DET or kit?

i personally dont see why get a kit. but i'd like to know why people would. i figure a DET is better because you got an extra motor lying around. more reasons but i'll let you guys get into that. but yea, what floats your boat?

DET

... like what u said, extra motor and price. $1400 compared to $4000 for a FMAX

Yeah, but if you ever want to upgrade later, you'll still be incurring most of the costs of a turbo kit anyways...
Not to mention, it'll cost you a lot more than $1400 when you're finished with the DET... install costs, clutch, boost controller, (FMIC, if you went that way), all the electronics, gauges, etc... Better to buy a kit.
But kits aren't all that either... you really have to piece one together to get the best parts. But to do that it would cost you about $7k...

Originally posted by pearl2000
DET or kit?


Well, how much power do you want? If you think you'll be happy with 200-230hp, then I say DET, if you want to hit 300+ hp levels, the turbo kit is really tough to beat financially.

Originally posted by AntonioG


Well, how much power do you want? If you think you'll be happy with 200-230hp, then I say DET, if you want to hit 300+ hp levels, the turbo kit is really tough to beat financially.

Well if your talking a custom kit then maybe, but if youre talking a prefab kit like the Fmax kit, you'll get more HP but for the cost it isnt worth it.

Yeah you pay like 1500 for the DET, but you gotta buy a new clutch, gauges, etc... But when you get a kit none of them come with that stuff anyway, so you have to buy it for either setup.

Now if you do installation yourself there is no way a kit beats two motors and a turbo.


Now if you want to upgrade to big hp, the kit might edge the swap out, cause you dont have to buy new injectors or a bigger turbo, just turn up the boost on that t3/t4.

I decided in favor of piecing together a kit rather than dropping in a DET for a few reasons. First, my SR20 only has 66K miles on it-it's in its prime! Second, I already installed S3's in my SR20...I believe that bolting on a kit is easier than dropping in an engine (although I've never done either). With the DET, you have mad bragging rights. But with a pieced together kit, you have pride in the pennies pinched and the money saved. My "kit" is probably going to end up running me about $1600 if that helps any. See sig and add JGY downpipe, IC piping ordered from Summit, couplers from hose techniques, and reprogrammed JWT ECU (100) but initially I will be running a BB DET ECU for 200.

Originally posted by pearl2000
DET or kit?

i personally dont see why get a kit. but i'd like to know why people would. i figure a DET is better because you got an extra motor lying around. more reasons but i'll let you guys get into that. but yea, what floats your boat?

Kit. Your sr20 is practically new still. Most people go det because there high milage engine has gave up the ghost, or they don't think it will handel turbo duty too well.

Your sr20 is still very good, keep it in there and turbo it.

This is a good topic actually...Im my eyes a DET will be stronger and more efficent in the long run. The DE is cheaper to go by though.
DET:8.5:1
internals ready for boost(which means less build of the head)
turbo ready
less milages(in some cases)
little on the expensive side for a motor(to some)
etc...........
DE:10.1:1
not totally built for turbo(out the box)
turbo kit must be bought
cheaper motors(easy to come by)
etc........
Im still going towards the DET side. Dont get me wrong. Either way is damn good. Either DET or DE...I just think the DET will stronger and a less money in the long run. And the long run makes a huge difference! Anymore opinions? Im interested...

whats everyones thought on the hotshot kit???.....has anyone actually dynoed this kit or taken it to the track???....MOst of the people i've seen either go fmax or det...

If you are going with a kit I'm sure you'll be droping in low compression pistons and rings. Also, you can select your components to suit you. I still feel this is the best way to build a fast de(t). The OEM det may only cost $1800 but what about shipping, installation, front mount intercooler, and the fact that after all that money and time spent you could have made an NA de just as quick. Also, do you really trust the internals and turbo on a motor that has been abused and tossed for a reason.

Originally posted by vrux
If you are going with a kit I'm sure you'll be droping in low compression pistons and rings. Also, you can select your components to suit you. I still feel this is the best way to build a fast de(t). The OEM det may only cost $1800 but what about shipping, installation, front mount intercooler, and the fact that after all that money and time spent you could have made an NA de just as quick. Also, do you really trust the internals and turbo on a motor that has been abused and tossed for a reason.

Higher compression actually yeilds more power, its just more likely to detonate than a low compression setup. With good engine management that really isnt a factor. So low compression pistons arent really a factor here.

Shipping is about 150-300 depending on who's shipping. Most people who are doing the swaps are doing the installation themselves. If not then its not all that much more than if they went to a shop to have a turbo kit installed. Front mounts can be had for $100 (front various cars) add some piping and you got a low cost I/C.

I really doubt you can make an NA DE faster than a DET for the same amount. More than likely youre gonna end up spending more for an NA setup than a turbo setup that yields the same times.

Finally, these motors are pulled because Japan has that crazy emissions law where after a certain milage the car has to be taken off the road, so we get relatively low mile engines and if you get it from the right source you'll get a warranty on it.

Well, I started off with a DE motor and a FMAX kit, boosting at 7psi, well 7psi was not getting it for me, so I turned up the boost to 9-10psi, not a good idea, engine detonated, well I was going to get a DET down the road, but not so soon, oh well live and learn. I think the DET is the only way to go, it is set up for a turbocharger, less chance of detonation.

Please let me know who has a warranty on det. I've asked that question before and got laughed at. I've aslo seen first hand what a de that was turbocharged is capable of and I was impressed.

Originally posted by vrux
Please let me know who has a warranty on det. I've asked that question before and got laughed at. I've aslo seen first hand what a de that was turbocharged is capable of and I was impressed.

There were a few that have a 90 day warranty on all engines... most have startup warranties. I cant find the few places that have good warranties, thought I had them in my favorites... When I find them I'll post them up.

Just thought I would add my $.02 about piecing together kits being cheaper. You will see the prices I paid for all items new and used and see the total price. I am glad I did it, personally, but were the saving that great, prolly not.

Used manifold $150
New T3/T04e $500
EH exhaust housing $75
Custom piping, exhaust, fittings, oil lines, couplings and clamps approx. $800
Used HKS #1 Intercooler core and endtanks $250
Used 370cc inj $150
New Greddy Type R BOV $200
Used 2mm bored MAF $70
JWT ECU 4 bar $550
New Nismo Adj. Fuel press. reg. $175
New Walbro 255 lph fuel pump $95
New ACT street Disc and Xtreme PP $340
Used SR16VE flywheel $120
New JWT S3 cams $530
Used pulley set $150
New Profec B $250
New Oil press, water temp, EGT, boost and tach (Autometer) $350
Used MSD 6AL and blaster 3 coil $150
New Tial High Pressure 35mm wastegate $220

Total price of $5125

All of this is on a stock Primera DE, 9.5:1 compression. The car is VERY FAST. According to Andreas I should expect about 290-300 whp @ 12 psi. Its nice that it only weighs 2350 lbs.
Dyno sheets and 1/4 mile E.T.'s coming soon!
John

Originally posted by vrux
Please let me know who has a warranty on det. I've asked that question before and got laughed at. I've aslo seen first hand what a de that was turbocharged is capable of and I was impressed.


My DET came with a six month on the long block (ie, turbo not included) :D