Skyline E30

Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:31 pm

Hi All

I would appreciate thoughts and views on my current situation... I have a R33 GT-R Skyline that has to have an engine rebuild, not something that was planned but something that needs to be done. I also have an '86 E30 325 that is mid project build as a track day/weeknd car and I have been thinking about what engine to put into it next year, once all the other bits are done.

The plan was to sell the Skyline to fund the E30... now that the Skyline has had a problem and the engine is out! you can see where my thinking is going... I have read the links to other E30's with the RB26 engine in and am thinking maybe that is the way I should go while I am in this situation?

Has anyone ever done the whole swap with the AWD, wheels and brakes?

Thinking if I could use the engine and brakes that would still be awesome - engine has had lots of work in the past and is about 380bhp.

Trying to weigh up all the options and cost/insurance issue also.

What do you all think?

Cheers

Hunty

Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:40 pm

Swapping the complete slykine drivetrain is a MAJOR undertaking where lots of custom (expensive) work will be needed I reckon. Not only that, but unless suspension anchorage and correct angles etc are in place, it'll be a total lash up.

If you want to go RB power, I'd stick to just RWD format. Even then, it's probably a fair old bit of chew & expense to do a good job of it

Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:48 pm

That is just what I am thinking - could be a bottemless pit for money and time.

Think the RWD is my preference - was just thinking what could be used from the GT-R. I would need to get a gearbox from a GT-S and break the rest of the GT-R. So keep thinking... should I just put the Skyline back together and get it sold - then buy a V8 next year, which was my original plan.

Just running the Skyline idea through my head while I am in this position with the engine re-build.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:58 pm

OMG iv wanted to do this for a long time but was gunna buy my m8s R33 gtst to do it with.
then realised i didnt have the money or talent for this, any way hope u manage to pull it off will be keeping my eye on this

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:02 pm

I am guessing the rb26 is a fair bit lighter than a v8!?

Are you thinking of the v8 from an e34/e39 540?

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:09 pm

I had no plans to be in this situation - but keeping thinking that it could be something special if I took advantage of the fact the Skyline engine has to come out and be re-built... then why not put it into my pride and joy and then sell the bits of the Skyline that I don't need.

Just can't work out if I should/shouldn't. Am I being crazy to break up a very nice Skyline and should I just fix it and sell it... or make the most of the timing and put what I can into the E30???

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:15 pm

Hi Mattrs

The RB26 is an awesome lump - engine has had new forged Ross racing pistons, HKS steel head gasket, Excedy uprated clutch, Ball bearing turbos with steel rotors, HKS hard pipe inlet conversion and induction kit. It is mental in the Skyline so just imagine what it would be in the stripped E30.

Yes, was thinking atleast 4.0lt V8 but like the M5 idea also!

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:16 pm

Do the maths, try to work out what you will get for the car with/without the rebuilt lump, cost of the rebuild, cost of another engine, cost of a v8 etc etc and go from there.

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:22 pm

I'd love an rb engined e30, it would be awesome but a hell of alot of work. I think this may be of some use to you if you are serious about the engine swap - http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthr ... ht=skyline

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:23 pm

Think you have hit the nail on the head - this is my dilema and one that I am struggling with. I used to like Maths at school but that was a very long time ago!

Lots of cost research to do still...

Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:27 pm

Cook - thanks for the link - what a project that is - the end result is quite special by the looks of the posts he has on YouTube.

Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:38 pm

We had a r32 up on the ramps at Chizfab and I had I good look around. There's room for the engine and box. As for the drive train the rear subframe is held on at 4 points and would be a doable swap and give a decent double wish bone rear with lots of cheap upgrades for adjustable arms etc.

The front is front is a bit more tricky with a double whishbone setup the bottom arm is close to an e30 in design but the top mount is a very short wishbone of the top of the shock very close to a Porsche 928 in design and would be difficult to swap. If you wanted to keep the skyline brakes and wheels etc the easy way would be a s14 front subframe and a skyline rear

Jason

Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:08 am

Hi Jason

Thanks for the note - very interesting to read - so you think I should seriously consider putting as much of the Skyline into the E30 as possible? The brakes are Brembo with new discs too.

You thinking keep it RWD but use as much as possible?

Cheers

H

Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:17 am

4wd RB lumps have the diff built into the sump don't they? Will a RB25 sump fit the 26 block?

Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:24 am

Anyway, forget the RB scrap, Toyota JZ FTW!

Sat Jan 08, 2011 12:48 am

Kyle at Chizfab builds 4wd mk3 escorts on sierra floor pans so anythning is possible but i think going skyline 4wd would be 2 to 3 times more labour than rwd as we did consider it for my spare m3 shell

And from what I know from looking at converting a stagea to manual rwd you can get rwd sumps okay and there seems to be a demand for 4wd boxes and sumps used

Jason

Sat Jan 08, 2011 1:00 am

Useful thread

http://forums.eurocca.net/showthread.ph ... 0DET-Power

Sat Jan 08, 2011 1:18 am

Awesome

There is a company in Austraila that does the fitting kit for RB into an E36 for about £900. Not sure about an E30 though

Andy

Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:32 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:Anyway, forget the RB scrap, Toyota JZ FTW!

I wondered how long it'd take you to come along, pimping that damn lump.

Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:09 pm

Gents - thanks for all the thoughts, comments and links. Much to think on.

First thing it to get the RB rebuild done then make a plan from there. Do feel I am leaning towards fixing up the Skyline to sell then look at either a V8 or M3 unit for the E30 as a much more straight forward swap for the future.

Cheers

Hunty

Sun Jan 09, 2011 10:42 pm

I would fix the skyline and sell and use the money to build a fast e30 If you want a fast e30.

I have seen a mk1 focus with full rb26 running gear.

I had a 420 bhp r33 gtr and thought it was an awesome car .

Toyota jz would be a much better and cheaper option.

Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:12 pm

Gents

Just to let you know I have decided to fix the Skyline and sell it. It is an awesome car and too nice to strip.

The funds will then go into the E30 and still fancy a V8 of which I hope to come to you lot for advice on which engine I should be looking at.

Thanks again for your help and thoughts.

Cheers

Hunty