Tune it or change engines. Advice?

[T.J.]

I'm having a big think atm.

1st, some info on my car for those that don't know. It's a C33 laurel with rb20det. Mods - basically big turbo, injectors, fmic, pump & fpr, etc, etc. Around 350bhp).

I had a lot of bother driving the track at usc this weekend, mainly down to a big flat spot (around 2.5-4k) where there's not enough torque to do much. I was a case of either kick the buggery out the clutch or be uber agressive & go everywhere on the redline.

Now, I know it could do with a remap/diag cos it runs rich. So probably low down torque could be improved. But do I go for this (knowing rb20's are shit for torque anyway), or just chuck a v8 in instead? Kinda liking the apex R33 tim marshall is piloting atm. Seems like a more drivable & reliable solution rather than spending lots on skyline tax.

Thoughts, ideally from people who have driven v8 drift cars would be cool.

[topi]

You'll regret it if you start screwing around with engine swaps imo. These ideas are all well and good until you're a year later, halfway through with no money.

Get the RB ironed out, 350bhp is alot of power, it just needs to be in the right places

[Stavros]

V8 it.

I have a 1990 5litre Ford Windsor V8 you can have for say, 350quid, if you want it.

Heads and sump are off to inspect it, and they mint, can still see the honing marks on the bores.

It seems mint anyhow, but can re-ring and re-bearing it for about 100quid, parts are insanely cheap, even in the UK.

And bolts straight on to a Cossie T5 box with the right clutch, so transmission is strong and common and cheap.

Stock engine and twin T3s gives 450-550bhp, and 500lbft+ torque too... On a single 4barrel carb...

[ducatichick]

TJ stop being a Fanny

car is sweet needs a remap and nowt else - defo aint 350 hp at the mo , may have supporting mods but id guess bout 300 tops

swaping engines would be expensive take car off the road for ages........

you struggled this weekend cos we didnt have too much space and you have not had much seat time in car since alignment has been done

16s, map by steve sadler, seat time = sorted

may also be good idea to start taking some weight out cos it is bit barge like transitioning

Lex

[T.J.]

Thanks for that lex..
Not being a 'fanny' just thinking long term. Yes, I know the rb is poorly & could be better, but they break eventually & cost lots to sort. They have sod all torque too. My main problem this weekend was a lack of go at the exact rev range where I needed it.
The lure of simple bullet proof grunt seems appealing.

[steve_fctuning]

Tj.. Tune it mate... A properly set up car shouldnt have ANY flat spots at all

[T.J.]

Can't decide... There's pro's & cons for both. This thread is just making me more confused. Still, I appreciate all the advice so far

Tbh, I'm looking at a long term solution. So the question is - will I get bored of the rb20? & will a v8 take more abuse & last longer?

I really ain't bothered about taking the car off the road & doing this if the end result is worth it.

[20vWill]

V8 would be savage. Or SR. Or just fix it if it has problems?

Best choice would be to get a Corolla though. They are the truth.

[steve_fctuning]

fix it, tune it, and you'll be happy

or like you say if your really brave, Small Block Chevy Lump and supercharge the bugger. lol

[mazdachris]

I won't try to tell you what to do from a technical standpoint because I don't know enough about RBs or V8s to advise. What I will say though is this:

Look at how many people have started V8 conversions on drift cars. Now look how many have managed to get them finished. It's not a good conversion rate at all.

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but you say you don't mind taking the car off the road at the moment - do you think you'll still feel the same way in 6-12 months' time when it's still in pieces and you don't have a skid car to play with?

[PhatBob]

Originally Posted by mazdachris

I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but you say you don't mind taking the car off the road at the moment - do you think you'll still feel the same way in 6-12 months' time when it's still in pieces and you don't have a skid car to play with?

This man, he speak the truth.

The question is, how good are YOUR fabrication skills? Dropping a big old V8 with clockwork ignitiona and a carb in the car is relatively straight forward, but you have to be able to cut and weld the steel for the mounts, exhaust mods, linkages and sundries - this is the stuff that eats the time.

Theres no point if you have a mate who can weld and says he'll help as he'll not have the emotional investment in the project, and his Mrs will say that he loves T.J. and his bloody car more than he loves her...

No man is an island, but in the field of engine swaps a man must stand alone.