DIY How-To: Skyline Coil Pack Install
Although this install was done using an R33 Nissan Skyline with the RB25DET the procedure is almost identical on the RB20DET engine in the R32 Skyline.
Tools Required: Basic socket set; Allan Keys; Flat Head & Philips Screw Drivers, Pliers.
The first step that you will want to do is to disconnect the battery. On this R33 the battery is located in the trunk, the same for the R34 but if you have a R32 you should see it in the engine bay.
To access the coil packs on the Nissan RB series engine you need to remove the coil cover. Once that has been removed it is fairly smooth sailing.
Remove the vacuum hose that connects the two valve covers by grabbing one of the house clamps and sliding it down the hose then pull the hose off of that side and turn it up.
Remove the large hose attached to the aluminum intake tube that runs over the top of the engine by grabbing the hose clamp and sliding it down the hose.
Remove the hose clamp that attaches the aluminum intake tube to the throttle body.
Remove the hose clamp that attaches the aluminum intake tube to the intake tube that comes from the intercooler. To be able to remove the aluminum intake tube you will need to remove the two bolts attaching it to the head.
While you are in this area it is a good idea to remove the single bolt holding the solid pipe leading to the bypass valve. This isn't required but will give you more room to work with later. Also remove the two bolts holding the two solid vacuum lines to the aluminum intake tube. To find the one not pictured follow the vacuum line leading to the bypass valve.
Remove the solid pipe from the bypass valve and undo the zip tie. You will also need to remove the vacuum line leading to the bypass valve. Then remove the aluminum intake tube from the car.
Unhook the two connectors running into the ignition module by the firewall.
Your engine bay should now look like the following image. The process for the RB20DET is almost identical so far but the RB26DETT does not have the aluminum intake tube running over the valve covers.
Remove the 8 allen head bolts holding the coil cover in place.
Lift up the cover from the front and pull forward slightly to allow you access between the cover and the firewall.
Snip the zip tie attaching the wire harness to the cover.
Slide the cover forward and out revealing the coil packs underneath.
Remove all 6 wire connectors from the coils. Be careful these connectors are usually very brittle. The easiest way to remove them is to press the release tab and slide a flat head screwdriver in-between the front of the connector and the coil. It should pop right off.
Bend the three metal tabs back allowing you to move the harness out of the way.
Remove the 5 bolts holding the two sets of 3 coil packs to the head. The bolt closest to the firewall is a ground wire - when assembling be sure to hook this wire back up or your car will not run.
To remove the sets, grab #1 and #3 coil pack and pull straight up, repeat using #4 and #6. Keep note as to which rail is for the front.
Now is a good time to take a look at your spark plugs and replace if necessary. On our vehicle the spark plugs were done only a few days prior.
The coil packs are held to the aluminum rail using either 2 or 4 small 8mm bolts. Our RB25 coils were held in with only two. Remove these to separate the coil packs from the rail but take note of the direction of the connector.
Mount the new coil packs into the aluminum rail - making sure the connector is facing the same direction as the one you removed. *be careful not to over tighten*
Place the two aluminum rails back into their places. Pushing the coils into the plugs evenly until the rail comes in contact with the head.
Bolt the rails back down and connect the harness to the coils. *Be careful not to over tighten. Do not forget the ground wire*
Now for the re-assembly. Remember to re-attach the coil harness to the metal tabs and push down. If the harness is not held down you may run into problems re-installing the cover.
Slide the cover back under the various hoses.
Be sure to help guide the harness around the cover by the firewall.
Hand thread the allan head screws back into the head and then tighten. *Be careful not to over tighten*
Now work backwards for re-assembly. Place the aluminum intake tube back on the head connecting the two rubber connectors on either side and thread the two screws holding the metal vacuum tubes to the aluminum tube.
Reconnect the hose connecting the two valve covers and the solid tube to the bypass valve. The vacuum hose to the bypass valve also needs to be connected. Now would be a good time to replace the two bolts holding the aluminum intake tube to the head as well as the one holding the tube heading to the bypass valve.
Reconnect the two connectors to the ignition module and the hose to the aluminum intake tube. You can now also reconnect the zip tie to keep the wires away from places they shouldn't be.
Reconnect your battery and turn the key, your done...Congratulations you just changed your own coil packs!
