With all the kids out there that are trying to get a skyline imported into America, I can't understand why somebody wouldn't just use a kit like this on a 240 SX and then essentially have what they were going after for way less money. I mean, it would be the exact same engine and drivetrain from a donor car into a chassis that is very similar and can be made at just a stiff as a skyline was, and for way less money. What am I missing?
$4,500 for the kit but you have to also supply the entire AWD drivetrain, what's the cost associated with acquiring those pieces presumably from Asia and shipping them over. That's not including the 240 SX itself.
And it won't likely appreciate nearly as much over the years.
Other than those things, I LOVE the kit idea/path.
Oh it won't appreciate and won't have the cool factor. But a front r32 cut isn't bad, and the rear suspension can be had from password jdm. Or he'll, graft it to the s13 suspension. Start with a shell, that's 500$. If day you could get this don't for about 10-15k, WAY less than getting any gt-r state side and legal. And I want to think the s13 chassis is lighter, but don't know
Right from the listing: Does Not Work In S13
If you have to start with a more expensive S14 you're knocking on driver-grade R32 GT-R pricing (about $18k+) by the time you're done, and then there's the time involved.
It is a different solution, I'll give it that, but I would rather do a RB-swapped Z32 for my money.
I would too. The purpose of the thread was to explore the "I can get a GTr without blowing a wad of cash." It says "doesn't fit s13" but I'd bet you could get it to fit. Those two cars sharing 90% of their sum.
The Full Race R14 is nothing new. I first heard about it on Modified Magazine, way back before I found GRM. This must have been in the early 00s IIRC.
Back then, it was a great alternative to a track only R32 here in the states, because the 25yr clause hadn't kicked in, and you couldn't legally title one here. This was smack in the middle of the "mad tyt3 Jdm yo1!" craze, so there were import companies popping up all over, giving reasonably easy access to the drivetrain. You just needed somewhere to put it. Also, the R32 in japan was the equivalent of a 4th gen Camaro Z28 here at approximately the same time. They were popping up all over with 100k on the clock in Japanese junkyards. Japanese culture for the most part (weird car scene guys not included) don't care much for used things, and even high performance sports cars are disposable. So, the market was somewhat saturated with used examples in decent condition.
I think now that there is still a case to be made for it tho, if you can work out a deal in terms of cost. I don't like the idea of rhd...I don't know why, it just seems...wrong to me, so an S14 chassis could be a decent alternative. I also think the idea of a heavily modified street monster is a lot of fun.
That said, I'd rather do something totally whacky, like the AWD RB drivetrain in a Lincoln LS. Or, for similar money to a R14, you could build a great exocet or Goblin, both of which I actually think I would like better in terms of plain ol' fun
You're not turning a 240sx into anything but an awd 240sx. I want a skyline because it's a skyline on the outside.
An rb25 z32 would be awesome. Its really just a motor swap. The trans is the same internally so swap bellhousing and most of the sensors are the same as the vg motor. Hmmm the rb25 isn't too expensive either. Might need any aftermarket intake manifold though you clear the hood.
In reply to Patrick:
I was thinking the same thing - it's still just a 240SX.
pointofdeparture wrote: Right from the listing: ***Does Not Work In S13***
I thought the S14 chassis was cheaper because all the cool kids want the doriftomagic S13?
In reply to yupididit:
If I do another Japanese car anytime soon that's my plan. I loved my Z32 but hated the engine and maintenance. RB swap would alleviate MANY issues I had with the car.
In reply to mad_machine:
In my experience the gulf between a solid S13 and a solid S14 is $2-4K. The S14 is just as popular, if not more so for drifting. They are just more expensive and less common.
In reply to several comments about the S13 just being an s13, I have to strongly disagree because it would be an S13 with the all-wheel-drive system from the skyline and the suspension from the skyline so really it would be a lightweight skyline that just doesn't look like a skyline. Trying to get the same results without paying the same amount that's the goal here
Being that the s13 is very competitive in drifting, time attack, and SM autox; "just an s13" isn't a bad deal. It's a great chassis with almost unlimited potential and aftermarket support.
Of course I'm slightly biased being an s13 owner
I still think it could be done for less than the cost of importing a r32 (even with a s14 chassis). The prices for r32 gtr's imported is retardedly high.
R32 GTS4 would get you Attessa AWD but with an RB20. If you need turbo AWD in a Nissan but can't afford a GTR.
Honestly, these kits are interesting but they're not for the guy that can't afford something. It's minimum $20k out the door either way. It's for the guy that loves S14's and wants it to be AWD at any cost.
That's true, I was just Perusing a few websites and they do have the GTS4 skyline listed at considerably less, interestingly there is also the a31 Cefiro that came in all wheel drive with the skyline RB20
I like RB's but the AWD system is overrated. I've had them (R32s) with and without it and unless you are DEADSET on it, I'd stay RWD in an s13/14/15 platform.
Yea I wouldn't do this. There's no cheap easy AWD Nissan solution. Keep the S chassis cars RWD, they work great. A good clutch diff gets you corner exit bite. A GTR is about the looks, the drivetrain, all of it. But they're somewhat primitive especially in R32 import legal guise, heavy, the RB26 is expensive to work on and pretty finicky.
In reply to turtl631:
What are you on about? My rb20det was a breeze to work on.
Of note too, the z32 came with the RB engine in Japan and other countries. It fits nicely. And cleans up that crazy carnival Nissan called an "engine bay"
In reply to Trackmouse:
Actually the Z31 was the only Z to come with an RB engine (200ZR, RB20DET). The Z32 only used VG30 variants for the entire world. That's why you need an aftermarket front subframe (or great fabrication skills) to do the swap.
Trackmouse wrote: In reply to turtl631: What are you on about? My rb20det was a breeze to work on.
I mean oiling problems, expensive cams, internals, etc. Relatively low displacement for an I6. The contemporary 2JZ is so much easier to make big power with. I love Nissans and will probably get some GT-R variant in the future but they're flawed.
In reply to turtl631:
Thats if big power is your goal.
The transmission options for rb's are much cheaper than 1jz/2jz options (have you seen r154 and v160 prices?) . So much that investing in getting it up to snuff is about the same as a jz. An rb25 is a great option if you don't want to 2jz everything. And you can find rb stuff pretty easily nowadays. Now, if you're goal is 600+ hp then a 2jz will get you there with less drama but it won't be cheap.
I distinctly remember top secret putting the RB series engine into a jza80 supra, for the sole reason that the skyline is less slippery than the Supra, and the RB made better power than the JZ. But we shouldn't discuss this. I've seen this topic get WAY outta hand over over on supraforums.com
Why isn't anyone talking about putting an sr20det in a Skyline? 
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t387852-sr20det_in_a_skyline_.html
And here we go.
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