best bang for buck conversion?

[Fun_Bucket]

Hey everyone, i've managed to convince my other half to let me spend $3000 (and not a cent more) after we agreed she can finance a new i30...lol. Now i want to put a new motor in, but i'm stuck with choices. I'll be doing most of the work myself, but no doubt i'll get stuck along the way, which is where you guy's will help out

Now i'm pretty much deciding between a 304, or an RB25det.Would consider something else, but has to be within the budget.. I know that i will have to swap my gearbox over to a V8 one, if i choose to go the 304, but if i go with the jap motor, can i use my V6 auto?Or what would be some options? As far as bang for your buck goes, with future mods, which motor would be most likely to see the most gains? I'm guessing the RB would be a bit lighter also? I've searched the net for their weight, but didn't come up with anything..

I've done a bit of researching, and have found out that the RB will fit straight in with the VL K frame, but would it be within my budget? I'm leaning more towards the RB, being as it seems i can get one that is newer, and has less km's on it, on would most likely be more economical and weigh less....What are people's thoughts?And for a person with less mechanical experience, what are the RB motor's like to work on, compared to a 304..And finally, if i purchase a full rebuild kit for an engine, then does the previous state of the motor make much of a difference?

[strgas]

have you considered the cost of the extra bits and peices that will be needed to complete this engine swap from radiator , exhaust , engine mounts , auto mounts , tailshaft mods , speedo correction , fuel piping , wiring , etc etc etc

[Fun_Bucket]

I've considered the extra cost's associated with a 304 conversion, but not with the RB, is that what you meant?

[_R_J_K_]

Easiest and cheapest thing to do would be to pick up a 5 litre wreck. That way you get all the parts you need, you don't have to worry about custom work, and picking a wreck up would probably just be more cost effective.

[strgas]

with any engine swap , picking up a wrecked car is good to get most of the parts you need

[greenfoam]

You should be able to complete the 304 conversion for 2 grand for a smashed car + 500 for new oils, mounts and other crap etc. The RB would most likely end up costing a bit more

[Fun_Bucket]

Thanks guy's, and thanks Foamy, i didn't know if an RB would fit within my budget. If i buy a full re-build kit, does the previous condition of the motor make much of a difference?

[Abrowne70]

an rb conversion would be out of that budget, and alot more work, like foamy said, buy a wrecked 5L and swap it all over

[millaz88]

im about to do a rb30 change over im just buyin a vl manual n changing it all over its only goin to cost like 2500 i hope but its not really a power upgrade atm i just want it in so once it has rego i can change it to a rb30et but yeh u can buy cheap turbo kits for the v6 and there are top mount suppercharger kits for $1800 on ebay that includes the charger injectors manifold everything u need might be worth lookin at maybe

[greenfoam]

Well in theory you can do a RB30 conversion for almost the price of the VL (cheap) but a RB25 is going to be alot more expensive. millaz88, don't forget to get a VL that has the later engine in it! with the turbo line holes in the block

[greenfoam]

Thanks guy's, and thanks Foamy, i didn't know if an RB would fit within my budget. If i buy a full re-build kit, does the previous condition of the motor make much of a difference?

304's last a along time, if you get one that's been serviced often and doesn't have much sludge in the motor you will be fine

[HoZy]

1uz conversion, DO IT!

[millaz88]

yeh thanks greenfoam im gettin a s2 vl next week hopefully robdragracer pointed me in the right diretion to pick one up a couple ks away from my house so that was a plus plus im planing on haven to spen cash on the wirering job i am not that wise to do it me self lol but the rest i should be right with i hope :P

[Fun_Bucket]

1uz conversion, DO IT!

haha, is that the Lexus/Toyota quad cam?

[StockoVRWagz]

If you go the RB conversion you'd have to get it all engineered = $$.
since VP's came out with 304's you'd still have to have it checked I think, but not as much as the RB motor

[millaz88]

If you go the RB conversion you'd have to get it all engineered = $$.
since VP's came out with 304's you'd still have to have it checked I think, but not as much as the RB motor

rb conversion dont need a engineers in vic just vic roads to change ur engine number