Rb20 Speed Sensor

[SLT513]

Hey guys I've got an S13 with an rb0det/box, and speedo doesnt work, ive got the ca18 speed sensor though from which i heard works and is a mechanical one. Just wondering how do i connect this up as i cannot find any diagrams thanks!

[GTSBoy]

RB20 speedo drive is a mechanical drive at the gearbox, with mechanical cable to the speedo head, where the speed sensor (for the ECU and HICAS etc) is located. If you meant "speed sensor" as in "speed sensor" then it is in the dash. If you meant "speed sensor" as in "speedo drive" then yes, it's in the gearbox.

Both the CA and RB20 boxes are mech speedo drive. You will need an RB20 box's drive. I wouldn't expect the CA one to fit the RB box. Might, but wouldn't count on it. With luck though, an S13 cable might connect to the RB20 drive.

This has been done many times though, so I'm sure the info on what you actually need to do is out there.

[Dylan454]

Changing it is a bitch because you need to take the dash out and get to the 3 bolts on the fire wall. An rb20 cable will be around. 120 bucks if you get one from nissan

[jiffo]

Are you sure about the mechanical speedo?

My S13 had an electronic speedo, as shown in the workshop manual.

I had to get an electronic sender machined to fit the Rb20 box.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

RB20 speedo drive is a mechanical drive at the gearbox, with mechanical cable to the speedo head, where the speed sensor (for the ECU and HICAS etc) is located. If you meant "speed sensor" as in "speed sensor" then it is in the dash. If you meant "speed sensor" as in "speedo drive" then yes, it's in the gearbox.

Both the CA and RB20 boxes are mech speedo drive. You will need an RB20 box's drive. I wouldn't expect the CA one to fit the RB box. Might, but wouldn't count on it. With luck though, an S13 cable might connect to the RB20 drive.

This has been done many times though, so I'm sure the info on what you actually need to do is out there.

Wrong

CA18DE/T uses an electric speed sensor

I converted my 180SX with a RB20DET many many years ago and used the CA18DET sensor and even gearbox mount on the RB20DET gearbox

Worked tits

[jiffo]

That's more like it, John.

Mine was previously an auto and they have different diameter sender to the manual, hence the machining required on mine.

Found out much later that I could have bought an electronic sender to suit the manual box from Adelaide Jap Motorsport.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

I remember many years ago we used to talk about our RB20DET boat anchors and how much it was a pain in the arse to cool down hahaha

[jiffo]

2-thermos plus the aircon fan……..clearance fail.

[GTSBoy]

Oops. I forgot that even though the S13s were contemporary with the R32s they had a better speedo arrangement. But I must say, I really did think the CA ones had mech speedos. Oh well.

[SLT513]

By sensor i meant the sender, my bad so they fit correct? so i just jack up the car and find where it goes? where does it go on the box/? sorry may sound lost dont really know

[GTSBoy]

Near the bottom on the right hand side, towards the back end of the main body of the box.

[jiffo]

Apparently it's not pouring oil out everywhere so probably has the speedo cable still there but just cut off.

Should be a keeper plate with a 10mm head setscrew holding that in place.

Once the keeper is removed, the cable drive unit will pull out from the extension housing.

Do a tooth count on the pinion so you'll have an idea if the speedo is out.

R32 should have had 4.3 diff as would the S13 so things should be OK.

Push your electronic unit in and fit the keeper plate.

Connect up the plug, hope for the best.

Your 20 ecu will need a speed signal, wiring been done?

[GTSBoy]

Speed signal should still come from the dash to the ECU. On the RB25 speedo setups, the sender creates a +/- sawtooth signal and the speedo head converts that into a 0-5v square wave for the ECU. I'd imagine that all Nissan's e-speedos are the same.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

2-thermos plus the aircon fan..clearance fail.

One day if I ever do the same thing to a 180SX Type-X, I'm cutting the radiator support in order to run the stock clutch fan