71 240z rb20det fully fun slow project named candy build

[bestlowrida]

Thank y'all for looking here, welcome!. Well long story short I started this build back in June 2012 and let me tell you.....she was super duper rusty! Not exactly Fred Flintstone level yet but everywhere was rot! I started a little thread here in the fabrication section and I'm not sure how to get it moved over here so here is a link for now to see how it all started.

 

http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/109220-check-out-my-rust/

 

I will continue showing progress through this thread from now on!  I will update with present pics soon!

[bestlowrida]

 I just painted the engine bay last week and my wife picked up a rb20det for Christmas . I purchased the timing belt kit oem off a Nissan dealer on eBay.
The stages I used to paint the engine bay are
Scuff og orange paint

Marine clean and por 15 etching solvent
Por 15 black paint

Por 15 tie coat primer

Wet sand 600 grit
Chrysler 300 vanilla cream polyurethane base(pint)
Urethane clear coat

It came out ok I think
Sorry i don't know why the pictures come out sideways all the time lol

My wife picked up the rb20det for me! I ordered and received the timing belt kit.

 

next is to grab a new clutch kit, then begin to install my surge tank set up. As my understanding I can use the stock feed line for the return to tank and run a run a new 3/8 line for the feed? Any feedback would be great guys thanks!

[bestlowrida]

   Here's a question for all you rb z gurus. I am about to mount the rb20det in my 71 240z with the stock rb20det mounts and I kind of pre mounted the mount in the z and 'm trying to figure out do I need to "slot" the mount? Or just drop it in as is? Here are some pics.

 

Also here is a shot of the 5 speed 280zx drivesshaft I got with the car inserted into the rb20det transmission. I read that some people needed to cut a piece of the end piece of the transmission. is that the case here? Any help or input is sure appreciated!

[bestlowrida]

No replies yet from anyone. Alrighty it has been a while but my wife ordered me a Christmas gift. It was a rear sump oil pan! From enjuku racing. It took about a month to receive but I finally got it in the mail here are some pics. Paid about 500.00 for it it looks pretty decent. Huge set back but there was no way around it.

Next to order is a water pump, clutch and bigger 3/8 feed line then I can start trying to install the motor. Then see what all this "slotting the motor mounts" stuff is all about.

 

 

[Wizzurp]

Must have missed this. You will be fine on stock fuel lines if you don't plan on making 400+. Slot the stock mounts and use the Datsun trans mount and it'll bolt right up. If you don't slot you'll smack the hood with the intake manifold.

[Sirpent]

No replies yet from anyone. 

 

Stay the path Buddy, you wont always get replies but your work will be admired and inspire others.

 

Treat the thread as a build diary as if no one is reading it, but don't worry, we are 

 

As far as your mounts are concerned, there are a load of guys an gals who have done this in Australia, do some surfing of the web and I'm sure you will come across a few build threads on RB20,25 and 30 conversions.

 

 

Cheers

 

John

[Ottoman]

I'm getting ready to do the same swap (rb20det into 77 280z). I read many threads about the swap but have yet to actually see any pic of the slot or measurements on how much to slot. Luckily the Rb20 that I have already has the rear sump pan and a wiring specialties harness. I plan to use the stock fuel lines and I have a Walboro gls 392-400 to provide the fuel.  I picked up a CXracing radiator designed for a rb swap. I'm prepping a front facing intake right now, and will run a 2.5" intake piping and a 27x12x3 inter-cooler. I'm also doing the Alt upgrade to a 125amp from a Nissan quest.   I will start my swap at the end of this month if all goes well. 

[Wizzurp]

Ok, with the engine out of the car look at where the factory L mounts go. There is one large bolt hole and one small locator hole that I presume is to help keep the motor from not rotating without a trans. Literally drill a slot between the two the same width as the original large bolt hole and keep bringing it down even further. This will get you low enough to clear the hood easily.

[Ottoman]

Looking for some advice on poly motor mounts.  I have the stock rb mounts that attach to the block but the actual rubber piece isn't there. I have seen some people using the hockey puck looking poly pushing but haven't found anything saying which they are using or where to buy. 

[Wizzurp]

I know jag xj6 mounts are popular.

[bestlowrida]

hey guys. Not much going on here because the weather decided to get cold and rainy for a while here. Some of you guys are running the stock fuel lines. I wonder how that is holding up? I planned on running a surge tank with bigger fuel feed line and two fuel pumps. I don't want to go through the trouble of mounting all that stuff in my tiny lack of space car but according to other threads I didn't see much more reliable setups beside fuel cell. Thank you for the advice on slotting the mounts @wizzurp I will try that soon. I also was thinking about the jag xj6 mounts but the ones that came with motor looks to be in decent shape. I was also thinking about using a 27x12x3 intercooler as well, because the 27x24x3 might be a little over kill for my 300hp goal. Thats enough rambling for now hopefully more updates and pics soon. Thanks for the feedback as it is always welcomed here.

[Wizzurp]

Stock feed and return have been working great for me so far. I used the stock skyline motor mounts as mine were in good shape too. I'm on stock 280z fuel pump ad it has been doing well (I watch my wideband like a hawk)

[bestlowrida]

I wish my z was a 280z so I could use the stock fuel system setup for the most part. Nothing going on here because its been raining for a month straight! On top of that working 10 hours average non stop. Haven't even touch the car at all this year and its almost June smh. However my wife bought a little present

Just a little ebay fuel pressure regulator. Nothing fancy but hopefully I can find a engine stand and begin cracking open the transmission and oil pan and timing belt case.

[bestlowrida]

Hey guys here is a little update since its been a few days. So I went to do something nice for my wife since she has been helping me with this project along the way. So I went to find a car and finally this young lady calls me back and I purchased her car for my wife. So here she is.

So I been busy doing little things here and there with it so if you like to check out the build here http://forums.nicoclub.com/post6707707.html#p6707707

Anyways I finally hit Craigslist and found a engine stand. Not bad for $30 bucks and a hour drive.

So also I was able to pick up some 3/8 fuel line, isis fuel pressure regulator adapter, some chameleon film randomly, and the jaguar xj6 mounts and I'm not sure if they are right or not haha.

So all now left is to pop off the trans and see what condition the flywheel is in. Then order the clutch kit. So sorry nothing really big update this week. Hopefully something soon.

 

[bestlowrida]

Hey guys so I finally was able to crack into the rb20det for a couple hours since its only 85 degrees today. So the plan is to get the transmission off along with the clutch and flywheel then get it up on the stand.

I was able to remove the starter and the tranny bolts while it was on the little dolly I made for its storage. It was fairly simple, just remove all the various 14mm bolts and nuts around the transmission.

I removed the bolts around the pressure plate and it came off. The clutch doesn't even look worn out. I'm really debating on just using it till its time to switch what do ya'll think?? I know its a bad pic but the wear isn't even near the rivet things. IDK we will see I guess.

I have no clue as to why the pics keep coming out sideways! Sucks! Time to remove the flywheel. Lets see how the bolts stand up to my harbor freight wrench gun.

They didnt stand a chance and came right off lol.

Took the flywheel off not time for the fun part. Lifting it high enough and bolting it up to the stand. I got 4 m10 x 1.50 75mm long bots from home depot since the stock trans bolts were too short.

Using my engine hoist with a tie strap, step table and a jack to tilt the motor straight it actually worked lol. The motor kept tilting to the left so I had to jack it up to straighten it out.

A shot of the rear on how I mounted it all up its the pic is prolly sideways of course smh. I used two washers on each screw.

I removed the ac compressor, bracket and belt. Also the power steering pump, bracket, and belt. It created alot of room on this side. The engine was a little bouncing/ shaking while i was tugging on the components I was freaking out for a sec lol. I also removed the alternator belt because I will replace the timing belt soon. I noticed that when I was moving the motor oil was coming out the turbo area! So I took off the drain plug and look what came out.

Like a coupe quarts of oil came out lol I got this motor from an import shop and I guess it camr from japan??! Who really knows knows for real though lol if so this oil came along way. Thats all for now guy and gals. Its going to be 95 degrees like the next week ugh.

[bestlowrida]

So I had received the wrong mounts about a month ago but the ebay seller I bought from was awesome to send me the correct ones so here they are.

of course its sidesways geeez! The top are the xj6 hockey pucks and the bottom are the wrong mounts lol. That's all for now till it's not 100 degrees lol.

[Wizzurp]

Nice, good on the ebay seller, that's a rarity.

[bestlowrida]

Nice, good on the ebay seller, that's a rarity.

Ain't that truth brother it came fast too!

[bestlowrida]

It only got up to 91 degrees today so I was able to take the motor apart some more. I noticed the sticker on the timing belt cover and it looked like this.

Looks like its been changed because it says next service should be at 87,159 km. I popped off the cover to verify the condition on the belt and fount this.

The belt looks to be in great shape. I'm glad that the motor has been cared for at least. It's rare I get second hand things that been cared for lol. So why fix it if it isnt broken right? Ill just this timing service kit for when the belt shows signs of wear. But I still wanted to paint the covers so off thy must come.

The inner of the valve covers look brand new too!

This is how the top of the motor looks

Time to make the engine covers match the rest of the car. I was curious as to what the spark plugs looked like so I pulled on out.

The actual tip looks decent but the top white part looks crusty. I'll replace those soon anyways. It's suppose to rain so hopefully I get to paint them before the weather gets really muggy. Any tips for installing those front facing ebay intake top plenums anyone would be helpful.

 

[Wizzurp]

Water manages to get under the coil cover plate and makes the plugs look bucknasty. Change them out and enjoy some fresh plug action. Couple tips for the forward facing shit I've figured out. The brake booster line is an obscure m16x2.0 threaded port. I managed to pick up a couple that convert it into a nipple, if you need one let me know and I can drop you one in the mail. The underside ports should be 1/8npt, just need a couple 1/8npt to nipple adapters for using the fpr/bov/whatever other vac source shit. There is one bigger one i haven't gauged yet but I think it'll be 1/4npt