Replace The Rb20 Or Cut My Losses?

[dan.1337]

I have an r32 gts-t which has lately given me headaches. To cut a long story short, an engine bearing is starting to spin which means death is not far away.

I've spent a lot of hard earned dollars on replacing many bits and pieces and believe that everything is running well except for this issue with the block.

My question is, what do you think is the logical thing to do? I can either sell my car at a giveaway price with all the supporting mods with close to 200rwkw, or replace the rb20 block and head and just transfer all the stuff across to it.

I love my car to bits, but it has been giving me a lot of headaches lately because of this engine. Having this issue lingering in the back of my mind puts me off driving the car when I really should be driving it...cos i enjoy driving it.

I'll admit that I don't have the skill to do a swap myself, but i have some friends who have done swaps on other cars (fwd) who are willing to help.

I want to believe that a swap is a good idea and selling it is a bad idea, but maybe some opinions will straighten out my thinking.

Please help provide some opinions, options and general costs for doing a swap...or not doing it and cutting my losses as it is.

Any constructive opinion is welcome. Thanks!

also, swapping to an rb25 is out of the question for me.

Main mods:

Spitfire coilpacks (new)

HKS 2530

Denso 550cc injectors

Link ECU

Bosch 040

[Roy]

2.5k and a mechanic and your problems will go away. Wrecker motor with 3 month warranty, new belts, pumps etc and all labour performed by someone else. I would expect that you wouldnt be up for much more then $2500, providing you can get a motor for less then $800

if you can do it with friends then even better, just be sure that its done properly

[dmr]

you sound like me when you say that it pisses you off to drive it, knowing there's a fault. i know how it feels!

if you end up selling it and getting another r32/rb20, you're probably going to miss the certain good things about your car.

do the swap. otherwise you have to start from scratch again.

at least if you trust or know the wrecker/seller, you'll have a good investment on a healthier engine, plus spare parts

[R31Nismoid]

2.5k and a mechanic and your problems will go away. Wrecker motor with 3 month warranty, new belts, pumps etc and all labour performed by someone else. I would expect that you wouldnt be up for much more then $2500, providing you can get a motor for less then $800

if you can do it with friends then even better, just be sure that its done properly

agreed

[abu]

Go with what Roy says, he knows his shit.

[West]

Alternatively, go SR.

[Roy]

Alternatively, go SR.

Would be interesting!

[abu]

Alternatively, go SR.

There is a few going around with SR's in them.

There was one actually for sale in the for sale section! Pretty interesting.

[Roy]

And...speak to the ppl you actually plan on doing the work. you will only get personal opinions on this forum...noone hear will guarantee your money is being well spent or you are going the best option.

I dont know what i am talking about...if i did i would be earning a living from this. Im just a hillbilly who is too tight to spring for a real car so blabber on about RB20s. Its only one persons opinion but i at least try to substantiate it More views you get the better informed your decision will be

[West]

A friend of mine had the conversion done to his,

There are plenty of room after the conversion too, good for a V-mount intercooler i reckon, also less weight too.

[abu]

A friend of mine had the conversion done to his,

There are plenty of room after the conversion too, good for a V-mount intercooler i reckon, also less weight too.

Any advantages?

They say the SR feels more responsive, and can produce just as more power as the RB20?

[West]

Any advantages?

They say the SR feels more responsive, and can produce just as more power as the RB20?

Dont know about responsive but all i can see is,

Less weight

SR produce up to 240kw@wheels with stock internal

More parts for SR than RB20 these days.

[dan.1337]

thanks for the opinions guys.

like the rb25, i probably wouldn't go down the SR20 route. i just want to keep it plain and simple with as little hassles as possible.

are there any workshops that would be recommended to do the work (well) at a reasonable price?

i'll have to give them a call or drop in to talk to them about it first. not fond of being screwed around with anymore car stuff by mechanics.

[abu]

Dont know about responsive but all i can see is,

Less weight

SR produce up to 240kw@wheels with stock internal

More parts for SR than RB20 these days.

True true!

240rwkw can be done on RB20 too, thing is though RB20 parts aren't as common as SR20, like you said.

I like the SR20, but prefer the RB20.. Everyones different though.

[West]

True true!

240rwkw can be done on RB20 too, thing is though RB20 parts aren't as common as SR20, like you said.

I like the SR20, but prefer the RB20.. Everyones different though.

Offcourse RB is the shit but only from RB25 onward.

Starionturbo (a vic sau member) had an RB25 in his 32gtst a while ago, let me tell you it goes HARD. Only suggested SR because it would be different that's all.

Don't forget the only person that can steer an RB20 FAST and beyon it capability is TROY but no one else ! J/K.

[arep3]

just curious why you wouldnt go the rb25 route? there wouldnt be much of a difference of a swapova. stuff is just a bit bigger. i only know rb26 so dont take my word on anything else. just curious

[West]

just curious why you wouldnt go the rb25 route? there wouldnt be much of a difference of a swapova. stuff is just a bit bigger. i only know rb26 so dont take my word on anything else. just curious

Have you driven an FD RX7?

You'll feel the weight different between the FD and your GTR straight the way.

[abu]

Offcourse RB is the shit but only from RB25 onward.

Starionturbo (a vic sau member) had an RB25 in his 32gtst a while ago, let me tell you it goes HARD. Only suggested SR because it would be different that's all.

Don't forget the only person that can steer an RB20 FAST and beyon it capability is TROY but no one else ! J/K.

Hahah its true but, Roy gets mad results lol

I can see Roy lurking around in this therad, your about to get a good answer to why RB20 is the shit!

How hard is it to put RB25 in? I got wolf and that so ECU side wouldn't be that hard, just the loom/wiring is the most difficult.

Djemz I think is his forum name, he has an RB25 in his R32. Runs a HKS2535 and E-MANAGE, makes a reliable 240rwkw..

I've talked to him and other people who have been in the car.. Staight out machine.

Edited September 12, 2007 by abu

[Roy]

Don't forget the only person that can steer an RB20 FAST and beyon it capability is TROY but no one else ! J/K.

LOL...i take insults far better then complements. Snowie?

But point is, i only rate myself as a fair driver. The fact that the car does what it does isnt me, its the fact that a GTSt even with a lowly RB20 can still be a pretty good thing.

[SABBAi]

one problem you WILL come across at some stage when fitting a 25 is the increase in capacity vs. the vicroad guidelines for motor vehicles. Don't go this route if you don't want troubles with the local constable, unless you plan on getting it fully engineered.

For an easy replacement, I would suggest going down the path of a good condition secondhand motor. Cheapest, easiest option there for sure.