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HybridZ

RB vs VG in a 76 280z


Guest Kenzman9076

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Hi all, I live in Australia and have installed an RB26DETT in my '73 240z.

I personally think that the RB26DETT is favourable over the VG30DETT for the fact that it easier to install and that it is a much stronger engine stock, also with the VG there is a lot of hidden expenses when you are going for stronger internals ie four cam sticks vs two!!

There is a endless tuning parts for the RB26DETT available to make up to over 1000HP and 12,000RPM kits! not kidding.

As for the 2JZ's the head does not flow anywhere as well as the RB's even compared to an RB25DET, because the ports have sharp turns and wierd directions.

Call me biased, but if you're after an tried and proven engine with of the shelf tuning parts, then an RB26DETT wins hands down.

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Guest Kenzman9076

Keep the good info coming guys smile.gif im with in a month of making a choice.. how much does a 2JZ cost? If anyone has links to where i could buy it in the US, that would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

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You should be able to find a 2jz turbo engine for around 3k + the cost of the 6 speed trans which is not cheap either. Just as with Nissan's the Toyota transmissions can be swapped engine for engine but I'm not sure what other options you can use for a manual trans for that engine. Just put used japanese engines into to google.com or your fave search engine and you'll find vendors that sell the 2jz.

As far as the rb26 vs. 2jz the rb26 may be a better engine with more tuning parts but the Toyota motor is no slouch with plenty of 500+ rwhp cars on stock internals. The other thing to consider is parts availability. Any Toyota dealer has gaskets, seals, timing belts, etc for the Supra engine, I doubt many Nissan parts guys even know what an rb26dett is.

 

Anthony

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I heard the people who put the Z32TT engine in the Z had a hard time. Sounds like the RB would be easier to put in. But then like someone mention, if something breaks that part is not available right away.

 

To have the power of the RB, it's worth waiting for the part the breaks.

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Guest Zpeed

mmmmm 6spd would be great...

 

the VG30dett with all the crap removed, is still pretty bulky, i saw one with everything removed at a Z guys place ready to put into a 71, and i'm pretty sure u'd have hardly no room at all, to get ur hand around the engine and that,

 

I've heard that the Rb26dett is a heavy engine, with the twin turbs, but a vg30dett would be just as heavy.

 

if i was in america, a toyota engine would be the best option, here in australia i have both options of gtr or supra engines..

 

as stony is saying, go for bang for the buck..

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Guest Anonymous

2jz-gte into 260Z and RB engine stuff.

 

Excuse me if this has already been mentioned, I'm a recent member and just stumbeld over this discussion.

 

An Australian magazine I buy occaisionally called "ZOOM" (dum name, good mag)ran an extensive feature on this swap last year - the car belonged to the then editor I believe. It covered all aspects of this swap, engine mounts, ecu etc.

 

He used an earlier 5spd transmission because the 6spd was too expensive.

 

It involved a considerable amount of fabrication to get it all working. Can't recall if I have all the issues. Will check. I don't currently have a scanner but may be able to sort something out. I will check my collection tonight (its 11 am in the morning here in NZ) and get back on Monday our time - Sunday night for you I think

 

RB Engines.

 

The RB series started off as SOHC and 2 valve per cylinder motors. They came to Australia in Skylines. There are thousands of 80's examples of them them here in NZ as a result of an open door policy to used japanese imports. They are 3L in displacement in this form, hence RB30.

 

The DOHC arrived in 1989 I believe. I have owned

a RB20DE Skyline RWD auto (1989 HR32 model. 20 = 2L D = DOHC and E = efi. If it was a RB20DET it would have been Turbo'd. Pretty quick once it was wound up. Later Skylines had RB25DE and RB25DET motors. This leaves aside the GTR (RB26DETT) obviously

 

In Australia the GM subsuidiary - Holden, builds a 4 door sedan with V8 or 6 cylinder engines (the latest V8 is a gen3 SBC) in the mid early 80's commodores came with a 202 cu in (3.3L)straight 6. Holden were in trouble re emissions. As a stop gap they bought the right to use the RB30 (SOHC) from Nissan and put it in the late eighties VL model Commodore.

 

They built a special version with a turbo both Auto and 5spd transmissions. Its performance was very close to that of the V8 at the time. I have seen in mags (actaully the same mag I think) a 260Z with the RB30 Turbo fitted)

 

The VL turbo was used by Australian police as a highway chase car. This is still a sort after car/engine and in Australia huge horse power has been extracted from it in street and strip applications.

 

Recently a new mod has become popular. The 'DE'

series 24v DOHC head fits straight onto the RB30

engine. Fitting the 2.5L 24v DOHC head gives something like a 30 per cent increase in power before any increase in boost.

 

The most difficult part of the swap appears to be getting the multi coil ignition to work and finding a suitable serpentine belt to spin the cams and the accessories - a new tensioner has be installed on the block. Interestingly it seems as if there is a boss on the block that is ideally place to drill and tap for this...

 

At a specialist hitech mods shop near where I live in Auckland called "Advanced Imports" I have seen this swap done using the RB26DETT head and a seriously built 3.1L bottom end (overbored 3L). As the parts have been around for some time to make exceptionally stout RB30 bottom ends this is a killer combo. Especially as the cost of the RB30 bottom end is a lot less than a TRUST stroker kit.

 

At that same shop - which specialises in late model Nissan's, I have aslo seen some very powerful RB20DET and RB25DET motors built. The owner is an approved TRUST and Greddy and HKS importer.

 

Anyway enough ranting, I'd better do some work now smile.gif

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Guest Azel

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!! That's exactly what I needed to hear. So the hybrid motor is just like an RB26DETT with an extra half liter? :eek::D You Aussies are so lucky!! Now could this 3.1L RB hook-up to the AWD tranny? Would that work?

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Guest Anonymous
Originally posted by kalium99:

Kenzman:

There is only one person I know of doing an RB engine swap into a Z in THE STATES, and thats Steve Webb (RB25DET)....Ray

you now know of 2, Me and Steve Webb, stony's done smile.gif

 

Ive got a 73 and a rb20det... I know its not the "best" and not the "fastest" but I got the motor, tranny, harness, computer, extra turbine, and extra intake manifold, for 2g :D . and my z for 600$ :D

240Z%20JY%20gnose.jpg

 

wanna talk low buck, my goal is 300rwhp, more than enough for me at the moment. and the up shot is, once Im mounted and balanced, the rb26/25 tranny is a much simpler swap than it was, If I choose to do it 2thumbs.gif .

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Guest Anonymous

Ill keep posting my progress as I go along. I think the rb20 will serve my purposes well, light autox and light street racing.

stony do you have more pictures of your car? like detailed shots of the interior and your new wheels and such? Id just like to see them =)

 

also is there a r200 spotters guide on the web? Im looking for a r200lsd in jusnkyards but I dont know the signs

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hey that is exactly how i planned on doing it. had a rb25 that i got from a junkyard that ended up being bad and it took so long to get body dont i had lots of time to shop and end up finding a rb26 and everything i needed for a relatively good deal all in one spot rockon.gif

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interior??? what interior. it has one stock seat. a dash and wiring :(

 

i still dont have the rears yet but if you look here http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=633363&uid=485308&members=1 there are a couple shots of the fronts on the car and a couple of other Zs with rb26s that look a little better then mine twak.gif

 

give me some time and after i do my cage the interior will be next after of course its in the tens :D

 

rockon.gif

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Guest nustad
Originally posted by AaronZ:

 

Aaron, I live in NZ have a 240z and a Skyline which is serviced by Advanced. What year Z have you got?

 

If you set up your account to send a pm then we can talk NZ Zs off line

 

Cheers

 

Glenn

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Guest Anonymous

I know its not "Z" related but I would really like to see a hokosuka with a RB in it.

 

I know it must be out there somewhere...

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