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 Rb20det Into S13 Conversion  

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RB20silviaS13
Post #1 post 24th January 2012 - 09:22 PM
ok so i don't really wanna open this can of worms again but i do need advice, im building a budget track car and i just bought a S13 1989 shell its all set up for a Sr20de but im thinking of converting it to a Rb20det mostly cause its cheap and i dnt wanna spend everthying i have to my name on a track car. and sr's are expensive!!

im looking at rb20det half cuts but do i really need to get the half cut?

i have read that if you use the standard s13 Xmember there are clearence issues is this true?

i understand there's comon cooling problems with a standard radiator does the 32 radiator bolt in and is it good enough?

does everything minus fuel and wiring really just link up and bolt in?

this isnt my first project im pretty mechanically minded and i have access to just about every tool you can think of literaly (i work for united tools) so thats no problem but is this conversion as cheap as i have heard? has anyone done it before that can shed some light for me?

any info would be much appreciated!!

--------------------
Current project:
1989 S13 Silvia
Current ride:
2001 forester family car
1996 Triton
Previous rides:
1998 Lancer ce2
2010 Impreza R
1994 180sx 225RWKW
1974 SR20 TA22 DNF
1999 Proton satria
TOP
8spokeracing
Post #2

RB20DET Frontcuts go for under 2G, if you just get the motor be around the 1000-1500 yeah?

TwinCam16
Post #3

Hmmmmm

The mounts are far from bolt in on standard crossmember... Don't know who told you that. Yes you can use the s13 crossmember but you need to make an adapter plate. Easier to use an A31 / R32 crossmember. Slot the mounts if you want to try and get it lower.

The cooling will be fine as long as you don't use a fucked radiator.

Wiring does not just plug in. It's not hard, but does not plug in.

Gearbox will mate with the mounts and tailshaft fine as long as the s13 is a manual.

Fuel lines match reach, as does the exhaust from the cat back.

Wait... wtf, ... no... It's an s13, don't be a dumb ass and turn it into a lead tipped arrow by putting an rb in it.

RB20silviaS13
Post #4

ok so thnx for the advice on the mounts thats why im asking i have got so much crossed info on this, and again im not atarting an argument im asking for advice,

from my understanding and from everything i have read here and on other forums the weight isn't that much of a problem and im finding it hard to justify the price diff at the moment, most of the time and efffort will be in the suspension i just want a reliable cheap drive train to bolt in and its sr or rb with a pretty decent price diff.
nism013
Post #5

I got an s14 motor with everything but the box if u interested??? Was gonna put into an s13 myself but bought another s14 instead so for my wreck just sitting there.... U can have whole wreck if u interested too mate....got everything there for 5stud conversion....

phatrides
Post #6

not hard at all. to be honest you'll have more fun in a n/a sr...with slight mods.

Mongrel
Post #7

QUOTE (RB20silviaS13 @ Jan 24 2012, 09:40 PM) *
ok so thnx for the advice on the mounts thats why im asking i have got so much crossed info on this, and again im not atarting an argument im asking for advice,

from my understanding and from everything i have read here and on other forums the weight isn't that much of a problem and im finding it hard to justify the price diff at the moment, most of the time and efffort will be in the suspension i just want a reliable cheap drive train to bolt in and its sr or rb with a pretty decent price diff.

The reason why you get crossed info is because there is a large amount of tards on the net that have no idea about what they are talking about and just like to parrot what they've heard.

Now, when you say track car....do you mean Drift or TA/sprints?
If it's drift, then yeah go for the rb if it's cheap.
If it's TA/sprints then you seriously need to reconsider your plans, anybody that says the weight over the front isn't and issue just doesn't have a clue.
Don't discount the idea of running a N/A SR20 or CA, to put it nicely you're not going to be anywhere near competitive so there is no need for bulk power, it will save a heap of money and you'll be surprised how much you will learn from working an under powered car around the track. You can really focus on the weight distribution and suspension set-up while learning and saving coin for a turbo build to swap in at a later date.
T4ZZ
Post #8

I know nothing about this conversion, but I don't understand why people opt for the RB20 over the SR20 all I have heard about the RB that they are shit heavy engines, and I have never heard anything really bad about SR20, so what is the point going through all this drama to have a shittier engine in the car? And aren't they both 2L engines? They make roughly the same power?..

phatrides
Post #9

n/a sr20, been through this you'll love the sr SO much better.

RB20silviaS13
Post #10

Sorry that was may bad by track yes I mean drift.

How much you wanna do your s14 for?? Dw I'll pm you.

Now my logic in the conversion is that so far the cheapest rb20 cut I can get is 2300 vs's 3800 for an sr red top.

As far as weight goes from what I have found from talking to wreckers and the net sr's are bout 310lbs no box just long engine no I haven't found one on the rb20 that's viable but about 400lbs is what I have found not a huge difference especially whent from my understanding it sits further bak over the x member.

Dnt want a na been there done that had sr's to that's why I'm trying gets some solid info about this conversion.

I dnt plan on competing but it could happen down the line for now it's more just something to keep me and my son entertained thumbsup.gif

neil_se
Post #11

Go for it man. People on here will bag you but to be honest my first 180sx about 10 years ago I ditched the CA18DET and put an RB20DET and it was one of the most fun cars I've had out of 10+ imports. With the cash I saved I could afford mods so for less than the cost of putting in a standard SR20DET I had 300rwhp. Get the halfcut so you've got all the engine parts you need and probably the front brakes too.

Simonster runs 56 sec on the QR sprint circuit in his RB25 180sx so the extra weight over the front doesn't seem to hold him back much, in fact it's probably the fastest street registered S chassis around QR.

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