zangiefisgod Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 After much research, I am going to throw this out there... What's a better swap for the Z32, the RB26dett or LS1??? Both will require custom mounts, costs about the same (used motor), weigh about the same & both have a strong aftermarket following. RB26dett +: - Little-to-no firewall fabriation required - Retention of Z32 trans (with RB25 bell housing), OEM gauges, HVAC LS1 +: - 2x+ the displacement, 6 speed trans - Cheaper in the long run (debatable?) - More of a direct swap (#'s match, all OEM, etc) Goals for the car: - Sub $5,000 swap (not including labor) - 500 whp+ What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Ls1!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr3 Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I personally look at it like this. The japanese engines have unknown miles. With the american engines, more than likely the original owner will post the original mile on the engine and if you ask you can see pics of the odo to be sure. The american engine has the torque down low and holds power all the way up. The japanese engines that I've drove/ been in were all hp up top. Some may say that the japs get better gas mileage but how true is that if you have to rev it higher to get to the same speed as the american? I've read corvettes with ls1's getting 25-28mpg easy driving. Maybe the japanese engine can do that I'm not sure. I would personally go with the ls1. I like american power and japanese styling. Unfortunatly I have limited funds so I'm going with a lt1 and if money permits later, I'll sell the lt1 and opt for an ls1. I think I'm going to try to keep my z32lt1 under 2 grand doing all the work myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zangiefisgod Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 Ls1!! J, Really? With this under the hood?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titus_RacerX Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 J, Really? With this under the hood?! I'm confused too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dts300z Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 ^^^ That's a clean looking engine bay! I think I'd go with the LS1 though. No replacement for displacement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 LS1!!! It will be cheaper in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imported_z32 tt Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 LOL! Turbo + Displacement = Still no replacement for displacement! Oh this is sooo true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zangiefisgod Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 LOL! Turbo + Displacement = Still no replacement for displacement! I am considering this as well. I figured to reach the 500 whp mark with the LS1, I would need a big cam, tune and 100 shot at a minimum... or turbo setup. This member actually fabbed up a really clean manifold that would also help with header clearance issues: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=141520&highlight=turbo+ls1 I know the block is aluminum, but I would assume it would hold up 10 psi of boost without much trouble (still have to do more reading on LS1 builds...) This thread is definitely leaning towards the LS1, anyone wanna play RB-devil's advocate??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBZ Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 I vote for the LS1, the aftermarket is there and as mentioned earlier you can get an accurate history. Also think when the last RB26 rolled off the assembly line......... They still make brand new crate LS1's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amorfin Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Sub $5,000 swap, 500whp, and RB26DETT just don't go together. The RB26 is a great engine... and it's the one I would go for... but you won't be in your budget, specially if you do things "right." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete280z Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 The rb26 is really cool, but I'd go LS1. It has a huge US support and english-language following online. LS1 + turbo + z32? Yes, very much yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zangiefisgod Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Sub $5,000 swap, 500whp, and RB26DETT just don't go together. The RB26 is a great engine... and it's the one I would go for... but you won't be in your budget, specially if you do things "right." Amorfin, It looks like you've studied the RB forums... how much would a 500 whp RB26 cost ya think? Say the long block was $2,500... Any LS1 folks care to join? Please chime in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amorfin Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Let's just pretend you can get a good condition RB26 longblock for $2,500 then. RWD Transmission will run you 1,000-1500... depending on what you do. To get to 500whp you will need: Engine management Bigger Turbos Bigger Injectors Intercooler BOV Boost controller If you can get all of the above for $1,000... you might be close and do it with 5k just as you wished. Then the things that the forums usually don't tell you will pop up, and once you take care of the oil pan, clutch, and replace things here and there (water pump, oil pump, timing belt, etc.) you will be over the 5k, assuming you don't have to spend money on mounts, since you will need custom with either engine. But realisticly, a good and tested RB26 (R33) w/ RB25 transmission will run 4,500 and up. I think getoffmyinternet did one of the cheapest RB26 swaps you'll see. He spent 3k on engine and transmission and 4,400 on the swap. That's not counting anything else needed to be done to the car. And he is well under 500whp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfreer85 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 LS1!!! I'm not partial though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getoffmyinternet Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 TURBO = The replacement for displacement NOICE! I find it's more worth it when people say wow after finding out you have an RB! RB is just more fun! I like the ls1, but someday I'll get a corvette and then it will make more sense. P.S. Don't turbocharged engines often have to compete in 2.5 times higher displacement classes or something like that? So in that case I think mathematically speaking 2.6>5.7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stony Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I count atleast 3 different Rb guys including myself saying LS1... thats should say something. Your looking at 10K plus to have a good built rb26 500 + rwhp. that is not a joke BTW i did mine 10 years ago in japan before the rb26 started getting real popular and it still cost me close to 10K. that was using a stock rb26,r33 tranny ect ect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zangiefisgod Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 I count atleast 3 different Rb guys including myself saying LS1... thats should say something. Your looking at 10K plus to have a good built rb26 500 + rwhp. that is not a joke BTW i did mine 10 years ago in japan before the rb26 started getting real popular and it still cost me close to 10K. that was using a stock rb26,r33 tranny ect ect That does say something! I guess I always thought of RB's (Skylines) as 'bullet-proof' and to have virtually limitless tuning possibilies... I guess that comes at a price! I do like the LS1 idea too - simply because the Z32 is a porker and I'd prefer to go forwards rather than backwards in terms of displacement... Did you guys see this by the way?? $42,000 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TS RB26 2.8L Complete Base Engine Specifications Engine: RB26DETT N1,HKS 2.8L Kit Piston: HKS Step 2 (88mm) Con-rods: HKS H-shape Crankshaft: HKS Step 2 Studs: TOP SECRET Ported: Fully done by TOP SECRET Polished: Fully done by TOP SECRET Camshaft: HKS 272/272 Step 2 Valve Springs: TRUST Valve: Standard Valve Guide: Standard Oil Pump: TRUST Big Capacity Oil Sump: TRUST Big Capacity with baffled. Head Gasket: HKS t=1.2mm Power Rating: Engine capability is 800-850ps. Rev Limit: 8,500rpm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr3 Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 And I'm doing a lt1 swap for $2000. Makes me look cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getoffmyinternet Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I count atleast 3 different Rb guys including myself saying LS1... thats should say something. Your looking at 10K plus to have a good built rb26 500 + rwhp. that is not a joke BTW i did mine 10 years ago in japan before the rb26 started getting real popular and it still cost me close to 10K. that was using a stock rb26,r33 tranny ect ect Blasphemy! Now that it's more popular, I would think it to be cheaper, at least aftermarket parts wise. But even in japan it cost you that much? 8O I must admit I kinda don't like at all how they are becoming more popular, largely because, even though I didn't see the movie, I suspect fast and furious or whatever is to blame. It's being downplayed, and I like having a somewhat rare car with a somewhat rare engine! So are you saying you're regretting the swap, or just if you were a newbie today you would go ls1? I suppose it's okay to look back and think an ls1 would have been easier... I mean ten years wow, by that time I'm sure the buzz has worn off and you forgot how much fun all the sweat was, nothing is too glorious to never get sick of. I bet you'd miss it though huh? I miss my jeep, what a fun first car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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