Engine Swap for S13

[cacho93]

Hello everyone,

My name is Oscar, and I own a '91 S13, and I have not changed anything in the car. It was given to me with 66k miles, it has an automatic transmission that does no go higher than 2nd gear, it has a few minor problems, like some headlight won't turn on, and turning signals either, it's interiors were changed recently, but besides all this, the car looks brand new. I'm not looking to get the car ready for drifting, I just want the car "tuned up" for me to use, I want it to become my driving joy.

Now comes the good part, I'm looking to give this car what it needs, but I don't know much about this, I would like to be inform on what you guys think would be best. I've been calling mechanics and shops, that could put my car running good. This is what one of them offered, and according to him he specializes in working with Nissan, but specially in 240sx.
He offered me an engine swap, the ka24de for the SR20DET, and he will change automatic transmission to manual, and above all else, he will change everything in the car that needs to be adjusted for the SR20DET to work properly in the 240sx, he says the SR20DET has 50k kilometers, and they are imported from japan, he says he will do all the paperwork for all the changes in the car with the DMV and he guarantees to leave the car like if it came out of the factory with the SR20DET and all the modifications. He wants to charge me $5k, is it a good deal?
I will go this week to see his shop, and he claims he owns a 240sx with an rb26dett in it.

What do you guys think?

[simmode1]

He wants to charge me $5k, is it a good deal?
I will go this week to see his shop, and he claims he owns a 240sx with an rb26dett in it.

What do you guys think?

Research research research, man... $5k sounds a little on the steep side to me, but not unreasonable. My mechanic charges $3500 for a very professional/reliable SR swap & he charges $5k to sell you a turnkey swapped car. That means he's valuing the swap at $3500 and the chassis at $1500. That's my opinion of a good deal.

But $5k to swap into a car you already own might be reasonable if he's rebuilding that SR for you to ensure reliability. I know he SAYS its only got 50k miles on it, but man.... I don't know about that. The days of fresh, low mileage SR's are long over. Most SR's nowadays have been beat to hell by the time you get it. Personally, I feel that anyone considering an SR should factor in the cost of overhauling that motor. If you're gonna do all that, you might as well spend that money building a killer KA-T.

Not bashing the SR, just giving some things to consider. If he can garantee reliablity, go for it and have fun.

Also, the claim that he has an RB26 240 isn't too far fetched. My mechanic does. I've seen the car and he showed me his dyno sheet making ~800hp. And he built/sold like 7 RB26 240's in 2012. Talk about money! Seems crazy when you consider the amount of work that goes into even an RB25 swap...

[badbob2121]

Given your current automotive knowledge.. I would recommend for you to just keep the KA and have your mechanic quote you for a 5 speed conversion, as KA transmissions can be found very cheap.

Then buy some basic suspension bits (coilovers, adjustable arms) and have your mechanic install them and weld your differential.

Then start drifting and get as much seat time as possible, and begin doing basic maintenance on your own and begin learning your car. I wouldnt drop 5k on a SR swap, as you can buy a full swap for $2,100 currently and everything you need for the swap PROPERLY for no more than $1500, and with the proper knowledge, a SR swap can easily be accomplished in an full day with proper tools. A SR20 is literally the most basic and simple swap possible for these cars..

Just my advice

[cacho93]

Thank you for your opinion, I don't know much about this car, I recently got it, I have not made any decision so far, I'm just researching, but to clear something up, it's not $5k for the engine swap only, it's for the standard transmission, the suspensions, bodywork, brakes, coilovers, and adjusts every component for the car to run properly and effectively with the SR engine, this also includes his own mods he does to the car, that he claims it has 50k kilometers, around 40k miles.

What do you guys think ?

[badbob2121]

A SR trans is very cheap, and the parts for the conversion can be had for very cheap as well. When you say "suspensions" what does that mean in terms of actual parts?

You need to get a formal quote for this "mechanic" and have him specify EXACTLY every single part that he will be including in this swap, as well as any suspension components, brakes parts, and body work (which I dont know why body work is relevant to the swap). Have him include part brands as well. Then post it here

[simmode1]

it's not $5k for the engine swap only, it's for the standard transmission, the suspensions, bodywork, brakes, coilovers, and adjusts every component for the car to run properly and effectively with the SR engine,

Yeah, like Badbob said... we need details. Doing an SR swap with coilovers, Z32 brakes, tie rods, rucas, etc... can be done for $5000.... If you're doing all the work yourself. I find that figure somewhat suspect. Doesn't leave much room for the mechanic's labor cost... Doesn't leave any room really. He doing all this for free? Or is $5k the parts cost alone?

[cacho93]

Ill be sure to ask for a quote and for the specifications (with parts and brands) he says he's going to do to the car, Ill be sure to post a picture of the list by saturday when I meet with him in his shop.
I haven't said yes to him, he is just the first shop im going to see.