heads and motors

[madsav]

just woundering is it possable to put a nissan rb25 or rb26 head on a vl holden commodore rb30?
also can someone tell me what the whole motor of an rb26det will cost?
and does anyone have one for sale thank you

[bensta]

yes it possible, but thats all i know

[ucwepn]

Yes its possible, an rb26dett will set you back around $8000-$12000. Rb25det is the cheaper option at around $3000. Why make a hybrid motor? just drop in the whole turbo skyline donk and trans. Much easier (what I would like to do one day.)

[harry3]

I think the nissan engine was modifued so it would fit under the VL bonnet but I dont know what was changed

[ucwepn]

Its got a shorter rocker cover I know for sure (VL) but I'm unsure of other changes.

[Bax]

Shorter rocker cover?

There were no differences between the skyline rb30e and the vl rb30e
Except Holden had the only rb30et - even though some guy tried to tell me the r31 came out factory with one the other day.

RB26detts last time I heard were around 5 thousand.

Why make a hybrid? Free flowing of the rb25det head with the torque of the 3 litre bottom end.. High Revving Torque Thumping Monster haha.

[Stewart1000]

i heard you can stick the rb26 head straight onto the rb30 is that correct?

[Bax]

Not exactly a straight bolt on. But I don't think its too hard.

[Z()LTAN]

various adaptor plates are needed but it is possible, i recall seeing a site displaying a conversion a while ago but the site addy slips my mind now

[ucwepn]

It does have a shorter rocker cover because if you put a skyline rb30 rockercover on a vl motor you won't be able to shut the bonnet. Thats why the skyline has a rise in the bonnet. I will dig up the article and post it here.

[Bax]

Well.. I'm sorry, but They're exactly the same.

I'll get you pictures of them side by side if you want.

[bangers]

all i know is that the radiator is mounted lower in the engine bay of the vl, thats why there is the cooling problems as the coolant has to be pumped up higher than the radiator. and that the radiator mounting was the only difference to fit it all under the bonnet. which is why i'd be edging to agree with bex. prove me wrong though ucwepn.

[Bax]

Well, almost that reason, engine is higher so the air gets trapped in the system if you don't bleed it properly. Instead of the air coming out of the radiator.

I went to get photo's comparing but my Holden one is missing, unless I want to go and grab the one off the other engine.

Will have them tonight.

[Bax]

Here you go, I didn't have to get the pictures but I was bored anyway.

[vlct400]

hey bextor84 i like the way u think just keep the rb30 bottom end and put the rb26 head on it i want one for my calais turbo but still savin for other parts for it my mechanic said that the rb26 head is a straight bolt on

[ucwepn]

Sorry bex I was wrong my memory must be failing me LOL. It was the inlet manifold that was lowered to fit under the bonnet...........






* The Nissan engine's inlet manifold and water jacket had to be lowered to fit under the Commodore bonnet. In the event of leaks or air locks, this causes the Commodore's head to drain into the inlet manifold leaving the empty head to cook and crack. Broken manifold studs and cracked heads are more likely as cooling system leaks increase with age.

* The Nissan engine's main radiator hose positions were not compatible with the Commodore's cross-flow radiator when it placed radiator entry and exit points on the same side. An internal radiator baffle was used to force the coolant across the Commodore radiator core but if this baffle dislodges with age, hot coolant can enter and leave the radiator without being cooled. This can also crack the head and do so repeatedly until the cause is isolated.

[ucwepn]

To do the rb26 head you need a custom cam belt made up, and you need to sort out the ecu side of things. It is allot of work IMO. I just want the whole rb25det donk trannie and brakes. and I'll be a happy chappy