I just need some real help here........ - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

S13Dreams · 06-07-2005, 03:17 AM

First I'd like to say I'm sorry to all you guys for asking what I'm about to ask. I know you guys get this kind of thing a lot but I seriously can't find the answer I'm looking for.
I've been looking for an s13 for the longest time and I think I've finally come across what I want to buy. There is an 89 fb for sell along with an rb20 front clip for 2000 cash. The car already has a dohc ka swap but the motor is bad. I guess the guy wants to get rid of this stuff due to other projects. I seen or talked to the guy yet as I will do this tomorrow.
The help I need here is in deciding if this would be a good start to getting into my first 240sx. I do honda swaps and have no knowledge of nissans but I'm ready to cross over because I do like the cars (burnt out on hondas).
I guess I just really want to know what kind of difficulty I'm looking at and what kinda of fab I'm goin to have to do. Also is this something usually time consuming as far as a shop doing this swap? I ask because I am considering buying all this and having a shop do the install. Don't wanna do more than 3500 with the price of car, front clip, and shop.
I'm sorry again for asking this kind of repeat question. I've serched but didn't find my answer so I'm asking you guys for some desperately needed help. Thanks.

**mrmephistopheles** · 06-08-2005, 01:09 AM

for that price, you won't be able to get it done.
spend $2k on the car, $200 in tools and swapping supplies, rent a cherry picker, buy a good jack and swap it yourself.

TheSnail · 06-08-2005, 01:24 AM

Your probably getting a a kade with rb20 writen on it. If not, My secret is to pull the ka, jack the car up 4ft by a old strut bar with a cherry picker, drop the crossmember, slide the rb20 under the car, lower the car 2 feet, raise the rb20, bolt the crosmember, raise it up back to 4feet, then bolt back everything else and your done.

If you have custom mounts, then drop in the motor as you would any other motor.

chlatboy · 06-08-2005, 02:54 AM

Search man Search!!

ka24det-power · 06-08-2005, 04:52 PM

I did about 8 Honda swaps before I did my first SR and I have to say SR swaps are easier.

Why?

*No axel nuts to muscle off
*More room in the engine bay
*No extra wires to pin directly to the computer
*No motor mounts to figure out
*No shift linkage
*You dont have to even take the front tires off if you dont want to.

I pulled the KA out in 3 hours.
Hooked the tranny to the drive shaft and bolted the mounts in place
Then dropped the SR right in and wiggled it into place on the tranny.

The first time I put the motor and tranny in at the same time - IMO it was a lot harder that way.

Go to : heavythrottle.com they have a step by step guide

I loved my turbo Honda but once you go RWD you never look back. Time to step up to the next level!

ka24det-power · 06-08-2005, 04:56 PM

I did 2 S13 Blacktop swaps and helped with a Redtop in a S14, and we found that the AC bracket they mention on heavythrottle does not work. I called them and they sware it can work I just dont see how. Other than that they are great guys.

You can buy Redtop Motor sets for like $2100 if you look, and Blacktops for $2300. Beware of the $1500 motor set I have yet to see a complete one at that price.

-------------- also --------------------

I have no personal experiance with the RB20 but from what I read I wouldn't recommend it. I am sure they can be great motors but - there is less info available, parts are not as common, and they tend to be older / high milage.

I got a 95 S13 Blacktop Complete motor set $2200 with about 44k verified miles. The motor was clean, great compression, and it fits perfect because it was made for that car.

Just my opinion do what you want.

vinhisbored · 06-08-2005, 05:34 PM

Yeah, I agree. I don't think you should get the RB20.. it's just going to cost you alot more. You should talk to the guy, and get him to sell you the chasis. Afterwards, get an SR, and you're set.

infinitexsound · 06-08-2005, 09:41 PM

or get another KA , keep the clip and research about the RB..

S13Dreams · 06-09-2005, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka24det-power

I loved my turbo Honda but once you go RWD you never look back. Time to step up to the next level!

My first car was rwd (88 tbird with 3.8 v6). I love rwd. This is all great advice. I'm gonna research the rb thing a bit more. God help me on that one. It's hard to find much on rb's. I'm buying the 240 shell for sure (picking up this weekend). Just not sure about the clip. I'll look more into it. Anyone with more input will be great. Thanks

NZO · 06-09-2005, 05:38 AM

Id rather build a ka than an rb20 any day. Dont buy into the hype.

06-07-2005, 03:17 AM	#1
S13Dreams Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lakewood, Wa Posts: 6 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I just need some real help here........ First I'd like to say I'm sorry to all you guys for asking what I'm about to ask. I know you guys get this kind of thing a lot but I seriously can't find the answer I'm looking for. I've been looking for an s13 for the longest time and I think I've finally come across what I want to buy. There is an 89 fb for sell along with an rb20 front clip for 2000 cash. The car already has a dohc ka swap but the motor is bad. I guess the guy wants to get rid of this stuff due to other projects. I seen or talked to the guy yet as I will do this tomorrow. The help I need here is in deciding if this would be a good start to getting into my first 240sx. I do honda swaps and have no knowledge of nissans but I'm ready to cross over because I do like the cars (burnt out on hondas). I guess I just really want to know what kind of difficulty I'm looking at and what kinda of fab I'm goin to have to do. Also is this something usually time consuming as far as a shop doing this swap? I ask because I am considering buying all this and having a shop do the install. Don't wanna do more than 3500 with the price of car, front clip, and shop. I'm sorry again for asking this kind of repeat question. I've serched but didn't find my answer so I'm asking you guys for some desperately needed help. Thanks.

06-08-2005, 02:54 AM	#4
chlatboy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Somewhere Posts: 1,252 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Search man Search!! __________________ If you dont know SEARCH!!!

06-08-2005, 09:41 PM	#8
infinitexsound Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: INtraweb Age: 42 Posts: 3,522 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	or get another KA , keep the clip and research about the RB.. __________________ S14 TrackSlut coming to a raceway near you... 510 TimeAttack on its way...

06-09-2005, 05:38 AM	#10
NZO Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Reno, NV Age: 42 Posts: 1,424 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: NZO Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Id rather build a ka than an rb20 any day. Dont buy into the hype. __________________ sentinelguild.com/nzo/PFCDB/

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06-08-2005, 01:24 AM	#3
TheSnail Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Marietta Georgia Age: 42 Posts: 2,434 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Your probably getting a a kade with rb20 writen on it. If not, My secret is to pull the ka, jack the car up 4ft by a old strut bar with a cherry picker, drop the crossmember, slide the rb20 under the car, lower the car 2 feet, raise the rb20, bolt the crosmember, raise it up back to 4feet, then bolt back everything else and your done. If you have custom mounts, then drop in the motor as you would any other motor.

06-08-2005, 04:52 PM	#5
ka24det-power Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 188 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I did about 8 Honda swaps before I did my first SR and I have to say SR swaps are easier. Why? No axel nuts to muscle off More room in the engine bay No extra wires to pin directly to the computer No motor mounts to figure out No shift linkage You dont have to even take the front tires off if you dont want to. I pulled the KA out in 3 hours. Hooked the tranny to the drive shaft and bolted the mounts in place Then dropped the SR right in and wiggled it into place on the tranny. The first time I put the motor and tranny in at the same time - IMO it was a lot harder that way. Go to : heavythrottle.com they have a step by step guide I loved my turbo Honda but once you go RWD you never look back. Time to step up to the next level!

06-08-2005, 04:56 PM	#6
ka24det-power Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 188 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I did 2 S13 Blacktop swaps and helped with a Redtop in a S14, and we found that the AC bracket they mention on heavythrottle does not work. I called them and they sware it can work I just dont see how. Other than that they are great guys. You can buy Redtop Motor sets for like $2100 if you look, and Blacktops for $2300. Beware of the $1500 motor set I have yet to see a complete one at that price. -------------- also -------------------- I have no personal experiance with the RB20 but from what I read I wouldn't recommend it. I am sure they can be great motors but - there is less info available, parts are not as common, and they tend to be older / high milage. I got a 95 S13 Blacktop Complete motor set $2200 with about 44k verified miles. The motor was clean, great compression, and it fits perfect because it was made for that car. Just my opinion do what you want.

06-08-2005, 05:34 PM	#7
vinhisbored Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: socal Posts: 1,359 Trader Rating: (15) Feedback Score: 15 reviews	Yeah, I agree. I don't think you should get the RB20.. it's just going to cost you alot more. You should talk to the guy, and get him to sell you the chasis. Afterwards, get an SR, and you're set.