To 30/26 Or Keep The 26?

[SIR-JD]

Hi guys, I've been planning on a 30/26. The 26 I have has factory bottom end and worked head making about 500hp with all the bolt on to do so.

I've been out on the track with it a couple of times and had no problems.

Motor and box are out at the moment to put a extended sump and oil head drain.

Bought the car being told the bottom end was fully built. When we took the sump off we discovered it is stock....

So do I just put the 26 back in or do I go a forged rb30/26? The car will be 90% track. Cheers

[Piggaz]

Budget?

[eightsixboy]

^^^

Depends hugely on budget.

[r32-25t]

If you want something easy build a 2.8 cause everything bolts back up, but if your willing to put in the work a 3L is a great thing

[Ben C34]

30 bottom End. All the cool kids have one

[fatz]

if it aint broke

[NismoSTune]

Doesn't a 2.8 vost more than a 30 (I heard they can handle much more power when stock, more so than rb26)

[SIR-JD]

Budget isn't the issue. I just wonder if it is worth doing while everything is out... Who knows how long the stock bottom end will last?

Yeh not that keen on the 2.8, I think I'd rather the 30l. Cheers

[Shoota_77]

If you're going to do it I wouldn't personally bother with a stock bottom end. Too low in comp. IF you're using it for track you'll want more comp to give you more stick out of the corners. Fine if you're using it for the strip as you can pump in more boostage.

[SIR-JD]

Hmmmm yeh. It is responsive as is. I just wonder how much more it can be with the 30 bottom. Sorry guys, this suggestion of keeping my existing engine has has thrown a spanner in the works and confused me.

[Shoota_77]

Mate 370kws at the wheels is nothing to laugh at. If it's making good reliable power with good response as it is I'd leave it. One of the reasons I went 30/26 was to make the jump from low 300's to low 400's. For you the jump isn't as big (unless you have a fair crack at it) so that may help in the decision to stay with what you've got.

Put half of the money in to your current setup as a (proper) RB30 build will cost you and you've got a pretty amazing engine.

[GTR_JOEY]

Why not build a high comp 26 on ethenol... Put a decent sized single turbo on there too

I know it's no 2.8 or even a 30 but it can still be made into a decent street/track car with the right mods

[SIR-JD]

Thanks guys. It's all helping my decision.

[Mick_o]

3L for the win! If ya got the coin and the cars in pieces don't faaark around just throw the big block in it and haul ass!

[WMDC35]

as above, if you're pretty happy with how it's running just run it & do the 30 when the bell tolls for the 26, otherwise if money is no object 30 now

[SIR-JD]

Hmmmm ok. Anyone here that has had both and can explain why it will be that much better apart from the moderate power gain?

[fatz]

Once you go 30 you won't go back

[Piggaz]

Torque.

[Mick_o]

^^^ this! ^^^ Even a 2.8L feels leagues ahead over a 2.6L! Haven't driven a 3L to be honest but its worth it for turbo response & off boost power

[KiwiRS4T]

I'm with Shoota77

Measure your bores and if they are within tolerances put your engine back together with rings and bearings if necessary (or if you're keen a set of forged pistons and a balance) and it will probably go for years. I have an RB30 with a stock bottom end in my Stagea and it is heaps better than the original RB25 and really torquey but its not making 370awkw. You would want a fully forged and balanced RB30 to see a significant improvement on your RB26 and probably end up spending a minimum $10k or easily double that depending on how carried away you get. Your current setup sounds pretty good and you could fairly easily get a few more KW if you really want.

Hmmmm yeh. It is responsive as is. I just wonder how much more it can be with the 30 bottom. Sorry guys, this suggestion of keeping my existing engine has has thrown a spanner in the works and confused me.