RB26DETT Really Worth It?

[MadMax670]

Ok, so I did take all of your advice and spent about three hours searching forums and found a lot of good info about the swap but because most of the information I found was from at least a year ago, a lot of the issues associated with the swap may have been solved. So, in that case, I do have a couple of questions to ask. The only real problems that I could find that are associated with the swap are these:

-Turbos interfere with steering column > single turbo = fixed
-AWD transmission in RWD car (and related fitament issues) > Just use RB25 trans = fixed (that is all that is required to fix that problem, right?)
-Wiring > yea, that's a bitch, but it can be done
-Cost (engines alone are quite expensive. . .) for what it is, it's not THAT expensive
-Gotta get the right engine mounts, but they are available, anyone have a price estimate on them?

But then I ask myself, then why not just do the RB25DET swap? It is easier and cheaper, is it not? Also, it is a skyline engine as well, and a very capable one at that! But then again, it's the fuckin RB26DETT, possibly one of the most badass engines ever to come from Nissan. Are these swaps becoming more common? Am I totally missing something/am I off base? LMK what you guys think. Thanks!

[1mns13]

I am all for using the RB25DET. It is better bang for buck. There are reasons for using the RB26, but I don't believe it suits most peoples needs.

[Emc-Icon]

again.. you gotta pay to play
do you want the baddest engine made by nissan?...
are you willing to spend the 10k for a good quality job? (now ppl will say lower costs and stuff.. but 10k is the average cost of the swap)

[blu808]

You really suck at searching.

But yea you cant drift unless you have a rb26 so its worth it i guess.

[projectRDM]

If you're buying an engine just because it's 'badass', you're still way off base. You need to get your priorities straight and decide why you seriously are considering an engine swap. Most people do it for the power, nothing more, and that can be had with either the KA that's in there now or an SR just as easily. Being different or cool is no longer viable because there's plenty of other swaps that have been done with way more unique choices, so if that's your plan then again you're wasting time. Next you have to look at what you intend to do with the car and what you expect to accomplish with it, you can daily drive, drag, drift (if you're gay), autocross, anything with any engine choice, so there's no benefit there either. If it's really down to an RB25 vs. a 26, do you want to deal with the added cost and hassle for only a little gain? Why not go one step up and do an RB30? Still plenty of things you need to research before anyone can tell you what you need to hear.

[ALTRNTV]

I'm waiting for "driftfreaq" to chime in on this. RB25's are like the holy grail of motors to him.

[drift freaq]

Ok, so I did take all of your advice and spent about three hours searching forums and found a lot of good info about the swap but because most of the information I found was from at least a year ago, a lot of the issues associated with the swap may have been solved. So, in that case, I do have a couple of questions to ask. The only real problems that I could find that are associated with the swap are these:

-Turbos interfere with steering column > single turbo = fixed
-AWD transmission in RWD car (and related fitament issues) > Just use RB25 trans = fixed (that is all that is required to fix that problem, right?)
-Wiring > yea, that's a bitch, but it can be done
-Cost (engines alone are quite expensive. . .) for what it is, it's not THAT expensive
-Gotta get the right engine mounts, but they are available, anyone have a price estimate on them?

But then I ask myself, then why not just do the RB25DET swap? It is easier and cheaper, is it not? Also, it is a skyline engine as well, and a very capable one at that! But then again, it's the fuckin RB26DETT, possibly one of the most badass engines ever to come from Nissan. Are these swaps becoming more common? Am I totally missing something/am I off base? LMK what you guys think. Thanks!

Turbo interference with steering column? not much longer. :D Syko Performance is prototyping a RB26DETT install kit that comes with very trick new style mounts and allows you to run it twin turbo and not interfere with your steering . You will see this kit in another 3-4 months. Right now I sell a RB25 install kit . www.dfreaq.com , though right now we are a couple of weeks out on the next run of kits. We also offer wiring services for the RB25 and will for the 26 as well. Yes the swaps are becoming more popular.

[Emc-Icon]

You really suck at searching.

But yea you cant drift unless you have a rb26 so its worth it i guess.
ROFL... :bowrofl:
sig quote right there

[ALTRNTV]

I was right in time driftfreaq. haha

I'm sending you a PM about RB25 prices...

[Ricks15]

That motor is a beast thats all I got to say.

[s14turbosilvia]

if you're a baller whos only interest is in winning show trophy's and getting kudo's from your local car buddies, then go all out with the RB26.

If you're on a realistic budget like 95% of Zilvia is, the RB25 is a much better choice. Aside from the turbo interference ($2000 single turbo kit), and the RB25 transmission swap ($500), there really is no difference between the two swaps as far as mechanical issues and swap-ability are concerned.

Swap kits for the 26 are a hair more expensive, depending on who you go with, but generally they'll range right around $1000-$1600, and include new motor mounts, driveshaft, and possibly a tranny mount.

hope this helps.

[drift freaq]

I'm waiting for "driftfreaq" to chime in on this. RB25's are like the holy grail of motors to him.
hahahhahaa don't beleive the hype!! no I do not consider them the holy grail. While yes I feel the RB's are great engines which they are. I do not feel that it is the engine of engines. Its a very good engine. Do I like 6 cylinders more than 4's? Yes. Do I like some V8's a lot?

[ALTRNTV]

^
LOL. I know you have mad love for I-6's. I sent you a PM.

[MadMax670]

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate all of the feedback, drift freaq, i may consider your kit

[RB26Sileighty]

sorry only read your question no one elses responses so sorry if i repeat...i have this swap...the oil pan will have to be modified if you get the rb25 pan because it interfears with the oil pick up tube...i clears steering but exhaust is hard to make mckinney sells the exhaust and the motor mounts...the also doing wiring....takes about 30 min to get the motor bolted into the car...not hard at all really...

[andrewmp6]

mckinney makes downpipes for the rb25 and rb26 in the s13 and s14 body to me i went with the rb25 since im cheap and have no need for tiwn turbo or itb

[RB26Sileighty]

yeah i believe that if money is an issue then rb25 is the way to go...either way you go... both rb's are great builders for power...

[Nameless RB26]

Why do people seem to suck at searching these days? EVERYTHING about this swap has been covered (excluding the wiring specifics).

I am doing this swap myself and have been reading and gathering for over a year now. It's not cheap!!!

nicoclub.com
240sxforums.com
skylinesaustralia.com
skylinesdownunder.com
hybridz.org

These sites have the info you need (as in dedicated RB forums). GO search. Find info yourself instead of listening to people who haven't done the swap. All they can say is the facts and hearsay according to other sources. Most people on general 240sx forums will just talk about RB swaps when they're driving an SR!

If you search hard enough, you'll find a large thread I made with some major details geared towards beginning this swap, how to get started... but wiring, ta hell if I'm giving that info out. If ya can't wire, you can't swap an RB26 IMO. Paying others to do the harness is a pussy copout.

Also, look at buwaldahybrids.com (or something like that). They have a prestine 260sx just completed with LOTS of details.. but trust me, there are still lacking details. That's your job when it comes to this swap. A job done with skill and dedication is what gets a pat on the back, not a guy following exact instructions listening to people who aren't positive on what they say. Fuck I'm tired.... hope that clears up and helps. If you can't find my thread on other forums message me and I will send you it.

[drift freaq]

Why do people seem to suck at searching these days? EVERYTHING about this swap has been covered (excluding the wiring specifics).

I am doing this swap myself and have been reading and gathering for over a year now. It's not cheap!!!

nicoclub.com
240sxforums.com
skylinesaustralia.com
skylinesdownunder.com
hybridz.org

These sites have the info you need (as in dedicated RB forums). GO search. Find info yourself instead of listening to people who haven't done the swap. All they can say is the facts and hearsay according to other sources. Most people on general 240sx forums will just talk about RB swaps when they're driving an SR!

If you search hard enough, you'll find a large thread I made with some major details geared towards beginning this swap, how to get started... but wiring, ta hell if I'm giving that info out. If ya can't wire, you can't swap an RB26 IMO. Paying others to do the harness is a pussy copout.

Also, look at buwaldahybrids.com (or something like that). They have a prestine 260sx just completed with LOTS of details.. but trust me, there are still lacking details. That's your job when it comes to this swap. A job done with skill and dedication is what gets a pat on the back, not a guy following exact instructions listening to people who aren't positive on what they say. Fuck I'm tired.... hope that clears up and helps. If you can't find my thread on other forums message me and I will send you it.


I think you need to look a little closer a zilvia before you go off like above. There are several members of this forum who have done RB swaps are running RB swapped cars and have posted info right here.
On top of that I posted in this thread and I have a RB powered car. I have done the swap. In fact I prototyped one of the nicest install kits on the market, IMHO, on my car. They are currently working on a prototype RB26 kit like I stated.

No one here ever said the install was cheap. Truthfully its not. The RB25 is less money. Is it more expensive than a SR overall? Yes, but the deciding factor that makes a big difference, is the fact that to get the SR up to horsepower you can get easily out of the stock RB severely negates the price difference gap between the SR and RB install.

I am the process of having a RB25 swapped car finished for a client in the San Francisco bay area. Its costing him roughly 8k in engine , mount kit and parts with installation. Now if your going to do it yourself your number is going to run around 6k, yes thats with a Greddy Intake and FMIC. At that point though with a boost controller he is going to be dropping around 260-270 HP at the wheels. With a PowerFC even more.
Is the RB26 install a big buck install? Yes! tThe 26 install is going to be in 10k up range. Though if your a baller and money is not the issue the end results are incrediable.

[kouki_s14]

the 26 is a great motor, no doubt about that here. but i feel that it would be way to expensive to get a clean job done. the RB25 is NOT that expensive, i spent $3000 on top of the motor, i paid for wiring done, if i could have done that myself i would have saved $350, i did not need a FMIC and piping so that saves me another $500-$600. also the Syko mount kit i got from Dave was another thing i did not need but helps position the motor (-$1000, without the kit however i might have needed at least a downpipe and driveshaft so add $500 there). if my car was already manual i would not have needed a clutch hardline, master cylinder, and pedal (-$50). if my oil pan wasnt dented i wouldnt have needed a new one ($150).
so if you do the labor yourself but not the wiring, you can spend about 1300-1500 on top of the cost of the motor. say you get the motor for 2500, total would be less than 4000 give or a take a hundred or so.
not a bad price IMO, im sure Dave will agree, it is well worth it.

for the 26 is another story, first you have to source a motor, then source a 25 tranny, custom driveshaft, downpipe. pretty much you will need everything for a RB25 swap and more. plus anyone planning on doing a 26 swap IMO, should do a F-ing clean job or dont do it at all. i believe that someone will have to spend at least $5000 in addition to the motor to get the job done. so anywhere from 8-10k total. if you got the money go right ahead, but if you want the best bang for your buck, get the 25.

i guess we are all tired of the ka vs sr, sr vs rb threads. now we are getting rb25 vs rb26 threads? what are we gonna have to argue after this?? we are running low on options here....

henry

[alexchanman]

dude, your gonna pay out the butthole for the installation unless you have the balls to do it yourself (the mounts themselves costs over $1200).

get rb25, better deal and you can still get a model for pretty cheap, maybe even less than an SR.