choice of engine

[layzienoy]

hey,I just wanted to know what u guys think. I have a 93 240sx fastback and I am going to do a swap very soon as my KA is dying, too much to repair.I am going to get either the RB20DET or the SR20DET ya i know dis is the sr forum but i posted this same thing on the sr forum.

between these two which would you prefer and why and Please don't go about flaming everyone espcially me or this. I just want your opinion and reasoning.

[Joe]

please do your own research

the search button will reveal this question has been asked many many times.

each engine has its own advantage and disadvantage. its all related to what your final goals are for the car.

[S13Sil-line]

Note: If you go with a 6cyl. You might as well go with an RB25. Its not much more money but you get more hp. Lik Kamin said. It's all up to what you want.

[layzienoy]

well mainly ill be using it as a daily driver and drifting car, but i needa a new engine as mine is dying lik i said too many problems to fix rather get the new engine.

well what i wanted was opinions as i have most of the specs n shiet.

and ya i have been looking into the rb25det lately but still

SR20 Vs. RB20 as was the original post

[goofynick6]

What it comes down to is weight. THe RB is gonna be like 200lbs more than the sr20, and the rb20 isn't gonna be able to put out the same power, has a smaller aftermarket (in the usa) and is a slightly more difficult install.

Nick

[Project240]

The RB20 has about the same power potential as the SR20 with stock internals.

You need to consider your budget first, before you make a decision. The two cheapest ways to go would be an RB20 swap, or perhaps even a CA18DET swap. The RB20 is more complicated, since wiring is a problem and you may have to get a downpipe fabricated, etc etc (search the forum, the info is there), so you would spend a little more money doing that over a CA18DET swap. The CA18DET is a strong little iron block motor, very robust, plenty of potential (175HP stock, 300 with bolt-ons), very easy to install, and it'll be your cheapest possible option. The aftermarket isn't as plentiful here as the SR20, obviously, but it's there.

The SR swap will cost you more than either of these due to the higher initial cost (since everyone seems to want an SR swap these days). The engine set/front clip will run you more money than the CA or the RB20. But, it's about as easy to install as the CA18, and of course it has a huge aftermarket. Then, we have the RB25, with the highest initial cost (motor sets/clips cost about as much as an SR20, or even more, and then you still have to worry about a custom driveshaft, wiring, and possibly custom mounts), but the highest power potential (600+ HP potential on stock internals). Again, it all comes down to what you want.

If you're just looking for a daily driver/drifter, you're not going to need 600HP. If money is a factor, and you don't care about how many cylinders your motor has , look into a CA18 swap. Cheap, 300HP is easy to attain, and it's an easy install. If you want the sweet sound of a 6 (like me ), and you wanna be a little different, but don't have the cash to go for 500, 600 horses, go with an RB20. And if you have a little more cash and want to be like everyone else, get an SR ;P

There, I've said my part, now let me say this. SEARCH!!!! If you need more info than what I've said and what's already posted in this thread, there has to be at least 50 more threads in this forum discussing this same topic. Ad nauseum.

[HybridOne]

this has been argued over and over again....just toss a coin or something. I will say this...if you have a mig welder, the RB is the cheapest by far. You can fab your own downpipe...and i have seen RB clips for at least $1000.00 less than SR clips in the last week.