Stagea Engine Swap.

[M O P S K I]

Hey guys, Ive recently been looking at Stagea's and theres a 97 model thats catching my eye that looks in good condition that im thinking about buying although I have plans to get the engine internals rebuilt(now rather than in a few years time, due to work) and I would most likely need the car to drive to and from work..

SO, I have a mate thats selling an RB25DE for fairly cheap compared to another RB25DET so I was thinking along the lines of swapping the DE(sounds stupid to do, but money budgeting and time are big factors) into the stag untill the DET is rebuilt then back in it will go with a bit more power and reliability.

I recently did an engine conversion on a VL, so I know that exhaust manifold, ECU, loom and intake would need to be changed as well as the engine.

And after reading a few RB26 conversion guides on different forums, I wasn't able to have my question answered, so, I was just wondering if there would be anything specific that I would need to pay attention to such as AFM, wiring etc.

Or would it basicly be making sure that all the n/a loom stays with n/a engine and turbo loom stays with the turbo engine. Also is there any differences with AFM's, or wiring differences.

Would appreciate the help, as I havn't found any help yet.

Thanks.

[import_zone]

Y don't u keep the det in the stag nd build the de up while its out to a det. Save engine swapping twice.

[66yostagea]

Where ru located???????

[wolverine]

Have you thought about the front diff?

The best bet is find another stagea engine and rebuild it.

[M O P S K I]

i want the origonal engine to go back in the car.

located in Vic.

I havnt taken into account about the front diff or other components as i havnt had a chance to put one on a hoist and have a look, is there clearence differences from n/a to turbo engines? exhaust? intake? etc.

this is why I am asking you guys, who know a thing or 2 about engine swaps etc. before i go ahead with doing it.

thanks!!

Edited February 5, 2012 by M O P S K I

[wolverine]

Why do you want the original engine back in the car?

Anyway if you are going to the trouble of an engine rebuild have you considered going the RB30 route as the build cost is pretty similar but you need to allow for head mods, sump cradle and engineering/emissions.

The RWD blocks are not pre-drilled for an AWD sump/diff so using the DE is problematic and I think a waste of time, money and effort. 2nd hand stagea engines are available for cheap.

[KiwiRS4T]

If the DE is from an awd its doable.

If its not it would be quicker and cheaper to hire a car while you do your engine. If you line up a machinist and all the parts you should be able to pull it out one weekend and put it back the next.

Or use the DE to build an RB30 - you will need an adapter plate and an awd sump. It would be competetive cost wise and you could take your time.

[4bidn1]

how can the build costs of a 25/30 be similar yo the costs of a build of a 25???? Seems you have head modification 4wd sump adapter front facing plenum for bonnet clearenceon top of build cost !! And mopski why are you considering a engine rebuild ? You going full forged internals? What sort of power you trying to achive

[Tangles]

I feel you would be better off using a cheap daily runabout (under $1k) while rebuilding the stock stagea engine. Sell runabout when finished with, cost you stuff all at the end of the day.

[M O P S K I]

so aslong as the DE is from an AWD skyline for example, it will bolt up fine??

[wolverine]

how can the build costs of a 25/30 be similar yo the costs of a build of a 25???? Seems you have head modification 4wd sump adapter front facing plenum for bonnet clearenceon top of build cost !! And mopski why are you considering a engine rebuild ? You going full forged internals? What sort of power you trying to achive

Build costs of the engine are very similar BUT there are extras to consider as listed in original post. I re-read what I wrote and I am pretty sure that is what I said.

Bonnet clearance is not an issue in a stagea AFAIK.

RIPS RB30 with sump adapter are not overly expensive and will be a single engine swap.

[4bidn1]

I guess what i was trying to point out is the over all cost would be higher i well understand that piston , gasket costs are similar if not cheaper for a 30 but by the time you factor in like you said (sorry i have now re read your post and see you mentioned that) the costs of adapters extra machining as well as the possability of running a high mount turbo due to clearence issues ( depending on turbo size/power out put you want) due to slight angle change on block it can all add up to a fair bit moreto final cost

[wolverine]

Sure it costs more but you get more for your trouble.

[4bidn1]

Well in that case lets go a 3.3l stroker bottom end e85 water injection and hey it cost more but ya get more power lol the game i like playing is achieving solid power out put and reliabilty with out spending a house deposit on an engine build like i have seen way to many waste money on over the years.

[wolverine]

I couldn't agree more with you when it comes to getting reliable power without spending big coin on an engine build. The stock engine with good tuning makes more than enough power for the fat slug. Personally would leave it in there and knock out 250-280rwkw and enjoy a long and fruitful life.

However, the OP wants to pull the engine out and rebuild so it is worth considering an RB30. IMO spending extra money on fitting an RB30 is much smarter than removing old engine, fitting a DE, then reinstalling the DET down the track but each to their own.

[KiwiRS4T]

An RB30/25 does not have to be very expensive. In stock SOHC form they were quite unstressed which is why many people (like me) get away with stock internals and just do rings, bearings, conrod bolts and oil pump and still make good power with heaps of torque using no more than 6500rpm.

Or you can go fully forged but use mostly stock components such as manifolds maybe splashing out on a GT3076 and then upgrade the rest later (or not).

It depends what the car is intended for and on the plans of the OP.

[66yostagea]

Well I have a 25DE in the RWD Stagea. Have been slowly collecting bits to turbo it.All RS stock parts. With a decent dump and 3" cat

back,fmic, FF plenum etc I reckon it will be about the same as a stock RS4, running it on 7 psi max because of the higher compression of the DE. Brakes and suspension will be upgraded too.

These types of projects are well documented in the N/A Skyline Forum. I am doing it this way because it is something I can do single handed.

[tibinstein]

It's an expensive step backwards.

[66yostagea]

It's an expensive step backwards.

If it;s for me, not really.

[Jezboosted]

Drive the car as is and get another RB25DET built.

How cheap is this RB25de your looking at ?

How quick do you think you will be able to remove the 25det, sort out any problems with the 25de not connecting to something, and then have it running ? This could be days if not weeks of stuffing around !!

How much are you prepared to pay for parts to get the 25de bolted and running that will probably be no use after ? Sure you can possibly sell them but..

How long do you expect the RB25det rebuild to take ?

http://www.asianautospares.com.au/replacement-engines.php#Nissan - first site i looked at and you will probably find cheaper if you search harder. RB25DET for 4WD stagea or GTS4 - $2000

You say that money budgeting and time are big factors ? Problem solved - Stagea is already driveable and you can take as much time as you need to build the bought motor.

And it doesn't matter how much we say it will cost - double it!!!!!! budgets are a lie

Hope there is a bit of perspective in my dribble here

Jez