better to build or buy the complete swap?

[mtparker18]

hey guys, I'm picking up a 1990 240sx and the Ka in the car is blown. I was going to swap a SR20 in anyway and heres my question, am I better buying a complete swap or buying an sr20 block and building it up?

Thanks in advance.

[CSUPUEBLOTIM]

I guess its up to you whether you plan to run it stock or if you want a modified setup. If you want little down time then just do a swap. Otherwise build one, that's what I am doing. Takes a little longer, but making it a one time ordeal.

[mtparker18]

I guess its up to you whether you plan to run it stock or if you want a modified setup. If you want little down time then just do a swap. Otherwise build one, that's what I am doing. Takes a little longer, but making it a one time ordeal.

Well, I want a slightly built setup. and I was wondering how the $$ aspect of it would compare too. Like I want to get an aftermarket cam, injectors, and a few others. I want to come as close as I can to the price of a swap (about $2500ish?) and have it mildly built. Also I would need a list of everything I need to buy to do the piece together.

[Sabot]

Is all on how much money you are willing to spend and down time. Power goal? You have a lot more research to do young Skywalker

...$2500 to me is not enough with what I think you want to do.

[mtparker18]

Is all on how much money you are willing to spend and down time. Power goal? You have a lot more research to do young Skywalker

...$2500 to me is not enough with what I think you want to do.

My goal right now is to get the motor in the car with about 220hp and not spend a lot of money on it. then eventually if money permits I'll goto about 400 tops

[supreamS14]

$2500

There's a old saying: You can have it, Fast and cheep but it wont be reliable or Cheep and reliable but it wont be fast or Fast and reliable but it wont be cheep!!!

I guarantee you will spend at least $2500+ for the swap, wiring and maby a few maintenance necessities if your lucky. You need the whole swap anyway so you might want to consider saving up.

Don't feel bad I was on the same budget mind set boat a couple years ago. It's a cruel harsh reality how $#!+ can nickle and dime your budget down the drain. My 1 month plan turned into a 6 month part buying binge. Good research Is the only way to be successful on a budget project car! I cant stand seeing all these incomplete 240 projects on craigslist for dirt cheep because of poor research/budget.

All in all Do alot of research, Your already in the right place. Nico has you covered broski!

Good Luck!

[mtparker18]

$2500

There's a old saying: You can have it, Fast and cheep but it wont be reliable or Cheep and reliable but it wont be fast or Fast and reliable but it wont be cheep!!!

I guarantee you will spend at least $2500+ for the swap, wiring and maby a few maintenance necessities if your lucky. You need the whole swap anyway so you might want to consider saving up.

Don't feel bad I was on the same budget mind set boat a couple years ago. It's a cruel harsh reality how $#!+ can nickle and dime your budget down the drain. My 1 month plan turned into a 6 month part buying binge. Good research Is the only way to be successful on a budget project car! I cant stand seeing all these incomplete 240 projects on craigslist for dirt cheep because of poor research/budget.

All in all Do alot of research, Your already in the right place. Nico has you covered broski!

Good Luck!

$2500 was a estimate for just the motor. I still need to add transmission, FMIC, mounts and so on. Which is kinda why i need a rundown of everything I need to buy to price it out :p

Doing anything performance wise on a car is expensive. I have a 03 GS300 that is my show car now going Na-t, which is going to tear my pocket apart. Thus the reason I'm trying to find a cheaper way to get an SR haha

[mtparker18]

Can someone tell me about how much my swap would be?I'm trying to do a budget build. I would like to drop it in with 220 hp. This is my daily and don't need anything too big right now.

I want an SR20 RedtopFMIC w/piping (what size?)Bigger Cam (what size?)Exhaust (what brand would be best for gains?)

Would I need fuel management with stock fuel system?

Can someone tell me how much I'm looking to spend, what I'm missing from the list, and where I can buy it all?

EDIT: Also, should I get a clip if I can find one instead? What else would I need with the clip? Thanks
Modified by mtparker18 at 7:53 PM 1/28/2009

[supreamS14]

Can someone tell me about how much my swap would be?

No! Find a swap or clip for the price you like. Things like wiring, seals, gaskets ext. add up quick!

I'm trying to do a budget build. I would like to drop it in with 220 hp. This is my daily and don't need anything too big right now.I want an SR20 RedtopFMIC w/piping (what size?)Bigger Cam (what size?)Exhaust (what brand would be best for gains?)]

You don't need cams. Stock cams can hit 300whp+. Any size FMIC will work. Get a turbo back exhaust to your likings. Get a walbro 255lph, up the boost to 12 psi and you should be happy!

[mtparker18]

No! Find a swap or clip for the price you like. Things like wiring, seals, gaskets ext. add up quick!

Right now I'm looking for the motor/clip without putting a hole in my pocket, which I know Isn't happening.

You don't need cams. Stock cams can hit 300whp+. Any size FMIC will work. Get a turbo back exhaust to your likings. Get a walbro 255lph, up the boost to 12 psi and you should be happy!

I would like to just do the cam while the motor is out to just get it done. especially since my goal later on is in the 400's

[mtparker18]

What do you guys think of this front clip?

http://www.flashoptions.com/product.asp?prodID=81

[thenephilm]

I just wasn't a big fan of the 30 day warranty...If the motor is a lemon, you'll have to rebuild it anyway...I'm a big fan of just collecting parts from craigslist, the forums, ebay etc and putting everything together yourself so that way you know you'll have a good motor....just my take..

[mtparker18]

I just wasn't a big fan of the 30 day warranty...If the motor is a lemon, you'll have to rebuild it anyway...I'm a big fan of just collecting parts from craigslist, the forums, ebay etc and putting everything together yourself so that way you know you'll have a good motor....just my take..

Yeah, I hear ya. but if the motors a lemon, I'll do what I can to send it back for another. I want to build one, but I can't have a long down time. 1 or 2 months at the most. This will be my daily/every-once-in-a-while track car and I would like to have this doen by the end of feb if I can.

[thenephilm]

I know its not a viable option for everyone but having a daily and then a project is the way to go....even if the daily is POS who cares lol...its the only way to really get your project the way that you want it completely without rushing it...I bought a lil KIA rio as a daily and its ugly and slow as hell but gets good gas mileage...just a thought esp if your project is paid off..