Finally got my SR...Pics and ?'s

[Meantime]

I finally got my SR blacktop.

Installation was done by XAT Racing in Tampa. They did a great job, and quick too (took about a week). Plus they kept the HICAS and ABS systems intact.

Without further ado...here's the engine bay:







Gauges:

3" BRM Exhaust and clearance (not much):





I purchased the base clip SR swap with just SMIC. Other parts installed besides the BRM: ACT Street/Strip clutch kit, Nismo Motor Mounts, and high-flow cat. So far I've only boosted about 0.5 kg/cm2 (7.5 PSI) but I haven't been pushing it hard as I'm still breaking in the clutch.

What really struck me was the amount of torque down low, it's not as big of a drop-off from the KA as I expected. Having a taller fifth gear is nice too...besides, of course, the extra 50 plus horsepower.

So now I have a question about oil. I had the shop put in 15w-50 Mobil 1 synthetic, as I was under the impression that was a good choice for this motor...however XAT advised me that 10w-40 dino was better because the turbo seals are older and don't take as well to synthetic, so a thicker dino oil is better. What do you guys think? They also advised me to change the oil at 1000 miles, which makes me wish I didn't just dump $20 worth of synthetic into it. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm thrilled. Got some work to do securing the exhaust and fixing some intermittent idle issues, but I'm lovin' it already. Boost is definitely addictive...

[slow s13]

Ive always been under the impression that only the non turbo cars had the different 5th gear. After paying thousands of dollars for a motor swap I changed my oil after maybe 20 minutes of run time and then again in under 1000 miles just to be safe.

[nismostate]

I did 2x 500 mi oil changes with cheap oil. then i used 10 w40 syn

[Hijacker]

i have always used synthetic oils. i would never suggest using dino oil on a turbo car just due to the excess heat the oil sees can cause it to coke easier. Synthetics have a higher tollerance to heat, so they're better suited for turbo applications.

[AmoebAssassin]

i have always used synthetic oils. i would never suggest using dino oil on a turbo car just due to the excess heat the oil sees can cause it to coke easier. Synthetics have a higher tollerance to heat, so they're better suited for turbo applications.

Ditto, and I believe Castrol GTX High Mileage is a synthetic oil with conditioning agents for older seals.

[Meantime]

Thanks for the suggestions. So I'll change the oil after 1k and stick with synthetic.

The 5th gear certainly seems taller, in my KA at 70 mph the thing was buzzing at 3500 RPMs...with the SR it's around 3000 or so...of course there's a lot less vibration with the SR, so maybe it's just my imagination.

[ETTInnov04]

I think its your imagination... cause i thought the same thing when i got mine swapped.BTW where is the hose that connects the port on the valve cover into intake tract?

[Meantime]

That's a really good question. I wonder myself where that hose is...and, for that matter, what it does...

Perhaps this could account for my idle fluctuating when I'm coasting to a stop?

[Hijacker]

actually, the SR and KA trans have different 5th gears. You're not crazy. The KA has a ratio of .759:1 and the SR has a ratio of .838:1

[heavy1metal]

i have the same open "port" on mine. I just stuck one of those cheap breather filters on there. No idle problems here.

[sean8564]

that is a clean swap

[Badfish]

Wow that looks like my swap with almost the same mods, except for the HKS instake and fan shroud.

Nice car.

Glad to see that Mobil 1 15w-50 synthetic I bought to swap in at 1k miles was a good choice. Im still babying mine, and changing rotors/brakes/thermostat while I'm at it.

Definitely looks like fun to drive, Meantime. Keep us updated on what you do with it, man. Drive safe.

[AmoebAssassin]

Thanks for the suggestions. So I'll change the oil after 1k and stick with synthetic.

The 5th gear certainly seems taller, in my KA at 70 mph the thing was buzzing at 3500 RPMs...with the SR it's around 3000 or so...of course there's a lot less vibration with the SR, so maybe it's just my imagination.

I can tell you for certain that my KA24DE transmission has the same 5th gear as you. I just went out and went 70mph in 5th, it is most definately at 3000rpm at that speed in that gear.

[Meantime]

I did 70 mph in 5th today too, and I'm right around 2800-2900 rpms. I guess it's essentially the same, the engine just doesn't feel as screamy at high speed.

Thanx for the compliments, guys. I need some better tires/wheels soon, and get rid of that damn pinstripe once and for all!

[Badfish]

I can't remember what the KA transmission was geared at, but I was definitely pleased at driving 85 at 3300rpms and 100 at about 4 grand in 5th gear on the highway.

Money well spent, since my original engine had high mileage and a beat transmission.

[Florida240sx]

I thought the transmission gears were the same as well.....

[9095240SXDUCK]

I use castorl (sorry can't spell) 5W-50 on my. since day one I drop my engine in and I change it every 1000miles! After about 500 miles my oil looks like it been in there for 3000 miles and since day one it has been a good clean engine! I know it cost some $$ so buy the oil when its on a very good sale! I got about 12QT of Castorl 5W-50 and also about 12Qt of Mobil 1 10W-30 for my coupe! I brough them when NAPA had it on sale for about $4 a QT