| Fellow Enthusiasts, I have been holding off on posting anything here, in relation to the project I have been working on, until it was complete. And happily, I have reached the point where I am now able to enjoy this car to it's fullest. And although future mods and continued refinement are in the plans (as with any passion project), I am ready to call this project COMPLETE and share it with all of you!
I would like to thank one of my biggest mentors during the course of this build, Scott (zfreak(Dallas)). Thanks for all the help, assistance and invaluable communication over the course of this 7+ year project.
MASSIVE THANKS to my daughter, Mel. Who spent many hours working with me in the garage either wrenching or filming. I love you baby and I can't tell you how amazing it was to share this experience with you!
And HUGE thanks to the COUNTLESS others that helped make this project possible. I can't mention you all by name here, but you are mentioned in the unfolding thread below! CHEERS.
In regards to the RB26-->Z32 swap, one thing lacking on the internet is video/vlog 'how to's. So I decided to make such a series. Check out the 'TueZday Garage series HERE
Additionally, all steps of the build are outlined (in summary) on my Instagram page
So without any further delay, I would like to present my RB26DETT swapped Z32.
Let's start at the beginning! October 2015. 1993 Automatic 2+2 with only 98K miles on it! Photos from the classified ad of the future Project RBZ32.
Meeting her in person for the first time. Car looked amazing! Deal was done and I brought her HOME! (Oct 2015)
It wasn't long (a couple weeks) before I bought her a couple friends ?? The green 96 for $600, which had a 99 front end. And the grey 90 for $1500 which was a 5-speed. At this time, Project RBZ32 was an auto. Both gave much to the project. The 96 was fitted with best possible parts and moved along (later totaled on the highway as the guy was leaving the sale-speeding into a divider) and the 90 was sold for scrap metal because it was so full of rust and disrepair. (Nov 2015-Dec2015).
This made it official, she was now wearing the crown as BC's 300z (too bad HI only allows 6 characters) (late winter 2015)
Originally, Project #RBZ32 seemed impossible. Unable to find an R33 or someone to ship to HI. Got the run around from local shops. Trying to pass off R32 RB26 for an R33. Better recognize fools! SO... because she had minor neglect, 98K miles and I was doing 5spd swap anyway, @thereallillecat (my daughter) and I stripped her down, 120K mile service, 5spd conversion, and touched up some paint that came off in the cleaning. Sooooo much p/s fluid leakage!!! All this work would keep me happy for a little while...but the search soon continued ??
In the mid Spring of 2016, I received a shipment of furniture and garage goodies that I had left in deep storage about 7 years previous. Inside was a mass of parts that I had gathered long ago for a Project #RBZ32, which was abandoned. Having that horde of goodies in the garage again was just the catalyst to get me back on the path to making this project a reality. After many, many weeks of emails and calls to several different engine dealers, I finally found THE GUYS! JDM Florida (FB: facebook.com/JDMTechMotors/) These guys were amazing to do business with and even put a vid on YouTube of them running compression on the ACTUAL engine I was going to be buying (verified by serial number). See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeQAbmupCy0 SOLD!!! And so, in May 2016, the heart of Project #RBZ32 arrived! **note: the last pic is me goofing around with an SR20 FMIC I had in that parts arrival...I think this was that catalyst moment! ??
The Z had a couple rust spots in the hatch & would leak water into the truck when outside in the rain. Additionally, she had some poor body work on front fender/rear quarter and a bad case of sunburn. So, the next step was to get her beautiful. Order a @TwinZDesignPeru (fb) rear and @Stillen skirts from @conceptzperformance. Once arrived, it was time to take her to the body shop. Meantime, I got the RB26 on the stand and began the process of becoming familiar with the engine; understanding the stock routing and configuration of things. Next step was to begin the tear-down. (June 2016)
First project on the RB: Modify the stock RB26 pan to fit the Z32.
The most common course of action for this swap is to use the RB25 pan. It bolts right up to the RB26 block & clears more things once the engine is in (so I am told). However, I opted to stay with the cast aluminium pan for it's strength, capacity, and heat dissipation. Either way, you still have to modify the front cross member. The process wasn't difficult, but tedious. Start to finish, here is the RB26 Oil Pan modded to fit the Z32 swap. (Summer/fall 2016).
In the meantime, Project #RBZ32 was in the paint shop getting all the body work done. Having the extra room in the garage was very helpful in working on the RB26, so I told the shop (Aiea Paint & Body) to take their time. They did, which was great. 3 months later, she would emerge B-E-A-UTIFUL! (Summer/Fall 2016)
Now down to the short block: prepped, cleaned & painted. Although already confirmed via block serial number, it was still great to see this crank collar and KNOW she was a legit R33 (1995). All kinds of goodies now on hand to strengthen and freshen-up this RB for a very long time. Full @Cometicgasket kit, @ARPbolts studs, Ross Tuffbond harmonic balancer, @Tomei_84 manifolds and downpipes, @Kinugawaturbo turbo oil & H2O lines (using OEM oil banjos), @WiringSpecialties RB26 into Z32 harness, @Nismo thermostat, all N1 pumps and many other genuine @Nissan goodies. (Summer/Fall 2016)
To me, an important part of this swap is creating harmony; a single machine. One in which everything looked natural, like everything indeed belongs. I want people to think that the RB was supposed to be in this chassis all along. One means of accomplishing this continuity was to paint-match the RBs engine covers and the Zs brake calipers. I used a deep candy red with black accents. (Summer/Fall 2016)
Going back in the other direction now. RB26 short block getting @Cometicgasket head gasket (among others), @ARPbolts studs, @Kinugawaturbo turbo oil & H2O lines (using OEM oil banjos), @Nismo N1 water and oil pumps and many other genuine @Nissan goodies. (Summer/Fall 2016)
One Saturday night in early September, I decided to cruise by the paint shop to see if I could see her. To my delight, she happen to be sitting in the bay right near the front gates. Brah! The Satin Black I asked for looked amazing! ALL exterior trim, cowling, lights, etc being reinstalled are NEW. Thanks to @z1motorsports. She'd be coming home in a couple weeks; so fresh and so clean! (Sept 2016)
I am a HUGE fan of polished and chrome bits on the engine, and this RB was not going to be any different. Thankfully, I met up with Shawn (TT.net member) from @synergycomposites and was able to enlist his services to get the intake plenum & turbo compressor out pipe polished up amazingly. Unfortunately, Shawn lost his phone during the process, so I don't have final 'off-the-engine' pics of the parts, but you get the idea. You'll see that soon enough! ?? Also attached is some of his work on 300zx plenums. He specializes in Carbon fiber bits! ANYTHING you're looking for. Give him a ring. AMAZING
Now installed, @tomei_84 manis & DPs, @kinugawaturbo oil & H2O lines, JDM stock T28 R33 turbos. My daughter @thereallillecat helped turn the wrenches. Twin Shakas for the Twin Turbos! (Summer/Fall 2016)
With the bulk of the #RB26 now together, it was time for a little photoshoot. Huge shout out to @synergycomposites for the polished parts. Game changer! Amazing before-afters. Too many people to thank getting to this point, but big shouts to: @z1motorsports @cz_performance @frsport.us @synergycomposites @jdmflorida @customimportarts @rawbrokerage (early Fall 2016)
BEFORE
First day home from the paint/body shop, after 3 months away. The paint took a while to get just right. But worth it! Next step is to install big brakes, new calipers, full suspension, fog ducts, new wheels and full exhaust. Coming next post ??. (early October 2016)
Here she is, in her final state, minus the #RB26. The entire car is satin black minus the roof, which I had painted gloss to give that full glass look to the top. This is not a wrap. Everything on this car is new & fresh. Front plates are mandatory in Hawaii, so installed it offset. This also blocks the flow of the elements to where the relay/fuse box is located. Installed exhaust specifically purchased for its 'X' pipe (versus H) for the future RB single exhaust split. But I didn't like the cans, so I swapped them out for something a little closer to stock look. With the 350z wheels, now rockin' 13.1in front rotors. With the Z now done, its time to focus back on the engine and gathering all the materials for the swap. It's around this time that #TueZday Garage (My YouTube vlog on this build) became a thing! ??
This is when #TueZday Garage Vlog started. I wanted to produce and publish something that provided a video journal of this swap, for others to follow along; something that is lacking on the interwebs. I'll admit, it was a little chringy in the beginning, but I think I got a lot more comfortable as time went on. Check #Tuezday Garage Playlist (Dec 2016)
BCs TueZday Garage Vlog Playlist- RB26 Swap Into 300zx
Before I could start Project #RBZ32, I had to give the Z the respect she deserved by clocking in the last 20+ miles to reach 100K miles. For Episode 2 of #TueZday Garage, we did just that. I took the Z down to a beach on the eastern shore of Oahu to catch the sunrise as it broke the horizon of the beautiful Pacific. To share this journey with me, check out Ep2 of Tuezday Garage Rolling 100K Miles On The Z (Dec 2016)
The #VG30 is OUT! After a couple episodes of prepping the Z on #TueZday Garage, I decided to do a Saturday Live Stream on Youtube of the actual engine pull itself - it was awesome and a lot of fun. Here's a screen grab. Now the real work begins; prepping, pulling, cleaning, fabricating. It was at this point when this project truly starting feeling like it was going places. Pulling The VG30DE (January 2017)
Building the "Frankens-mission" was the next step in the #RB26swap process. Using the gearbox of the #Z32, the bellhousing of the #R33 (RB26), slave cylinder of an RB25 and the clutch fork assembly of a Z33. Definitely a "Frankensmission"! Not too difficult of a process at all. Transmission build captured in Ep8, Ep11 & Ep13 of #TueZday Garage (Winter/Spring 2016)
Making the cuts to the crossmember for use with the modified #RB26 oil pan. Fitted the @mckinney_motorsports mounts. With the complete crossmember out of the car, all fitting and refining was on the stand. Way easier than the other way around. Highly recommend. ????. Once mocked up, I made cardboard templates of the steel to be welded in and took to my fabricator. Additionally, I received in the remaining tranny parts & the St Louis Speed & Sound custom sway bar. (Feb 2017)
After a bit of a hiatus in the project, I completely finished the hybrid Z32/RB26 Transmission in March 2017. To recap: Z32 gearbox, RB26 bell housing, Z33 clutch fork, RB25 slave cylinder. Next step was to fully prep & finish the engine bay and do a thorough once over on the RB26. Ep11 of #TueZday Garage
Final preparations have been made to drop the #RB26 into the Z. Fresh paint in the bay, all new brake and clutch gear, custom sway bar, modded crossmember, custom mounts, and a complete wire tuck of all body harness. I also completed all the remaining vacuum & coolant lines, as well as ancillary equipment on the RB itself. To watch this episode on the final prep, ; check out #TueZday Garage Ep#14 (May 2017) Next step was to drop in the engine!
Here we go! (May 2017) Instal Vid
And... she's in! The two separate projects (destined for each other) finally became one in late May 2017. Amazing weekend. While still very early in the process, she can officially wear the hashtag #RBZ32 now!!!
By the next day, I had all the I/C piping worked out. 3 in all the way through. Large FMIC tucked just behind the bumper support. Using a kit I bought that had an assortment of pipes and couplers (pipes= 2x 90*; 2x 60*; 2x 45*; 2x straight) worked out great, cutting all to my specific needs and routing. Beyond the engine being in, this felt like a major victory! (late May 2017)
Test fitting front and it feels so right ?????? (late May 2017)
Once wired up and given a remote initial map/tune by @customimportarts on the @haltechecu, it was time to look everything over one last time and go for that initial key turn. First start vid on my YT channel; FIRST START (June 2017)
Radiator installed and coolant system now complete. Took hours to find just the right hoses, but thanks to some really great staff at my local parts shop, it all came together. I had some leaks to sort out and needed to replace ovetflow, but all was well. Additionally, installed BOV and custom fab'd dual intake with HKS filters. Ended up looking great, paying respects to the R33 configuration.
Modified driveshaft received & installed. This was a second hand Z1motorsports 1 piece that I bought 2nd hand about 7 years ago. It had a bad U-joint when purchased (unknown at sale :/) so I had that replaced too. One thing I noticed about the Z1 shaft, was that it was the same exact length as an OEM 2 piece when laid on the ground. I'm no engineer, but considering the mathematical implications of that straight shaft vs one installed with an angle in it...something doesn't seem right about that. At any rate, I needed to take 1/2 inch out for RB swap, but wanted to fix the overall length of the one piece itself. So, I had 1 1/8in removed, which left a perfect 3/4in of play (as seen when inserting shaft up to the yoke) Ask any drivetrain specialist, and they'll swear on 3/4in of the input shaft being out of the tranny. So I guess you could say this was perfect fabrication. (July 2017)
Made a custom harness to interface with the @haltechecu AUX port, in order to allow ECU to control radiator fan, boost control & use wideband O2. Also completed PS system, horns, headlights and some other odds and ends.
The Z is off the jack stands, on the ground, & turned around the way she should be. First time she's moved in 8 months! Just some odds and ends to finish while I wait for the last part to the coolant system which was backordered for the 4th time until Aug 14th. In the meantime, installing some other goodies that have arrived like this cam gear cover. I was on the fence at first, but it really helps set this engine off in the Z. Also polished the CAS, which brings just the right touch to the front. Also, new washer fluid system fully installed & operational. (July 2017)
It has arrived! Time to finish this car!
FIRST DRIVE! link here for the vlog
Pulled her out of the #TueZday Garage for her first bath in 9 months. It's not a full on Glamour Shots session, but a nice update nonetheless. The only thing left to complete is the exhaust at this point. *note: The cam cover was taken off in these shots because I was working on hood fitment*
The final piece of the puzzle was the exhaust. I was going to pay someone to do it, but I decided, "hey... I made it this far on my own... I'm gonna take it to the finish line myself. So I decided to buy all the parts of pipe that I needed through summitracing.com and rented a MIG welder for the weekend, AND I DID IT! It may not be beautiful (yet), but the exhaust is all starting to come together. I really am glad I decided to try this on my own. Learning so much and getting better as I go. Not to mention, feeling so accomplished! ?? I am seriously beating my chest like Kong over this progress! ?? EXHAUST MAKING VID
Final Form!
THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT THIS THREAD. FEEL FREE TO SHOOT ME ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. CIAO. DON'T FORGET TO GO CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE FOR MUCH, MUCH MORE INFORMATION. THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!
More pictures coming soon once I get her out to the coast for some real Glamour Shots ;)
LaterZ,
BCs300z |
Project #RBZ32: My Journey Building An RB26DETT Powered Z32 - 
