I'm starting to seriously consider buying a new Spec V instead of searching for a classic SE-R and doing a DET swap and a bunch of other mods. Is this new engine likely to be the next big platform for mods? I don't even know what's out for it yet, but I'd think a turbo kit would push it to some ungodly WHP. I'm really struggling with this. What would you guys do? Shit, I'd buy a 350Z in a second if I could justify making the $450 monthly payments. I've got my car worth around $3K and $5K earmarked for this, so $8K.

I'd say the SR20 has much more immediate potential for high HP than a QR25. For one, the QR is an open deck block, so it probably can't handle as much boost as an SR20. Also, it has balance shafts, so it isn't internaly balanced like the SR20. The light valve springs also prevent it from revving high. This will all eventually be solved by the aftermarket, I'm sure, but you will have to do a lot to a QR25 to handle the sort of boost stock SR20s can deal with. Go with the classic!

This is assuming of course that all you want to see are giant boost levels and lots of horsepower. If you want to autocross or road race it, the B15 SE-R is probably just as good a platform as a classic, maybe better.

Josh

I'm partial to my Classic, with the Spec V you would have to worry about voiding the warranty..It is a nice plat form to start, and the aftermarket support for the V is growing, but seems a little to heavy with 4 drs:(.. So I would go with a clean Classic. Also look into what type of racing your into more; Drag, Road.?

Alfie

It also depends on how quickly you want to build the new car. Right now there is no direct plug in computer. You can swap a 97 and earlier one but it's not going to just plug in. Parts will come but it will take time for some of the stuff to hit the market. Nissan is supposed to be supporting the car (showed a nismo car at sema). If you can fix the previous weak links (valve spring, open deck, etc) you are left with a bigger transmission and a quaife type differential, both nice pieces to have. It's interesting that Nissan uses the Disco Potato to market the se-r and it's got an sr20de+t in it. I drove a spec V and that is what helped me decide to keep my 98 se and do a turbo or maybe VE. That engine does not feel sporty to me.
I agree 100% with MEclassic
Steve

Toolapcfan, The spec V looks like it might be a good car but, I don't think it will be a good car for turbo charger. Scc mag said the piston walls are to thin for high turbo boost, the walls might get to hot and crack. You might want to keep on looking for a classic...........but a 350z would be a phat car.:D

It's interesting that Nissan uses the Disco Potato to market the se-r and it's got an sr20de+t in it.

I think that pretty much says it right there, that the car with the cool turbo stuff that they use to promote the spec-V is really an SR20!

Josh

You may wanna consider 240sx as another option... RWD SR20DET or even KA24DET

It all depends, they both have their pros and cons, .. from what people are saying, a spec v, handles quite nicely straight from the factory, I heard as good as a tuned classic/200sx.... the spec v has some goodies like a HLSD that would cost you a lot to put into a classic, also comes with 17's, not to mention a warranty etc... Also if you're hell bent on a 6-speed which is a damn cool thing to have I think, spec v is the way to go, unless you want to spend mad money on having some custom install of a 6 speed in a classic (I don't think I've seen one yet, but with enough money I guess anything is possible).... I think in terms of raw power, the classic is better since you can go the DET method, and I think I read an article somewhere that compared the QR vs the SR and the consensus was the SR was a lot more solid.... but in terms of creature comforts, the spec v is a nicer package (except the seats maybe/???)... In terms of power mods for the QR, there's nothing significant right now, but I think there are rumors of a supercharger being developed by Area 51 (never heard of them), u can read up on the b15 board http://www.b15sentra.net/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=18059&highlight=supercharger there's even a link to a picture in there..... super won't get you as much power as a turbo, but still definitely should be better than your typical bolt ons and make the spec v a very quick car

I know I will get flamed for this but NonSER is right. The 240 is a great car for a turbo even if you keep the KA engine. RWD will put the power to the ground no matter what kind of racing you want to do better then a FWD.

Steve

Originally posted by Toolapcfan
...Shit, I'd buy a 350Z in a second if I could justify making the $450 monthly payments...
First it's a Z car, which should be justification enough. Second, stock it's gonna be a kick booty car.

My vote would be for a classic. Mostly because of the warrenty issue, you can do what ever you want to it. Do you really want to go out but a new car, and void the warrenty right away?

If something goes wrong with car thats there fault and you have mods, the dealer is going to give you a song and dance opera about how it's the mods that did it, and when you go to prove them wrong be prepared to take the long road to do so b/c they will give you a run-around.

heyyyyyyy 98sr20de, this is the sr20 page, not the 240ka page. You need to get da' stepin' man................lol,hey just joking with ya.I would love to have RWD 200sx with my BB det power.:D

Originally posted by MEclassic


I think that pretty much says it right there, that the car with the cool turbo stuff that they use to promote the spec-V is really an SR20!

Josh

Um, Nissan isn't trying to use the disco potato to market the new SE-R at all. The car is a 2000 sentra. As far as deciding between a classic or a spec V, I'd definately go with the classic. There is much more aftermarket support for the SR20 than the QR25.

Um, Nissan isn't trying to use the disco potato to market the new SE-R at all.

Maybe the stuff I just read in Grassroots Motorsport is wrong. I do remember seeing that car in another mag and I thought it was at SEMA on the Nissan Booth. Magazines are wrong all the time but that is what I read in my recent GRM.

Steve

No question. I have a wife, child, mortgage and a money-sucking rally car - so I'm cheap. It's more fun to f*ck with a $3000 car - and waaaay less stressful. Besides - the Spec V's on the first year of a model run - and expensive.

My 0.56 cents,

Robin

Well I think I will make a stand for the new SE-R. I dont own one but wouldnt mind having one. At this years convention here in Arizona it proved it self to me on the track. It looked to me like Stock Vspecs were keeping up if not running in front of modded classics. I am not saying this about all classics as I know that some are faster than others and everyones a better driver than everyone else. As far as warranty issues, the dealership has to prove that the after market part caused failure to the part being replaced, but they can tell you to get lost as well so it all depends on were you go and how nice you are to your service advisor. But if you are planing to do alot of racing, want to go fast, and not worry about anything breaking then I would go with a classic. There fun, fast, easy to fix. Not to mention CHEAP.

If I had to make new car payments and take the depreciation hit that comes with new car ownership, it had better be one killer car. I haven't seen a B15 that would want me to get in debt.

Get a used Classic no matter what. They're a blast in stock form, so you're not hurting for drastic mods straight away. If you never get the urge to sink thousands into it, keep it as a daily driver and take on another project.

A B13 SE-R is too cheap and too fun to never own.

Originally posted by JimR
If I had to make new car payments and take the depreciation hit that comes with new car ownership, it had better be one killer car. I haven't seen a B15 that would want me to get in debt.

Bingo. I agree 100%. However, I'm curious to see how the spec-v will do in the used market. If they de-valuate as fast as the other B15s have, they could be one hell of a deal.

Yea hopeing they do loose value fast sorta... Dad looking to buy one used for him and the step mom possibly. Hey cant complain...ill get to drive it sometiems.

Originally posted by Bowlcut
Yea hopeing they do loose value fast sorta
If they're like every other Nissan, than they probably will...
One reason why I bought a Honda as a daily driver: They maintain their resale value. My 96 Honda Civic Ex with 105K is worth more than my 97 200sx SE-R with 55K (if they were both stock). That's F'ing pathetic!!
I had a White Spec-V for a couple days and really liked it!! It wasn't 'really' powerful, but had it's moments!! It's nice for using as a daily driver... It has a pretty nice sound system stock, 17's, and some NICE seats and interior. I hated it when I had to give it back, but i'm kinda glad I'm not starting with a totally new loan...

Somebody mentioned the engine...

Ive driven my mom's 2.5 Altima, and the engine has a lot of the characteristics of the KA24DE. It really truck-like. Gobs of torque, but not as much throttle-response (which isopposite of what Id expect from drive-by-wire).

It wasnt really fun to rev.

Put it this way, the new QR25DE feels like a quick German Sheaperd, powerful, but heavy and slow to move.
My SR20DE feels like a Jack Russell Terrier hopped up on caffiene and over-eager...its just dying to get out there!

I'll bet in a few years, 2k2 SE-Rs will be moddable to be faster, but I dont think the driveability will change.
(Think hopped-up Q45 vs. near-stock last gen. RX-7)