RB30DET into MQ patrol conversion, anyone done it?

[r0880]

Hi I have just sold my zook and bought an RB30 with T04 turbo and auto gearbox. I do not want to use the auto rather the manual 4 speed which is in it for time being. Motor will be pushing out around 250kw mark, will the gearbox handle this (anyone broken them before how and what with) ? Also wanted to know what flywheel to use.

So if anyone has done this before can you let me know or even better give me some detailed info or pics. I can't be the first the do this surely...

Robbo

[adam.s]

It might hold that amount of power, but I wouldn't expect it to hey - just from driving mine around, it really doesn't feel that strong.

Didn't some of the GQs come with rb30e like the VL's, couldn't you just use the gearbox that came with that?

[Patroldude]

Never done before to my knowledge.

My 350 chev copped a few harsh hours on a 5 speed box an dnever died - mind you my mates 5 speed diesel was idling on top of a dune at boat harbour and blew his transfer apart - 13 pieces... he had only pulled a ford f150 off a duen a number of minutes before though....

RB30DET auto not strong enough unless shift kit put thru it....

Maybe a turbo auto better conversion would be stronger if you wanted auto but by post you want a manual- you drive carefully it could last but its a lot of custom work - full custom bell housing required and thats the smallest thing to mod....
Mk

[Patroler]

The standard box should be ok, but it would pay to put new bearings through it, and the syncros while you're at it, i'm running a 383 chev with similar power to what you mention and have broken a few transfers but no boxes,
after post mortem the transfers were not in the best shape before i got to them so if they are good with good bearings and no missing teeth then you should be right, thats if you can get an adapter to fit the rb30.

I'd guess that you wouldn't get an off the shelf adapter? you'd have to go for an auto maybe and a 60 series transfer (for which multiple auto adapters are made - and rock hoppers if you want them)
The GQ box would be a no no unless you wanted to run GQ diffs or have the tailshaft on an angle.

The only other thing i'd be finding out is how different the rb30 bellhousing is to the l28 belhousing, they're both nissan 6's different family i know but hey, you could get lucky.....

[V8Patrol]

Havent stuffed a gearbox yet ........... but the one behind the 350 has a few "grumbles" and is well n trully due for a rebuild. The gearbox behind the 253 has a syncro problem in 1st gear only ( its been there as long as I've owned it !! ) but other than that its sweet.

Try Rod at Castlemaine Rodshop, he's right into "odd conversions" ....

http://www.rodshop.com.au/

Kingy

[wannaberacer]

I asked the same question a while ago about VL turbo motors into MQ Patrols and basically got the answer you're getting...no one seems to have done it.

So I'm about as useful as tits on a bull. But go ahead and do it so then you can tell us how it goes

[V8Patrol]

Probably the most likely reason for little knowledge of these conversions is that they generally dont work, therefore the market place for such conversions is very limited and so manafactures dont do an "off the shelf" product.

Several years ago I looked at a V6 commodore motor to MQ conversion...no-one did an adaptor and after much exhaustive research it would not have been a good conversion after all....the manafacturers had done their home work well before a customer had thought of it !

The other side of the argument is that much of the "accesories" needed for such "odd conversion" requires specialised work to produce a "one off" kit, most ppl simply wont pay for such work and this also means that manafacturers wont waste their time doing it unless the bucks are up front.....cant say I blame em really !

A classic example of this is a certain Merc motor that has a weak topend, the cost of the rebuild/replacement is extream so as a result many are sold off just before they reach that "region" of termination and are sold rather cheaply too..... Yet, a 6 cylinder motor from the current plord range would fit so well and be a stronger power plant compared to the Merc donk and would be one hell of a sweet conversion to boot !, problem is that the ppl that can afford this particular model can afford the repairs or can afford to "loose" on the sale of the car...so why bother getting a conversion for it ????, manafacturers therefore dont have a market place for such a conversion.



Like I said before ..... talk to Rod at the Rodshop, he has years of experiance and is "the man" when it comes to conversions of any nature be they regular or one offs.

Kingy

[Patroldude]

I thought I hear a rumor that Rod had sold the rod shop recently????

Any truth to this?

Why not but the patrol down in victoria with a 318 Fireball in it? $4,000 - should get close to that for RB motor and less parts out of the 318 or just sell yours n do that one up.... 318 has oddles of torque too...

[J Top]

Have you tried the dreaded "search" I recall someone on here talking about having done this with a turbo etc within the last year.
J Top

[V8Patrol]

I thought I hear a rumor that Rod had sold the rod shop recently????

Any truth to this?

Yes.

Rod sold the "manafacturing" side of the business to a Sydney man....
Rod is still owner of the "sales" side of the business and will continue to be involved with the manafacturing side for a couple more years as the new owner comes to know all the ins and outs of that business.

For those that have never been there the "Castlemaine Rodshop", its one large building that is split into two sections.....one being the production/building/modifications/manafacturing side, while the other section is purely for sales/reception/etc and Rod's car display area.

When I last spoke to Rod last week he said he needed extra time for car shows etc to promote his business, and that was the sole reason for the sale of the manafacturing side. Under the agreement he is to still have a controling hand for a period of time while the new owner learns all the ropes and gets to know the employees that Rod has had working for him.

The employees were offered the bussiness prior to the sale being made "open" for any interested parties, the employees didnt want to be "owners".
I was suppried at the amount Rod sold it for ...... I would have thought it would have sold for much more than it did..... had I have know it was so cheap I would have certainly looked at it seriously as an investment.


Too late he cries

Kingy

[r0880]

Yeah I did search before posting. Ive been told the RB and L series motors and boxes bolt up. So heres hoping. Not expecting the transfer to cope in Low Range, but hoping it will in High. Dare I say it, but its going to be mainly a road rig to tow my drag rotors to the strip at Willowbank (up and down Toowoomba Range). Whatever happens I will keep you posted. Id much rather a 3L Turbo six than a V8 anyway. The whole setup will probably only cost $1500 as Im fairly competent at manufacturing things I was just after an easy way to find stuff out.

Anyway Once shes done in a couple of weeks I will post all info and pics of the build. And some performance figures hopefully. Best get back to work and thanks for your help guys.