Hi Guys,

Do any of you guys still have a standard Sentra with the SR20DE motor and no big mods or cams?

I want to know if as a stock standard car, mine is still underpeforming or it is normal...

Ok, I changed the Air-Filter to a performance KingDragon pad filter and changed the rear exhaust box to a performance one as well. I haven't noticed a speed improvement of note but feels a little, very little faster in picking up speed.

On Wednesday I had taken the Car to Nissan and had the guys change the timing for me to 15 degrees. I still feel no difference in performance as such from what I hear from posts on this forum.
I am also running Shell 97 Octance fuel. On my previous car (Toyota) I had the timing changed it picked up a few extra kph/mph at the same rev's range.

I am getting like around 137 or 138 km's per hour or in your terms, 85/86 miles per hour at 4000 rpm on the 5 th Gear. Is this normal or slow according to the ratio of speed to rev's? I do beat other car's but I don't feel that the power is right.

I was also told to see the difference in performance when changing the timing, I must change for full exhaust system to a 60mm (about a 2 1/4 inch system), is this true?? and if so what do you guys suggest? for the exhaust system, I am gonna have to have one built up cos it will cos tooo much to import. The reason I ask you guys and not the exhaust manufactures down here (South Africa) is cos you have experimented and know what is best. I do have factory fitted branches (Headers) as a standard on the car, a 4 to 2 to 1 system completed with 2 boxes.

PS. A overide chip will also be installed at the end of may if everything goes well.

TIA, Mervyn G.

M; The filter does very little, it's not a favored mod. I had one, Pop charger, and it does better when combined with other mods. It should be a cone filter and remove the stock air box/ resonator.
You can bump timing to 17btdc, although some say it is bad. I have mine there, and my sotp reaction ;it works :). With 97 octane you could even do 19 timing,but play it safe to start.

The problem is many things you do will invalidate the warranty. Trust me guys this is RSA not US. You'll have to fool these idiots at the dealership. Similar to here actually...

A header, and intake will do you good and shouldn't invalidate it. You can re-install the stock air box when you go, but thats a pain. Only problem is that the Kwazulu-Natal can get dusty as hell. So use intakes with caution.

Sounds like your car is in the right rpm range at speed. Note; A mod will not change your rpm's at a particular speed, unless you change the gear ratios in the tranny.

You can get a muffler shop to bend you a nice exhaust. You will get benefits from timing without it. 60mm is about right, try to get smooth mandrel bends with unidiameter, and not pinch bent pipes. Get a muffler with good flow properties, I am not sure what kind.

An override chip will definitely invalidate your warranty if they find it. Be careful some of them are shitty (most of them).

What does your redline read? Is there a speed governor on your car? What is the hp rating on your engine M? There are a few versions of SR floating around, and one has 150 hp ( European primera) versus 140 on a stock usdm. Even this is highly variable, as early SR's are reputedly stronger.
Good synthetic oil; engine, and tranny will help. Try to get a bottle of redline wetter too for the coolant.

Hope this helps ~Ben

Oh, and all you smoggers out there be jealous, RSA has really lax emissions laws. No cat's, or EGR's ;)

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the reply,

The guys at Nissan are cool so far, they say that they will assist where possible, and the Manager of the Nissan dealership that I purchased the car has approved me installing the Chip in the car.

They will overlook the chip as they will be the only people to service the car through it's warranty period. The only thing I was told is if I put the chip into the car, and the engine then blows, don't come back crying!!! that is all....

I will approach them as I get ready for changes and as it is approved, will do it.

I will leave the timing at 15 for a few weeks and see how it goes.
I will have a look at the intake, I don't think I will go for a CAI with air coming from the Wheel arch, but rather use the cone filter - less dust.

I will switch to the 60mm exhaust system in 4 months, cos that's when the exhaust warranty expires, but if something happens with it before it expires then I will pay the difference and get a good one as part of the warranty if possible.

My Red-line starts at 7500 rpm. I haven't went past it as yet. From what I understand it is governed. The Chip would solve that problem.

The hp rating on the engine is 140hp. The cil that I am using in the engine is Castrol Magnatec, about the best oil that I can find in SA, the other that I would have loved to put in is Mobil. The oil in the tranny, I have no idea what it is, Nissan put's that oil in.

redline wetter coolant, is this an additional coolant that I had to the current one that is the car or should it replace the one in the car, it is currently filled with Nissan Long Life Coolant.

Oh ya, and about SA, it is true, there are no limitations to street car mods, just lack of money and lack of the proper parts for our nissan car here. You can do about any mod to your car and use in on our roads and not get fined. The only thing that you need is a lincence if you are running Nitrous on a car and you are caught with it.

Thanks again Ben

I just ordered the Stromung exhaust and it sounds and performs great. You can get the cat-back with muffler and tips for $535.00 (US DOLLARS) and that is for stainless. You could probably get the black exhaust for about $425-450.00 I can send you some digital pics if you need some. If you order make sure to mention that you heard it from the sr20deforum and ask for Scott.

Hi,

do any of you guys perhaps have the specs/dimensions of the "Stromung exhaust" or another good performance exhaust system?

I have seached for specs but can't find any. I am looking for a 60mm or 2.25inch (I think) system

I am gonna have to build one up in a local exhaust shop as it is gonna cost me a lot of money yo import the system in South Africa. Around $400 cost about R 5000 in South African rands and that is very expensive down here.

Thanks

Mervyn Govender
South Africa.

Hey Mervyn

I've had my exhaust done by a Company up here in Johannesburg, and I haven't had any problems. Only gain. Unfortuantely in our country, ready made systems just isn't viable. I've found that many of the peformance exhaust installers here do a fairly good job. I don't know what the availability of these types of companies is where you stay, but I'll be glad to help with some reputable names. Just drop me a line.

later!

I had a custom 2.25" exhaust installed on my car and I couldn't have been happier. I just bought a glasspack resonator, a dynamax muffler, and had a local shop install it for me. It flows really well and made a noticeable difference on my car. And after all the parts and labor I believe that it cost me no more than $300. For me it was the best route to go.

Originally posted by MervynG
Hi Guys,

On Wednesday I had taken the Car to Nissan and had the guys change the timing for me to 15 degrees. I still feel no difference in performance as such from what I hear from posts on this forum.
I am also running Shell 97 Octance fuel. You should be able to run 17* timing easily, 19* if you always run 97 octane safely w/ no problems.

I am getting like around 137 or 138 km's per hour or in your terms, 85/86 miles per hour at 4000 rpm on the 5 th Gear. Is this normal or slow according to the ratio of speed to rev's? This is normal for the SR20 and our gearing. Mine indicates the same.

I was also told to see the difference in performance when changing the timing, I must change for full exhaust system to a 60mm (about a 2 1/4 inch system), is this true?? Yes. A custom exhaust will enhance your top-end performance and work very well with all of your other mods thus far.

I would agree with you on a 2.25" exhaust for your car and if possible, you should try to make your own cold air intake for your car if the cost to import one is too high for reason. Sounds like you're on your way to mod city. Enjoy the drive. :cool:

Bump the timing up to 18 or 19, i have mine around there and i run 93 octane here