LS1 Swap vs Built/Cammed SR

[petrolhead575]

Hey everybody, first post on this forum. Before I ask any questions, yes, I have done HOURS upon HOURS of research on both subjects, I am seriously 50/50 on this and would like for some of yall to chime in.
I have a 1995 Nissan 240SX with a redtop swap, my current mods done to it are a Greddy intercooler, Greddy cold pipe, walbro 255, rocker arm stoppers, Mishimoto rad/shroud/fans/hoses, Spec stage 3 clutch, Form/Function coilovers, Tein camber arms, welded diff (2 way on the way), some Rota P45r's, and a fresh coat of Limousine white paint, the whitest white out there, and a kouki front end. My endgame with this car is just to build a badass street/show car. With winter coming up, I just don't want to toss it into storage and let it sit, my two options are to build the SR or swap in a LS1 (not considering RB, really don't like the pulley to radiator fan clearance or putting the radiator under the front crash support, and I'm dying for some air conditioning.)
If I were to rebuild the SR, one of my buddies is a very reputable builder in the Chicagoland Area and I would essentially do a similar build that he has in his S14, so here we go.
Full rebuild with forged internals, all gaskets, seals, machine shop costs, crank straightening, the works... rebuilt/lifetime warranty T28 with billet compressor wheel, Tomei 256/256 poncams, Supertech stage 1 valve springs, ISIS Intake manifold, ISIS top mount cast turbo manifold, ISIS turbo lines, 550cc injectors, Vipec Standalone, Wiring Specialties Pro Harness, and for some engine p0rn just some nice shiny lightweight pulleys and a Tomei ornament plate. I may be forgetting a few small things but the total for all of this added up to about $7000 (rebuild ~$3000) His build is making just over 400hp safely.
On the other hand, I was thinking about a LS1 swap out of a F-body. One of my buddies in Texas used a CXRacing swap kit (headers, y-pipe, oil pan, mounts, driveshaft) and has nothing but great things to say about the swap kit. I'd also throw in a Texas Speed 224R cam, new pushrods, new valve springs, clutch, flywheel, whatever else is recommended with a cam swap, new gaskets and seals, along with the S14 LS1 power steering line. The only other thing is finding a motor. With all of that, I am looking at just around the same price as the built SR.
Obviously with the LS1, I will be running with not only more power but more reliable power. I will be saving quite a few bucks by not having to buy a standalone. On the other hand, with about 400hp I will definitely be close to the breaking point of the SR trans. I've been beginning to see more 240's with LS swaps but in the Chicagoland area, it seems like the SR comes stock in these cars. I'm really down with doing either option, I just want some advice on what you guys think especially if you have gone from SR to LS. Thanks!

[AZhitman]

Welcome aboard!

Quick answer - I'm a huge LS fan... and don't care *what* the purists say. Most people who criticize an LS-swapped S-chassis (or any other sports car, for that matter) have probably never driven one. There's really no downside, once the swap is done.

Reliable, bulletproof, cheap parts, TONS of HP potential from bolt-ons, and sounds like nothing else.

[Put your pitchforks and torches away, ya bunch of JDM fanboys. I was smacking around SR-powered cars with my KA-T when y'all were still watching F&F2 in your jammies.]

[Lobo240sx]

Question - Do you plan on making more than 400hp? If you are I'd go LS3 or better. You have to build those LS1 heads, bottom end is solid. You can find plenty of LS blocks in the junkyard from a truck cheap. Then get the wiring harnesses from Wiring Specialties. It might take a while to get all what you need or find one from a wrecked F-Body.

Besides a street and show car do you plan on drag racing/drifting the car or just kick the side out every now and then on the street? The stock transmission for the SR will break around 450HP-500HP sooner or later. It just seems like you are better off with the LS swap + T56 Transmission @ that power level. SR20DET is a great platform but you will need to throw some more money at it than what you have listed. 740CC or even 850's to be extra safe, possibly bigger cams like 264 . Depends on the tuning. Good luck at whatever route you go.