Looking For Some Help

[FallenWolf]

Well heres the deal. While most of my friends as well as my brother-in-law are either mechanics, tuners, or otherwise "car minded" people untill now I havn't really gotten into cars. Now that I have some money saved up and a toy (1990 Nissan Sentra) to play with a few of my buddies are going to help me learn a thing or two. So we decided to look into droping an SR20det into the Sentra mostly so I can learn what goes where and the like. That and I think they injoy playing with a car when it doesn't involve thier money . Either way, I was instructed to find out any info I can from others who have done the same, any problems they encountered, and maybe a place or two to find parts (like the front clip and such). So I apologise if any of the questions I have are blatantly stupid.

-So from what I've gathered while they spit lines of car-lingo around me is this. We are looking into a front clip with the sr20det intact. I guess the upgrade is pretty easy from there (as far as they put it) but does anyone have any advice, tips, or warnings I could take advantage of.

-Second, we live on a mountain and Sean (one of my friends) said we might look into changing the Sentra from Front to All-Wheel Drive. I'm not to shure how this is done, but he seems pretty confidant. So if anyone has any advice or warnings here, the more experiance the better.

-Lastly, if anyone has any unrealted help they feel inclind to type up it all helps.

Thanks ahead of time.

-Fallen Wolf.

[RED_DET]

First of, Welcome to NICO.

Now lets get to the question at hand. A SR20DET swap into a B12 Sentra will require quite a bit of work. The major concerns are drive train components that don't match and the wiring harness. As far as making a Sentra all wheel drive, good luck. It's been talked about many times but would require mega modifications that aren't even worth the challenge, IMHO. For the b12 chasis, I suggest going with a CA18DET, will be alot less of a headache than swapping in the SR20DET.

[The 240 kid]

Now for a B13, or P10, a DET swap is cake. Though they are fairly common. It's still a fun toy.

[FallenWolf]

Stupid Question #1

By the way you put it the '90 Sentra is a B12. So what ever the rumor was that the stock engine for it was the SR20DET in Japan isn't true? Or is it just the '90 making an exception?

Stupid Question #2

Also, while I may be mistaken, after talking with the guys I came to the conclusion that getting the front clip intact was just a matter of removing the front of my car and bolting down the new one. Can anyone elaberate on just what they mean by this?

[The 240 kid]

I have no idea on the B12/SR20 question, but for #2 it isn't really a great idea to just bolt on a front clip. Basically uo'd have to chop the front of your car off, and bolt up the new clip, which weakens the frame as we as a bunch of other problems. It can be done, it's just not safe.

[RED_DET]

THe 90 Sentra chasis code is B12. It didn't come with a SR20DE, so swapping in a SR20DET will be a hassle. The B13 Sentra SE-R (91-94) comes with a SR20DE and swapping in a SR20DET is cake walk. You could also swap in the SR20DET in the B14 200sx SE-R (95-97) as it comes with a SR20DE as well. This swap can also be performed in 91-96 G20 & 99-02 G20. All the cars I mentioned, you could simply add the turbo parts and essential have a SR20DE-T with a few differences between the two motors.

Basically with a front clip you get alot of extra things you don't need especially if you are swapping a SR for an SR. With the front clip from a SR20DET equipped vehicle, you can't use the transmission because it is all wheel drive car. Buying the motor alone will be alot cheaper.

But in your case, you would have to fabricate motor mounts for the SR to fit and you would have to source out parts from a donor Sentra SE-R for axles, hubs, transmission, brakes and wiring harness. It will become quite an expensive swap. Thats why I suggested the CA18DET, it will bolt in directly.