RB25DET 240sx Swap

heyy guys just wondering how much would an RB25DET engine cost with installation & McKinney Motor mounts? Where in the GTA could i get a good deal on the motor + installation (swap)? TorontoJDM? Intensity Motorsports? Let me know … & the car is a 1990 240sx FB

i’ll do it for 15k including install - best deal in town

really an RB?
i am not speaking from experience but i have been told RB’s make 240 feel like there’s a ton of bricks under the hood…
or maybe not, who knows?..

Engine setup shouldn’t cost you more than 3 grand. Install gets a little confusing though. Just don’t buy it from tiger jap.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/185294

It all varies. Depends on your budget and what your looking to get out of the engine. Something with more power or more reliable, modded or not, etc. Your best bet is to set up a meet with someone that can get you an engine and go over a few of your goals and what not.

A number of our supporting vendors have done numerous RB swaps.

Contact them and see what they have to offer.

http://son240sx.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10

so $1500 for the install but id already have the engine ready for install (purchased myself) ?

Ya i want something with more power than the obvious stock KA24DE that i have but at the same time, somethin thats not modded to the tits based on budget right … good call on what you said about meeting with some1 that i can purchase an engine & go over what i expect out of it & my goals for it … thanks!

Why, is Tiger Jap bad rep? How about Toronto JDM? I was told that Justin i think from Intense Motorsports can do the swap for $1200 … Ill look into that … But the overall project (engine $2500 + swap $1200 + any extras like new intercooler n mounts) ill probly be spending close to $5000 im guessin

In most cases that I’ve seen, an SR swap or a V8 (ls1/vortec 5300) swap are usually better options than an RB swap. Unless you’re looking for pretty big numbers, an SR should be fine, and a V8 stock (let alone modified) will put out good numbers, and parts will be easier to get your hands on for either the SR or V8 given the higher quantity of these engines around.

Come up to Intense Motorsports and talk with Justin, he can work it so all you do is tell him what you want, and he’ll let you know the best way to go with your budget. The shop number is 1-705-431-6294 and ask for Shawn or Justin, tell em Ben sent yah…even for just a quote they’ll help yah out

talk to heatw,
he put an rb25 into my coupe
but i dunno about him installing the RB, but he’l definately have some info on it.

haha, btw hes extremely power obessed, the RB25 coupe is his winter beater

I’ve been planning on doing this swap for a while now, and did a price breakdown a couple days ago for what I would consider a good, daily driveable car.

Donor car- I was planning on spending between a $1000 and $2500

RB25DET- Skyline front clips are around $3000 roughly, an RB25 pulled with harness, tranny, ecu, etc, is anywhere from $2100-$2400

Koyo Rad- Most people I’ve talked to and most articles I’ve read say that the RB engines have some cooling issues unless the cooling system is built to handle the new engine, look to spend between $500 and $700

Full McKinney swap kit- Includes mounts, driveshaft, new waterpump, downpipe, couple other things i cant remember, around $1260

Greddy intake manifold- Not a must, but it gets rid of that stupid over the valvecover intake for an RB26 style intake, around $780 on ebay + you need a Q45 throttle body and some other stuff, have not looked that far into it yet.

Wiring harness mod- A friend who helped another friend do his swap said it cost $2000 to send his Skyline harness and 240 harness to Calgary to have the two combined into one, I feel that this price is pretty steep, but I’ve yet to get a quote on getting it done. Of course you could always do it yourself, but having it done professionaly is the cleanest option.

Fuel pump- Dont have a price yet, but I’d imaginge between $150-$300

FMIC- There are kits made specially for this swap, for either a Greddy style manifold or the stock RB25 manifold. I’ve found most are around $500-$700

So, you add all of this together, using a price in the middle of ($600 for between 5-700, etc) and you come out around $10,000. This is for you doing most of the work yourself, does not inlude any money for various expenses (fluids, gaskets, wire, etc) and does not include any of the following:

LSD- Donor car may come with one that you can use, could pick up a used one for fairly cheap, or go all out with something like a Quaiffe LSD.

Wheels and tires

Brake upgrades to stop the newfound power

Suspension upgrades

Any paint/body work your donor car may need

Engine maintinance- Replacing of Gaskets, oil pump, plugs, seals, timing belt, etc

Tools required for engine swaps (Engine lift, various hand tools)

All the little things you find you need during a swap

Fluids- Going full synthetic with all top name synthetic lubricants can easily go over $200

Plus you need a place to work and store your project if you dont allready have one. I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff, but I’d be looking at atleast $15000 to build a good solid car, more if you get into paint and stuff.

^ ^ ^ cha-ching for the price list $$$ ^ ^ ^

I’ve only been pricing out quality components. I’m sure parts can be had for cheaper, but I wouldnt cheap out on a swap like this. On the cheap and hunting down used parts bargains you could probably do it all for $11-13k, once again thats you doing the work yourself.

I hear ya buddy, this swap isnt a “walk in the park” … U gotta plan way ahead of time & put ur options on the table … Im glad im gettin all this information … I was a bit oblivious to “ALL THE WORK & PARTS” that have to be included in this swap lol … But thanks again for all that info, it sheds a lot of light for me about this swap … Now with saying that, how bout a SR20DET Redtop? (probably a more “practical” solution eh then an RB25DET when money is the issue…)

eh Zman86 another question, what would a basic swap be without the little extras here & there for the swap … For example, just installing the engine into the 240sx with the front clip, motor mounts & any basic parts (No extras) … Is there such a thing or do i actually do need all those parts u listed (besides the engine, mounts, clip, etc)

If you’re looking at SR power, you might want to just look at turbo-ing your KA. Its obviously not got the same JAYDEEEMM bling factor, but its going to give you the same amount of power, more or less. Also, you’re really going to want to try and see if you can do some of the work yourself, since its going to save you a ton of money. There are plenty of resources on the intarwebz on swaps for these cars, so learning how to do it shouldn’t be an issue. If you don’t have the space, then you’re obviously not able to do that. I still think considering a V8 would be of interest. Cheap motor, cheap parts.

Ya, works a large factor. I was planning a good year for my swap, but I now may be buying a car thats allready done. As much as I hate to do that, it makes more financial sense. As for an SR swap. My buddy has an Sr swapped 240 and he is at about 10 grand. I’d say just about the same amount of mechanical skill is required, however its almost as expensive as doing an RB swap. SR’s do have some advantages and disadvantages though. I’ve not really read up on SR swaps, this is just what I can think of off the top of my head with the knowledge I have.

Advantages

Aluminum block and head- much lighter, better for handling and balance than the iron block RB engines

Cheaper initial costs- SR engines can usually be found for cheaper than RB’s

Good aftermarket support

Smaller size to work with, you dont have two extra cylinders and the extra length to deal with

I believe you can retain the stock driveshaft with an SR swap, helps out with the $ factor

Disadvantages

Aluminum block and head- aluminum is a pain in the ass to work with. should you ever need machine work done to the block, goodluck finding a shop to do and be prepared to shell out the $. You really have to watch torque specs and observe proper assembly procedures, but you should be doing that anyways. Aluminum blocks (in general) are also not as stout as iron blocks, and everything is more prone to warpage. I think RB engines have an aluminum head, so theres a disdvantage the of an Iron block and an aluminum head having different heat expansion rates due to the different properties of the metals. Always use the best headgasket you can buy with Aluminum head/iron block engines.

Performance parts are still expensive

less displacement = less torque- I’ve read alot about how much better the RB cars take off due to the extra torque they produce, plus you got two more cylinders. An RB engine should also be smoother revving.

SR swaps are everywhere, though still very cool, you dont have the coolness factor of opening your hood to reveal an RB

Once again, I dont have much hands on experience with either engine, I’m just going with my basic engine knowledge, so anyone feel free to call bs on me, I wont mind.