Should I run an RB20DET?

[Scoota G]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/rb20det-engine-Skyline-vl-r31-200b-180b-Bluebird-/190635573258?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c62c4000a

I think you should just do it. Now.

[waxhead]

The rb30 is king for sure, i am using one in my skyline. rb26/30 I was just concerned about the block height and that's why I didn't suggest it

[zzzzed]

That's a red top scoot. They are a bit ordinary

[waxhead]

I love the rocker covers. I would love a set of them

[BobsYourUncle]

Seems like one of the major hurdles for this conversion would be the sump/oil pickup... what's the situation there? Is anyone (locally) selling suitable parts, or would you need to go custom, or ship something over from the US?

[jamo240]

You can check out my thread on making an RB25DET sump in the engine section of this site...fair bit of information from me and others on sump options for Z's. In a nutshell, you can use the sump off an Australian delivered Nissan Patrol that had the RB30 engine in it...but they're hard to find. The one I made was based on one of these, but modified for increased volume and performance under lateral G conditions.

Cheers

[Wayne G]

Yes you should IMHO purely because it will be easy to upgrade to RB25 in the years to come using the smaller box. The z is light so if not driven like it is stolen all the time should be fine.  I have seen the smaller box in R32 with Rb25 DET with engine mods that lasted quite well with reasonable use.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nissan-patrol-Sump-and-pickup-rd28-rd28t-turbo-gq-Heaps-parts-view-my-items-/220949213107?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3371996fb3
Confirm with others on site but I think it is the same. 

If you want to buy a conversion from Asian Autos in Slacks Creek I can assist and likely get you a deal from the owner.

[BobsYourUncle]

I think it's the sump of the petrol patrol that ran an rb30 that's used? Isn't the diesel rd28 sump quite a bit bigger?

[waxhead]

Yeah your right, the rd28 sump is deeper
it bolts on I used one when I was doing my conversion. You just have to cut the bottom off and weld a plate on.
Not hard at all

[BobsYourUncle]

I've been quoted $6500 to get an rb20det conversion done by a shop that's done it before, including supply of the engine (+ new belts, seals, plugs, water pump), custom sump/pickup, intercooler and piping, exhaust, mod plate...

Based on the research I've done I don't think I could do all that myself for less than $5k... I guess that's something else to think about.

[benny]

Ian,


My suggestion would be is to run the L28 and wait till a bolt in setup pops up in the forum I sold the setup out of the car for $3500 that included everything.


Ben

[BobsYourUncle]

Yeah that would be the sensible way to go...

[d3c0y]

20 Year old, 150,000km+ 2.0L Turbo performance engine isn't going to be in the healthiest condition really is it?

[Scando]

I've been quoted $6500 to get an rb20det conversion done by a shop that's done it before, including supply of the engine (+ new belts, seals, plugs, water pump), custom sump/pickup, intercooler and piping, exhaust, mod plate...

Based on the research I've done I don't think I could do all that myself for less than $5k... I guess that's something else to think about.

That's incredibly cheap for an engine conversion done by a shop.  A lot of places would charge that just in labour!