Rb20 Engine Rebuild

[Andyn]

Hey all,

Just in the process of purchasing a R32gtst and thanks to the good guys at GTAUTO(who did the mechanical check), we have concluded that the engine may be in its last legs.

I'm not discouraged to buy the car just yet. I was thinking of what I can do with it if I did buy it, and maybe renegotiate the price with seller. Two options I can see Rb25 transplant or just a full engine rebuild.

The latter is probably more realistic and cheaper, for my situation. I'm not aiming for big HP, but rather something nimble for the hills/track.

Just curious, for those who have done an rb20 rebuild, how much approximately it will cost to do a full rebuild with standard parts? Also are there any cheap part upgrades someone would recommend, to use in the rebuild, to make the engine stronger and last longer?

Any input would be appreciated.

Andy

Edited February 20, 2006 by Andyn

[TTT]

I doubt you will find many people who have "BOTHERED" to do that to an RB20... I guess Roy's gang might have done something.

might be worth while getting some rough numbers of cost of this build and what you will have in the end.

then see what an Rb25 or 26 or 30 conversion/build will set you back

[EVL032]

yeh i rebuilt for the simple fact that i know the parts are new!

but in hiensight i proberly should have just transplanted the rb25 in

i did a full bottom end rebuild plus gasket kit.used forgies, bored and and the rest that goes with that including hte clutch done at same time was 4k. that was well over 1 yr ago tho.

so both have cons and pros

[Roy]

If your planning over 220rwkws, or running big boost etc then i say dont rebuild an RB20. Sadly RB20 pistons are typcically a bit more expensive then RB26/26/30 pistons...and the cost of the rebuild is typically the same between all the engine. So when you add up the final cost of a rebuild. Why not spend the extra 15% for the RB20s bigger brothers and have a far better basis.

So need to seriously consider what it is you want to do with the car. If the RB20 dies then throw a wrecker RB20 in, they come with warranties and a std RB20 will take copious amounts of abuse when only running the std 110rwkws.

Plus wrecker engines are normally from std cars, with low kms...they dont want the agro of engines coming back, customers complaining so have normally done compression checks, visual inspection under the rockers covers/sump.

But why rebuild anything when a std second hand RB20 can make 230rwkws and handle 18psi? It will make all its power over 4,000rpm, and may be unreliable...sh1t happens, but my experience so far is the engine can handle it...and mine is a wrecker engine that has ran 15,000kms at that power level including over a dozen track days, a motorkhana, a few trips to the drags, a drift day...i doubt most owners give their cars that much grief

If the engine is a bit low on compression, that is no great shakes either. JUst make sur eyou have a good catch can on it so that your engine isnt chokign on fumes, which leads to detontation which can speed up the death.

The only problem with going RB25 is consider the cost of wiring, (Which ECU will you ned up running), the need for a gearbox as you may get lucky and the gearbox live, but typically the RB20 box diesa quick and unglorified death when the torque of the RB20 and up is thrown at them. Mods to tailshafts, rego drams etc.

A std RB20 is a good option, and if you and friends no how to spina spanner then you can be back on your merry way for less then $1000 (may as well put some new gaskets/studs etc while th eengine is out.) Even if you have to pay someone, the 15 hours labout woul dmost likly go close to covering the labour (someone correct meif im wrong about the labour)