Guest porschephile Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 First let me say that I have been researching and will continue researching, as well as searching through this website, for info on RB swaps into the Datsun Z chassis. Though, most of the posts I see deal with Rb26's. I wondered what everyone's opinion was of swapping in the n/a Rb25de? I know most people will probably say "Why not go with a Rb25det?" but, I'm examining the possibilities. I have a '73 240z and have been thinking that it would be nice to just have a simple n/a rb25de. From what I've seen they aren't expensive and have decent power compared to the stock L24. My main reason for considering this is that the rb25de is quite a bit cheaper than the det and I'm trying to find out if it could actually be done cheaply as opposed to the much larger cost of doing a 25det or 26dett. Does anyone think this is a stupid idea? As far as doing a rb25de conversion, it should still be the same as a 25det conversion, as far as the parts necessary (like 200zr oil pan, etc) shouldn't it? I am still seriously considering doing a rb25det though. The reason I am even considering the 25de is that I might be getting a 280z in addition to this 240z, so I haven't decided if I want to make this 240 into a serious hi-powered car or use it as a daily driver and do a 25det swap on the 280z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest spunkysandoval Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 If this car is just a normal everyday street driven car, and you want a new power plant, then I'd say that an rb25de is an excellent idea. If you plan on racing, I'd just save and do it right the first time. But, if your absloutely seat of the pants anxious to do a swap and can afford a DE motor, then go for it. isaac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 if it has the intake manifold going over the top you will have to make mounts that sitt the motor extra low so it will clear the hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porschephile Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 I guess I'll do a DE if I go daily driver (and if I get the 280z I mentioned) or a DET if I decide to do anything more serious. With a n/a 24v DOHC i6 and ~190hp, I think that should make for an excellent, easy running, reliable, yet fun and powerful daily driver Z. As far as mounting the engine and getting everything bolted up, I've been doing my research and basically understand how everything works (won't really know until I do it). Though, the only thing I don't have figured out is the wiring. From everything I've seen it looks like pretty much everyone doing an RB swap into a Datsun Z is using stand-alone engine management. Has anyone used the stock ECU, wiring, etc? Stony how hard was it using SDS? I've been considering it. Would it be easier to use the stock RB setup (ecu, etc)? I'm guessing no. As it looks now, I already have a 240z but I might soon be getting a 280z, so we will have a 240 260 and 280z! That's the reason I've been obsessed with the rb25de. I want to have one as a reliable, yet simple daily driver. Then I possibly wanted to do a rb25det and rb26dett on both of the others. Right now I am in need of a reliable daily driver though, which is why I'm focused on a rb25de swap. I've already seriously considered other routes such as a L28 swap (with the FI), converting the stock L24 to FI, or rebuilding my stock L24 drivetrain (engine, tranny, carbs; they're all F'ed up!). I love the L series engines but, I just want something different. Sorry to ramble on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 SDS is easy .... if you have the stock computer and harness and dont plan on do any mods to teh stock engine stick with teh ecu and get it wired up . but if you plan on modifying it at all sds is the way to go cheap and easy to tune. no laptop required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porschephile Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 In that case, I guess I might do a DE and stick with the stock setup. Though, as far as wiring it up, what I am confused on is would you just strip out all the original L24 stuff and rewire everything or would you just do a TON of splicing? I'm new when it comes to RB's and RB swaps, so sorry if I sound like a newbie. Sorry if I am asking stupid questions but, is it really that easy??? It sounds like wiring is about the hardest part. I know the rb26's are more work but, for a rb25 it sounds fairly simple. Guess I need to start buying the parts! Thanks for the help guys. I will definitely post any progress I have. I guess I'd be the first on this board to do a Rb25de in a Datsun Z? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ae86drifter Posted May 23, 2003 Share Posted May 23, 2003 if your smog exempt, im going to do RB20DE with 3 sidedraft webers/mikuni/solex carbs. NO SDS expense. and it looks tight, as for header, since anything before 74 is smog exempt i will just make a 6-2 header custom made and throw it out the side, should be tight. same would apply to RB25de. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS30-H Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Porschephile, I just read your post and I thought I would post a picture in the Gallery section here at HybridZ for you ( please go and have a look ). I took the photo at last weekend's Tokyo Nostalgic Car Fair. The car belongs to a company called ROCKY AUTO ( Stony will know them well, I think ) and they specialise in RB-into-S30 swaps. This particular one is NA ( using 50PHH Mikunis ) and by all accounts it works very well. Thought you might be interested. Alan T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest porschephile Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Thanks for the pic HS30-H! Using Mikunis like that would really simplify everything. Though, I think I will stick with the FI since it's less to worry about once it's properly setup. I also haven't completely decided whether to go DE or DET yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ae86drifter Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 i wanna see!!!! let me see!! oh come on guys post the pic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS30-H Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 Just click on the Album button at the top of this page, and you'll easily find it. If that does not work for you its at: http://www.hybridz.org/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=890 Don't get too excited, as my shot was with a wide-angle lense and just hand-held above the engine bay. Its not so good. Alan T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ae86drifter Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 i think im in love........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 24, 2003 Share Posted May 24, 2003 never heard of them. the rb swap is very popular in japan somewhat like the v-8 is in the states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nustad Posted June 19, 2003 Share Posted June 19, 2003 Howdy, I live in New Zealand where Skylines are plentiful and have both a 240z and a R32 Skyline with RB25de engine. Most people want to get the most horsepower per $ and the RB25DET is the logical choice. However the RB25DE is still quite capable of putting out reasonable power with a few simple mods. I really like the RB25DE in my car as it is torquey and sounds magnificent with 2.25 exhaust and HKS muffler. I would really like to do this swap with individual throttle body injection and a nice exhaust. You would have great throttle response and great sounds - my Skyline puts out 100 kw at the wheels and in a relatively heavy car it goes pretty fast. In a Z it would be a blast given the lighter weight. It would be a simpler swap as the plumbing for the turbo and intercooler isn't needed however cost wise it is relatively more expensive in terms of Kw/$ I reckon crackle black cam covers with the nissan 2500 shaved off would look very nice in a Z's engine bay. Unfortunately my 240z is too original to molest so I would like to drop one in a 260z 2str. One day...... Have fun Cheers Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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