RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Is this conversion a good idea?
Will i have to change the engine mounts, and if so what else do i have to change?
Would i be better off spending $5000 (Australian) on the Lseries engine, either with turbo or naturally aspirated.

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

I think the car might be overweighted for the engine..
Why not got RB26DETT?
Just my opinion..

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

How hard would it be to drop in a rb26?? And aproximately how much? Alot of people just say spend the money elsewhere

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Expect to spend over $15000AUD to get it right - you will need a different sump & gearbox for starters.

There is always $$$ worth of fiddly bits that need to be changed & an intercooler could cost up to $2000 depending on type.

Would it be worth it??? HELL YEAH!!!
There are quite a few 240Z's in Australia running that drivetrain & even more in Japan. I just wish it was cheaper to buy the RB26DETT when I first started gathering parts for my L31ETT project - cause if I was doing it now, it would cost me less!

FYI
You can buy a RB26DETT powered Fairlady in Japan for around Y5,000,000 which is around $40,000 USD....

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

you can pretty easily get 200 kilowatts at the rear wheels with some tuning remap of management and some boost + good exhaust. up to 300kw with bigger turbos etc. and better management. You would have to be crazy to buy a RB26. $5,000 + AUD, and with a bit of work they will rip your car apart. $2000 for a skyline 1/2 cut with RB20 is the way to go if you want to go down this path. But I'd stay away, it is a big effort to get engineering reports etc..
Just get the L28 worked, with some webers or the like.
Peter

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

How exactly do kilowatts translate to horsepower? I"ve always wondered, is there a conversion formula?

The Beast is back and badder than ever!

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

746 Watts per HP

I use a 3/4 kW/HP conversion, eg. 150kW is 200HP - it's close enough.

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Cool, thanx a lot, i always wondered...

The Beast is back and badder than ever!

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

it's been done. however in japan parts are much cheaper. i imagine that in aussieland it wouldnt be too bad either. check out the hybrid z site and look for a guy named stony.

~Vince
LT1 280

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

In my opinion the 1JZ-GTE is the go. For approx the same price as ab RB20DET you get 2.5 twin turbo. Only problem is you're going away from nissan, but does it really matter that much? In australia the editor of the magazine hot 4's did this swap, and some of my friends have seen this car at the strips, apparently it is awesome

Alan, Australia

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Yep...thats what I am hoping to do..the 1JZGTE. I just wish I had all those backissues of Zoom....anyone?

As far as parts being cheaper in Japan...thats not completely right. It depends on what you are after, and remember that you have to figure in the exchange rate. I remember hearing from one guy he went to a junkyard and picked up a set of triple mikuni's...and he only paid for the weight of the metal! If your looking to buy new parts from a decent tuner in Japan...its not cheap. I am living in Japan for the time being, but will do my engine buying in Australia as far as I can see.

Nissan?!?! give me the datto anyday...

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

You could order the back issues, which i'm thinking of doing... Even if I don't decide to do the swap it would still be worth seeing the working off the car

Alan, Australia

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Ok this is my oppinion on the matter.
I'm personally not into V8's that much so that was an option i ruled out, because they use a lot of peterol and rego is heaps more expensive than a six and in Queensland you might have trouble registering it (25% increase in capacity or add a turbo is the law) RB26DETT's are expensive, have the same block as the RB20DET and RB25DET and can burn holes in the tops of your pistons unlike the RB20DET with the smaller pistons. Bigger intercoolers dont mean faster, with a bigger intercooler you have to wait for the turbo to fill up this massive tank before you get any pressure where you need it... the inlet. I have seen this GSR 1.8Turbo lancer with this really big intercooler the owner just put on it, a week later he was at the importer I go to asking why he didnt get any boost till 3rd gear. Also *apparently* with an RB20DET it should be able to get about 600km out of a tank... which does matter to me as I am a student. I don't see how the 280ZX could be to heavy for the engine, an R32 skyline weighs around 1500kg and i dont class an R32 GTS-T as slow. Im getting my whole conversion in my '72 240Z which includes;
R32 LSD($900), R32 skyline front cut RB20DET inc gearbox($2000), set of 4 adjustable shocks($400), aircon skyline breaks hooked up etc for a total of $5300
So i think your figure is pretty close.
With the toyota motor, i think (not sure on this) but it would be harder to fit than an RB, and nissan motors are known to be easier to squeeze power out of... but stock power would be more (than an RB20DET) and they are cheep :)

Well thats my two cents

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Well, I like V8's and I like Turbo's. But I like Turbo's more. When I rang the authorities (motor and vehicle?) they said I could put anything up to a 4L Turbo in my Car...before it would become unregisterable. I like the feel of a turbo better...so thats the way I'll go.

From all reports and accounts the RB25DET will take upto 500HP on stock internels...as long as it is managed properly of course. I am inclined to believe this as well...as I know somebody with an L28 with stock internals doing about 425HP. I have not heard of big problems with the RB25DET burning holes in the pistons, I guess this could happen if you dont have your engine setupright.
The most powerful RB20DET I have heard (doesnt mean there arent others) of is a 2.4L version which was tuned by a house in Japan...pushing about 450HP IIRC. How much fuel you'll get to the tank obviously depends on how much power you have and how you drive it.

The 1JZGTE would be harder to put in than an RB (with an RB you only need the mounts from a 200ZR, and then the RB will just drop in place). 1JZGTE can be found for about the same price as an RB20DET, std it makes 280hp and is apparently quite strong and easily modifiable. Just look at the 2JZGTE, that thing is a moster of an engine (yes...I would take a 2JZ over an RB26) but it all came about from the 1JZGTE. I liken it a bit to RB25 and RB26 situation. If the RB25 and 1JZ were about the same price I would go RB25..much less work I would imagine....but the 1JZ is so cheap it would be a crime not to go for it over the RB25

Nissan?!?! give me the datto anyday...

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

sorry if i offended all you turbo freaks out there with my v8 z comments. o well i was just mentioning it as it was enabled so cheaply compared to my turbo installs and the turbo installs took so long with lots of heartache.
i had great success with the old rb30e engine out of the vl commodore (skyline have the same block--87 i think) mated with the rb25de head mated with a to4 turbo. had the plenum made from sheet metal (crude but effective) intercoolered (not too big)holden vl pump.aftermarket computer. 3inch exhaust truck muffler (we dont need cats in new zealand)455 hp yeah baby.nice blo off noise too.in new zealand we probably have the best jap selection of parts and cars w/w and the least conversion laws.check this 1991 300zx t/t z average price mint nz$10.000 can be found at auction for $5000.1990 skyline rb30det av $9000 can be found for $5500 mint or like 280zx mint for $1000-$1500 got a 280z turbol28 for $540 and my current beast 1974 260z l28e short wheel base 2 seater for nz$3200 39th one built.
just a last comment i know a lot of people profesionaly race zeds and zed mechanics and they say you really have to think about how much work is it going to take usually it takes more than you think it will.it cost heaps more than you budgeted for and unless you have heaps of money youll get pissed off and can the project or sell it(how many projects do you see up for sale in the trader ).start small if you have a small budget like turbo your own engine .least you can go back to the original if all fails and the l28e can handle a turbo with a intercooler and decent tuning. STOCK. we have pros doing that here in auckland . oh well good luck

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Are they fuel injected or carburettored V8's? I was wondering if there would be clearence problems with the carbs on the V8's and the bonnet- nothing like spoiling the look of a Zed with an ugly bonnect scoop

Alan, Australia

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Ahrg bonnet scoop *cringe*

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

I know with 302 you can fit a carby under there....but its impossible (nothing is....but you get the idea) with a 351

Nissan?!?! give me the datto anyday...

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

if you use the JTR kit u can fit the carby underneath, you can get the conversion book from any good book store for aroun 80 bucks, good detailed info on the swap. its called "datsun Z v8 conversion manual" and even with the scrab kit i think u didn't need a bonnet scope not so sure on that.



<font color=blue>76 260z</font color=blue>
The NiteRider

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

Sorry, I was tlaking about clevo's. The JTR kits use Chevy 350's.

Nissan?!?! give me the datto anyday...

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

sounds like you guys in aus can got the motors less then in the usa but a little more then in japan. I paid 4500US in japan for rb-26, r-33 gtst 5 sp, r-200 lsd,
the motor bolts right in with motor mounts from the rb-20 z-31 (did you have this in AUS)
The r-33 gtst is a 2 psice drive shaft save the front half becasue with the z-31 motor mounts the driveshaft is the perfect lenght and not cutting is required.

My car currently weighs 2850lbs and runs 11.138 @ 121mph with lots of wheels spin which equates to 410+ RWHP. Heres teh cool thing... its all bone stock. open air intake. custom gtr downpipe and kakimoto 3.5 inch exhaust, with a trust gtr intercooler , SDS EMS.... stock injectors stock booste. if you dont have access to the parts then go with another option. but if you have the cash and want a very streetable low 10 sec car go with teh rb-26!!!! the rb20 intake manifold will not fit under the z hood with teh z-31 mounts but does put the stock oil pan level with the frame

my 2 cents

www.geocities.com/stonehac



6316-engideling.jpg

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

that sounds retty easy, were there any problems going from carbs to fuel injectors? how much did the swap cost all up?

Alan, Australia

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

I'm still a fan of the 1JZ-GTE- for a third of the price of a rb26DET you can get the same power

Alan, Australia

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

the drivetrain cost 4500 US. that was for the engine tranny driveshaft, r-200 lsd, and trust intercooler,
Had to mod fule tank with a bigger pickup, added a fuel pump, SDS engine management. the only thing i had to make was the tranny mounts. overall it was an easy swap

Re: RB20DET into a 1982 28ZX
 

The 200ZR (RB20DET) was not released in AUS, neither was the 200ZX (VG20E[T]), or the 300ZR (VG30DE)....

We just got 2+2 300ZX's & no LSD's.... [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Ben
Adelaide,
South Australia