Well...I made the decision to yank the reliable built LS1 out of my 1997 Nissan 240sx to put in a god-tier engine...the unobtainable...unless you're in Australia - Nissan's RB30.
This is your guide, download and save this (I DO NOT own this)
The RB30 that I started with looked like it belonged at the bottom of the ocean - exhibit A:
I did want to build one, and thought, let's take the worst looking one to see if I could make something of it. The pistons were seized, the crank didn't rotate and it surely was sitting next to someone's wood pile. I'm surprised snakes didn't fall out of it....
You can see the difference in the block height (about 41MM taller than a 25/26 block):
The first step in this process was to completely strip it apart and get it blasted. It immediately started to look night and day better - thanks to Abrasive Finishing Industries for turning a new leaf:
From there... it went back to the machine shop for the rebuild and the timing modifications - you can see the new location of the tensioner below:
and then the welch / freeze plugs:
And then the headwork - which means welding up the oil feed to the VCT and recutting the coolant/water jacket:
And for the VCT feed on the front:
Pulling the rear head plug to tap for the head drain:
Here's how the VCT will now be plumbed:
And the rebuild:
Parts List
Bottom End - RB30 S2
- Pistons: CP 87MM
- Rods: Manley H Beam Rods
- Main Bearings: ACL 7M2394H-STD
- Rod Bearings: ACL 6B2390H-STD
- Oil Filter Housing Bypass Valve: Nissan OEM - 15241-40F00
- Crank Collar: Tomei TA205A-NS05A
- Oil Pan: RB26 AWD Alloy Pan modified with LeaskSpec Extension
- Oil Pan: Tomei Baffle Kit (TB201A-NS05A )
- Oil Restrictor - 1.5mm front (TB2040-NS05A), blocked rear (PRP)
- Welch/Freeze Plugs: PRP RBCCFlat-FLD
- Oil Pump Gasket: Nissan OEM - 15066-71l00
- Oil Pick up Gasket: Nissan OEM - 15053-1E400
- Oil Pump: Nissan OEM - N1 15010-24U01
- Oil Pump Gears: Boundary Pump N1 Gears
- Oil Pick up tube w/ RB AWD to RB30 Conversion plate: Spool RB-AWD-KIT
- Main Studs: ARP 202-5403
- RB Oil Galley Fitting (for VCT feed): 1/8BST to 1/8 NPT Brass Fitting
- RB Oil Feed to VCT: 1/8 NPT to -3 AN Fitting
- Oil Feed to VCT: -3AN 20 inch Hose Assembly
- Thermostat: Nissan OEM - 21200-42L0A
Head - RB25DET Neo
- Cams: Kelford 244-A2
- Cam Springs: Kelford KVS25NEO-DI
- Valve Guide: Kelford VG237-IN-12 / VG237-EX-12
- Valves: OEM RB25 Neo
- Head gasket: Cometic MLS 87MM Bore - .051'
- Head Drain: Franklin Performance
- Valve Covers: Nissan OEM RB26
- Valve Stem Seals: Nissan OEM - 13207-84A00 / 13207-5L300
- Exhaust Manifold Gasket: Nissan OEM - 14036-21U00
- Exhaust Manifold: 6Boost RB25/30DET V-Band
- Intake Manifold Gasket: Nissan OEM - 14035-75T01
- Intake Manifold: Greddy ECR33 Intake Plenum
- IACV: Nissan OEM for 1994 NISSAN SENTRA 1.6L L4
- IACV Gasket: 23785-57Y00
- Head Studs: ARP 202-4301
- VCT Fitting: 1/8 NPT to -3 AN Fitting
Timing
- Timing Cover packing Plate: Nissan OEM RB26 - 13570-05U00
- Timing Cover: HPR Tuning RB30-RB25 cover
- Timing Belt: Gates T291 152 tooth
- Tensioner w/ spring: Nissan OEM - 13070-5L300 + 13072-58S10
- Idler: Nissan OEM - 13074-58S00