TB42 to RB30

Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Location: yagoona

I was just wondering how hard is it to change my TB42 in my 1988 GQ SWB to a RB30? I am interested in this because i want to go a RB30 with a RB26det haed and auto, so i can have more power with out going a V8. I know i can go a TB42 on gas and turbo, but i dont want gas so that is not a option i want to go and a TB42 turbo not on gas is not a cost effective option.

Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Location: Warrnambool

MARKx4 wrote:

I was just wondering how hard is it to change my TB42 in my 1988 GQ SWB to a RB30? I am interested in this because i want to go a RB30 with a RB26det haed and auto, so i can have more power with out going a V8. I know i can go a TB42 on gas and turbo, but i dont want gas so that is not a option i want to go and a TB42 turbo not on gas is not a cost effective option.

wouldnt be too hard but why go to a rb30 when a turbo on a TB42 can be made to put out up to 300rwkw and probably alot cheaper too

just look at the ontrack comp rigs..

http://www.ontrack4x4.net.au/4x4Rides.htm

Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Location: Warrnambool

or another option

http://www.ontrack4x4.net.au/Shrek%20Rebuild.htm

Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Location: LLANDILO N.S.W 2747

You need to change the gearbox. if you want a good one i have one for $200 which is dirt cheap for a low km one. im in western sydney. 0409 991742 if interested.

cheers.

Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Location: Mornington/ Victoria

I don't think you'll be saving any money by putting an RB30 in. The cost of buying a decent turbo motor would be the same as buying aftermarket management and an EFI manifold. Besides with a stock TB42 you can make 200-220 kw before you need to think beyond a valve spring swap (pistons, rods etc). Yes you can make 300 + but not on stock internals for any length of time. The TB42 has a bigger clutch and gearbox which suits bigger power figures. It also makes more torque at low rpm which suits a heavy vehicle.

Cheers

Joel

Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle

something i've been told is that the rb26det head and the rb30 bolck are hard to mate together. You need to make up adaptors for the water and oil jackets.

Since the transfer case is the same in the GU and GQs you can throw the rb30 motor in no worries. You may need a 2' extension plate for teh bell housing. but other then that a breeze to put in. Alternatively you can get the VL turbo auto. bolts in the same.

I'm looking at a similar eng swap. It really is a cheap alternative to mods and a rebuild.
there are so many "P" platers driving around in skylines that are writing themselves and these cars off that parts are dirt cheap. like under 3 grand for gearbox, loom and a rebuilt eng.

With some basic mods mate you'll be super happy with the outcomes.

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=157184
just as an example.

you'll be getting similar power with better fuel eco on highway use.

However if your planning on doing heaps of 4x4ing, you would most likely be better off going with a turbo and intercooler kit for what you have. it will look after you better.

Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Location: yagoona

I know i can turbo my tb42, but im concerened about the amount of petrol it will drink as im not interested in going gas. Its also not a matter of making alot power, im just after a engine with better fuel consumption a little more power.

Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: yallourn north,victoria

rb30det will be thirsty as well

Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Location: Warrnambool

I used to have a RB20DET in a VL that cranked out 200rwkw and it was bloody thirsty

basically if you want power you have to pay for it, simple as that....

Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Location: here

how much money are you going to spend to maybe save a few dollars on petrol?
you will be lucky if you gain anything in fuel economy.
it just stupid to me that people will spend thousands of dollars on a conversion like this,thinking they are going to use so much less fuel they will eventually get something back.
to fucn stupid.

before you burn your money,can i have some?

Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Location: Mornington/ Victoria

Power is made by consuming a certain quantity of air and adding the appropriate amount of fuel, turbo engines use approximately 15% more fuel than N/A engines to make the same amount of power safely, whether you have a 200 kW TB42 or 200 kW RB30 they will use the same amount of fuel give or take sweet F/A while making 200 kW. It also requires the same amount of power to cruise the vehicle and accelerate the vehicle as the weight is basically the same. A larger engine will generally last longer as it isn't as stressed to make the power. For economy you need to keep the car in closed loop as long as is safely possible and run optimum timing, look for areas to improve efficiency such as manifold design, exhaust and so on. An engine that cruises at lower revs with less vacuum will potentially be more economical as the pumping losses are reduced.

Cheers

Joel

Joined: 08 Mar 2005 Location: brisbane

I HAVE A FULL EFI RB30 CONVERSION FOR SALE.......$1500 OUT OF A GQ WAGON WAS A SWEET DRIVING MOTOR....

Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle

PGS 4WD wrote:

For economy you need to keep the car in closed loop as long as is safely possible and run optimum timing, look for areas to improve efficiency such as manifold design, exhaust and so on. An engine that cruises at lower revs with less vacuum will potentially be more economical as the pumping losses are reduced.

Thats a really good point. If you can work on other areas of the car such as weight reduction, and a manifold design you'll get a much better result for less money.

I stuck extractors on my last car and the difference was huge. 2.5" systems and I had more power and was able to drive another 300kms per tank. its a cheaper alternative.

Also look into using a higher octane fuel, or adding an octane booster to the mix. Again as Joel said, if you can keep the engine working less you'll use less.

Look at taking all your camping gear and 4wding gear out of the truck when your not going off road. You might find that you have another 700kgs of ballast in the back during the week when you driving to work.

Just an idea.

Nelly

Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Location: Kilsyth, Victoria

300km more to a tank from extractors? 700kg's of camping gear?

I think you're adding one too many zero's there mate...

Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Location: yagoona

All points are good and make me think a little more about my choices. I dont want to save alot on fuel, i thought i could get some more power out of a RB30 turbo using less fuel then turboing a tb42 with out putting it on gas.

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Location: Murrumba Downs, Brisbane

as the rb30 gearbags seem weaker, can the rb30 bellhousing bolt to the tb42 gearbox?

Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle

I've been looking into this alot for my new project i've started. There is only two ways that arent very viable to fit an RB30 motor to a 42 engine.

Marks Adaptors. Will make a one of a kind adaptor for it, but it will cost you the earth. Quote unquote.

It is rumored tho that there is a early TB42 that will bolt up to an RB30. But i wouldnt hold your breathe on it mate.

I've been reading alot about the RB30 gearbox's. I think you'll find that the reason that people say that they are weak is that they are smaller than the 4.2's

http://www.az-zbum.com/information.transmission.shtml

Thats I link i was sent thru. Have a read thru, and the gearbox for your RB30 is the FS5R30A. I'll let you make your own mind up after you read it.

hokey wrote:

300km more to a tank from extractors? 700kg's of camping gear?

I think you're adding one too many zero's there mate...

I wasnt talking about a 4x4 when i said i've gained 300km a tank. I've got a mazda 323. it did have an 1.1/4 exhaust system. now it breathes a little easier with a 2.5 straight thru.

Camping gear. I'm not sure how much weight people might just leave in the back. There maybe a fold out table, drop boxs full of recovery gear and tools, a fridge or two, tents and the like. not very many days go past and you dont see some 4x4 loaded to the hilt driving around.

Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle

MARKx4 wrote:

I was just wondering how hard is it to change my TB42 in my 1988 GQ SWB to a RB30? I am interested in this because i want to go a RB30 with a RB26det haed and auto, so i can have more power with out going a V8. I know i can go a TB42 on gas and turbo, but i dont want gas so that is not a option i want to go and a TB42 turbo not on gas is not a cost effective option.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic147781.php

Heres the thread for a previous talk.