need help with decision

[4PLAY]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I figured more people would read it here.

I live in Canada and I owned a 91 240SX Fastback, that car lasted winters in Saskatchewan, never had any problems, and looked good too.

But being the dumb person that I am, I sold it and bought a 91 Eagle Talon TSI AWD... the worst decision of my life. Everyone has heard about DSM reliability, my story is no different. From day one that car caused problems. The AWD and great performance out of the box were the factors that sold me on the car... I enjoyed it... when it wasn't on jackstands.

I recently sold the Talon as soon as I got a few problems sorted out, and bought a 92 240SX Fastback. I like the 240's because of the many simple engine swaps that can be performed (as well as not so simple). I also like my car to look good. I want my car to have a nice looking body kit, all black, and a tasteful spoiler (no wing). Not ricey, something a lot of people would like (even the anti-rice folks).

Now I would like some help with deciding what engine would suit my needs. I have read a lot, I know a lot about engines and worked on them a lot (the talon when it was broken... every 2 days), so I am not new to this.

I am looking for a power level that will get me into high 12's off the bottle. I consider myself a pretty good driver when it comes to the track. I want a really reliable car (Nissan has never really had a problem with that). I want a fun, light car, that I can throw around on track days (so the larger RB's are out).

My choices are:

a) Turbo the KA... I'm not to sure about this one, I want a really reliable car, and I'm not sure how something like this will hold up. My engine as 230,000 kms.

b) Blacktop S13 SR20DET... This is number one on my list at the moment. It's light, an easy swap, with some good power out of the box.

c) CA18DET... I don't know too much about this engine, If you think this is a good choice please let me know why, I have done most of my research on the sr.

d) RB20DET... Inline 6, iron block, very appealing. Not a simple swap though, and parts would be a b**** to get here in Canada, but its definately a head turner when you tell people you have a Skyline engine :ylsuper

Now if you think I should have any other engines let me know as well please. If you want to flame me, go ahead.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[will180]

dsm are not bad a few of my boys got dsm in the carclub when something breaks their a pain . my self have a s13 w a sr stuff happens you have to live and learn

[4PLAY]

dsm are not bad a few of my boys got dsm in the carclub when something breaks their a pain . my self have a s13 w a sr stuff happens you have to live and learn

How is the reliability on the SR?

DSM's are good cars dont get me wrong, I just got a bad one, and I'm never going back.

[Tai Mai Shu]

Haha, my friend has things wrong with his talon all the time...oh well SR's are reliable as far as I know or can tell, just routine matance...

[nissanrcer240]

yeah i hear the sr's are very reliable, that would probly be your best bet, the ca18 is older than the sr series so thats a con right there as far as reliability.....i dont see why you wouldnt want to go rb20det if you konw how to perform the swap, b/c im sure it would cost alot more to swap that in than an sr. with that high milage on your KA, of course you would almost deff need a rebuid if you wanted to go turbo,but i still wouldnt go that way.so i would say, that its between the sr and the rb, if installation isnt a problem for you go rb, if so sr, either way your still stuck with a good motor

[hokiruu]

I could be mistaken, but I think the CA also has a timing belt- which I don't like over chains at all. My vote in any case is s13 blacktop.