Okay, picked up with a used 91 SE-R (est 170k) from a kid who thought it was a boat and ended up hydrolocking the engine. We don't get much rain around here but that day there was enough. :-(
After several days of searching the net and forums I am still at a loss of the best option to move forward with.
I see the following potentials:
1. Get a replacement USDM sr20de engine.2. Get a replacement JDM sr20de engine.3. Get a jdm sr20det swapout.4. Get a sr20ve replacement.
Option 1 doesn't seem very good due to the fact that most people seem to be asking an incredibly high price for an engine usually with 150k worth of on it.Option 2 seems better due to lower mileage, lower price, and what appears to be 10hp higher stock.Option 3 has potential but looks like it might need for me to wait a bit to save up for a BlueBird swap.Option 4 I really don't know much about yet. Looking around just a little seems to show that a VE would run about the same as a DET swap. Value?
What I really want to do is get a good daily driver that will be reliable, still have power, and preferably not be a serious drain on finances (both gaswise and mod/repairwise.)
Most of the talk seems heavily oriented toward the rearwheel drive people not the fr. I would really like to hear from people that have done some playing with their car and get their input. I am leaning toward getting the JDM sr20de due to price and availability. But I am really curious on the DET or VE option before I put money down and commit.
Thanks!
Modified by jkutzsch at 10:25 AM 9/12/2008
1991 Sentra SE-R, need a new engine. What should I get?
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nametakennow
- Posts: 10024
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 4:14 pm
- Car: '06 MINI Cooper S
If you want to DD this car, a VE swap, IMO, is the best option. More power than a DE, but similar reliability. DETs, however, are also often very reliable if installed and maintained properly.
Should be an easy 30mpg (mixed) no matter what, depending on how heavy your foot is.
That said, if you start thirsting for more power, a DET has more options, especially stateside.
DE and DET swaps are a little cheaper at first, but it's not a huge difference. Shop around, try Soko and Tiger Japanese, people have had luck with them around here.
Should be an easy 30mpg (mixed) no matter what, depending on how heavy your foot is.
That said, if you start thirsting for more power, a DET has more options, especially stateside.
DE and DET swaps are a little cheaper at first, but it's not a huge difference. Shop around, try Soko and Tiger Japanese, people have had luck with them around here.
Re: (nametakennow)
Looking around and it seems like for about $600 I can get a GDM DE, then it jumps up to around $1500 for a VE or DET. And honestly, finding a DET swap that will work with the Sentra is proving very dificult. S13/14 options are everywhere!nametakennow wrote:If you want to DD this car, a VE swap, IMO, is the best option. More power than a DE, but similar reliability. DETs, however, are also often very reliable if installed and maintained properly.
Should be an easy 30mpg (mixed) no matter what, depending on how heavy your foot is.
That said, if you start thirsting for more power, a DET has more options, especially stateside.
DE and DET swaps are a little cheaper at first, but it's not a huge difference. Shop around, try Soko and Tiger Japanese, people have had luck with them around here.
So it kind of sounds like I will get the DE at first and the possibly try to make it a T a little later.
Are there any good links to look for purchasing a full car directly from Japan and getting it legal in the US?
Thanks.
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nametakennow
- Posts: 10024
- Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2002 4:14 pm
- Car: '06 MINI Cooper S
Unless the car existed in the US as well, don't bother trying.
DET swaps can be had for cheaper than that. Try searching the internet for Bluebird or Avenir engines, they're cheaper and easier to deal with than GTi-R's. It's easier if you go through a person rather than a company, and often you can find running DET's for under $1k.
DET swaps can be had for cheaper than that. Try searching the internet for Bluebird or Avenir engines, they're cheaper and easier to deal with than GTi-R's. It's easier if you go through a person rather than a company, and often you can find running DET's for under $1k.
Re: (nametakennow)
It is amazing how limited items for the Front Wheel Drive people are. If I got rid of the Sentra and picked up 240 I could buy stuff right and left cheap and fast. :-(
Is the VE a straight swap like the DE or do you have to get a new ECU? And should I look at new engine mounts now while replacing the engine or is it really not that important unless I go superturbo/NOS?
Thanks!
By the way the whole thing about picking up a car was due to the fact that my son is currently over in Guam and I have been telling him to snag a Skyline or similiar and get it shipped back when he comes home. :-)
Is the VE a straight swap like the DE or do you have to get a new ECU? And should I look at new engine mounts now while replacing the engine or is it really not that important unless I go superturbo/NOS?
Thanks!
By the way the whole thing about picking up a car was due to the fact that my son is currently over in Guam and I have been telling him to snag a Skyline or similiar and get it shipped back when he comes home. :-)
Re: (jkutzsch)
Okay, well due to limited budget I now have a JDM sr20de coming in for $550 with shipping. I guess I will start looking for good deals on cams, headers, and Air Intakes. :-)
Although it still blows my mind that people with engines over 100k were selling for like $700.
Although it still blows my mind that people with engines over 100k were selling for like $700.
