OK, whats it gonna cost to drop an SR20DET into a B12? I have an 87 Nissan Sentra.

Lots and lots of money and time and fabrication necessary. Might want to PM NismoDriver, he's done it.

But do it only if you have so much love for your car that you dont care how much it costs.

Oh I've got that. This car has been revived twice. I don't plan on letting her fade out anytime soon. I am trying to keep it stock looking on the outside. Aside from a nice, clean paint job and good looking standard rims. Something like what you have there in your pic.

But, I have a truck to drive right now, so, while I have this second ride, I want to do some work on my baby. Then when I drop the truck, I'll have the Nissan back, better than ever.

Ever thought of a CA18DET? There is a forum member here who has done it, can't remember who. I remember he said that the engine was very good and bolted up real easy compared to the the sr20det.

How does it compair to an SR performance wise? Still have to switch the tranni?

If cost is an issue you may want to think about throwing in the E16T (B11) from the pulsar like Charles Johnson did at first. Another option is the 16 valve motor from the Pulsar of the same generation Sentra. You would have to fabricate anything to get it to fit since everything bolts right up. Upgrading would be the issue.

I don't think you have to get a different tranny. I can sort of recall something he said about how the CA18DET could bolt to many trannies. I'm not sure though. Anyone here know who I am talking about?

Beautiful motor in a fugly car . :D $$$ makes everything possible .

Oh man, so many options here.

SR20DET
CA18DET
E16T
16 Valve B12 Pulsar motor

Labor won't be much of a concern. Me and my unlce can handle that stuff. Parts are the only real cost. I don't want to have my car out of commision for months here. And, I think $3k would be a good cost range.

Help please... =)

If you're up to spending big bucks on it, go for it. You will need to do a lot though. Custom motor mounts, wiring harness, motor, etc. It wont be easy, but it will be a nice project. Good luck.

What can I say Bode, I love my car, and I love sleepers. Those cars with bookshelves tacked on the back to act as a spoiler, they sicken me. ;)

Whats the name of that pulsar motor?

Anyone have a Nissan Motorsports catalog, it's in there. I have one at home, but not with me here at work. If I get online tonight at home I'll look it up.

ask Nismodriver, SR20 B12 and of course, who else Hybrid DET...

if u have the money, i say go for the SR20DET...

The name of the US pulsar motor was the CA18DE. The japanese version that will fit is the CA18DET. You will need the transmission to go with it.

This swap would probably be the best bang for the buck, being a bolt in affair and turbocharged from the factory. I recomnend this swap for people who dont have the resources and the pocket book for welding and fabrication.

To find out more about B12 swaps definately check out www.nissanforums.com and their b12 forum... if you already havent.


The E16t doesnt really exist. It was a hybrid motor I built in the past which stuffed a 1.6 crankshaft into 1mm overbored e15t block.

OK, so the SR20DET costs more and requires more work.
Plus many more other parts.

The CA18DET requires a new transmission. But the two fit in and just bolt up with no need to weld or customize.

What kinda of performance differance is there between the two? I know the SR is better, but how good is the CA?

CA18DET also came in the S12 200SX for a couple of years and they used in Japan in the first year of the S13 Silvia. The U.S. version only put out like 140hp, I think the JDM put out like 180hp. It has a very strong block also. Sounds like a truck motor though (KA24DE).

Ok, whats the differance with the US and the JDM? Will the JDM fit in relativly easy?

The USM CA18DE FWD abviously will drop right in. I don't know if it came in a FWD DET form in the JDM. If it didn't then it would be like comparing the SR20DET FWD & RWD. There are quite a few differences. You may have to research a little to find out if there was a CA18DET FWD.

ok, so I want to just stick with a CA18DE. Sounds good. So I would need that and a matching 5-speed manual tranni.