Rb26dett s13 swap questions

[Linux2501]

Alright I know I probably wont find the answer here, but after alot of time searching for the past week Ive come to this conclusion there are very few rb26dett s13s out there and nobody has done a write up about fittment. what I have gathered from picts is well duh its a tight fit same with all rbs.

I currently have swapped my s13 coupe from ka24de to Rb20det and then motor blew and pulled and replaced after a complete rebuild on the new motor.

Now I have in my hands now an RB26DETT with the 5 speed awd. I know this so far from my friends build from about 4 years ago

1. I can swap oil pan from either 20 or 25 apparently the 25 is the same as the 20 in that case i could possibly use the one i have in my garage.

2. You can use the z32 either n/a or tt but you have to swap bell housing on it.

Ive heard you can block up the awd trans but who wants to do that.

Here are my questions

1. How does the shifter line up with say mckinney mounts ? either with the rb25 or the z32 trans ?

2.Do you have to beat the tunnel out?

3.Ive heard and read that the gm 3.5 bar mafs are a better replacement to the stock n70 mafs is this true and any certain settings on the safc ?

4. has anybody on here used the arp cam bolts ? (previous issues with the rb20det cam bolts sucked ended up doing a whole day of a vice with alot of wd40 and a 10mm socket and lots of time trying to get them out.)

5. About what prices have you seen on rb26 harness and trans along with the diff have you seen?

[Sileighty_85]

1. you can use the RWD oil pans but bolts will be bigger and the 26 uses studs on the middle sides of the engine due to the differential. can be done but have heard some pl leak. Me I would find or convert the stock pan to RWD

2. you can use the Z32 with modifications but driveshaft will be shorter than if you use an RB25 Trans, and shifter needs to be modded to fit. Me I would find an RB25 for simplistic reasons since there are kits out there for use with the RB25 trans


1. I have a SYKO mount kit with my RB25 in my S14 perfit fitment IMO

2. with the SYKO kit only one spot around the starter area need to be banged about 1/2" in maybe.

3. not sure on GM MAFS, with my R32 I'll either upgrade to Nismo or Z32 MAFS depends on how much power you are going for. A new trend happening is R35 MAFS.

4. Never used ARP cam bolts. Never had an issue with stock RB cam bolts just need a accurate tourqe wrench

5. wiringspeicalites.com makes plug and play harness. not sure whatever else you are asking about....

[Linux2501]

Know of anybody who has used mckinney mounts and had to cut the shifter hole? or did you have to cut the shifter hole already for the rb25 trans? sorry if I am asking too many questions about this. Its just most of the net has half answered questions.

R35 mafs????? Good lord lol I suppose I will just go with z32 for now or price up some nismos (rb taught me to use what is closest due to maf issuse) <----have about 5 j60s now

THe cam bolts seemed to be siezed on the cam caps for some reason followed the service manual for everything but for some reason they either where dry inside the cam cap or something cause it was just about like that for all of them.

I really appreciate all this help!