RB20DET S14 conversion problems

[DRFT 14]

Hey Guys. I just got done with an RB20DET conversion into an S14 pre-facelift silvia and im running into a few problems. Firstly, the engine overheats really quickly. I started the motor up this morning and took it for a little drive up my road. Less than 2 minutes of driving results in the temp guage reading HOT and removing the radiator cap also results in a spill of almost boiling water. The engine oil warning light is also always on even though i just did an oil change and there is plenty of oil in the motor. Could this be an electrical problem? Does this light come on when the engine oil gets really hot or is this just an indicator of low oil? The car is not running any fans at this point. But it was a cold morning and i have no bumper on the car so it is getting plenty of air. Surely it couldnt be the cause of this overheating after just two minutes?

There is also a lowd screetching noise coming from the belts. And my powersteering comes on and off for some reason (I did fill it up with power steering fluid).

There is also plenty of lag before boost kicks in. Mods are 600*300*100 front mount intercooler with 2 1/2 piping. 3inch exaust and hks pod. i suspect the blowoff valve may be causing some problems. Right now ive got the little hose that connects to the throttle chamber hooked up but the bigger hose where the air released is missing (i blocked the hole on the intake hose with a cap ). Could this be causing the lag and the shit drivability?

I know theres plenty of questions there but any help would be greatly appreciated. Il post some pics up of the car soon

[R31 POWER]

Is it actaully getting hot or is just the dash gauge saying so?reason I ask is if you have kept the RB20det water temp sensor it might read wrong with the S14 dash.I did the same with the RB20det in my silo,I put the R31 water temp sensor in the RB20det.

Hope it helps.

[DRFT 14]

Nope, the motor does actually heat up....alot. But thanx for the input anyways

[hako]

as for belt noise, check the tension on all belts

oil pressure sender wire plugged in? if it was earthing on the block this would cause the light to be always on

[DRFT 14]

Here are some pics of the overheating POS

[tang0]

check the thermostat - remove it and drop it into boiling water, you should see it open, or just move ...

[DRFT 14]

Belts seem alright. Il suspected the thermo aswell. Il give it a go. Cheers guys

[xRHETTx]

Do you have the s14 radiator or the rb20? Is it possible that the s14 radiator (if its still there) is smaller than the rb one therefore causing it to overheat?

[klh6686]

hmm, I have a RB20 in my S13 and I must say that the RB20 isn't as prone to overheat as quickly as the 25 or 26 so definately check your thermo and waterpump... As i have my rb20 in my car with the r32 radiator which isn't but like a 1/2 inch taller than the s13 radiator.. but the thing is that i am currently running without a fan as mine died (you know you can't fit the clutch fan) and mine hasn't overheated yet.. So make sure you check out your thermo and waterpump, one of those is most likely your problem. Good luck

[rbs13]

u can fit the clutch fan if u mod it to bolt on to the back instead of fromt of water pump apparently.

[carl h]

fit the sr gauge temp sensor the rb one is diffrent from the sr.

the oil light is proly on if you didnt connect the oil pressure switch wire.

i ran my rb20 in my s13 on the stock radiator (tiny 1 row) for a good 2 weeks with no fans, granted the high was like 30 degrees (f) during this time.

as for the lag bit, the bpv needs to be connected to the dump tube that goes back into the turbo inlet.

[Col-GTSX]

Put a fan on it ASAP...

You have a masive intercooler blocking alot of flow to the radiaor as well....

My old RB20 was bad for over heating so i went and got a custom one made at "ARE" and he also supplied a craig davis thermo fan and controler... After these were installed i never had a problem again....

The front mount was the cause of my over heating problem and mine was only 77mm thick...

So put a fan on of some sort.... Check your thermostat..... Check your water pump for clicking (touch it with a flat blade screwdriver and put your ear to the other end)... If you hear clicking you need a new one.... This is common also.. The bearings wear out and the blades touch the other housing a bit... This reduces flow heaps.. Also did you bleed the air from the system when filing the radiator??? With air in the system this will cause the water to reach a super hot temp...

[MerlinTheHapyPig]

i would have suggested the thermostat is not opening, hence not circulating water through radiator, but if the water in the radiator is boiling, then that's not your problem.

did you remember to put the engine cooling fan on?

There should be a fan on front of engine, driven by engine (ie constantly on). Then there is an electric fan on passenger side of radiator.

i know im stating the obvious, but sometimes these things get missed.