S14 Sr20det motor...

[Lee_13]

Hey guys , im soon gonna building an escort and i wanted to drop the Sr20det RWD motor into it ...
Im not to clued up on this motor so my question is...

1)How reliable are these motors if taken care of ???
2)Common problems with the motor if their are any ???
3)Is it easy to get spare parts for them should anything break and are they really expensive or fair priced ?
4)What would be a safe amount to boost if everyhting on the motor is more or less stock(maybe just an uprated turbo) ??
any more advice about the motor would also be greatly appreciated
thanks in advance

[Sokar]

Howdy, welcome to the forums

Hope this helps
1) If taken care of, pretty reliable, the hump back SR20 out of a S14 can run bearings at high RPM if oil flow isnt up to par.
2) Just the bearings
3) Its relatively easy to get part, but prices can be high
4) People have taken them to 1 bar on stock internals, on principal I wouldnt boost more than 0.7 unless you have alot of support mods (Oil cooler, Front mount intercooler etc)

[Lee_13]

Howdy, welcome to the forums

Thanks
I went for a spin in the s14 model and i loved it , it was really quick and it was stock standard with 107 000km's on it
anyway i wanted to find out what is the difference between the blacktop and the silvertop and the redtop ??? if their is even a redtop
thier is also one with vvt(variable valve timing) is that motor good ??? any other info on this motor ??
looking to keep it more or less stock as an escort weighs very little so the power to weight ratio should be excellent , im probably gonna run a bigger intercooler and probably boost it to around 0.8 bar
thanks for the reply sokar

[widowmaker]

sokaratari, sokaratari, you are just one big ball of lovable positrons, aintya? (you almost sound like i did when i didn't get a 'blue top' for two months)

aaaaanyway, STAY AWAYYY, unless it has grabbed you already - its like the hotel california "such a lovely place - you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave" RUN unless it has grabbed you, like us poor souls that dont wanna leave no more

kinda like heroin i've been told

[The Calibrator]

Silvertop= FWD DET block has different starter mounting positions will probably not work for you.
Red Top RWD DET no variable cam timing and the one I have has no oil cooler

Black Top or Hump top RWD etc. Has Variable cam timing on inlet cam only.

Black tops eng and gearbox last week were R16000 at Japan Auto Trading
R13550 eng and R3500 Gbox at Boston both places with no gaurentee and inspection only on their premises.

Lots of them have been drifted and the japs dont really maintain their cars so lift tappet cover and inspect cams for wear and sludge.
Sump capacity is a pathetic 3.5ltr so they are prone to run big ends.

Limit of the stock headbolts is reached at 0.7 bar boost and 80kw Nos shot. At 0.7 bar and 70kw it was fine.
I would say max 1.0bar on stock head bolts and head gasket unless you like to live on the edge.

Motors are engineered pretty well so with the right groceries will make good power there are 800 and 1000hp versions overseas.
Lots of go fast goodies out there if you have the budget.

[widowmaker]

Silvertop= FWD DET block has different starter mounting positions will probably not work for you.
Red Top RWD DET no variable cam timing and the one I have has no oil cooler

Black Top or Hump top RWD etc. Has Variable cam timing on inlet cam only.

Black tops eng and gearbox last week were R16000 at Japan Auto Trading
R13550 eng and R3500 Gbox at Boston both places with no gaurentee and inspection only on their premises.

Lots of them have been drifted and the japs dont really maintain their cars so lift tappet cover and inspect cams for wear and sludge.
Sump capacity is a pathetic 3.5ltr so they are prone to run big ends.

Limit of the stock headbolts is reached at 0.7 bar boost and 80kw Nos shot. At 0.7 bar and 70kw it was fine.
I would say max 1.0bar on stock head bolts and head gasket unless you like to live on the edge.

Motors are engineered pretty well so with the right groceries will make good power there are 800 and 1000hp versions overseas.
Lots of go fast goodies out there if you have the budget.

calivbrator, some people around here might poke fun at you, but stick around pleez - you are THE MAN we will make you rich and famous yet

[widowmaker]

although some might find you kinda kinky - that doesnt matter in our wacky wednesday club

[veecee]

hi lee, welcome...

i recommend googling "sr20det" and reading the veritable wealth of information out there on these motors.

there are a few versions out there, but they are all the same basic engine. you will find pro's and con's of each type, mostly to do with more or less technology, which usually translates into more or less initial cost of the motor.

your choice is an excellent one, if not for one single reason. and calibrator eluded to that fact too:

there are so many aftermarket parts readily available for this motor. NO LIES. they're very popular, and therefore your shopping cart will get filled quickly!

keep us posted on your project, and what you plan to do with the car.
if you have a camera, take lots of pics and do a "project" or "how to" in the articles section!

cheers.
VC

[WooHaa]

In my personal opinion, I think that the sr20det motor is a little bit more reliable than the ca18det.
It also has the aluminium block which means it's power to weight ratio is a bit better as well.

With regards to prices I'm not sure. I'd expect it to be more expensive, but I have only had experience with the CA motors in that dept.

Here's some questions for you dude, as this sounds like an exciting project.
Are you going to use the s14 gearbox with that motor, or the s13? Or do you have another one in mind?
What about the drive train, diff & propshaft, what are you thinking about there?

[Lee_13]

I was gonna use the s14 gearbox , can i use the s13 gearbox and if i can what are the differences between the two ??
Im still looking for a good condition escort so the project has not really taken off but i wanna do all my research on the motor side , i am definately buying the car though , as for the drive train im not sure , what would you suggest ???
bud of mine has an s13 with the ca18det motor boosting 0.7 bar and to be honest its not very fast so im dont have alot of confidence with that motor , maybe his is on the way out...
will keep you guys updated, here is how i hope it will turn out
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2382188

[Sokar]

I'd say if you're still thinking, go for the CA, there are alot more spares out there for a CA18DET than an SR20DET, the FWD SR20 is already becoming scarce for parts.

Gearbox wise (I stand to be corrected) the SR and CA gearbox are the same, just the bell housing is different, but when Phinx and I dice, my gears are a hell of alot longer, but that might be the diff (But I've heard those are the same too)

Dont use the boost as an indication of power output, people think the easiest way to get power out of a turbo car is to up the boost, yes there will be more power as a direct result of forcing more air in, but look at Phinx, he's tuned his car (Stock CA) to put out 150kw on the wheels at 0.5 bar (Stock boost) by being clever and concentrating on things like air flow and restrictions in the stock setup (eg he's put a bigger turbo off a SR to flow more efficently at 0.5 bar as well as porting intake, manifold etc.)

[The Calibrator]

I'd say if you're still thinking, go for the CA, there are alot more spares out there for a CA18DET than an SR20DET, the FWD SR20 is already becoming scarce for parts

You smoking some good stuff there Brenwin? How long has the CA18 been out of production in relation to the SR20?

I can order everything I can think about for a SR20 off the shelf from the aftermarket unfortunately the same isnt true for the CA18.

Thats the biggest reason the SR20 is the only logical choice for me.

[Vlade]

I'd also say that with Aftermarket you are sorted with the SR20, most if not all parts you can get off the shelf where as for the CA18, it takes some effort in finding parts that fit, where you will struggle to find parts for CA18 is

Pistons - They only custom product
Rods - Only Pautor and they are hugely expensive
Clutches - Brand name clutches is hard to find, although there are guys who can make you a clutch locally
Radiators
Cams
Valve Springs
Solid Lifters

Bearings, Rings, Starters, Alternators and the rest are available plentura.

I'd say you are also better sorted in finding guys who has knowledge of the SR20, CA18 isn't that popular under the tuners.

And in your case where you want to pop it into a Escort it would be the same amount of effort mounting it either way you go. As long as its a Nissan motor

[WooHaa]

I'd go for the CA gearbox. Apparently it's stronger then the sr. Again it's something I have read from the other forums, never done it personaly. I agree with phinx that the SR gearbox has longer gears tho.
If you check out www.silvia.com some guys there prefer to use the ca box on the sr motor, apparently it's good for 400BHP!!!

[Sokar]

You smoking some good stuff there Brenwin

Hehe, thanks for that!

I think my explaination came across differently than I meant, my previous post was from the Jew within me It was meant from the perspective of a "budget" owner like myself. With enough money I know you can get any part for the SR, but prices are high etc. eg. lets say I had a CA and my CAS went, I know of about 2 people that can organise me a CAS quickly. Pistons and conrods, Phinx and Vlade have both have spare motors. I dont know of 1 person with an S14 who has a spare motor or spare parts for their motor (Coilpacks, CAS etc) but this obviously doesnt apply to a person with money and who wants to buy a new part.

Re-reading Lee's initial post it seems he has the budget and mentality to do this the right way, so my previous post is irrelevant and is thus retracted. SR all the way!

Now.... Who's buying the next round of bullsh#$t :P:P