Just think about it and equate the costs, you'll see that by putting a RB engine in, you can have a much faster car.

Also, I have a RB25DET in my 240SX...I was one of the first to do it. I run a 12 in the quarter mile at stock boost (7psi) How many SR20's can come close to that being stock??? Absolutely none.