RB20det swap into first gen
02-24-2010, 12:31 PM
#1
RB20det swap into first gen
So here are a few pics of the couple things going on so far with my 83 maxima rb20det swap
LD28 bout to come out
size of LD28 vs RB20
preliminary fit
The motor basically 'drops' in.
In theory, you could redrill the stock mounts and just run it like that, but the shifter sits just a tad too far back so I am having spacers made to get it sitting just where I want it for proper shifter placement.
There is a ton of space in the front so you can retain the clutch fan (which I am doing for now) or get nice electric fans, and still have clearance and space for a FMIC. (running stock SMIC just for right now)
RB20 transmission is not big so its an easy fit in the tunnel.
Stock driveshaft length may be correct as well... spline count is right to fit into RB.
Should also be able to keep AC/PS no problem with just some fittings.
Downpipe just needs to be changed out for clearance of steering, and bottom mount setup is fine with just a different downpipe. Everything else has ample clearance.
Thanks to John and the crew at Garage Zero, we should knock this one out pretty fast
LD28 bout to come out
size of LD28 vs RB20
preliminary fit
The motor basically 'drops' in.
In theory, you could redrill the stock mounts and just run it like that, but the shifter sits just a tad too far back so I am having spacers made to get it sitting just where I want it for proper shifter placement.
There is a ton of space in the front so you can retain the clutch fan (which I am doing for now) or get nice electric fans, and still have clearance and space for a FMIC. (running stock SMIC just for right now)
RB20 transmission is not big so its an easy fit in the tunnel.
Stock driveshaft length may be correct as well... spline count is right to fit into RB.
Should also be able to keep AC/PS no problem with just some fittings.
Downpipe just needs to be changed out for clearance of steering, and bottom mount setup is fine with just a different downpipe. Everything else has ample clearance.
Thanks to John and the crew at Garage Zero, we should knock this one out pretty fast
02-24-2010, 09:33 PM
#9
lol
02-25-2010, 08:41 AM
#15
paint job looks innocent and so does the design
02-25-2010, 11:50 AM
#17
02-26-2010, 12:21 PM
#20
03-04-2010, 08:06 PM
#28
1st gen, 6spd with RB26DETT 
i can get RB26 here for less than a grand at the Nissan junkyard by me out of wrecked GTR, its so tempting to get a 1st gen and RB26 it for less than $2000 total
moar pics needed
i can get RB26 here for less than a grand at the Nissan junkyard by me out of wrecked GTR, its so tempting to get a 1st gen and RB26 it for less than $2000 total
moar pics needed
03-07-2010, 02:56 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mesquite, TX
Posts: 265
I have a couple questions / ideas for you:
1. I see it WAS (LOL) a diesel car.... what are you gonna do about the fuel lines / tank? (my GAS 1st gen is for sale now, you could use it for these parts
PM me)
2. I'd suggest using a stronger diff than the maxima unit, BUT, the one you got in there now will be GREAT for cruising. I've read that an S12 R200(200sx) diff WILL work with 280zx half shafts and top diff mount. the R200 will be great off the line though 
3. I got the perfect / cheap solution for a sweet suspension set up: use front springs from a 79 through 84 mercedes 300d. these are easily found in junkyards or a quick craigslist search.... you use these springs for the REAR of the car lol sounds silly, but trust me, it works.... cut the springs about 2 inches shorter than the stock maxima rear spring and you can use the stock strut too, makes for a good 3 inch drop in the rear. beware your tire/wheel clearnaces though..... and for the front, Z31 front springs will work for the front of a 1st gen, theyre a little bit stiffer and almost the same size, just cut the top 1.5 coil off the top and you're good to go. mine is just like this and handles like a ****!!!!!!! the only thing keeping it from being an awesome drifter is the stock open diff and auto trans...... look through my posts and you'll see I have the LOWEST 1st gen EVER.
4. are there any clearance issues with the stock maxima steering box?? I ask cause this is a problem with the L28ET motors downpipe hitting the steering shaft / box in our cars....
5. any issues clearing the steering rack???
6. what will you be using for throttle linkage???
7. what are you gonna do for a tach?? I know you won't be able to use the stock diesel tach in the cluster, a big dash mount tach might give it away and ruin the whole sleeper idea.......
1. I see it WAS (LOL) a diesel car.... what are you gonna do about the fuel lines / tank? (my GAS 1st gen is for sale now, you could use it for these parts
PM me)2. I'd suggest using a stronger diff than the maxima unit, BUT, the one you got in there now will be GREAT for cruising
. I've read that an S12 R200(200sx) diff WILL work with 280zx half shafts and top diff mount. the R200 will be great off the line though 3. I got the perfect / cheap solution for a sweet suspension set up: use front springs from a 79 through 84 mercedes 300d. these are easily found in junkyards or a quick craigslist search.... you use these springs for the REAR of the car lol sounds silly, but trust me, it works.... cut the springs about 2 inches shorter than the stock maxima rear spring and you can use the stock strut too, makes for a good 3 inch drop in the rear. beware your tire/wheel clearnaces though..... and for the front, Z31 front springs will work for the front of a 1st gen, theyre a little bit stiffer and almost the same size, just cut the top 1.5 coil off the top and you're good to go. mine is just like this and handles like a ****!!!!!!! the only thing keeping it from being an awesome drifter is the stock open diff and auto trans...... look through my posts and you'll see I have the LOWEST 1st gen EVER.
4. are there any clearance issues with the stock maxima steering box?? I ask cause this is a problem with the L28ET motors downpipe hitting the steering shaft / box in our cars....
5. any issues clearing the steering rack???
6. what will you be using for throttle linkage???
7. what are you gonna do for a tach?? I know you won't be able to use the stock diesel tach in the cluster, a big dash mount tach might give it away and ruin the whole sleeper idea
.......
03-07-2010, 03:17 PM
#33
1. Proper cleaning of the fuel tank (radiator shop maybe if i need to) and just new soft lines after cleaning out the hard lines best we can.
2. Yeah this is going to be my DD so cruising i am fine with!! haha.
I don't know much about the whole rear end thing, but my friend has the line on a bunch of LSD's that can be made to fit so if something happens i'll probably get his help with one of those.
3. In regards to the suspension... I actually have a setup that's going on. Stock front struts with the cut Z31 springs like you mentioned, and rears are 3rd gen supra front springs on z31 or 280zx rear struts (not sure right now), think they are cut a bit but not positive lol.
4. yeah there is a problem with the steering box and the stock RB downpipe.
5. Don't appear to be any issues with the rack, nope.
6. on my 510 we used S13 stuff so probably doing that on this car.
7. I have the gas car dash with the tach, 135mph speedo, and oil and temp , going to rig that up to work using whatever electronic/mechanical sensors I need to use
2. Yeah this is going to be my DD so cruising i am fine with!! haha.
I don't know much about the whole rear end thing, but my friend has the line on a bunch of LSD's that can be made to fit so if something happens i'll probably get his help with one of those.
3. In regards to the suspension... I actually have a setup that's going on. Stock front struts with the cut Z31 springs like you mentioned, and rears are 3rd gen supra front springs on z31 or 280zx rear struts (not sure right now), think they are cut a bit but not positive lol.
4. yeah there is a problem with the steering box and the stock RB downpipe.
5. Don't appear to be any issues with the rack, nope.
6. on my 510 we used S13 stuff so probably doing that on this car.
7. I have the gas car dash with the tach, 135mph speedo, and oil and temp , going to rig that up to work using whatever electronic/mechanical sensors I need to use
I have a couple questions / ideas for you:
1. I see it WAS (LOL) a diesel car.... what are you gonna do about the fuel lines / tank? (my GAS 1st gen is for sale now, you could use it for these parts PM me)
2. I'd suggest using a stronger diff than the maxima unit, BUT, the one you got in there now will be GREAT for cruising. I've read that an S12 R200(200sx) diff WILL work with 280zx half shafts and top diff mount. the R200 will be great off the line though
3. I got the perfect / cheap solution for a sweet suspension set up: use front springs from a 79 through 84 mercedes 300d. these are easily found in junkyards or a quick craigslist search.... you use these springs for the REAR of the car lol sounds silly, but trust me, it works.... cut the springs about 2 inches shorter than the stock maxima rear spring and you can use the stock strut too, makes for a good 3 inch drop in the rear. beware your tire/wheel clearnaces though..... and for the front, Z31 front springs will work for the front of a 1st gen, theyre a little bit stiffer and almost the same size, just cut the top 1.5 coil off the top and you're good to go. mine is just like this and handles like a ****!!!!!!! the only thing keeping it from being an awesome drifter is the stock open diff and auto trans...... look through my posts and you'll see I have the LOWEST 1st gen EVER.
4. are there any clearance issues with the stock maxima steering box?? I ask cause this is a problem with the L28ET motors downpipe hitting the steering shaft / box in our cars....
5. any issues clearing the steering rack???
6. what will you be using for throttle linkage???
7. what are you gonna do for a tach?? I know you won't be able to use the stock diesel tach in the cluster, a big dash mount tach might give it away and ruin the whole sleeper idea.......
1. I see it WAS (LOL) a diesel car.... what are you gonna do about the fuel lines / tank? (my GAS 1st gen is for sale now, you could use it for these parts
PM me)2. I'd suggest using a stronger diff than the maxima unit, BUT, the one you got in there now will be GREAT for cruising
. I've read that an S12 R200(200sx) diff WILL work with 280zx half shafts and top diff mount. the R200 will be great off the line though 3. I got the perfect / cheap solution for a sweet suspension set up: use front springs from a 79 through 84 mercedes 300d. these are easily found in junkyards or a quick craigslist search.... you use these springs for the REAR of the car lol sounds silly, but trust me, it works.... cut the springs about 2 inches shorter than the stock maxima rear spring and you can use the stock strut too, makes for a good 3 inch drop in the rear. beware your tire/wheel clearnaces though..... and for the front, Z31 front springs will work for the front of a 1st gen, theyre a little bit stiffer and almost the same size, just cut the top 1.5 coil off the top and you're good to go. mine is just like this and handles like a ****!!!!!!! the only thing keeping it from being an awesome drifter is the stock open diff and auto trans...... look through my posts and you'll see I have the LOWEST 1st gen EVER.
4. are there any clearance issues with the stock maxima steering box?? I ask cause this is a problem with the L28ET motors downpipe hitting the steering shaft / box in our cars....
5. any issues clearing the steering rack???
6. what will you be using for throttle linkage???
7. what are you gonna do for a tach?? I know you won't be able to use the stock diesel tach in the cluster, a big dash mount tach might give it away and ruin the whole sleeper idea
.......
03-07-2010, 05:28 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: mesquite, TX
Posts: 265
damn, sounds like you got everything covered. you're making this seem like it's an easy swap lol.... I may just keep my 1st gen now...... the L24E in my 1st gen just took a dump..... and I'm in the middle of putting an S13 KA24E into an 82' 200sx (S11), so I dunno about having 2 swaps being done at the same time lol I'm friggin broke from the OTHER project car now.....
03-07-2010, 07:00 PM
#35
damn, sounds like you got everything covered. you're making this seem like it's an easy swap lol.... I may just keep my 1st gen now...... the L24E in my 1st gen just took a dump..... and I'm in the middle of putting an S13 KA24E into an 82' 200sx (S11), so I dunno about having 2 swaps being done at the same time lol I'm friggin broke from the OTHER project car now.....
03-07-2010, 09:14 PM
#37
03-07-2010, 09:18 PM
#38
that sucks, gonna rebuild it or just get a whole new engine?
while we're on old school engines here, ive always wondered, how difficult would it be to put a rotary engine from a 80's RX7 (2nd gen i believe) into a 510?
while we're on old school engines here, ive always wondered, how difficult would it be to put a rotary engine from a 80's RX7 (2nd gen i believe) into a 510?
03-07-2010, 09:21 PM
#39
bunch of guys I know have done that swap, i know it's been done a good bit. I personally have no knowledge of rotary stuff though!
03-07-2010, 09:29 PM
#40
thing is with Wankel engines you need perfect maintenance and rotary engines last a long time but when they die theyre done for goodi actually almost picked up a '87 GSL i believe it was for $300, saw the pictures and the look of the guy in it was enough to say that its cheap because hes never done any maintenance, ~20 year old stoner
coolest thing ive seen is Sunline racing i believe it is in Japan SR20DET a R32 GTS-T Skyline, built it had 200ish HP over the RB and the car lost alot of weight, considered doing a SR20 swap on my 3rd gen but ive been so used to the feel of a 6cyl i dont think i would stand a I4, just saving some money right now and then getting all of the Z31 turbo stuff, as well as custom CF hood, rims, etc