Noob post - SR vs RB
 

Sorry for the noob post, but I had a couple important questions before I start my S14 build shortly.

First off, I'll be exiting the Honda scene (for obvious reasons) and getting into an S chassis. I'm still planning out everything as of right now.

I'm shooting for 350-400whp while keeping it reliable enough to daily drive. SO, if you had the choice between an SR or RB which would you pick and why? Is 350-400 a reasonable range without getting too deep into the bottom end of either motor? Ideally I'd like to only do cams, springs, retainers, and valves along with a turbo upgrade, bigger injectors, MAF, and a tune.

If anyone has various links to builds with descriptions of motor mods and numbers, send them to me. I'll be wandering around the site looking for more information.

I realize this is a dumb question, but I am ignorant on Nissan's. I tried searching sr vs rb and it said my search wasn't descriptive enough.

Thanks for any helpful advice, and I plan to have my build up here as soon as I get started on it.

Flame suit activated. :hide:

get the SR. parts are usually cheaper, and it's more common.

built head, OEM bottom end rebuild, 2871, tune, other supporting accessories = 350+whp reliable.

This sounds like a question I asked myself in high school... You know, writing in the back of my notebook during class. If you're 32 just now exiting the Honda scene, you should probably re-evaluate other things in your life.

There is so much information on this forum for both engines you should be able to come up with the solution on your own.

RB20DET or go home.
RB20DET or go home.


If you get a SR.. well that would make sense.. just be another one of the sheeps.

RB20 if you're one the peasants...

RB20, the throwaway engine of choice in Japan since 1993...:rofl:

RB20, less desirable than a KA24E.

I'm a peasant and support the rb20! Lol no shame here!

either engine can make 350hp reliably...... it will be cheaper to build an sr, stay away from the RB20..... but other than that it is personal preference....

i personally have a built SR, but why not just turbo your KA?

Unless I missed it he just said "rb" not which one... I have an rb25 so I'm bias, but I'd take any rb over an sr just my preference.

Thanks for the post.

I'd definitely only be interested in a RB25 or 26. RB20 is out of the question. Reasons I don't want to go with a KA is because I don't have one. I'm planning on buying a shell and dropping a motor and I'd rather go RB25/SR20.

Yeah, I didn't clearly state myself. Would you care to explain your preference? What does your RB have that you wouldn't find in an SR?

lol it's funny all the hate for the RB20.

OP, if you choose an RB20, just throw a big turbo on it, and it moveeeeees.

just get an RB20 + like a Gt35R + E85 + 30psi boost = SR20 destroyer

RB20>SR20.

RB20 :
6 cylinders
Iron block
better head
Rev's to 8k+ happily
Will take as much boost as you throw at it ( believe me... I have thrown 28pi on my RB20 on a BGS200G and it asks for more ) (will require a TUNE though and ALL supporting mods. like any engine )
Less load PER ROD PER HP- FACT
Cheaper
sounds better
Oiling issues
Parts are NOT HARD TO FIND, and NOT expensive AND SOLD IN THE USA! ( like any RB engine ) Don't believe the BS that you can't find stuff.

SR20
Aluminum block/ head - lighter
Dead engine above 7.5k rpm ( or so i've seen )
4 cylinders
more load per rod per hp
Could make plenty of hp on lots of boost and E85 aswell
More expensive
sounds like crap
easier swap ( if you're lazy )

RB25
Everything the RB20 is except 2.5L
People SAY it can hold more HP, But nobody has bothered to take a RB20 up to those HP levels. HOWEVER there are 650+whp Rb20's.
spools turbo a little faster than RB20
Proven to make HP
oiling issues (rb20 aswell )
Harder to swap then a SR or RB20
custom parts may be required
Transmission holds more power then RB20
as expensive or more expensive than SR20, almost double price of RB20


RB26
Expensive swap.
lots of custom parts required
Revs to ( I've been told ) 9k rpm without a hiccup.
Makes more power/ holds more power then a RB20 and SR20 combined.
2.6L
Some of these engines aren't even old ( like 2002 / 2004 )
not for someone with a limited budget.

Ls1
Torque
expensive swap
lightwieght for engine size
gas guzzler
lots of custom parts required.
not for someone with limited budget.





I could be wrong on some of this so...

unless... you encounter a 35r running 30psi on pump... why would you only run 30psi in a 35r with e85

you could run more if you wanted. I'm just saying at 30lbs it's already stupid fast.. not even streetable

Thanks for this.

First off, it seems that an RB would be more reliable holding larger amounts of boost on a stock bottom end? And what is this oiling issue with them? An easy fix?

540dude don't listen to OrangeVirus1. He is a bot sent out by the DSM forums to persuade new Nissan owners into choosing the worst engine possible for their upcoming swaps. Then years later when the victim comes back and says, "Damn, I should have never went RB20." He will come into the thread and laugh at your misfortunes.

More info here: #/f/chat/512119-attn...a-members.html

Op How about you just pm me, ill take you for a spin and You can buy my sr making 500+

hahahah. I haven't owned a DSM in like 2 years.. :(

Rb20 is not the worst engine.

There is no way an RB20 is worse then a CA18.

To the OP, oiling only becomes an issue when you start making lots of power. the Oil pump/ collar.. stuff. Look it up. also the RB25 is stricken by this same issue.

Don't believe all the Hype.. Rb20's are not that bad, and you can make one really fast.

and yes, There will be less stress per rod at the same HP on a RB20, then a SR20.

and anyone who thinks a Rb20 will blow up around 400hp, is dead wrong.

serious LOL..... and orange virus, i am running aa sr20 on e85, with a gtx35r..... would love to see an rb20 keep up.....
(not talking crap on other rb motors)

Most Rb20 builds won't even stand a chance at keeping up.. because everyone just runs stock garbage and makes no power.


When I get my E85 tune finished, I'm willing to bet I'll keep up or at least be close behind. I'm at 28psi on pump right now.

I already know you'll get the pull right away because my car takes it's sweet time spooling..

ROFL! Does he have multiple accounts of this?

Yes, and be careful because he might try to sell you his RB20 for stupid cheap saying it can boost on 28psi easily but as soon as you take it to 15psi you'll blow the rings right out of the block.

I'm not even selling my setup.

I wanted to before, to get a DSM. but I decided to just keep it instead.

and I've boosted past 15psi lots of times lol.. rings are fine. engine fine.

OP, RB20's are as good as junk.

don't get it.

This thread is getting pretty dumb, but before it gets completely derailed op decide what you want to do with your car and an exact power number, then look into what setups people are running on sr's and rb's to get what your looking for. With enough of money and time you can do anything, but with a vague "I want to make 400hp" post your just going to get a bunch of people bickering over their personal preference. Different setups will yield different results even at similar power numbers because of torque, lag, and overall response.

Agreed. RB20's are as good as junk. IF you leave them stock.

fixed.....

What kind of #s you laying down with your setup?