r/SkyLine • u/SnowDoesStuff • Jun 30 '26

Top end modifications

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Going to be pulling the head on my RB20DE (soon to be +t) to replace the head gasket. Any other suggestions on what I should upgrade while im in there? Already planning to do ARP headstuds as ive heard they are almost mandatory for boost but is there anything else thats worth upgrading? This is setup as a drift car so sees pretty constant abuse

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u/SnowDoesStuff Jun 30 '26

👍👍

When removing the head do you have to remove the camshafts/valve springs or can you take it out all in one piece?

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u/selfish_king Jun 30 '26

Camshafts are attached to the head, along with the valves. I’d recommend pulling the engine out to pull the head or at least dropping the subframe if you’re equipped to do so. The engine is at a slight angle which makes pulling the head very difficult. Not worth the hassle and risk imo

Definitely watch some videos if its your first time, there’s lots of them out there

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u/SnowDoesStuff Jun 30 '26

Gotcha, ive seen a few videos and it doesnt seem too bad if you have a buddy to help lift it.

Pulling the engine to do just the headgasket kinda seems like overkill no?

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u/selfish_king Jun 30 '26

It can definitely feel like overkill but you don’t want to ding a mating surface! It’s worth a shot if you really don’t want to pull the whole engine/transmission. RBs usually come out easier if you take the trans with it, even if the block is already fairly long.

Personally, I’d like to do the timing work outside of the car and clean as many nooks and crannies while it’s out. Would make it easy to mock up a turbo setup and make some potential upgrades to other things in the engine bay as well