Who Here Has Put A Complete Rb26 Into A Vl?

[Richo11]

Hi guys,

Im new to the forums. Ive done a quick search around and couldnt find a lot of info.

I have recently brought an RB26DETT from a 92 32. Im putting it into a vl wagon (a poor mans skyline i know lol, but im wanting to go about it slightly different)

I pick up my engine during the week, so im just wanting to know who here has had experience doing this engine conversion?

Also, any info in things to do/look out for etc would be great.

I know i need to change the sump and pickup to an RB30 one, and also to slice the loom etc.

Of course im wanting to get it engineered so any peoples experience with that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

Matt

[Richo11]

edit.

sorry i mean splice to 2 looms together etc.

[eeiko321]

Hi guys,

Im new to the forums. Ive done a quick search around and couldnt find a lot of info.

I have recently brought an RB26DETT from a 92 32. Im putting it into a Val wagon (a poor mans skyline i know lol, but im wanting to go about it slightly different)

I pick up my engine during the week, so im just wanting to know who here has had experience doing this engine conversion?

Also, any info in things to do/look out for etc would be great.

I know i need to change the sump and pickup to an RB30 one, and also to slice the loom etc.

Of course im wanting to get it engineered so any peoples experience with that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again

Matt

not too sure on that one but why dont you try the VL forum..theres some with RB26detts........

but no offence.....

seirously...ive always wondered.....why would anyone bother with doing this?...

where as with all the money spent...you could probably buy a decent R32 GT-R. and look 100 times better?!

but i guess your choice is none of my buisness...

[Richo11]

not too sure on that one but why dont you try the VL forum..theres some with RB26detts........

but no offence.....

seirously...ive always wondered.....why would anyone bother with doing this?...

where as with all the money spent...you could probably buy a decent R32 GT-R. and look 100 times better?!

but i guess your choice is none of my buisness...

And to be honest, ive been questioning that myself... at the end of the day, i wanted to do something a little different (i know its been done a lot before, but im doing it a little differently) and build a car to suit me. I know that ill end up buying a GTR at some stage, but yeah.. might as well enjoy this first.

As for VL forums, well... they are never much help, to caught up in there own "awesomeness" and "opinions" to offer advice.

Thanks for the comment though

[Turbo Piston]

I personally think when you do a conversion like that, you will come across issues/problems. I guess that is part of the modifying game, but save yourself and just get the R32 Rebuild that into a monster, paint job, new engine, done

[Mohsen]

or buy a stock as a rock R32 and garage it for 30 years then watch people droll over the classic GTR

[eeiko321]

And to be honest, ive been questioning that myself... at the end of the day, i wanted to do something a little different (i know its been done a lot before, but im doing it a little differently) and build a car to suit me. I know that ill end up buying a GTR at some stage, but yeah.. might as well enjoy this first.

As for VL forums, well... they are never much help, to caught up in there own "awesomeness" and "opinions" to offer advice.

Thanks for the comment though

yeah i find that about alot of holden people.......very Ockery.........or rednecky..........

well i recon forget it......save save save.,...Buy R34 GT-R V-SPEC II!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crans]

Umm im a holden person and im not Ockery or rednecky.

Use the 26 loom and the 26 ecu no need for splicing.

[burkill]

And to be honest, ive been questioning that myself... at the end of the day, i wanted to do something a little different (i know its been done a lot before, but im doing it a little differently) and build a car to suit me. I know that ill end up buying a GTR at some stage, but yeah.. might as well enjoy this first.

As for VL forums, well... they are never much help, to caught up in there own "awesomeness" and "opinions" to offer advice.

Thanks for the comment though

the only good commodore is a rb25det or 26 etc.

[Public Enemy]

go for it dude. The VL has cult car status IMO.

Won't be as cool as a Stagea but were all bias here.

To use an RB30 sump you will need an adaptor plate. Most people cut the diff housing of the RB26 sump and then weld it up.

As someone has said before use the rb26 loom and ecu or powerfc. What have you got for a gearbox and diff?

[rb30dett]

I have done it, its pretty easy, I have a modified gtr sump to suit if you want to buy it? rear turbo dump pipe clearance will need a firewall massage.

[ras1983]

Seeing as you have the RB26 and the RB30 block have you thought of doing a 26/30 hybrid? From what I've read on here a RB30 bottom end with the RB26 top end allows for some outrageous power and outrageous torque.

[Richo11]

go for it dude. The VL has cult car status IMO.

Won't be as cool as a Stagea but were all bias here.

To use an RB30 sump you will need an adaptor plate. Most people cut the diff housing of the RB26 sump and then weld it up.

As someone has said before use the rb26 loom and ecu or powerfc. What have you got for a gearbox and diff?

How much are you chasing for the sump? and pickup as well for it?

As for dumps, i was going to look into the stainless steel aftermarket ones

Thanks for the comments guys,

I have an MX7 manual box for it, once that blows ill get a 33 put into it. Diff is just 28spline lsd, nothing major.

Computer wise, i got a MINES ecu with the engine from the importer. There is a couple of things to change wiring wise so its 100% suited for the vl, but i want to do this right.

Cars currently off the road. Full respray, custom trim, actually going to look into a decent suspension setup etc, no use in half assing things.

Im going to stick clear of the 26/30 combo, seems most vl drivers are doing that and going single turbo, i want to retain the factory 26 look, even if i do decide to upgrade the turbos ill stick to twins.

Engine is currently ready for the new sump and is getting cleaned and checked over, then we will be dropping the engine in the car, doing all the fabrication work needed, engineers etc so its legal, then ill start with the cosmetic side of things, once all the fiddly shit is out of the way (so engine back out again)

Umm i think i responded to most people, keep the posts coming guys

Cheers

Matt

PS im not an ocker redneck bogan lol

[Richo11]

Ok, just thought id post a little bit of an update.

Engine is sitting in a dummy vl at the moment to see what sort of work needs to be done to make it fit 100% (my wagon is at the pannel shop still). Apart from needing to bash the shit out of the firewall to get the engine in, it was ok (might do a cut and shut on my wagon for cosmetic side to it).

Looks like ill need to get a custom throttle cable made. The brake booster and master cylinder is right beside where you hook it up, causing some minor issues but we will get around that.

Sump is done. We modified the RB30 sump to fit. Cut into the windige tray so the pick up would fit, and modified the edging to allow for the pickup etc.

The next issue is the airbox. Due to the tight spacing we are looking into how we are going to make an airbox that will support the 2 AFM's and piping to suit. Im thinking that pod filters may be an option, but it isnt the way i wanted to go. If i end up doing that, ill get rid of the battery and smooth the bay, but once again.. thats what everyone does.

Im guessing the RB25 power steering pump goes onto the 26 block ok? Because the 26 pump is a dual one, im looking into the next option, this seems to be my last resort.

Other than having to move the power steer lines around, this is all the little annoying things out of the way (hopefully). Ill keep updating this thread with progress if anyone is interested.

Cheers guys,

Matt

[Swiper the Fox]

a friend of mine here in Newcastle has a VL Calais with full GTR running gear...yes VL RB26DETT 4WD!!

Edited December 22, 2008 by DiRTgarage

[RB26TTVL]

Ok, just thought id post a little bit of an update.

Engine is sitting in a dummy vl at the moment to see what sort of work needs to be done to make it fit 100% (my wagon is at the pannel shop still). Apart from needing to bash the shit out of the firewall to get the engine in, it was ok (might do a cut and shut on my wagon for cosmetic side to it).

Looks like ill need to get a custom throttle cable made. The brake booster and master cylinder is right beside where you hook it up, causing some minor issues but we will get around that.

Sump is done. We modified the RB30 sump to fit. Cut into the windige tray so the pick up would fit, and modified the edging to allow for the pickup etc.

The next issue is the airbox. Due to the tight spacing we are looking into how we are going to make an airbox that will support the 2 AFM's and piping to suit. Im thinking that pod filters may be an option, but it isnt the way i wanted to go. If i end up doing that, ill get rid of the battery and smooth the bay, but once again.. thats what everyone does.

Im guessing the RB25 power steering pump goes onto the 26 block ok? Because the 26 pump is a dual one, im looking into the next option, this seems to be my last resort.

Other than having to move the power steer lines around, this is all the little annoying things out of the way (hopefully). Ill keep updating this thread with progress if anyone is interested.

Cheers guys,

Matt

Hey man, couple of things, I didn't have to change anything on the firewall, not sure why you had to bash yours around.

Throttle cable needs to be shortned, but as for position, if you just angle it upwards a little it'll be fine, it just kinda pokes up over the master cylinder.

I put the battery in the boot, and am running twin pods as well, but am keen to have an airbox made up for it. Eventually we'll try pull something with a cold air intake using the walky scoop.

I think a 25 P/S pump should go on, I used a 30 one, there's a couple of different ones from the 30's, and a couple of different brackets as well. If you know a wrecker who you can pop in a go through a few combos you'll find something. I can't remember exactley what combo I used.

Good luck, get in touch if you have questions.

Benny

[R31Nismoid]

I personally think when you do a conversion like that, you will come across issues/problems. I guess that is part of the modifying game, but save yourself and just get the R32 Rebuild that into a monster, paint job, new engine, done

And what issues/problems are they exactly?

Its virtually a bolt in conversion.

Ive done it to my HR31, and a VL is no different as it comes with the RB factory, mounting position is the same etc etc.

Its as straight forward as a conversion is going to get.

anyway

calaisturbo.com

go there, plenty of people have done it

[r32line]

I don't know who this belongs to and I think I remember reading that the 26 was taken out of it and sold, I can't remember where I found this image... someone else may be albe to shed more light.

[Silhouette-R]

That is the coolest VL ever!! 4WD VL, another good thing to go into a Holden that came from Nissan