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RB20, how good are they?

GreekWarrior
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GreekWarrior Rookie

GreekWarrior

Posted
Posted

Hi everyone :wavey: ,

I am thinking of buying an R32 GTS-t and was just wondering how good the RB20 is. Would it be better to swap it for an RB25 or even an RB26? Since I will be limited by price I would probably be keeping the RB20 in there anyway.

Also do they responed good to modification? I heard that they are stronger than an SR20, an can take more punishment.

Would you say that the GTS-t with the rb20 would be a good place to start, since it will be my first car?

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/75874-rb20-how-good-are-they/
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boostn32 Mentor

boostn32

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Posted

they are a good engine as long as u keep the fuel up to them. ive been through 2 rb20s, first one cracked 3 pistons as my fuel pump died under full boost and leaned out. the second let go due to simple stupidity trying to make the wheel fall off my stock turbo at 35psi. the turbo won. but only after 6 months of running 24psi of boost.

simple rule make sure it dosent lean out and u cam easly make 280 -300rwhp with bolt ons.

grandmasterb Grand Master

grandmasterb

Posted
Posted
so wit 25psi u say the turbo won? What gave way...

rb20s are sweet engines, but try to keep a responsive turbo if u want more power as they are dogs off boost :rofl:

I dont get this, everyone keeps saying that RB20's are dogs off boost, am i missing something as mine drives just as good if not better than all the other cars that i have owned???

Have had turbo's, V8's and supercharged cars in the past but nothing compares to this for all around performance in my book. :Pimp2:

flagger Collaborator

flagger

Posted
Posted

my rb20det is fine, though this is the most powerful engine ive owned so far so im a bit biased :rofl: for everyday driving i think they are excellent. they are bullet proof and have more than enough guts for the public road.

however if your into racing (like a lot of guys here) then a rb20det wouldnt cut it compared to a 25 or 26 or maybe even a sr20det

jazza08 Mentor

jazza08

Posted
Posted

lol they will make identicle power to an sr20 and be stronger in the higher rpm range dude!

This is just what ive heard and i was putting it down to low compression in a heavyish car for a 2l engine.

Have you driven a 180sx? Very easy to drive off boost all the time.

Phobic Collaborator

Phobic

Posted
Posted

boostn32- i heard that the stock turbos on the 32 rb20det could only lats up to 14psi before the wheel shat itself. was yours hi-flowed or anything???

were you running a front mount aswell or did you do 25psi on stock cooler... lol.

sounds like lots of fun....

boostn32 Mentor

boostn32

Posted
Posted
boostn32- i heard that the stock turbos on the 32 rb20det could only lats up to 14psi before the wheel shat itself. was yours hi-flowed or anything???

were you running a front mount aswell or did you do 25psi on stock cooler... lol. 

sounds like lots of fun....

well yeah i normally wouldnt push a ceremic turbo past 15psi, but just wanted to see how far it would go with out dying. it was stock, i thought i might have had a steel wheel but i tried magnets on it when i pulled it off and int wasnt steel, yeah i had a doggey truck cooler, that has all changed now, its gone a bit more serious, chasing 300rwkw out of the 20.

TTT Grand Master

TTT

Posted
Posted

don't turn this in to a sr20 v's rb20 thread.

no-one wins that.

just leave it...

Greek warrior - Yes an R32 gtst with rb20 is a good car.

you will have good fun with it.

if you are strapped for cash then don't even think about an engine swap.

just an rb25 engine will be over $2K

just an Rb26 engine will be over $5K.

then the cost of puttin git in, getting ECU and shit..

forget about it.

either buy one that someone has spent money to put an rb25 or rb26 in or just be happy with what you got.

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