Rb20 Rebuild

[dan.1337]

It looks like my RB20 will have to be rebuilt due to some large issues its having.

atm i'm looking at the worst case scenario and getting it rebuilt from ground up and was wondering how much it'd cost me.

I was quoted around $10k inc labour to use all nissan factory parts and return it to pretty much a stock condition...which i thought was HEAPS. much more that i'd be willing to pay considering my car isn't even worth that much.

Can anyone enlighten me on how much i should expect to pay for a decent rebuild and what's involved in it?

Much appreciated.

[R31Nismoid]

Who did that quote? As its totally absurd.

For a stock rebuild, no more than 5k at the absolute worst. And thats motor in/out included.

[drivnovrdaedge]

granted this is my first comment on this site ...

i have calculated my rebuild will cost me around $1,000.00 USA which includes some work done at local machine shops

but i will be doing most of the work myself to take it apart and put it back together

i found a rebuild kit from nissan that will cost me around $130.00 USA shipped to my home ... and it usualy retails around $399.99 USA

[cln]

why rebuild a 20? do a roy and get a junkyard 20 strap a td06 and punch 260kw day in day out!

[R31Nismoid]

granted this is my first comment on this site ...

i have calculated my rebuild will cost me around $1,000.00 USA which includes some work done at local machine shops

but i will be doing most of the work myself to take it apart and put it back together

i found a rebuild kit from nissan that will cost me around $130.00 USA shipped to my home ... and it usualy retails around $399.99 USA

Well we usually talk workshop/RRP prices

Not everyone can assemble thier own motor, not everyone knows someone that works and can attain trade pricing

[gun32gtr]

or ya could just get a 2nd hand one drop that in.they go cheap these days

[legend01]

I'd have to agree with the above and just get a second hand rb20det would be by far the cheapest option if your on a budget and if you just want a performance engine rebuild your old rb20 at your leasure

[timma]

wat about just a budget rebuild if ya happen to intend to use it for race/drift duties? like throw some forgies in, bit of head work and thats it.

[RICK-GTR]

Who did that quote? As its totally absurd.

For a stock rebuild, no more than 5k at the absolute worst. And thats motor in/out included.

A workshop in bayswater will charge 10k for a rebuild with they say pretty much all stock parts not including putting the engine in and out for a GTR.

[dan.1337]

thanks for the replies...i thought the price was a bit wtf considering i saw a good r34 gtr engine being sold recently for $10k on SAU and many rb26dett's for less.

its by this workshop called Promech in Richmond. i took my car there for a tune and apparantely my ECU wasn't hooked up properly (previous owner) which caused it to run extremely rich and it looks like the engine is in REALLY bad shape from it along with other niggling engine issues. a leakdown/comp test will be done next week to determine the health of my engine and i've just been preparing for the worst.

it seems like my options are to rebuild, get another rb20 or drop in an rb25. what a money pit =|

i might post this next question in the Vic forum, but does anyone know of any reputable workshops in melbourne who will do good rebuilds/swaps for decent prices?

*edit*

also, as much as i'd love to do a rebuild in my own garage, i lack the mechanical and technical knowledge to do so =(

Edited April 28, 2007 by dan.1337

[TurboX]

I have not seen anything in here regarding the reason your RB20 needs rebuilding.

If you were saying it is making clattering or other oil related issues you MAY need to rebuild it.

Sounds like you need to take it to someone who actually knows about RB's and how to diagnose and rectify problems reasonably!

[Rancher]

10k for Nissan parts is flamin stupid. Considering most gaskets (Head, ALL manifold) only cost me $300 from Nissan at Springwood. Barings are only $200 for small, and big end barings.. from Nissan.

An RB20DET R32 half cut is only $2400

An RB25DET R33 half cut is only $3200

Heck, forgies and a metal headgasket and what not would only cost $4000 in parts for the RB20DET.

LOL at ECU not being plugged in properly... Your being taken for a ride man. Change workshops. Most Nissan's run rich from factory. Especially the turbo ones. It just prolongs engine life. I would suggest you goto another workshop to get a leakdown. Even RACQ can do it for you... with truthfull responses as they wont be doing an engine transplant.

Honestly, I dont think there would be a thing wrong with your motor. You've just been told something by those scamming bastards, and your taking every noise you here like your motor is going to blow up.

I STRONGLY suggest you change workshop to someone with a little more "Knowledge" and Truthfullness.

[James_03]

You could also possibly look at importing something over from japan using the yahoo forums and an agent like rinkya.

Friend of myn picked up a worked rb20 for $600 which included td06, high mount manifold, metal head gasket and some tomei stuff in there too. Freight of course is the killer but boat isnt too bad if your prepared to wait. He was also able to obtain a recent comp test via fax but again it could come over and be totally rubish.

But meh worth the risk and most of the time its ok. Failing that like others have said obtain a second hand complete motor if you can and swap it over, even a long and just swap your other stuff onto it.

Edited April 28, 2007 by James_03

[dan.1337]

TurboX, i don't think i have any oil leaks from the engine. I only know of leaks at the rear of the gearbox, power steering rack and a tiny bit from the turbo. It wasn't making any clattering sounds either. It actually sounds quite smooth which is why i'm surprised all these issues seem to have sprung up.

Rancher, The ECU (Link) was a home job done by the previous owner and apparantely it wasn't plugged into the MAP sensor and there were all these hoses n shit which weren't properly plugged in. I was also told that so much petrol was going thru the engine (50L/220km) that i could have done damage to the engine. I'm not sure how true that is as the unburnt petrol was just being spat out the exhaust onto my driveway anyway.

I was also told there's also a few air leaks here and there.

Now the motor is running on the stock ECU, I'll get the leakdown to see what may need to be done. I was recommended this guy from a friend who was extremely happy with the service given to him so I'll see what he comes up with after the leakdown. If it sounds ridiculous i'll get a second opinion.

James_03, that's actually a good idea. I'll have a look into it as i'm not desperate to get it fixed right away anyway.

Just in general, how strong are the RB20's? Can they take a lot of abuse thrown at them?

[Rancher]

Stock.. no not really. Some people get lucky and their motors handle abuse for a while. With some work though (Forgies, cams etc) they can be a weapon of a motor, up there with the best of them.

I'm currently building an RB20DET, Tomie cams (Still trying to find ones that suit my needs $600 for a pair) ACL race barings ($300) new rings and a hone ($400) new vavles and valve springs (no idea) other bits and pieces.

And from memory on my RB20... it wouldnt start if the MAF wasnt plugged in.

[timma]

im gonna rebuild my rb20.. forgies etc. and itll be a 1/4 of the redicilous 10k quote they gave you

[Adriano]

If the MAP sensor wasn't plugged in, the motor probably would run, and go through heaps of fuel. The workshop could be correct, as the washdown causes lots of damage to the motor, the fuel doesn't only go out the exhaust, ,it washed the oil off the bores, and breaks down the oil, which wears the crank journals, so to rebuild it to standard would require boring and crank grind, possibly oil pump/cam journal damage. Just because it doesn't make 260rwkw doesnt mean that it wont wear the motor. A second hand rb20 will definately be your cheapest option, and they can be found cheaply in australia on the forum, but till then keep driving it as its unlikely to blow up.

[R31Nismoid]

A workshop in bayswater will charge 10k for a rebuild with they say pretty much all stock parts not including putting the engine in and out for a GTR.

News to me and i use a few places in Baysie for just about everything

Sounds like a 10k for a stock rebuild was just because they dont wanna work on your car