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How hard is the SR swap?

11K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  Car Crazy Curry 
#1 · (Edited)
There are many swap ideas out there currently that are possible. They vary in difficulty, performance, cylinders, and ease of aquiring. I have created this page as a way for people to quickly decide what engine swap they want to do. The first idea isn't a swap at all, merely just turboing your stock KA, while this may seem stupid compared to the hp gains of other swaps you must also think about how cheap it is to do and how much potential your stock engine really has. In many cases a front clip is important and can make the installation troublesome and very costly with just the engine. Always try to get a clip instead of just the engine.

You may want to know what the engine codes for each engine stands for. You can find that here.
For a list of links to get a swap done or buy a clip/engine click here.

1= N/A
2 = Hard / Poor
3= Moderate / Fair
4 = Easy / Good [navigation]
| I4 | I6 | V6 |
| KA series | CA series | SR series | RB series | VG series | VQ series |
| KA24DET | CA18DET | SR20DET | RB20DET | RB25DET | RB26DETT | RB30DET | 2JZGTE | VG30DETT | VQ30DE | VQ35DE |



Turbo KA24DE [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 1
Aftermarket Support: 3
Donor Car(s): S13 (1991+ US model), S14 (all US models)
Stock Horsepower: 155hp (157ps) @ 5600rpm *before turbo install*
Stock Torque: 160lb/ft (22.2kgm) @ 4400rpm *before turbo install*
Redline: 6400rpm for SOHC and 6900rpm for DOHC
Good: cheap, fast, less work than a swap
Bad: reliability issues in some cases when running med/high boost sustained
Engine Cost: $800-1,500 (a few hundred more if it's rebuilt or has some parts upgraded/strengthened)
Install Cost: n/a (everything is installed other than turbo) OR $200-500 (to install a new KA where your old KA was)
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 250-350hp

CA18DE-T [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 4
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Silvia (1989-1990) and 180sx (japan)
Stock Horsepower: 173hp (175ps) @ 6400rpm
Stock Torque: 166lb/ft (23.0kgm) @ 4000rpm
Redline: 8,500rpm
Good: higher redline and cheaper than SR20DET with about the same potential, iron block
Bad: less parts support (esp in the US), weaker head gasket than SR20DET
Engine Cost: $2,000-3,000
Install Cost: $1,000-2,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 300-400hp

SR20DE-T (S13) [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 4
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Silvia K (japan), Kouki 180SX
Stock HP: 203hp (205ps) @ 6000rpm
Stock Torque: 202lb/ft (28.0kgm) @ 4000rpm
Redline: 7,500rpm
Good: great output for the price with very good potential
Bad: less output than an RB25 and weakest (stock) SR20DET, aluminum block
Engine Cost: $2,500-3,500
Install Cost: $1,000-2,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 350-450hp

SR20DE-T (S14) [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 4
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Silvia K (japan)
Stock Horsepower: 217hp (220ps) @ 6000rpm
Stock Torque: 202lb/ft (28.0kgm) @ 4800rpm
Redline: 7,500rpm
Good: slightly better output than the S13 SR20DET
Bad: VVT can be an issue when modifying heavily, aluminum block
Engine Cost: $4,000-5,000
Install Cost: $1,000-2,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 350-500hp

SR20DE-T (S15) [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 4
Aftermarket Support:
Donor Car(s): Silvia K (japan)
Stock Horsepower: 247hp (250ps) @ 6400rpm
Stock Torque: 202lb/ft @ 4800rpm
Redline: 7,500rpm
Good: ~250hp stock, usually very low mileage, better condition than s13 or s14 engines (in most cases)
Bad: 6 speed tranny is somewhat weak, so if you plan to increase the hp much you want to swap it for the ka tranny or an s13/14 tranny, VVT can be an issue when modifying heavily, aluminum block
Engine Cost: $5,000-6,000
Install Cost: $1,000-2,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 350-500hp

RB20DE-T [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 3
Aftermarket Support: 3
Donor Car(s): Skyline GTS-T (1989-1992), Cefiro (sedan)
Stock Horsepower: 215hp (210ps) @ 5600rpm
Stock Torque: 180lb/ft (25.0kgm) @ 4000rpm
Redline: 8,000rpm
Good: deeper engine sound, stronger than the SR20DET, more stock horsepower, iron block
Bad: cost
Engine Cost: $800-18,000
Install Cost: $2,000-2,500
Aftermarket Support: Fair
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 400-450hp

RB25DE-T [more info | SCC article]
Swap Difficulty: 3
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Skyline GTS-25T (1993-1994)
Stock Horsepower: 247hp (250ps) @ 6000rpm (R33; 1994-1997), 277hp (280ps) (R34; 1998-2003)
Stock Torque: 217lb/ft (30kgm) @ 4800rpm
Redline: 8,000rpm
Good: deeper engine sound, stronger than the SR20DET, more stock horsepower, iron block
Bad: cost, replacement parts availability
Engine Cost: $5,000-6,500
Install Cost: $2,500-3,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 400-450hp

RB26DE-TT [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Skyline GTR (R32,R33,R34)
Stock Horsepower: 316hp (320ps) @ 6800rpm
Stock Torque: 289lb/ft (40.0kgm) @ 4400rpm
Redline: 8,000rpm
Good: huge potential, high horsepower stock, iron block
Bad: AWD tranny can't be used without lots of modification and custom work. TT setup can be retained, but it's much easier to convert it to a single turbo. RB25 tranny (5 speed rather than RB26 6 speed) because of clearence and fit issues.
Engine Cost: $7,000-8,000
Install Cost: ~$3,000 (AWD and TT setup will be in excess of $15,000 for install)
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 500-600hp

RB30DE-T (hybrid) [more info | head conversion how-to]
Swap Difficulty: 3
Aftermarket Support: 3
Donor Car(s): Australian (block; RB30ET 3.0L SOHC) / Skyline GTR or GTS-T (head; RB25, RB26, or RB20)
Stock Horsepower: ?hp (?ps) @ ???rpm
Stock Torque: ?lb/ft (?kgm) @ ???rpm
Redline:
Good: good potential, iron block, cheap engine, when modified produces large hp numbers at low revs
Bad: age, replacement parts availability, block is hard to find, RB20 head requires lots of work to fit correctly
Engine Cost: n/a
Install Cost: ~$3,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 350-400hp

2JZ-GTE [more info | 300sx conversion!]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): Supra TT (1991-1998)
Stock Horsepower: 320hp (327ps) @ 5800rpm
Stock Torque: 315lb/ft (43.8kgm) @ 4000rpm
Redline: 6,800rpm
Good: great potential, amazing engine, .4 liters more than RB26, iron block, engine isn't imported
Bad: different motor mounts, more custom fabrication than RB26, non-nissan engine
Engine Cost: $2000 or less
Install Cost: $11,000
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 550-650hp

VG30DE-TT [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 4
Donor Car(s): 300ZX TT
Stock Horsepower: 300hp (304ps) @ 6400rpm
Stock Torque: 283lb/ft (39.3kgm) @ 3600rpm
Redline:
Good: very unique and a decent engine for heavy modification
Bad: huge cost for custom fabrication
Engine Cost: $4,000-6,000
Install Cost: $10,000-20,000+
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 450-550hp

VQ30DE(K) [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 3
Donor Car(s): VQ30DE in A32 Maxima(1995-1999 US model), VQ30DEK in A33 Maxima(2000-2001 US models)
Stock Horsepower: 190 hp @ 5600 rpm(A32 VQ30DE), 222hp @ 6400rpm(A33 VQ30DEK)
Stock Torque: 205 lb ft @ 4000 rpm(A32 VQ30DE), 217 lb ft @ 4000rpm(A33 VQ30DEK)
Redline: 8,000 rpm
Good: Can be cheap, good low-end, lightweight, very turbo friendly for an NA motor.
Bad: lack of top end on non DEK motors. Note: Can be fixed with variable intake manifold from Courtesy Nissan. Needs Pathfinder tranny.
Engine Cost: $400+
Install Cost: N/A
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): 350-400hp

VQ35DE [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 2
Donor Car(s): 350Z, G35, kouki Maxima, kouki Altima, kouki Pathfinder
Stock Horsepower: 287hp (291ps) @ 6,200rpm (350z/G35), 245hp (249ps) @ 5,800rpm (Altima)
Stock Torque: 274lb/ft (38.0kgm) @ 4,800rpm (350z/G35), 246lb/ft (34.2kgm) @ 4,400rpm (Altima)
Redline: 6,600rpm
Good: very unique and a decent engine for heavy modification
Bad: huge cost for custom fabrication, engine taken from a kouki Altima or Maxima will need a RWD trans
Engine Cost: $5,000-7,500
Install Cost: $10,000-20,000+
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): n/a (350-400hp est.)

VH41DE [more info | pics ]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Aftermarket Support: 2
Donor Car(s): Infiniti Q45, Cima (J) (Both also came with the VH45DE as well).
Stock Horsepower:340 HP @ 6,400 rpm (taken from automotive.com, specs for 2001 VH45DE)
Stock Torque: 333 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm
Redline: 6,600rpm
Good: huge torque at low rpm
Bad: possible weight distribution issues
Engine Cost: n/a
Install Cost: n/a
Modified Horsepower Ceiling (stock internals): n/a


Courtesy of - http://klohiq.tripod.com/cars/240sx/


Has Been Updated 8/5/04
 
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#2 ·
first off... This is a good list and it's great to have the info for all the engines on one page. But I do disagree with a few things on this list and here they are:
1) Have you done all of these swaps yourself, or are you just judging from what you read?
2) The pricing on some of the swaps is a little ambiguous. Most can be done for cheaper, but most seem about right.
3) Since when is an aluminum block a disadvantage? The SR has iron-sleeved cylinders and a closed deck and without modification to the sleeves or the crank girdle can support nearly any amount of HP you can make on it. Its the moving parts that break on any of these engines, not the blocks. The only reason blocks crack is because of insufficient cooling, which I would think is a more serious issue than the block being aluminum.
4) VH41DE: (taken from freshalloy & automotive.com)
Donor Car: Infiniti Q45, Cima (J) (Both also came with the VH45DE as well).
Power: 340 HP @ 6,400 rpm, 333 ft lb @ 4,000 rpm (taken from automotive.com, specs for 2001 VH45DE)
 
#4 ·
I don't think this is a very good list to have on here because there is a lot of wrong info, plus every freakin kid who looks at it is gonna say "Wow I can do a VQ35DE swap or 2JZ swap no problem!" and then come asking a million questions about them. You also copied all this engine info and posted it in the general section already.

1st: "Always try to get a clip instead of just the engine." That is the biggest load of crap I've heard and I hate how that's what everyone tells newbies. It's not easier and you don't always get more. All a clips adds is extra time and money which are two things most people don't have.

2nd: Why are the RB26DETT and VQ35DE swaps given a dificulty of "2" and an S13 SR20 has a dificulty of "4"? Did you actualyl read htis list beofre you posted it?

3rd: Almost every thing on this list is can be had cheaper (even from quality sources) and can safely make much more horsepower then stated.

4th: Also as Rexbo said above, please explain to me why an Iron block is such an advantage to an alumnium block? Actually you can just shoot me a link to whatever you were going to cut and paste from somewhere else.
 
#7 ·
unfrgivn said:
I don't think this is a very good list to have on here because there is a lot of wrong info, plus every freakin kid who looks at it is gonna say "Wow I can do a VQ35DE swap or 2JZ swap no problem!" and then come asking a million questions about them.
VG30DE-TT [more info]
Swap Difficulty: 2 (1 is extremely hard, 5 is very easy)
Bad: huge cost for custom fabrication
Install Cost: $10,000-20,000+

I'm not sure what in this statement from the list means that it'll be "no problem!"

2JZ-GTE [more info | 300sx conversion!]
Swap Difficulty: 2
Bad: different motor mounts, more custom fabrication than RB26, non-nissan engine
Install Cost: $11,000

oooo $11 grand for an engine swap just wants to make me jump outta my chair and start right now for a bargain like this! Personally, the phrase "different motor mounts" pretty much says politely the string of horrors you can expect by dropping in a toyota engine into a nissan car.
 
#8 ·
Sorry I was real cranky last night. Nothing personal to you 240-kid.
 
#9 ·
Also Rexbo, I've been here a real long time and you've been around here for a year already, so you know as well as I do, that a million and a half kids come on to these boards asking the same damn questions day in and day out. I'm just sick up people asking about the craziest wildest 2JZ or VG swap + S15 front into the 240 that they don't even own cause they're only 15. I would be able to buy a brand new G35 sport coupe if I had a dollar for every thread I've read like that.

I guess I'm still cranky.... (rough weekend)
 
#10 ·
unfrgivn said:
I don't think this is a very good list to have on here because there is a lot of wrong info, plus every freakin kid who looks at it is gonna say "Wow I can do a VQ35DE swap or 2JZ swap no problem!" and then come asking a million questions about them. You also copied all this engine info and posted it in the general section already.

1st: "Always try to get a clip instead of just the engine." That is the biggest load of crap I've heard and I hate how that's what everyone tells newbies. It's not easier and you don't always get more. All a clips adds is extra time and money which are two things most people don't have.

2nd: Why are the RB26DETT and VQ35DE swaps given a dificulty of "2" and an S13 SR20 has a dificulty of "4"? Did you actualyl read htis list beofre you posted it?

3rd: Almost every thing on this list is can be had cheaper (even from quality sources) and can safely make much more horsepower then stated.

4th: Also as Rexbo said above, please explain to me why an Iron block is such an advantage to an alumnium block? Actually you can just shoot me a link to whatever you were going to cut and paste from somewhere else.
http://klohiq.tripod.com/cars/240sx/
 
#12 ·
You know I understand the idea that posting something like this will get alot of newbies asking ridiculous question because they think they'll be dropping in a 2JZ motor into their s13 with ease.

Although, with a little work and a bit more information this would be a nice list to have posted somewhere. I would say to do away with the rating system you have and do something like a 1-10, 1 being easiest, 10 being something left to a professional.

Maybe, even add in some of the major problems you'll run into with each swap. SR20 i.e. wiring issues.

I don't know.. I think with enough work on this list and adding good correct info overtime you could just paste this link for alot of the newbie questions we get. I was there too at one time but I've been around long enough to know searching will always get you the information you want.

my 2 cents..
 
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