RB20DET Into a VL

[sLo-32]

Hi all

I'm thinking about putting a RB20DET into my VL Calais and use the RB30 block from the calais for the RB30DET conversion into my 32. I'm just wondering whether the RB20DET will go into the calais without too many problems. Thinking about chucking in the gearbox from my 32 aswell but thats a big maybe.

Is there any mounts that need to be adjusted or what not to get the RB20DET in the VL engine bay? And if anyone has any ideas as to what other mods need to be done to get a engineering certificate that would be great

Cheers

[T0nyGTSt]

Justjap in Syd. do this for $5,000.

T.

[turbomad]

Any RB series engine will bolt up to the VL easily, don't put an RB20 in though as they seem to be to slow in VL Calais's, a full RB25 would be good or use the RB25 head on the RB30 block, but I doubt the RB20 head will work well with the RB30 block.

[sLo-32]

Nah....i also have a R32 and im wanting to use the RB30 Block from the VL for my RB30DET conversion into the 32

I was thinking of putting the RB20DET into the VL for a better sale

Cheers

[macka]

slow?

haha come to perth mate, there everywhere, and running 12s

[sLo-32]

Macka.

Whats running 12's?

RB20DET powererd VL's?

[SLY33]

for sure, ive run MILD rb20's in VL's and only just pulled away, with 200rwkw in my 33. The calais will be a bit heavier tho, which maybe is what turbomad is talking about.

[adam 32]

slo-32

yeh theres VLs running 12s here in perth with RB20DETs

a good mate of mine just ran a 13.2 with an RB20 with high-flow RB25 turbo @ 1bar

[Steve]

Perhaps changing the diff would help make a stockish RB20 VL feel a bit more lively.

[DennisRB30]

From what I have heard from people that have put RB20s into VLs (3.45:1 diff gears) and R31s (3.7-3.9) Changing diff gears is a must for decent drivability. It will be a real slug of the line with 3.45 diff gears. 4.11s are the go.

[turbomad]

Well what I mean is a(RB20) 13.2 with a high flowed turbo running 15psi(was it even a Calais), compared to my Calais(RB30) with stock turbo, ECU, injectors, pump, with a tiny AVO intercooler and only 2.5" exhaust running 11psi pulled 13.5, there's no point spending money on an RB20 when you can simply buy the turbo'd VL in the first place and then spend the $2-3k that you would on the conversion into perf mods on the RB30ET and you'll have a 12 sec car. Remember 9 sec VL's still run single cam, but if you feel that you want a newer hi-tech twin cam motor for your VL then really you must go RB25 or 26 because the RB20 isn't much newer than an RB30 and it doesn't have the torque on or especially off boost to pull around a 1450kg CALAIS.

[turbomad]

Also I might add the fact that many R32 owners brag how there Skylines are soo much lighter than an R33 and that we need the RB25 coz it's such a heavy car and that a mod'd 32 can beat a 33 coz of the weight factor, well a VL Calais is heavier than an R33 and yet you still say the RB20 is ok for it?

[R32-GTS]

Originally posted by sLo-32

Macka.

Whats running 12's?

RB20DET powererd VL's?

They sure are :shake: :shake:

[R32-GTS]

most of the sluggish feeling is coz of the 3.45 vl diff.

change to minumum 4.11 diff and they feel very quick.

Ive been in numerous rb20 vl's and they have no trouble dusting off "most" r33's .

[DennisRB30]

Base Turbo V8

SL sedan 1253 1294 1338

SL Wagon 1307 1348 1392

Berlina Sedan 1292 1325 1360

Berlina Wagon 1350 1383 1407

Calais 1354 1383 1407

They weight is closer to a R32. 1253 Kg for a base model.

[sLo-32]

hehe

I'm not actually building this car as a ongoing project and i'm not disputing the fact that the calais'are heavy and the rest of it. I'm doin this to get abit more money out of the SALE of the calais because the original motor in it is pretty much dead. I have a RB20DET R32 as a daily driver and want more power so why not use the block from the RB30 calais for the RB30DET conversion into the R32. That would leave the calais without a motor and a RB20DET engine in the garage.

Since 5 speed manual turbo calais'are pretty scarce around here i thought the conversion would be the perfect thing to do rather than selling the front cut by itself

I just thought i'd let u guys know this to clear the air. This wont be my project car but am still wondering whether the conversion is difficult or not.

Cheers

[turbomad]

Ohh that's different then, yeah go for it, all RB series engines and gearboxes are interchangeable so it should all go fairly smoothly if you've got a front cut.