My engine is 160,000 miles old and suddenly, it started to make a knocking noise. As I am prepared for the worse, I am looking at the best possible options I might have for my car to be a daily driver + best reliable hps.

I have read a lot but many differ to think what is best so I am asking here which way would you go and why?

My car is a 1998 200SX SE-R with all possible bolts on already (including JWT ECU and S4 cams) so I want to take advantage of this.

These are my 3 direct swap options

SR20DE I know my car as a 9.5 compression US version

SR20DE UK, I know this is high compression 10.0 UK version. Is this engine really worth it?

SR20DE JDM I have not found any significant differences between this and the US version. Would anyone please try to explain them to me? sorry to ask.


Later, I know I can go and turbo one of these but I am a little bit scared of doing it as engine not holding with increased hps.


These are my 2 not so direct swap options
SR20VE VVL

With this engine I know I can't use the S4 anymore neither the header and need to adapt the CAI, need to change MAF also, do reprogramming at JWT for ECU to work the best and use a controller for the VVL (GReedy or MSD)


SR20DET

I know that I can use the S4 cams however, I really don't know, besides and intercooler and ECU repro, what other things I will need to make it work 100% and also, I don't know if it fits correctly on my engine bay or not.


I am a HP power fan, the faster the better, however, I am also very familiar with turbos and I know they can fail easier that NA engines due lack of gas (lean condition) due increased boost (hehehe) or a not so good fuel pump.

Honestly, with all the things I already have on my SE-R,

Which way would you go and why?

I will read all of your comments and follow the best advice.

Thank you

My engine is 160,000 miles old and suddenly, it started to make a knocking noise. As I am prepared for the worse, I am looking at the best possible options I might have for my car to be a daily driver + best reliable hps.

I have read a lot but many differ to think what is best so I am asking here which way would you go and why?

Hey man, I completely understand where your coming from. I'm at 125k miles and the engine is not knocking yet but it's dirty and eats oil haha.



My car is a 1998 200SX SE-R with all possible bolts on already (including JWT ECU and S4 cams) so I want to take advantage of this.

These are my 3 direct swap options

SR20DE I know my car as a 9.5 compression US version

SR20DE UK, I know this is high compression 10.0 UK version. Is this engine really worth it?

SR20DE JDM I have not found any significant differences between this and the US version. Would anyone please try to explain them to me? sorry to ask.


Later, I know I can go and turbo one of these but I am a little bit scared of doing it as engine not holding with increased hps.

The USDM SR20DE lowport and UK SR20DE are almost identical. The UK one will have a little more power to start out with. I believe the main reason for that is the compression and more aggressive cams (with S4's that wouldn't really apply to you).

JDM SR20DE's are mainly going to be high ports. Good luck finding a JDM lowport, they were on the market for a very small time, to be then replaced with the JDM Roller Rocker.

JDM Roller Rockers will have a bit more HP to start out with, unlike US Roller Rockers, they have a better 7100 Redline. Problem with these is S4's won't work, 4 counterweight crank and other items that makes the Roller Rocker not a famous choice for boosting.


These are my 2 not so direct swap options
SR20VE VVL

With this engine I know I can't use the S4 anymore neither the header and need to adapt the CAI, need to change MAF also, do reprogramming at JWT for ECU to work the best and use a controller for the VVL (GReedy or MSD)


SR20DET

I know that I can use the S4 cams however, I really don't know, besides and intercooler and ECU repro, what other things I will need to make it work 100% and also, I don't know if it fits correctly on my engine bay or not.

VE might be the way to go for you, ditch the JWT, sell the S4's and you will have quite a bit towards a Calum and VE. Newer versions of the Calum Real Time ECU can have the cam switching ability, so MSD is no longer needed.

With VE you can use the SSAC 2.5" header (just will need to widden the ports with dremel) , DE MAF, CAI should bolt right up.

SR20DET will be more expensive at first, but when you want more power you just up the PSI and you will gain way more power then you will by just adding anther bolt on.

I was stuck on which one to go with VE or DET. After looking at it, DET is the winner. Granted it costs a lot at first, but it has more room for more power if I ever want it :biggthump


I am a HP power fan, the faster the better, however, I am also very familiar with turbos and I know they can fail easier that NA engines due lack of gas (lean condition) due increased boost (hehehe) or a not so good fuel pump.

Honestly, with all the things I already have on my SE-R,

Which way would you go and why?

I will read all of your comments and follow the best advice.

Thank you

Turbo's are not as reliable yes, but if you get an Avenir or Bluebird, it's a stock engine from a family car. If they were reliable in those why wouldn't be for our daily driving :)

It really boils down to how much you want to spend, and how much power you really want :biggthump

Hey man, I completely understand where your coming from. I'm at 125k miles and the engine is not knocking yet but it's dirty and eats oil haha.

I was stuck on which one to go with VE or DET. After looking at it, DET is the winner. Granted it costs a lot at first, but it has more room for more power if I ever want it :biggthump



Turbo's are not as reliable yes, but if you get an Avenir or Bluebird, it's a stock engine from a family car. If they were reliable in those why wouldn't be for our daily driving :)

It really boils down to how much you want to spend, and how much power you really want :biggthump

Thanks man for answering my doubts. I really wanted to know all of this.

For a DET, exactly which would be the best fit for our B14?

Thanks man for answering my doubts. I really wanted to know all of this.

For a DET, exactly which would be the best fit for our B14?

avenir, bluebird, gtir... they all bolt into the car
as long as your not getting a rwd sr20 then it will fit

ive done a bb swap and its no so bad, but a gtir swap is a little bit more complicated but still a direct fit

avenir, bluebird, gtir... they all bolt into the car
as long as your not getting a rwd sr20 then it will fit

Thank you. I've seen some are newer others older and have little differences on HP.

Any significative differences between each DET version (FWD)?

If I am doing the sacrifice to buy one, I want to choose the best option ;)

ive done a bb swap and its no so bad, but a gtir swap is a little bit more complicated but still a direct fit

Besides the engine, what else do you need to make it successful?

ECU (could it be stock, JWT or Calum) which way to go? I want to keep my S4 as I know the DET loves the S4 too ;)

MAF (which is the best one? cobra, Z32, so many I can't decide which one)?

Intercooler, I was thinking about a big one, however I want better yet, one that is enough and most important, that fits without cutting or modifiying the front of my 98 SE-R ;)

I am into this proyect now and I will finish it soon, you will see :D

Thank you. I've seen some are newer others older and have little differences on HP.

Any significative differences between each DET version (FWD)?

If I am doing the sacrifice to buy one, I want to choose the best option ;)

gtir det makes the most power

Thanks man for answering my doubts. I really wanted to know all of this.

For a DET, exactly which would be the best fit for our B14?

No problem :)

I would go with an Avenir. They are newer then Bluebirds, and an Avenir should be OBDII.

http://www.tigerautoparts.com/jdm-engine-transmission/nissan-infiniti/rb26-dohc-engine-5-speed-transmission-nissan-skyline-11.html

I ordered that one, should be coming in soon. I will be doing a lot of pictures of my build.

If you want to hold up until I do that so that you could see the possible results, then I would do so :). I'm going to be installing this in the few weeks, hoping to start as soon as I get the engine and intercooler/piping :biggthump

Besides the engine, what else do you need to make it successful?

ECU (could it be stock, JWT or Calum) which way to go? I want to keep my S4 as I know the DET loves the S4 too ;)

MAF (which is the best one? cobra, Z32, so many I can't decide which one)?

Intercooler, I was thinking about a big one, however I want better yet, one that is enough and most important, that fits without cutting or modifiying the front of my 98 SE-R ;)

I am into this proyect now and I will finish it soon, you will see :D

ECU, JWT will work, you will have to send it off to get reprogrammed $100.

Stock MAF is good for 200 easily. I would get an N60 MAF, there is one for sale in the classified for $25...

Intercooler, the bigger the more lag. For a basic T25 setup you really don't need any bigger then 28" x 7".

PM me if you wanna chat on AIM about this :biggthump

ECU, JWT will work, you will have to send it off to get reprogrammed $100.

Stock MAF is good for 200 easily. I would get an N60 MAF, there is one for sale in the classified for $25...

Intercooler, the bigger the more lag. For a basic T25 setup you really don't need any bigger then 28" x 7".

PM me if you wanna chat on AIM about this :biggthump

We might start building our cars at the same time bro.

What is the difference, besides price and red cover between the one you ordered

http://www.tigerautoparts.com/jdm-engine-transmission/nissan-infiniti/rb26-dohc-engine-5-speed-transmission-nissan-skyline-11.html

and this one that is a little bit more expensive
http://www.tigerautoparts.com/jdm-engine-transmission/nissan-infiniti/rb26-dohc-engine-5-speed-transmission-nissan-skyline-9.html

I think i would order the 690 as same as you but I just need to know better for not screwing up.

We might start building our cars at the same time bro. My msn is pls add me.

What is the difference, besides price and red cover between the one you ordered

http://www.tigerautoparts.com/jdm-engine-transmission/nissan-infiniti/rb26-dohc-engine-5-speed-transmission-nissan-skyline-11.html

and this one that is a little bit more expensive
http://www.tigerautoparts.com/jdm-engine-transmission/nissan-infiniti/rb26-dohc-engine-5-speed-transmission-nissan-skyline-9.html

I think i would order the 690 as same as you but I just need to know better for not screwing up.

You can remove your MSN :).

The Red Cover is a Bluebird motor, the Silver is the Avenir.

The Avenir doesn't have an AC with it.

Also dealing with Tiger is a hit or miss deal. You might get gold or it might be crap. For this reason you need to make sure the engine is fully running before the 30 day warranty runs out.

Avenir's are running a chance of being W11 (ball bearing turbo), while W10's are regular ones.

All bluebirds are not ball bearing.

Another reason is, Bluebirds were a lot more popular then Avenir's, so even though they are same engines/same power, the "bluebird" name tag increased it's demand over the Avenir

Buy the 'silver top' for $690. They were only available in automatics (less chance they were abused/redlined) and they are newer so generally they have less miles on them.

I purchased my Avenir from these same guys.

25k miles on it. But it needed a new fuel rail and turbo. With all the money I saved I went and bought me the biggest T-28 I could find (.86 a/r anyone?? haha).

Bonus of the Avenir is the turbo manifold comes out further away from the engine. So you can stick a Gt28rs or whatever other big turbo on it without having to shave anything on the block or getting a custom manifold.

A lot of people like to run Z32's because they hold a lot of power. I'm personally running a Cobra though.

If you got anymore questions just ask. I just barely finished my avenir swap (1998 200SX SE-R also) so it's still fresh in my mind.

Buy the 'silver top' for $690. They were only available in automatics (less chance they were abused/redlined) and they are newer so generally they have less miles on them.

I purchased my Avenir from these same guys.

25k miles on it. But it needed a new fuel rail and turbo. With all the money I saved I went and bought me the biggest T-28 I could find (.86 a/r anyone?? haha).

Bonus of the Avenir is the turbo manifold comes out further away from the engine. So you can stick a Gt28rs or whatever other big turbo on it without having to shave anything on the block or getting a custom manifold.

A lot of people like to run Z32's because they hold a lot of power. I'm personally running a Cobra though.

If you got anymore questions just ask. I just barely finished my avenir swap (1998 200SX SE-R also) so it's still fresh in my mind.

I am about to buy the N60. So betwenn the Z32, N60 and the Cobra, which one is the best? :confused:

Please add me on your msn mr.xenon@hotmail.com my friend. As soon as you do, I will delete my email.

thank you.

Besides the engine, what else do you need to make it successful?

ECU (could it be stock, JWT or Calum) which way to go? I want to keep my S4 as I know the DET loves the S4 too ;)

MAF (which is the best one? cobra, Z32, so many I can't decide which one)?

Intercooler, I was thinking about a big one, however I want better yet, one that is enough and most important, that fits without cutting or modifiying the front of my 98 SE-R ;)

I am into this proyect now and I will finish it soon, you will see :D

depends on your funds, you can go with the det ecu+maf. me personally would go with a jwt ecu, z32 maf and 550's...oh yeah, thats what i got;) haha. im pretty sure jwt has and s4 program too. and as far as the intercooler goes, i guess it would probably depend on the size turbo and psi. anything too big is gonna give you lag.

I wouldn't go with more then 2.5" on piping, I would have went with 2.0" it was a bit more then the 2.5" kit haha.

Buy the 'silver top' for $690. They were only available in automatics (less chance they were abused/redlined) and they are newer so generally they have less miles on them.

I purchased my Avenir from these same guys.

25k miles on it. But it needed a new fuel rail and turbo. With all the money I saved I went and bought me the biggest T-28 I could find (.86 a/r anyone?? haha).

Bonus of the Avenir is the turbo manifold comes out further away from the engine. So you can stick a Gt28rs or whatever other big turbo on it without having to shave anything on the block or getting a custom manifold.

A lot of people like to run Z32's because they hold a lot of power. I'm personally running a Cobra though.

If you got anymore questions just ask. I just barely finished my avenir swap (1998 200SX SE-R also) so it's still fresh in my mind.

Let me guess the fuel rail was bent right? What was up with the turbo?

MAF just depends on what you want. The Cobra is good up to 350, I think it was. I don't know about the N60. The Z32 is like 800 or some crazy number.

My intercooler piping is going to be 2.5" also. But I'm running a much larger turbo (it could seriously eat the T25).

Yup. Fuel rail was bent, or should I say, crushed. The turbo just had a ton of shaft play. So bad that it started to chew the blades up from wearing against the housing. Yeah... It wasn't rebuildable.

I'm running a JWT ecu, Cobra maf, 370cc injectors at 4 bar, T-28 (It almost identical to the GT28RS with the .86 a/r, except mine is journal bearing, not ball), 7 psi wastegate from ATP Turbo, and a relatively small intercooler (It's like 27" x 3" x 6" or something). It should boost up pretty quickly that way. I have some S4's also but I have to break the engine in and then get it dyno'd to see where it sits power wise. My injectors are only good up to 290-300 horsepower. But that's okay, cause that's where I want it. So who knows, if it's already close I guess I'll be selling some cams. I've read that S4's are supposed to make 40+ horsepower on a turbo'd SR.

how was the avenir sr20 when you got it from tigerjapanese?Did it have sludge?how many parts did you have to replace? And curious bout something... turbo chargers dont lag(ex:t25) with a 3 inch exhaust and downpipe?

Right above I said I only had a problem with a bent fuel rail and a blown turbo. There was absolutely no sludge. I recieved a very, very clean engine.

3 inch exhaust won't make a turbo lag... It's the piping, size of the turbo, and size of the intercooler that will determine the amount of lag.

Got mine today, bent fuel rail and bent oil pan :(

Not sure about the turbo, how did you know that it was blown?