Anyone have any tips when doing an engine swap? Especially a US sr20de --> JDM sr20de. Thanks.

Make sure you swap all the sensors off your old engine onto the new one. The JDM engines use sensors that are calibrated differently than the US version.

You should prolly replace the front and rear seals and the Water pump while you have the engine out since these are easy things to get to while the engine is out of the car but a real PITA to do while the engine is in the car.

I am sure some other people will chime in with more.....
Rick

Do motor mounts now instead of after the engines in.

Be careful with aluminum threads, especially the one on the pipe that goes from the exhaust man. to the intake manifold. helicoils are saviours, though!

If you try to separate the ball joints *dont* use a picklefork. There are guys on here that use the "pummel" method. (sp?)

New gaskets, everywhere! (Except maybe valve cover)

New hoses everywhere possible (yesterday I ruptured the only hose I didnt replace)

If you're going to mod, do it now. (flywheel, clutch, header) It'll be way easier.

Send your injectors to be cleaned ultrasonically at RC injectors (search for the contact info). This is just a precaution.

Buy new tune-up stuff (dist rotor and cap, plugs, o2 sensor, pcv valve, battery relocation)

When trying to find top dead center, use the distributor rotor location in relation to the cap and plug wire for the #1 cylinder.

Make sure the oil seals in the tranny are completely flush and pressed in well (mine fell out a day after and spilled out all my precious Redline oil)

Thats all I can think of for now. Im sure theres tones more to come...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by llaprad1
[B]Do motor mounts now instead of after the engines in.

If you try to separate the ball joints *dont* use a picklefork. There are guys on here that use the "pummel" method. (sp?)

There is no need to separate the ball joint's to take the axles off just undo the 2 strut bolts that go through the hub turn the wheel all the way to side you are pulling and take it out you may have to pull the hub down a little to get it out.

Note: There are 2 things you have to know before doing this you have to have coilover's, lowering spring's, cut springs just so that your struts aren't compressed and you must have the vehicle raised from the center are you won't be able to do it this way. It's really fast to do it this way I've done it this way more than a dozen time's.

Maybe I'll try this method as I have to replace my one of my axles today. Thanks Charlie2020.

Your welcome Hawii_SE-R. Just make sure you lift the car from center under the crossmember because if you lift from the side you are changing you won't be able to push the hub down and take the axle out because there will be load on the control arm from being at that angle and it's just a bitch to do if not impossible.

Originally posted by charlie2020
[QUOTE]Originally posted by llaprad1
[B]Do motor mounts now instead of after the engines in.

If you try to separate the ball joints *dont* use a picklefork. There are guys on here that use the "pummel" method. (sp?)

There is no need to separate the ball joint's to take the axles off just undo the 2 strut bolts that go through the hub turn the wheel all the way to side you are pulling and take it out you may have to pull the hub down a little to get it out.

Yeah, I know, thats why I said "if." Moving the hub out of the way wasn't talked about on the list when I swapped the engine in 99.

u recommend doing the head gasket? i am on a limited budget. can i not just swap the water pump and stuff on to my new engine? if i have to swap sensor, do i need to swap the throttle body because of the tps?

Originally posted by NissanGuy01
u recommend doing the head gasket? ?

Ooh, ooh, I didnt mean the head gasket. Ooops.

FWIW, I swapped over my water pump and all accessories, as well as my throttle body (the new one probably wont come ewith it).

But I think the water pump thing is good advice, though. If you had to replace the water pump anytime in the future, it is not a minor bitch.

Originally posted by NissanGuy01
u recommend doing the head gasket? i am on a limited budget. can i not just swap the water pump and stuff on to my new engine? if i have to swap sensor, do i need to swap the throttle body because of the tps?
dude dude no head gasket and you dont have to swap all the sensors,just new gaskets without ripping open the engine, just swap over the intake and exhaust manifolds and egr if you are concerned with emmisions, thats it.
Sean

well, i am gonna leave the intake manifold that the new engine came with on there. i dont really care about emissions too much. but what am I gonna do about the oxygen sensor. I am not gonna run my car without that.

Originally posted by NissanGuy01
well, i am gonna leave the intake manifold that the new engine came with on there. i dont really care about emissions too much. but what am I gonna do about the oxygen sensor. I am not gonna run my car without that.
swap over to your old manifold and plug up the pipe that runs from the exhuast manifold to the intake manifold.
Sean

does the jdm exhaust manifold not better for hp?

yeah but then you have the problem with the o2 sensor.

plus it might be a little bit better but your still much better off with a aftermarket header.
Sean

i want an aftermarket header, but this engine swap is putting me so far back anyways. if i put the old header on the new engine...will i need a new gasket, or can i "get by" for a while til i can get an aftermarket header?

I would put a new gasket on there dude, its only like 8 bucks, I guess you have two used gaskets to choose from so theoritically you could get by by just putting the better of the two used ones on for now but dont do that, dont be cheap with it money spent now is time and money saved later.
Sean

its not only the money thing...time is an issue as well...no one here in town has it in stock and the nissan stealership would have to order it and it would take a week to get here...i dont wanna be without my car for anymore

well then just use the best gasket of the two.
Sean