SR20 Engine Swap into a 90's Era Hardbody(D21)

[Big-Bird]

This particular topic is becoming very popular in here. But for right now it seems that people are doing some fact finding, which is a good thing. These swaps should be well thought out before buying anything.

If you can scoop the complete SR20 drivetrain from your donor vehicle then do it!!! This will ensure you have all the required bits. Of course this is rarely the case with most SR20 engine swaps. Most times you only have the engine.

Things you'll need:The SR20 donor engine, a compatable transmission either automatic or manual, compatable driveshaft or check to make sure your stock D/S will fit in the transmission, complete computer system and complete wiring harness.

Things to determine in the planning stage:

Are you dropping in a turbo?Or going the plain EFI route?Do you want a 5 speed manual and do you know which clutch you want?Automatic transmission?Will your original driveshaft fit in the new transmission's tailshaft?What condition is your frame in?What condition is your suspension in?What size exhaust pipes do you want? 2.75", 3", 3.5"?Is your stock radiator in good condition? You may need to provide better cooling capability for the needs of the SR20.

The boltup part is straightfoward if your D21 came with a 4 cylinder. The D21's engine and transmission mounts should all line up or be very close so that a minimal amount of fabrication work is needed.

I welcome others to post pertinent info because this topic is a hot one.

[CakeBeater]

Thanks For the Info! I was also wondering does anyone know of a good independent rear axle for an sr20 swap?

[Big-Bird]

The stock axle is normally an 233B or and H233B.

The 2000 and later H233B's were equipped with 4.363, 4.636 and 4.880 gear sets.

If you want smaller gears (which lowers your highway RPM's), you'll have to look at rear diffs from RWD cars.

[savedz]

what about 4x4 5sp?

[Big-Bird]

The solid 233 series rear diffs are in the 2wd and 4x4 trucks.

The front differential is not a suitable candidate for such a use because the axle tubes are different lengths. The reason for that is how the front drive shaft attaches from the transfer case to the front differential. It's an offset alignment.

240's from the 70's were all set up with IRS. (indendent rear suspension).

But if you stick with the solid axle the truck comes with you can install a Pan Hard Bar which is better suited to control side sway of a body. Furthermore if you stick with a 233B you can install, unless it already has it, a factory limited slip differential. That will allow the rear wheels to hook up every time in straight line travel. It will also let you drift your truck which can be done if you're crazy enough!

I do it in my Xterra on the icy trails all the time. What a blast!

[nick665]

my engine is a ka24e and is ready to blow. i was wondering,would it be that hard to swap and put a sr20 engine? and what mods are needed?

[Big-Bird]

TIME FOR A BUMP!

[Big-Bird]

Read the sticky post I dug out of mothballs. ( Near the top of the trucks forum) This has some details and some SR20 pics either in a D21 or about to go into one.

[rumblebee]

i understand that most things from the swap will bolt right up. My concern is the wiring part. Anybody know anything about getting the truck talking to the sr20 computer.

[Big-Bird]

'Draggin 93' aka Steve should be able to help you with that item. He already installed his SR20 into his D21. Just click his log-on ID in this string and you will get his email address.

I don't see why he wouldn't help you in your quest. Just put 'Attention to Steve' in your subject line.

[Swiftwind]

I have been looking around superstreet and Nico for like an hour now and i have yet to find a straight forward answer on the wiring..... how hard is it to get the truck to communicate properly between the motor and the computer? I'v looked and everything is either easy as changing a tire and some are like puttin a 572 into a Geo and im just like
Modified by Swiftwind at 6:37 PM 5/18/2007

[Big-Bird]

Did you contact Steve? Did he not reply back to you?

Most of the wiring stuff is the same. IE Alternator, AC system, oil pressure sending units and I am quite certain the fuel pump wiring is the same as well. The trouble comes from the Air/Fuel sensors and how they talk to the computer. Which of course is your dilema.

It's quite possible the SR20's computer will connect into the D21's wiring harness....but there is also a possibility that the wrong wire could have power and cause a short somewhere.

Try and get the wiring diagrams for your SR20's donor vehicle and your D21. Then start doing some wire color code comparisons and trace them back to their source switch/relay/etc on the diagram.

I feel for you I really do... but at least it's a start.

[draggin93]

I did a full write up on the wiring here:

http://nissancustoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=6311

Bear in mind that my truck is a 93 king cab MT. You should be able to find your specific FSM on phatg20.net.

This is what it looks like when it's finished:

[Stank]

Ok, I have a 90 D21. Not ant different than steve's. I got the sr20det with ecu, harness, trans, and sensors. I understand mounting it into the bay, the engine mounts appear the same. The drive shaft hooks right up. My questions are, for starters.

1. Do I need to move the power steering?2. Do I need Different Gauges?3. The clutter in the bay from the ka24, can that be removed or is it required for


Modified by Stank at 1:22 PM 9/2/2007

[LIMBS2005]

i was wondering if you could do the same swap with an 87 nissan hardbody, basically the same truck but it came with the z24 engine in it also a 4cylinder.

[savedz]

This was posted a few posts up with no answer, what about a 4cyl 4x4? I just wanted to see if anybody tried it or knew of it before I start staring at service manuals for for 2+ hrs.

[ibreakstuff]

1- Yes, I modifed my line with a plumbing flare tool.2- Yes, the speedo will not work with the SR20. You can use 240 gauges, but they don't fit right. It will take some custom work to get them nice.3- This is about as uncluttered as it gets without running a standalone:

I did a writeup on the wiring from my truck (maybe it should be stickied?) and I'll do a start to finish writeup when I get time.

BTW the driveshaft does need to be cut and if you use the stock motor mounts the engine will sit wrong.

Ok, I have a 90 D21. Not ant different than steve's. I got the sr20det with ecu, harness, trans, and sensors. I understand mounting it into the bay, the engine mounts appear the same. The drive shaft hooks right up. My questions are, for starters.

1. Do I need to move the power steering?2. Do I need Different Gauges?3. The clutter in the bay from the ka24, can that be removed or is it required for

The chassis on the 87 hardbody should be the same (wiring will be different) and I don't see why you can't run an SR in a 4wd truck.

Modified by Stank at 1:22 PM 9/2/2007

[Truplaya2369]

Well, it can be done. It's not that easy though! I had an automatic KA24DE, now it's a 5 speed S13 SR20DET! I did the swap back in 2001. If you have any questions, let me know. It's been a long time since the swap. Engine:Spearco Front Mount IntercoolerGarrett Disco Potato GT28RS dual ball bearing turbo & dual chamber dump pipeTurbo manifold/dual Apexi N1 exhaustNGK Iridium Colder PlugsApexi S-AFC piggyback fuel computerWalbro 255 lhr fuel pumpApexi power intakeApexi twin chamber blow off valve300ZX Z32 Twin Turbo MAFS Turbo XS dual stage boost controllerGreddy/Trust pulley kitACT clutchInterior:Corbeau Carrera blue racing seatsMOMO race pedalsMOMO carbon fiber shift knobAPC white face gauges Custom carpet kit Tinted windows 20% mirror/5%blackExterior:FBI phantom grill & bumper insertsAPC projector headlights w/Nokia H4 bulbsAPC clear corner lights & bumper lightsAPC G3 carbon fiber tail lightsAPC roll panNissan 4x4 front fendersNissan Frontier tailgateHelo Maxx 6 18” chrome wheelsNankang Tires 245/40/18Gaylords tonneau coverBelltech lowering leaf springs

[Stank]

I'm trying to do all new custom gauge panel in mine too. Do you know what the specs are on the fuel gauge, ohms empty/full? Thank you.

[gear_grinder]

This thread is a great idea, but for it to truly be useful some one needs to make an exact list of what is needed and what you needed to change for ever obvious model of the 90's hardbody. then this thread would be worth its digital weight in gold.

[Stank]

If none has any objections I'll start a new thread step by step of my swap including wiring. Ive kept a good photo record of my swap, But I remember seeing one in progress already, if not here than on nissan customz

[ibreakstuff]

If you have good pics we can use them to fill the hole in my photo record and make a more complete guide.

[loonx]

hmm interesting..

[MrHardbody]

Stank, how's that step by step coming?

[fasfood]

i have a 91 4x4 and i have been wanting to do this swap like forever

[jamlanta]

bump this back up!! any chance of getting the pics back up?

[IThaJokaI]

Anyone done, or thought about a CA18DET swap? I have been looking into it recently...

[TeamGuam]

Does anyone know of any shops that have done this before or do this a lot?

[AAAgearhead27]

Does anyone know where I can get lots of tech info on this swap? Yes I'm new but help would be great. Thank you

[mitch]

If none has any objections I'll start a new thread step by step of my swap including wiring. Ive kept a good photo record of my swap, But I remember seeing one in progress already, if not here than on nissan customz

That would be cool. This is about the only thread I could find on here and there isn't as much in depth info as there could be. If there is a thread up, could someone link me to it please? Also, what do people do about suspension and steering on the D21s? Is it a lot of work to fit coilovers to them, as I'm considering one for a drift project.

Cheers