Rb20det

Kungfucowboy · Aug 5th, 2003, 01:39 PM

after looking through a bunch of silvia pages have been thinking of getting an RB20DET put in my truck (95 hardbody) i have found a place to get a front clip pretty cheaply but the problem is i'm not very mechanical so i would need a shop to have it done so does anyone know of a shop in Arizona or near there that could do the swap for me?

himilefrontier · Aug 6th, 2003, 11:15 AM

It won't fit.It's too long.I know.I own a tape measure and know how to use it.

king_johnthegreat · Aug 6th, 2003, 09:42 PM

You may need to move a few things, but it will work. I own a tape measure, too, and I now how to weld.
John

himilefrontier · Aug 7th, 2003, 11:04 AM

I can weld too.IIRC, a RB is 34" long which puts it right at the core support, at least on the Frontier.Anything can be MADE to fit,but in a street driven vehicle, it is not always wise to do so, unless you like having a car with all the streetability of a 1960's Fuel Altered.

king_johnthegreat · Aug 7th, 2003, 07:54 PM

Who says that fab work makes the truck less streetable? Okay, so you move a core support, and switch to slim line electric fans. Whoa, now!! don't want to get too involved!! The Frontier, and likely the HB, too, has a few inches up front to give (More than few, actually). There are also other tolerances that can be massaged without cutting the firewall, or bashing things with a hammer. Point is, I don't think he would be asking about a swap if he would be so disparaged by moving his radiator forward that he would rather just give up. My other point is that being short with people, and perhaps suggesting that they are some kind of idiot, is no way to share automotive enthusiasm with people generating their own ideas and asking real questions.
John

lovemysan · Aug 10th, 2003, 02:48 PM

I own a tape measure to.

But no it won't fit. The block itself is 33 inches long then you have to add a crank pulley and accessories. If I remember correctly there is only 35 or 36 inches between the firewall and the radiator support. To do it you'd have to move the radiator, support, ac condensor out about 3-4 inches and mount the fan in front of the radiator. And lets not forget the oil pan where is the sump on the RB. In other words you going to reengineer the entire front of the truck. I looked into the RB20 myself when it boils down to it. It's a truck. That bad part is, even if you get it in there. Your going to have to re-engineer the rear suspension because the 190mm rear is inadiquate. Then to agrivate the situation further brakes. The only upgrade that I know of is nismo metalic pads for front and rear. Suspension again nismo torsen bars front is the only hard item available.

Basically what I'm saying is unless you well endowed forget the swap. If you want to run a say mid 14s. 80 shot, S&S header(or pacesetter), 2 1/2" exhaust, 240 sx intake conversion. Then reduce the weight remove the spare,tailgate, jack,bedliner,hoopty rims(if you got em), and the big subs(if you got em). Then If you have AC and power steering remove them to. If your on a shoestring and you want to go fast that should get you close.

BUT if you've got the money then by all means go for it. I'm sure everyone hear would like to see it

king_johnthegreat · Aug 10th, 2003, 03:42 PM

Spencer Lowe Racing and Calmini both have torsioin bars, in addition to Nismo. Brembo has a rotor upgrade, and KVR has pad upgrades. Bilstien had three different shocks available for the truck, two of which are better suited for lifting, but the 5100 is a big improvement over stock. Calmini and SLR both also have an upgraded steering system that slightly changes the geometry in a positive way. I should say it simply alters the physical tolerances, as it bolts direclty in place; it gives a little bit of clearance room, though, over stock. The radiator core supports are easy to modify, and allow for some very generous movement. The inline RB is no more girthy at the head than the VG's, so the accessories should all fit, but new brackets or a loss of power steering wouldn't be the end of the world. Of course, electric fans would be the answer to gaining a few inches of forward space, replacing the pulley driven and shroud. The truck's engine bay is not to be underestimated. The tranny tunnel can allow for a bit more room than is being asked of it as is. It will fit. There are plenty of aftermarket rearends to help fortify the traction department, as well.
John

jadcock · Aug 11th, 2003, 03:06 PM

Or...get you a factory 4x4 rear end. The 4x4s got H233Bs...those are over 9" in ring gear size.

Kungfucowboy · Aug 13th, 2003, 07:08 PM

i looked into it a little more like i said i would need a shop they said they would put it in for 5000 if i add on the 1500 for the front clip it would run around 6500 for that much i may as well upgrade and turbo or supercharge my KA thanks for all your replies