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Rb25 Into An R32

thinh

By thinh,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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thinh Enthusiast

thinh

Posted
Posted

I have just bought a fairly stock 1989 r32 and have a few grand spare to either get a rb25 conversion or to just make my car pretty..(e.g wheels,bodykit) At the moment it has the typical mods, AVO front mount, BOV, r33 turbo,

A friend of a friend offered to install an rb25 for $2500 (is this cheap??) I am not very mechanically minded so my main concern is whether i need to spend more money on upgrading other components to with stand the new engine.???

Secondly, is it really going to make much difference in power..Or am i better off spending $2500 on other mods.

If the power difference is not that noticable then i would prefer to make the car look a bit prettier first.

If anyone has any advice that would be ace.....i have tried for hours on the forums and found similar topics but nothing with the answers im looking for...

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/114144-rb25-into-an-r32/
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Bunta Grand Master

Bunta

Posted
Posted

Ok first things first...Predator on this forum is going through this now, So I would shhot him a PM about the costs ect

I have a R32 with RB25 and R33 gearbox that makes just over 200rwkw....and I have gotta say it is awesome!!! I have owned a r33 aswell and I could not beleive how good the rb25 is in a lighter car...the good news is you will be able to swap most of the mods you already have over to the rb25 so you wont have to have a stock rb25 either!!!

So yeah the conversion is really worth it in my opinion

bretto Proficient

bretto

Posted
Posted

i got a 32 imported from japan that has a rb25 in it, its my 3rd r32 and the first ive owned with an rb25 and mate the power difference is unreal, but i think the best thing about having the rb25 is the potential u have to make big power over the rb20. if i was choosing looks or power id definitely be going the rb25 over a new set of wheels. just depends how much u like your rice :laugh:

Roy Grand Master

Roy

Posted
Posted

$2500 is cheap considering you will need obviously an engine, modified loom and a new ECU, the engine will need to come with injectors AFM etc. Then you have to worry about the additional torque that the RB25 makes and what effect it may have on thegearbox. Some ppl get lucky and have gearboxes that hold together at higher power and torque levels, others prove delicate and break just driving normally. Also check with local vehicle registry to ensure the transplant is legal, as you will need to chnage the engine details on your rego and may be pulled up if they pick it is a larger displacement engine...which depending who you are insured with may also have its share of problems. Seems to be a good upgrade though if you can get a healthy engine installed for so little an outlay.

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted

spend the money on the performance.. visual mods just attract attention and in the end don't make a better driving experience.

$2500 is not bad price if that includes the engine? the swap itself is easy and the guts of it can be done in a weekend.

mine's taken longer, as I've converted mine to manual and just fixing or replacing the smaller things, tracking down those missing hoses, etc to make sure the engine will be reliable with hard use... and the fact I am working out the wiring very slowly :laugh:

you can also realise some of the benefits on an rb25.. replacement parts easier to track down as r33 everywhere, tuners more familiar with rb25's, rb25 powerfc cheaper, certain parts are no longer made for rb20, etc later on down the track.

I'm going to write a full guide with photos, etc when mine is done..

BHDave Grand Master

BHDave

Posted
Posted

If the 2500 includes the engine, then do it.

If your mate is charging you 2500 for the install only then punch him in the chops.

I installed my own and including the cost of the engine had it installed, wired and running a new timing belt and water pump for about 2500 all up. I still run the rb20 box.

If i were you, i'd consider spending money on suspension and tyres at this point as you already have a fairly nice setup that only really needs an ecu upgrade to give a nice responsive 190rwkw. A stock r33 engine will put you back to the exact same point you are at now with only a bit of bottom end poke added

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted

yeah, bhdave has a point.. little point doing the swap unless you have everything at a suitable standard. No point running an rb25 with everything else totally stock.

even though I had my rb25 sitting there for a while, it wasn't until I had the full exhaust system, intercooler, some suspension, slightly larger turbo and brake mods in place to bother doing it.

thinh Enthusiast

thinh

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks guys, i really appreciate your comments...

For now i think im gonna stick with the rb20 and improve it.....

Until (if) the motor actually decides to shit itself, then i will think about the conversion cause it's probably not worth fixing somethinmg that aint broke....

Cheers...

P.S still open to any other suggestions that may change my mind!!

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