Project 300kw RB20DET (long post)

[cyco]

I know this topic has more than likely been brought up time and time again, however just reading through a few previous threads, there was nothing conclusive about squeezing more from an RB20 on stock internals.

Here's the situation; I've already become very used to the power a fairly stock RB20DET can provide (Pod filter/3" cat back), and want to improve on what is obviously already an excellent engine. (No this post is not intended to stir up another flame war)

I've set a fairly modest goal to begin with, as such I'd try and keep in mind further upgrades to provide yet more increase in power should the need and/or required budget arise. Initially around 300kw or roughly 200rwkw

Any comments, suggestions, and/or past experiences would be greatly appreciated;

These are the steps I intend to follow (rough draft)

1. Improving flow;

a) 3" exhaust (mandrel) from the turbo, high flow cat

B) Custom/Aftermarket intake/exhaust manifolds

c) Aftermarket Plennum (?)

d) Cam timing and/or replace cams (?)

2. Increase Boost;

a) Front mount intercooler

B) Upgrade Turbo (Stock RB25 turbo, highflow RB20 -or- something bigger?)

c) Boost controller (Potentially via Wolf3D)

3. Tune air/fuel

a) Bigger Fuel pump

B) Bigger Injectors -or- Fuel pressure regulator?

c) Replace with aftermarket ECU -or- remap existing ECU?

My initial concern is about what replacement turbo would suit and still allow a good response, and how replacing manifolds and dump pipes would effect my options (would seem a shame to cut and weld nice aftermarket bits)

I would also eventually like to upgrade the ECU, Wolf3D is looking a good alternative to the FC at this point, however I'd like to hold this off until completely necessary.

Phew - sorry about the length of this post... I'd be interested to know how much power gain to expect and where the best initial improvements can be made - Thanks in advance everyone.

[meggala]

for 200 rwk I would say to you talk to dr d_drift @ bmt he has a few stock rb 20's pretty close to the mark with stock motors turbo up grades etc no need for a plenum. he can also retune the stock factory ecu.

your main area's to up grade are turbo cooler exhaust the rb 25 turbo is not going to get you there you need a bigger and better one 2530 or a t 3/4 front mount afm up grade exhaust fuel pump. possibly injectors. its very doable though.

meggala

[bbenny]

to get 200rwkw you wont have to do anything to your intake and exaust manifolds. infact to reach 200rwkw you dont have to do all that much.

as you suggested, get an exaust, intercooler, pod filter, boost controler or bleed valve. with these mods, my RB20 made 170rwkw.

since then i fitted a 2nd hand HKS2530 turbo. and running about 12psi i am already making 210rwkw.

but its time to do something about factory management as im maxing the AFM. should be able to make another 20rwkw once either aftermarket management is installed or re chip the ECU. also upgrade fuel pump and reg.

ben

[DCIEVE]

im maxing out my afm at 190rwkw...

but only took high flow turbs, safc, cooler, filter and exh to do it.

whats the 2530 worth bbenny? next step 220rwkw

[JimX]

There's a 2530 done around 8000km in the FS forum now for under $2k. Not a bad price.

[RS500]

fyi, a friend of mine who also has a R32 GTS-T (RB20DET) has managed to get up to 227rwkw while keeping the internals standard and untouched.

all he has done is the following;

* large front mounted intercooler

* 400hp Garrett GT25 turbo with A/R .64 exhaust housing running 19-20psi (446179-0032)

* Unichip ECU

* full aftermarket exhaust

* hi-volume in-tank fuel pump

* standard injectors

* malpassi fuel press. regulator.

* standard intake/exhaust manifolds

* standard cams & cam wheels

the car has been run in this configuration for the last 2.5 years where it has been very reliable with no faults what so-ever. He has also raced it where in full street-trim he pulled a 13.4@111mph.

All in all, the car feels very strong for the street and again, the RBxx engines are tough as nails when it comes to strength so you can't go wrong.

Also, fyi, he bought a HKS GT2540 which he wanted to try but has changed his mind (due to overseas work commitments) and is looking at selling it. let me know if you're interested.

for specs on the turbo, refer to the following link and the quoted part number above;

http://www.turbofast.com.au/GTseries.html

[rbs13]

why not try for something bigger than 200 rwkw.. youll only get use to it.. get

fuel pump, regulator, fmic, ecu, exhuast *not in that order* then think about turbo. custom manifold with external wastegate with gt30 or something.. try and make your power on as less boost as possible.. or as bbenny said 2530/2540 would be ideal for a streeter.. prolly hasnt helped at all.. but yea.. do all the basic crap first.. then do ya turbo/ecu last and get it tuned and put on at the same time.. to cut tuning costs down.. if ya get ur ecu youll have to get it tuned if you wanna drive it properly:d then ya decide next month ya want a bigger turbo.. so ya have to get it tuned again.. get my drift..?

[bbenny]

yeah the HKS 2530s are reasonable in price too! when i was shopping the std price was around $1800. just try get it with all the fittings and lines if possible, i ended up forking out an extra $500 for lines and fittings. mind you i went braided with all the wanker anodized fittings... and you cant see much of it anyway haha

[meggala]

hey rs did he jsut use an adaptors for the gt 25 or did it have a t 3 flange?

geat result btw

[RS500]

Megalla,

my mate had an adaptor welded onto his manifold for some reason, but it's possible to get the exhaust housings with a T03 flange.

btw, like i mentioned in my previous post, he is looking at selling his HKS GT2540 which has the T03 flanged exhaust housing.

[51YDN]

i own a r32 gts-t 4door still with the rb20det motor. not very familiar with kw's though my car made 310 rear wheel hp on 14psi. all i have is a 3 inch exhaust hi flow cat, 500hp in-tank fuel pump, front mount intercooler, turbosmart boost controller and got my turbo hi flowed and changed to bigger steel wheels instead of the ceramic standard ones. i was told more power is easily acheiveable cause my injectors have maxed out now running a 98% duty cycle. next would obviously be injectors and management.

but i think maybe i would like to have a play with a gtr conversion...

Hope thats helps you out...

[b0neR]

What kind of power does a 2540 make on an RB20DET?

[rbs13]

a bit more than a 2530:d wit more lag

[Sydneykid]

rbs13 posted "a bit more than a 2530:d wit more lag"

I reckon that should be "a lot more lag"

And that's not only my opinion, even Martin (a self professed 2540 lover) had to agree (refer current Zoom).

[b0neR]

O.k, so what kind of power does a 2530 RB20 make?

[bbenny]

well im making 210rwkw with my 2530 on 12psi std computer (untuned) if i run anymore boost i max out the AFM signal. i hope to get around 225rwkw with a bit more boost and tuned ECU.

my injectors will be running out of puff by then.

[b0neR]

Do you have much lag, or is it quite responsive?

[bbenny]

its extremely responsive. makes 12psi at a little over 3000rpm and really begins to pull hard from 3500rpm.

it will make over 20psi by 3500rpm, because when it comes on boost it does so very quickly, so i think it would only need a few more rpm to make high boost. once i get the ecu tuned ill run it at about 18psi and let you know.

[b0neR]

Ok, sweet as

[GTSR22]

ok we have 230rwkw out of our rb20det

my cousin has 200rwkw, he has wolf 3d, front ount coller a 300hp garret turbo and a 3 inch exaust and thats it .

ok cyas