just to be different i bought an RB20det package cheap to fit to the 1200, since its a straight six the firewall and trans tunnel will need MAJOR mods. Has anyone ever done this before, how did you tackle it?

From measurments i can tell that the donk will have to sit 200mm rearwards (more if possible to aid handling) of the firewall and will live under the dash.

From what i can gather ill have to mark the firewall, get an air hacksaw and cut round, tunnel will probably need removing at this stage. then ill have to mount the engine and box combo and fabricate the inner firewall/trans tunnel around everything.

I was thinking along the lines of making a section that is somehow removable to aid access to everything.

RB dosnt come with box, still unsure weather to go auto or manual, sure auto will be quicker but i love changing cogs.

Many of you will no doubt be thinking im wasting my time building a lead tipped arrow but i believe with a well thought out plan it wont be too bad and should run deep into 12s with small mods! The main motivation is the challenge, the sounds of an rb on fullboost/big revs and easy power.

I have a spare dead shell im going to cut up to get everything right before cutting up my pride and joy, so wish me luck! Any input welcome, by the way from internet sources the rb20det wieghs in at 200kg can anyone confirm?

Also my old l20b combo is up for sale now advertised here

bout time someone attempts a RB series conversion, best of luck dude

How smart.
Fit a 2ltr straight 6 (that is pretty gutless in the first place) into a car that will need major mods to fit it, rather than fit a turbo 2ltr 4 with less mods into a car that will handle better anyway...

*Rant Off*

well i got the rb for a steal! Just need to fork out for a tranny, why do these engines have such a bad rap? what are there reliability problems, powers not a problem ill be more than happy with near stock. they make more grunt than a ca or sr and have a better valve train than sr, sure they have a #### turbo holding them back but ive herd of internally stock rb20dets pulling well over 200kw at the rears with the right combos and tuning.

How many of you think its a sin to start chopping the firewall up? the only thing worrying me is making sure that nothing warps and adequate restrengthning.

Since the extra weight wont be directly over the front wheels unlike say a v6 or v8 im hoping it wont be too bad handling wise. i will try and get the rear 2 cyls behind the firewall.

Come on guys the rbs sound awsome isnt this reason enough? And theyd have to be one of the lightest l6s around?

i will back you up mate
my stock rb20det in my line is quicker than my mates stock sr20 in his silvia
they have absalutly no reliability problems they are bullet proof they can handle 400 hp on standard internals yes they have a crap turbo from standard
but wack on a vg30 from a 300zx and you will make an easy 200rwkw with the right fuel system
but the best match would be the hks 2530
for around 220 to230rwkw at the wheels spooling up from around 2500rpm right through to 7000rpm any bigger turbo than that and it will be a bit lagy unles you dont mind boost coming in at around 4000 rpm then you can make some big hp with a bigger turbs if you whant to know all there is to know about thease engines go to rb20.com i plan on puting one in a 240z after i have finnished my 1200
oh an good on you for trying somthing diferent iff all our cars where the same it would be verry boring

Does anyone know if the box from a single can RB will fit? Like the one fron a vl comenwhore?

yes they should bolt up but i am not sure about the length diference

Think about your steering now so you can evaluate costs before you come unstuck.

gear box will fit but a single cammer gearbox from a rb30de commodore or sr31 skyline wont hold behind a rb20det for very long, especillay in a light weight car..... if you can find an r33 rb25det gearbox... they have a great reputation for strength....
other wise autos are cheapish.. but will definantely need a shift kit and better line pressure, for the money and mods, better off with a proper manual conversion.... makesure you get the manual computer ecu too, other wise you will be chasing your tail with tuning and wiring problems.
keep the rb20 stockish (just with exhaust, fuel and intercooler) and dont rev it too hard and keep the boost down, should be wild in a 1200, just will handle poorly and chew fuel. Their off bosst performance is also pretty poor compared to rb25 and rb25neo's

Mate, a gearbox is more likely to hold up in a lighter car because it doesn't have to move as heavy a mass, you don't get the same sorts of loads on the driveline. Not to mention the fact that you will probably have smaller wheels and tires than a big car which work as a torque limiter by slipping!

An RB25 box will cost you a mint so unless you are going to get serious with the car, find an RB20det box. They go pretty cheap.

As far as I know you can use an automatic ecu, you just don't need the automatic unit itself. You do however, have to trick the computer into thinking it is in park all the time because the autos had to be in park to start.