RB30 engine swap on 260z 2+2?

[Shan]

Hi guys,

 

Searched for RB30 threads - not a lot there (unless I am missing something).

 

Want to upgrade my engine for more power and and smoother driving.  After much deliberation, decided to keep it all relatively mild (no V8 for me). 

 

I am 35, so nothing too wild.  I got the bank to do this (as long as costs don't go too crazy) and I am not tyre kicking.  Want it done.

 

Car is in very good condition and can certainly handle the upgrade.  I have purchased RB31 brakes for rear and hilux/280zx for front.  So have that ready to go.

 

Thinking an injected RB30 would be nice.  Very reliable, easy to mod, smooth driving, calais turbo car nuts selling parts cheap everywhere - all that stuff.  I have done some reading, but need viczcar knowledge to fill in the gaps.

 

Castlemaine Rod shop make engine and tranny mounts - got that covered and to be honest - that's about the extent of my firm knowledge on this. 

 

So assistance please?

 

Transmission.

 

- I want manual.  What is the rodshop mount designed for? Does it work with RB30 skyline transmission or something different?  What's the best option?  Driveshaft mod required?

 

Engine.

- RB30 is single cam.  I think a read something about RB26 Twin Cam head can be added to RB30 block?  Is that right?  Is it an expensive mod?  Worth it?

 

Sump

- Oil pan and sump.  I have NO idea bout this stuff.  What do I need to do??  Can the standard one stay on?

 

Diff

- I am assuming the R180 diff can stay.  Read that they can handle a bit of power?

 

Computer.

- I am assuming the RB30 skyline ECU is fine to use?  As long as I find a quality auto electrician to install?

 

Hmmm....

 

Is this RB30 a relatively easy swap out?  Anything major I am missing?

 

So - Rodshop mounts, RB30 engine and manual transmission, RB30 ECU, brake upgrade. 

 

Pull out L26, drop in RB30 (with mods if any) and get appropriate mechanic and auto electrician to install.  Then call engineer for certification.

 

Nothing is that easy.  So tell me the real story.  Will it be too much $$$.  Estimates?  Advice appreciated.

 

Cheers.

 

Shan

 

[Zedman240®]

I think if you are going to that trouble of installing a RB engine, just go for a RB25DET. An NA RB30 if you want to modify later for more HP, will cost a fair bit more to do. When I did my RB25DE swap, for the price of cams etc to get good HP, I could've just bought a turbo version and ended up with the same KW's. As for the sump and oil pickup, find a GQ PAtrol sump and pickup and get them modified. Standard R31 Skyline 5 speed should handle a stock RB25DET but if you plan to abuse or race, Turbo 5 speed should be installed but you will have to remove the original tranny mounts from under the car's trans tunnel.

[herrods]

I also did extensive searching on the topic, and i ended up going for an L28et.

 

I have the same requirements as you, smooth driving, not monster power, etc etc.

 

I went for the conversion to EFI turbo because

- Parts are not impossible to get, there is no change to the mount.

- Any turbo from a T3 flange will fit, leaving you with VL turbo set ups, pretty much all of the GT28 series from Garrett, and some Rotary turbos.

- The only custom parts are intercooler + piping, and exhaust (and obviously wiring.)

 

260z had a return fuel line, so its a case of upgrading ur pump (and possibly a surge tank), and if you hunt around you can get injectors without too much fuss.

 

Last thing I have come up against so far, is the computer to manage it all.  original L28 efi computers were not programmable (i think its called analogue)

so you have to find a computer, Haltech and Wolf seem to be the more used ones by Z people I have asked, but i havent done much research on the computer yet.

 

Not i cant remember who has it, but there is a green beast w black bonnet floating about on here, he will be able to fill in the gaps.

[Shan]

Thanks for your input Dim.  RB25DET you reckon.  I believe the rodshop mounts require mod for this one though don't they?

 

I was not necessarily thinking turbo upfront, but you make a fair point about later modifications.  Worth consdering.

 

L28ET?  Had not really though of that either.  Certainly makes lot of sense re. simplicity of install.  Aftermarket CPU?  What would that set me back I wonder?

 

Thinking about it more, that L28et is seeming to make a pretty good case.  Herrods - points you make are quite valid re. simplicity and minimal customisation.

 

Hmmm....

 

Any other viewpoints on this subject?

[herrods]

any other viewpoints?  how long is a piece of string haha

 

every man and his dog has a different way they like their Z's

 

You can get a computer from anywhere between 800ish used and 2500 brand new top end business

somewhere in the 1000 and a bit above seems reasonable.  You dont need the massive anmount of adjustment the top end ECU's offer, designed more for the highly strung RB26/2JZ etc etc with the latest and greatest in everything that pops, whistles bangs and adjusts electronically depending on your mood and eye colour....

[garvice]

Aftermarket CPU?  What would that set me back I wonder?

How long is a piece of string? EDIT: Obviously great minds think alike hey herrods, I was writing this as you posted.

 

You can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars to build your own computer, all the way up to a good 3-4k for a fully sequential completely optioned motec.

 

Good thing with buying an aftermarket computer is that the computer stays with you even when you change platforms. I started with an L28et, now I am moving to an RB and my computer is the same computer, just a different loom and tune.

 

I had a shagged out engine and was putting a lot less timing into my L28 then I thought and it was still a hell of a lot of fun. One day I think I will go back to an all out L28et, but for now I am trying something else.

 

I also have some L28et parts for sale in the "Parts for sale forum" if your interested, although postage to melbourne would be a killer since they are the heavy items like manifold, turbo, intercooler, gearbox, etc, etc etc.

[herrods]

garvice, we should write a book on the average length of string, and its uses in measuring in all walks of life hahah

 

meanwhile, im off to check out what you still have for sale.

[Shan]

Does not look like you have much left there Garvice!  Shame.

 

Soooo....anyone interested in putting down a general kit list for those wanting to upgrade L28ET from L26?

 

It would appear what you gain from simplicity of install is taken away by the treasure hunt required to put it all together!

 

I have looked into the L28ET and I am reading the engine was only released in the USA???  Will the be parts easy to find here??

 

Obviously if I could buy it all in a kit - I would.  Not gonna be that easy obviously - so - assistance here would be appreciated.

 

So what I understand so far, L28ET "swap out kit" would need...

- New clutch to handle the additional HP

- Fuel pump

- Surge tank

- L28 engine (obviously)

- P90 head? N42??

- Intake manifold form 280Zx turbo to suit...

- Injectors

- fuel rail

- T3 Turbo

- Computer (haltek or wolf were mentioned).  Megasquirt?

- Throttlebody from 240SX

- Intercooler

- New downpipe

- someone smarter than me to build this and put it together!

- $$$$

 

Tell me what I am missing.  Getting this kit could be a bit of a mission??

 

Maybe the RB25DET is the one to consider.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FuzzyDropbear]

Maybe the RB25DET is the one to consider.....

 

But remember, you'll have to do most of the same work to get the RB to fit in, plus get the sump modified etc. But I suppose you can buy a complete RB and not have to source individual parts like the L28. But researching what you need and sourcing parts is half the fun of the build isn't it? 

 

You might need to chase up some of the Z shops in the states to source some of the parts.

[herrods]

yup, welcome to engine swapping.

 

The thing I found out was that after heaps of looking about,research, asking the questions etc etc, is that you should look at it on face value.

 

Do you want the RB motor, more modern, more potential for power, probably easier to get parts

 

Do you want the Z motor, Wangan midnight styling ()  more agressive sound, decent power, still origial ZED gear

 

They are both going to cost you a potload of do-rey-mi, so just consider the cost of the obvious, aka the motor and the computer, and take the incidentals as they come.

 

none of this stuff is a one trip up the shop and pick up the spanners.  I learnt that after proudly saying, my zed will be done in 2 weeks, no sweat, its easy stuff etc etc.  6 months later I was driving it again, for a total of 3 months before the bug to change the motor bit, and now 4 months after taking it off the road, im nearly back in a driving position.