Has any one seen this done or seen any pics? (For those who dont know, the RB25DET is the engine that comes in the R33 Skyline GTS-t's). It seems like it would be a good fit and would have a lot of potential for power.

I've seen em in e30's. But in all honesty I think its a waste of time. EVERYTHING for that would have to be custom, ie $$$$. You would be better off w/ a turbo m50 etc, imho.

I dont mind the custom parts... I have access to a full machine shop and thats not an issue. I was really just curious if anyone has actually done this in an E36 not how hard, easy, smart or dumb it is.

No most people appreciate and respect BMWs (with a few notable exceptions in this specific forum) so this hasnt been done yet.

I dont mind the custom parts... I have access to a full machine shop and thats not an issue. I was really just curious if anyone has actually done this in an E36 not how hard, easy, smart or dumb it is.

I agree with asubimmer. I remember reading a thread that said the RB25 and the M50 are very similar internally. Did you see the other thread about the SR20DET? If you are looking to make around 400hp I think a M50T can do it.

Personally I would love to swap my M50 for an RB. If there was a kit for the swap I would buy it. Maybe you can make it happen? ;)

I dont mind the custom parts... I have access to a full machine shop and thats not an issue. I was really just curious if anyone has actually done this in an E36 not how hard, easy, smart or dumb it is.

Please ignore some of the fools who waste their time on pointless posts. I have yet to see it, but you may want to do some searches on the Nismo forums out there to see if you get any hits.


TheWiseGuy on these forums once said "nissan is an option. The rb25det and the rb26dett skyline motors use motors that will litterally bolt right in. The transmisions (BMW zf models) and the motor mounts both bolt right in. No fabrication needed except maybe a little bit of trimming and wiring."

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350589

yeah I'm not saying the RB is a bad motor at all, they are great motors. But I don't think it is very cost effective at all. If it was a common swap then my opinion may change ;)

Thanks for the info IanBMW!

No most people appreciate and respect BMWs (with a few notable exceptions in this specific forum) so this hasnt been done yet.

:rofl:

A M44/M42 is going to be a M44/M42 at the end of the day no matter what you do to it. Yeah, you can drop $3500+ for a DASC and try to keep up with M3's or you can drop the same money and get a SR20DET, get a few power add ons for cheap since there such a large market for it, and smoke M3's on a daily basis.

I won't even get into how much more unique and special the car would be.

:rofl:

A M44/M42 is going to be a M44/M42 at the end of the day no matter what you do to it. Yeah, you can drop $3500+ for a DASC and try to keep up with M3's or you can drop the same money and get a SR20DET, get a few power add ons for cheap since there such a large market for it, and smoke M3's on a daily basis.

I won't even get into how much more unique and special the car would be.

Thanks Buddy! Im gathering all the wiring info and such now. We'll see what happens :buttrock

Thanks Buddy! Im gathering all the wiring info and such now. We'll see what happens :buttrock

More power to you man, I was considering a SR20DET swap into my 318i but then I though about all the maintenance I had done to it + the car runs perfectly so there's no point in tearing it apart.

If a E36 comes along with a blown engine for dirt cheap, I'll pick it up and start gathering the stuff needed for the swap.

Do a search in the Engine Conversion thread, there's a guy doing a RB engine swap and there's tons of info about a SR20Det swap floating around.

if you do this, make 2 of everything. i'll buy them

Rb25det's can be had for freaking cheap. This could be a cost effective swap potentially, that is if it falls right in.

Rb25det's can be had for freaking cheap. This could be a cost effective swap potentially, that is if it falls right in.

These are my thoughts exactly. I found a complete engine, tranny, ecu, and wiring for ~$2500!! :redspot And with ~500+ hp pottential on stock internals, whats not to love about it?

if you do this, make 2 of everything. i'll buy them

I'll keep this in mind if/when I move forward...

Please ignore some of the fools who waste their time on pointless posts. I have yet to see it, but you may want to do some searches on the Nismo forums out there to see if you get any hits.


TheWiseGuy on these forums once said "nissan is an option. The rb25det and the rb26dett skyline motors use motors that will litterally bolt right in. The transmisions (BMW zf models) and the motor mounts both bolt right in. No fabrication needed except maybe a little bit of trimming and wiring."

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=350589

I just got a PM back from thewiseguy and apperantly just the tranny will bolt in. So we'll have to wait and see about the motor mounts.

The E36 engine can be just as potent imo.

The E36 engine can be just as potent imo.

true, but check out how much work and $ will go into getting a E36 engine to produce the same amount of high HP a RB can produce with just simple bolt ons

at the end of the day, the RB > E36 engine. now if you're a mechanic and have all the tools and equipment at your disposal, it can be argued that it will be cheaper to just turbo the E36 engine.

at the end of the day, the RB > E36 engine. now if you're a mechanic and have all the tools and equipment at your disposal, it can be argued that it will be cheaper to just turbo the E36 engine.

But anyone can do that ;) and wont have anywhere near the cool factor of having an RB :cool. Plus I will choose a factory turbo engine over a factory NA engine any day (as far as boosting it). My engine would need a rebuild before being boosted anyways so if it needs to come out anyways mind as well try something different.

The E36 engine can be just as potent imo.

No one said it couldnt be but you dont want to even start a $ to HP comparison. Just as buddy said RB>E36.

Also, does anyone know how much power the stock E36 radiator is efficient to?

But anyone can do that ;) and wont have anywhere near the cool factor of having an RB :cool. Plus I will choose a factory turbo engine over a factory NA engine any day (as far as boosting it). My engine would need a rebuild before being boosted anyways so if it needs to come out anyways mind as well try something different.

:aroused

Does any one know when the what HP the factory E36 Radiator is efficient to?

I just got a PM back from thewiseguy and apperantly just the tranny will bolt in. So we'll have to wait and see about the motor mounts.

the motor mounts would be the easy part, that is if you don't have to jack with getting the oil pan to clear the steering rack/crossmember

I have found one person who has done this swap and it is in europe and looks like a PERFECT fit...

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5930/image087mz.jpg

the motor mounts would be the easy part, that is if you don't have to jack with getting the oil pan to clear the steering rack/crossmember

I am pretty sure I will have to do a custom cross member but I believe the steering rack will clear ok. The tranny on the RB25 from what I can see should be very close in size and possibly even in length. A custom exhaust manifold might need to be made but am not sure. I think it will mainly depend on what turbo will be on the engine. From the above picture it looks like it will be an easy fit.

I'm thinking about doing this too! lemme know how it goes if you do it!

I am pretty sure I will have to do a custom cross member but I believe the steering rack will clear ok.

Could you just modify/do a custom oil pan?

Could you just modify/do a custom oil pan?

I'd rather not take a chance in having an oil starvation issue. It really woudnt be all that tough to just modify the X-member. The possible project is on hold right now as some one has offered to buy the E36 from me so we will see what happens.

I have found one person who has done this swap and it is in europe and looks like a PERFECT fit...

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/5930/image087mz.jpg

its a perfect fit if you want to drive around without your hood closed...

COME ON!!! I wanna see more replies in this post.. I'm really interested..!

its a perfect fit if you want to drive around without your hood closed...

This is where the custom X-member comes into play. Wouldnt take much to lower it another inch. It looks like to me the only place this is an issue is the end of the intake manifold, which can be taken care of with a greddy intake manifold. It moves the intake piping lower and not accross the top of the engine. :buttrock

COME ON!!! I wanna see more replies in this post.. I'm really interested..!

Im working on it... If the guy that looked at my bimmer last night doesnt buy it, then I will start the swap the begining of January.

Im working on it... If the guy that looked at my bimmer last night doesnt buy it, then I will start the swap the begining of January.

F-ck selling it.. Go straight ahead with the project..

F-ck selling it.. Go straight ahead with the project..

hahaha... we'll see what happens man!

Subscribed

I just bought a E36 318is. Uh oh............ anyone know any places that are dependable to acquire a RB25det front clip.

I just bought a E36 318is. Uh oh............ anyone know any places that are dependable to acquire a RB25det front clip.

The best place that I have found is JDM-Online . com. I PM'd them on one of the 240sx sites im on and they have good ratings and pretty good prices.

yeah I'm not saying the RB is a bad motor at all, they are great motors. But I don't think it is very cost effective at all. If it was a common swap then my opinion may change ;)

wow thats dumb, so you wait for the band wagon to pull in before you take a ride? good luck in life. your going to miss everything cool and die angry

wow thats dumb, so you wait for the band wagon to pull in before you take a ride? good luck in life. your going to miss everything cool and die angry

LOL easy trigger ;) Some people lead, others follow. Its the way of life man. It takes all sorts to make the world go round :buttrock

Theres currently a bmw e36 318i with a rb25det engine swap in Aus. Queensland....i read the build up and they made look quite easy, they fabricated a new cross member for the transmission and also made new engine mounts sourced from a nissan patrol (4wd)...and there is also in Sydney an e30 with an sr20det engine swap

gl w/ the swap man, seems like a really interesting project

I think in the end if you do everything properly and take the time, it should come out nicely. the engine in that pic seems to fit nicely also. and japanese engine components are much cheaper so thats another plus.

I actually wanna see how this turns out

These are my thoughts exactly. I found a complete engine, tranny, ecu, and wiring for ~$2500!! :redspot And with ~500+ hp pottential on stock internals, whats not to love about it?


Factor in another 500 for replacing broken parts, and another 500 for rebuilding the engine. remember, it's been sitting on a shelf in a warehouse for ten years at the minimum. the average price that people pay to get an RB25 and get it going to specs is about 3000-3500.


Good luck with the swap, the engine sounds incredible, and I know of several 240sx's with stock LSD's and stock RB25's that can pick the front wheels up on a launch.

Theres currently a bmw e36 318i with a rb25det engine swap in Aus. Queensland....i read the build up and they made look quite easy, they fabricated a new cross member for the transmission and also made new engine mounts sourced from a nissan patrol (4wd)...and there is also in Sydney an e30 with an sr20det engine swap

Link to the build-up?

I'm extremely interested in this since I want to split the costs of my next project car in two with another, the LS1 swap is out of the question and I'm probably going to go with a JZ/RB series swap...

any update on this swap? im really interesting in it too..:)

if you could throw a rb in it why can't you throw a VG30DETT in it?

the VQ30DET would be a better and cheaper option.

While on the topic of RB25's my buddy's S14 with the RB25 swap just got tuned a few days ago, and we're impressed and happy with the figures he put down.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/650/s6300615or4.jpg

List of mods coming soon, I'll call him today about it.

i saw someone done a RB20DET swap into a E36 318i
that is a pretty nice project
sorry i cant post any URL, cant show it to you

So you want to DOWNGRADE to an RB25? I don't know if you know this, but boost for boost, your stock 2.5 liter will makes tons more power and torque. This is mainly due to superior head design.

500rwhp is no problem with just a thicker headgasket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ntABBRqIek

sr20det e30 :dunno

I just bought a E36 318is. Uh oh............ anyone know any places that are dependable to acquire a RB25det front clip.

jgy in virginia will have all your needs

http://www.jgycustoms.com/


i used to own an s14 before my e36 :)





Motor Swap Thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=856365

RB20DET into E36... W's .eurocca.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=63

Why it's cool?Everybody talk about SR20DET,2JZ andB18...I see much more
ricers than BMWs.BMW build engines since more than 80 yrs,it does't need
help from Nissan.

Nissan try to beat BMW(like so many other manufacturer)since a long time.
That began with the Datsun 510 vs the 2002 and now it's the Infinity G37s
vs the 335i.But Nissan still dont have the prestige of BMW.It even need to
create a new brand to compete,Infiniti!The original M10 power was 75hp,yet
delivering 1400+hp in top-end trim.That's why i'm telling you to put forged
pistons with good rings and gaskets.If the ricer engine come so cheap$,take
it's turbo and put it on the Bimmer engine!

+1

Nissan try to beat BMW(like so many other manufacturer)since a long time.
That began with the Datsun 510 vs the 2002 and now it's the Infinity G37s
vs the 335i.But Nissan still dont have the prestige of BMW.It even need to
create a new brand to compete,Infiniti!The original M10 power was 75hp,yet
delivering 1400+hp in top-end trim.That's why i'm telling you to put forged
pistons with good rings and gaskets.If the ricer engine come so cheap$,take
it's turbo and put it on the Bimmer engine!

Congratulations!

That is the most retarded post Ive ever seen on BF.C!! :alright

No most people appreciate and respect BMWs (with a few notable exceptions in this specific forum) so this hasnt been done yet.

NOBODY respects a 2G e36. They are beaters. Don't be an ass just because you can't imagine ever affording a rbdet e36

Nissan try to beat BMW(like so many other manufacturer)since a long time.
That began with the Datsun 510 vs the 2002 and now it's the Infinity G37s
vs the 335i.But Nissan still dont have the prestige of BMW.It even need to
create a new brand to compete,Infiniti!The original M10 power was 75hp,yet
delivering 1400+hp in top-end trim.That's why i'm telling you to put forged
pistons with good rings and gaskets.If the ricer engine come so cheap$,take
it's turbo and put it on the Bimmer engine!

What does this rant have to do with the RB25DET?



OT: To all those who say "stick with M50", you need to take a look at all the stuff you need to get 500 RELIABLE whp out of an M50 and compare that to the bulletproof RB. I've never even heard of a M50 over 1000whp, and once you build that M50 (forged pistons, rods, headgasket, valvesprings, porting) it will still perform poorer than an RB and it will break down sooner.

I just bought a E36 318is. Uh oh............ anyone know any places that are dependable to acquire a RB25det front clip.


jarco in of GA is the place to go they are good guys and been around for ever bought about 14 clips through them ( for me and for some of friends and customers ) never had a problem with one


ask for Bill 770 479 4942

jgy in virginia will have all your needs

http://www.jgycustoms.com/


i used to own an s14 before my e36 :)





Motor Swap Thread

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=856365



I use to have a s14, with a Rb25det series 1 in it,

it was nice.

Nissan try to beat BMW(like so many other manufacturer)since a long time.
That began with the Datsun 510 vs the 2002 and now it's the Infinity G37s
vs the 335i.But Nissan still dont have the prestige of BMW.It even need to
create a new brand to compete,Infiniti!The original M10 power was 75hp,yet
delivering 1400+hp in top-end trim.That's why i'm telling you to put forged
pistons with good rings and gaskets.If the ricer engine come so cheap$,take
it's turbo and put it on the Bimmer engine!

WTF!!!:confused:lol:lol:lol

M50, RB and SR engines are all great engines but where in the world you live determines how easy it is to perform said swap. The guys down under do RB swaps all day long cuz they are easy and cheap to come by while the German stuff is harder to come by. M50's are dime a dozen here while the RB's are not. You have to build the M50 for boost where the RB you wont but you have to spend extra to do an RB swap on a Bimmer where you don't with an M50. Its all relative and there are repercussions to everything you do in life......My $0.02!

What does this rant have to do with the RB25DET?



OT: To all those who say "stick with M50", you need to take a look at all the stuff you need to get 500 RELIABLE whp out of an M50 and compare that to the bulletproof RB. I've never even heard of a M50 over 1000whp, and once you build that M50 (forged pistons, rods, headgasket, valvesprings, porting) it will still perform poorer than an RB and it will break down sooner.

Saying the rb is bulletproof is crap, ive seen ring land crack on them with 400 at the wheels. Ive heard bout a few reliable m50's tho with only minor mods. Either way its all goin to cost $$$, just gotta choose the right option for you. If u have an rb sitting in the shed then go for it, here in aust that would be the cheaper option as bmw parts are over priced. But to say that it would out perform an m50, tell that to the guy running 10's.

Hey didn't Cardcounter's 328I run the stock block M52, sept for headstuds and compression lowering gasket, to 700WHP before the rods let go. I've heard of stock block RB's letting go way below that. The stock M52 pistons are not forged like the RB's are but I believe the M52 is still a stronger engine.

^^^ Great.. Now tell me which cost more?

Its all opinion, ive had experience with both motors. Both have their ups and downs, ive seen great numbers out of both stock. Neither engine is "bulletproof", both are used motors unless you rebuild them and just as likely to fail. This doesnt need to be a bandwagon war. Personally id stick with bmw as their is less fabrication, parts are easier to get etc. m52 has forged internals and has been proven to hold 700 as someone said before, will make as much power as an rb once boosted and can they be found for under 2k stateside. But at the same time i dont think its blasphamous to go nissan. Its his car i say do what you want if you really want to be different go rb. In that respect stay away from the rb20, they are turds, there is a reason they are cheaper than the sr20. if your going to go rb go 25 or 26, and remember you get what you pay for, you are getting a used motor, make sure you get compression numbers before you buy it and double check on arrival, alot of jdm engine shippers do business via a 3rd party supplier and never actually see the engine they are selling.

I have an e30 and one of the reasons why I'm considering the a Nissan 4 cylinder that I haven't seen ANYONE bring up is that this motor is going to be a lot lighter and help my handling vs. an s50 or M50 turbo... let's see... I'm looking for 350hp to the wheels daily driver... I can get that AND great handling compared to my BMW options.... Thoughts? More price effective in my opinion as well for my HP goals... I"m still in the thought process... any advice?

All this talk about putting it in but no questions as to the measurements of engines and gearboxes, oil pans than come from different versions of the RB engine with different sump configurations or shifter location lengths between the different transmissions that will bolt onto the RB engines. If anyone was even remotely interested in doing this swap, and were capable of doing it themselves, they'd ask that first.



I think it would be interesting and it would be something I'd probably end up doing If I had the motor laying around. I've done a lot of strange swaps and there's alot of things that you have to solve before even beginning the swap, but front engine, rear drive setups for the most part are pretty easy to do if you're CAPABLE!!! Sorry, if you're not, you're not. I'm just angry because I've been working on half done swaps for months and I hate them!!

I like RB engines. I put them in everything from Datsun Z cars, trucks, 300zx's and 240sx's. 25 is cool and Cheap. RB26 is for special person who appreciates and understands the tuning of the engine and worth it completely to that individual. Plus it's so sexy looking.. Someone should do it. Either one. Whatever. Do it. I'll even help wire it if in Baltimore. Just don't be a cheap ass, do it sweet or don't do it at all.

Maybe I'll put a BMW engine in a Nissan. It's probably a better engine. I really don't know. I've never tuned one on the dyno to have an opinion. I've driven and rode in some insane ones and they were awesome and tuned right.

Quit talking about in aimlessly and start researching better or ask questions that pertain to the subject.


Sorry if I sound angry through my typing. I'm just in front of a computer and have enough energy to complain and bitch to people I don't know and can't see. It's making my day filled with cars and nightmares become a distant memory so I can sleep through the night and wake to do it all over again. I do thank all that read this for that and will certainly repay the one individual who will actually attempt this with an enormous wealth of knowledge on the subject. It will be worth it to him.


Yup. I will at least leave something to look at for inspiration.....

Actually I can't because I'm a new member. Sorry again..

Well if we're complaining about the durability of the RB series motors from Nissan, fix the problem altogether and go with a JZ motor from Toyota. Best of both worlds, reliability and power. Plus the JZ engine is superior to the RB engine. All day, every day, always.

Case closed, 2JZ for the win.

2jz is not invincible, ive seen just as many of those blow as rb's. Its all a matter of preference.

2jz is not invincible, ive seen just as many of those blow as rb's. Its all a matter of preference.
I did not claim that the 2JZ/1JZ is invincible, but it is marginally superior to the RB series from Nissan for many reasons, I'm not going to argue this because as you said it is truly a matter of preference, but statistics speak, and there are triple the amount of JZ motors making over 1000HP than RB motors - while a large factor in this is the fact that the MKIV Supra did come with the 2JZ in the USA, it has been tested and tried and proven repeatedly that the JZ block and engine setup is extremely versatile and performs extremely well under many boosted applications, without some of the drawbacks that plague the RB series of engines.

All this talk about putting it in but no questions as to the measurements of engines and gearboxes, oil pans than come from different versions of the RB engine with different sump configurations or shifter location lengths between the different transmissions that will bolt onto the RB engines. If anyone was even remotely interested in doing this swap, and were capable of doing it themselves, they'd ask that first.

I'm in the research stage but in a different part. I agree with everything you are saying and you have a bunch of 16 year olds out there thinking they can do anything they want. I've been there, and learned a lot in the process and am trying to decide what I want. It's not like I can just go out and drive a Turbo'd strait 6 in an e30 and then compare that to an e30 with a turbo'd 4 from Toyota or Nissan... but one thing I am concerned about, and was the point of my post, was this: Has anyone considered the advantage there'd be in going with a nice 4 cylinder turbo from Nissan vs. a strait 6 turbo from BMW? I don't want to just go fast strait... i love corners and the feeling of a well handling car.

Don't get me wrong... I'd love to drop a s50 or s52 turbo and have a blast but not at the comprise of not being able to do anything on the track! I'm looking at 350 to 400 whp and that'd be a LOT less stress on a BMW strait 6 turbo vs. a little 4 from japan but again I just don't want to comprise the handling. Any thoughts? After that I can start measuring trannies

I'm in the research stage but in a different part. I agree with everything you are saying and you have a bunch of 16 year olds out there thinking they can do anything they want. I've been there, and learned a lot in the process and am trying to decide what I want. It's not like I can just go out and drive a Turbo'd strait 6 in an e30 and then compare that to an e30 with a turbo'd 4 from Toyota or Nissan... but one thing I am concerned about, and was the point of my post, was this: Has anyone considered the advantage there'd be in going with a nice 4 cylinder turbo from Nissan vs. a strait 6 turbo from BMW? I don't want to just go fast strait... i love corners and the feeling of a well handling car.

Don't get me wrong... I'd love to drop a s50 or s52 turbo and have a blast but not at the comprise of not being able to do anything on the track! I'm looking at 350 to 400 whp and that'd be a LOT less stress on a BMW strait 6 turbo vs. a little 4 from japan but again I just don't want to comprise the handling. Any thoughts? After that I can start measuring trannies


I love Nissan SR engines. Just tuned our SR20 powered race car to 430hp@9000RPM today. That's a Dyno Dynamics horsepower number which would be higher on a dynojet. Go see it in action at Summit Point this sunday. It's the purpleish car that sounds like death!!!! They're sweet engines if built right. Stock they are OK but you can't rev high. All aluminum and light as hell. That's be a sweet swap into an E30. As would a 2jz or 1jz. Sorryif I am biased to Jap motors. I just have them laying around so I put them in whatever. Fuck it. Do a 3RZ toyota engine with a turbo. 2.7 liter 4 banger and tons of aftermarket support since they offroad race them.

Establish a budget first and then I'm sure you'll determine which is the best plan of action. Not sure what it costs to setup a PROPERLY tuned BMW engine to reliably deal with the power you plan to make.


I can't imagine an RB25 powered car or any other motor put into these things couldn't be set up to handle well on track. I doubt most people would even notice. And if any serious/talented driver would even consider a swap like this, he/she'd still be able to figure out how to drive it.

Quit worrying and start swapping engines!!!

Dang are you going to get an vids of that car? 9k rpms!? Hope the power band is thick so you can stay in it!