Price of the build. Your honest opinion

[DamonDread]

I got my car runnin (didnt have to to nuttin to the egr btw.), after she has been sitting for about a year, and suprise the motor doesnt sound good at all. Definatly have a bad ring, sounds like a colapsed lifter and i noticed some smoking from towards the fire wall, so i am thinking maybe bad rear main seal (chime in if you think it might be something else, I noticed the smoke comming from the driver side by the firewall).

So im gonna go easy and swap in s14 blacktop.I gotta pay my friend 1000 for the carI found a complete motor swap for 2200Nuther friend is gonna rent his garage, tools, and expertise to me for 800plus some essentials (turbo manifold, exhaust, intercooler, fuel pump, and head gasket) Brings my total build to around $4600 including what i am paying for the car (pic in my signature).My wife is hatin me at the moment but i am thinking 4600 for my dream car why the F*ck not!What do you guys think is this to expensive?Keep in mind i dont have a garage or any kind of proper tool, so i am forced into the 800.

[skyline3489]

are you doing the wiring yourself? if not then add some $ for the wiring to be done.

[DamonDread]

Yeah thats included in the $800 with my friend. He is all over that part while i take notes lmao.

[Bumnah]

Uh... ditch the manifod, and head gasket nonsense

replace water pumpupgrade the radiator to an sr radiatorflywheel clutchreplace gaskets that are easily accessible.replace spark plugs.

Personally I'd save the $5000, and put it towards a better dream car. Half the fun of swapping motors, is doing the work yourself.

[saywuh]

doing a swap is not a day one day two jobs...you are talking about patiend and times here...my swap cost me close to about 11 that including motors and tools....i have fully build sr20 from s15 knotch back..the motor i got fairly news only 1okor so ..i got that for $3.100 then after that bought everything and that including rebuild that cost about $4300 and parts for build interior internal and such ...$4.500 and tools i rent from my friends and i swap my self..and wiring i did my self..and couple pack of heineken and corona and about 3 weeks ...

[DamonDread]

I am pretty much doing it myself with a friends assistance, garage, tools, and lift. He has done a few swaps already so is helping with stuff i am completely in the dark with like wiring. 5000 on a zr1 is just tip of the ice berg lmao. Thanks for the advice on the other parts though that is helpfull. Why water pump though the complete engine swap come with one?

[Bumnah]

I dunno, maybe because it's old, and probably has been sitting in some Japan for 13 years or something? Maintenance.

[DamonDread]

Lemme be more clear. This is a Daily Driver build, with a rebuilt complete engine, trans, ecu, wiring harness, maf, and ignitor with a warranty.Wife says i can only spend what i need to get her running and dependable.(yes i listen to my wife lol)Plus i do not have a garage, or tools.

I know this is not a complete build. This will get it rolling and hopefully be dependable. And my dude said it would prolly take us 2 weeks.

I just wanna go to my wife and say "Niconauts say this is a good price!" LMAO.

[ashibah83]

so you THINK it will cost 4600, get 5600 you will have MANY more unexpected costs than you realize come up, rtv, brake cleaner, solder, shrink wrap, new sensors, little things WILL nickel and dime you to death

and you upping the power......hows your suspension and brakes, if there stock, you WILL NOT like your car, if its stock upgrade the suspension first get a stock s14 KA and enjoy

[SxMachine]

Nuther friend is gonna rent his garage, tools, and expertise to me for 800plus some essentials (turbo manifold, exhaust, intercooler, fuel pump, and head gasket)

Wow wut kinda friend is that! $800 for tools and etc! Im pretty sure Fla has storage for rent facilities where you can work on your car (i helped a friend do his swap at one and it only cost abt $150 for the month). Tools are a great investment and I'd hold off on any perf parts for maintenance. My 1st sr swap cost me almost $1000 alone 4 just maintenance (clutch, gaskets, cas, coils, spare ecu etc.) My swap is pretty much stock but you gotta keep in mind everything you'll have to replace.

[DamonDread]

Yeah that is what i am going over now. Car already has upgraded suspension, done less than a year ago, Skunk2, plus new rotors and calipers. That part is taking care of. The engine swap comes with the sr ecu, maf, ignitor, clutch, and flywheel and all sensors. This is a complete motor, transmission right down to the powersteering and AC unit. Rebuilt and inspected. I can take the 800 hundred my friend wants and invest into some tools, and I know i can do it by myself but it will take a lot longer by myself, and will have to pay him if anything goes wrong and i end up needing his help. The idea about the rental unit is a really good one, definatly an idea to toss around. I have swapped motors on old muscle cars, and trucks but never done nething like this, and my desire for a dependable (not looking for powerfull) vehicle shys me away from doing it completely by myself. And yeah i agree that 800 dollars to HELP a friend is a bit much. Any niconaughts in the Daytona area wanna help LOL?

[SolaraOnBronze]

I agree, find a better friend.

[DamonDread]

so you THINK it will cost 4600, get 5600 you will have MANY more unexpected costs than you realize come up, rtv, brake cleaner, solder, shrink wrap, new sensors, little things WILL nickel and dime you to death

and you upping the power......hows your suspension and brakes, if there stock, you WILL NOT like your car, if its stock upgrade the suspension first get a stock s14 KA and enjoy

I looked for a stock KA to replace this one but they are more expensive and or in worse condition than the Sr20det i found. Thats why i decided this route. You are definatly right about pocketing some extra money for the unexpected though. My wife is not gonna like that one. This is pretty frustrating. I wanna be able to say "yea i did this my self, rented some space, bought some tools, and here is a car that i am extremely happy with" but extenuating life circumstances, make that route too risky for me. I am afraid of messing something up, so i figured 800 dollars, to use nice tools, a lift, and have someone there who has done this several times, and can help me get it done in just a few weeks make me feel alot better. Technically i should be driving a minivan for petes sake. And it is hard to get my wife on board for this passion of mine. Talking her into letting me get a car that i CANT fit all my kids into at the same time was hard enough.

[hbpignosePA]

whatever your budget is expected

double it

s*** happens

last thing you want is a half finished/half assed project "dream car' that runs like crap and constantly breaks

sounds like your relying alot on your "friends"

you should probably learn to do stuff yourself, people are not nearly as honest and friendly as you might think

[DamonDread]

whatever your budget is expected

double it

s*** happens

last thing you want is a half finished/half assed project "dream car' that runs like crap and constantly breaks

sounds like your relying alot on your "friends"

you should probably learn to do stuff yourself, people are not nearly as honest and friendly as you might think

I am doing most of it solo, he is mainly helping with wiring, and as an extra pair of hands. He is charging me so much for the use of his garage (single car) his lift and tools. Cuz im gonna be tying them up for a few weeks. You are right about budget though i am gonna have to start stashing some extra money for the just incase. You guys are pretty funny though, its like you think bad of me cuz I am getting some help on this project. What, Im not a tru car guy if I dont solo it 100%. I am not too proud to have an extra pair of hands in there with me, especially someone who has done this quite a few times. I will reitterate. I am paying for the use of His SINGLE car garage, lift and tools. And probably little extra for showing me how to do the wiring. I helped a friend drop a turbod 350 crate motor into a BMW, does that make is car any less bad a** cuz i helped him?

[hbpignosePA]

no but if your asking on a disccussion forum if you think your budget sounds right obviously you havent done much yourself before.... im all for learning but im saying alot of times people arent nearly as helpful as they say they are going to be.

and who has a lift in their SINGLE garage

just saying

[kouki munster]

I agree, find a better friend.

I never ask my friends for anything when they want to use my workshop, tools, and have a extra set of hands around to help.

It definetly sounds like that friend of yours is an a**.

[DamonDread]

no but if your asking on a disccussion forum if you think your budget sounds right obviously you havent done much yourself before.... im all for learning but im saying alot of times people arent nearly as helpful as they say they are going to be.

and who has a lift in their SINGLE garage

just saying

I have never swapped a motor into a nissan befor. Does that mean i shouldn't? . I was asking to make sure what i have planned out was not overpriced. And my friend has a lift in his single car garage. LOL. I guess i just dont understand what my experience lvl has to to with this thread topic. And no offense but your assumption about ppl not being helpfull sounds very jaded. My first nissan build experience has to be trial by fire? I am a very capable person, and i am honestly re thinking paying my friend to do this because i have gotten some good advice on here so far, but your critizm is not very constructive.

[hbpignosePA]

how is it any different than swapping a motor into a different car? the fact its nissan doesnt make it any harder.

you can search and find builds/ wiring diagrams

you can search and find prices on stuff

you can search and get pretty much all the answers to your questions

but hey you can also post a new topic thats been covered a million times

thats how 240 gen becomes pointless

[DamonDread]

I never ask my friends for anything when they want to use my workshop, tools, and have a extra set of hands around to help.

It definetly sounds like that friend of yours is an a**.

Im jealous. Will you be my friend. LOL

Taking on this job 100% solo is very intimidating, reguardless of what that makes some of you think of me. But my need to save money is probably gonna out wiegh my trepidations. I really have some thinking to do on this one. I have a carport that i turned into a poarch. I think i can clear out enough space to fit the car, and check on the price of renting a motor pony, then check on where to get some decent tools. Then compare the price of all that, to what my friend is charging me. This is only guy i now know that works on cars. My other car buddy (bmw guy) moved out of state. So that leaves me, and myself, and any other hidden personalities, but that is still only two hands LMAO>

[DamonDread]

how is it any different than swapping a motor into a different car? the fact its nissan doesnt make it any harder.

you can search and find builds/ wiring diagrams

you can search and find prices on stuff

you can search and get pretty much all the answers to your questions

but hey you can also post a new topic thats been covered a million times

thats how 240 gen becomes pointless

I have searched and got my prices. That was in the first post. Gave everybody a total. I have already seen the wiring diagram (very useful, thank you), but i never asked a question about the wiring diagram or wiring at all, just wanted ppls opinions on what I have priced so far. Any other completely assanign things you wanna point out.

[kouki munster]

All you need to pull the ka and replace with an sr is basic hand tools and an engine hoist. Putting in a sr is very similar to putting in a ka, the biggest differance is that you will need to cut a hole if you're putting on a front mount.

[DamonDread]

All you need to pull the ka and replace with an sr is basic hand tools and an engine hoist. Putting in a sr is very similar to putting in a ka, the biggest differance is that you will need to cut a hole if you're putting on a front mount.

I thought so on the tools, but ma dude made it sound much harder. Can you elaborate on the front mount though. What do you mean? I have basic hand tools, and a reciprocating saw (for the hole you mentioned.)

[kouki munster]

You'll need to cut a hole in the battery tray area for the cold pipe to go through.

[nissanman04]

I looked for a stock KA to replace this one but they are more expensive and or in worse condition than the Sr20det i found.

Where are you looking? People practically give KAs away...

[Nali]

Where are you looking? People practically give KAs away...

Haha so true.Id love to see a KADE or KAE going for over 2200 dollars.Id lol my a5s off at it....unless its making 350HP naturally aspirated.Then id shove a golfball up my as5 for thinking i was too clever.Then id probably buy it.

Arent Rb20s going for sub 1.2k these days as well?

[DamonDread]

Haha so true.Id love to see a KADE or KAE going for over 2200 dollars.Id lol my a5s off at it....unless its making 350HP naturally aspirated.Then id shove a golfball up my as5 for thinking i was too clever.Then id probably buy it.

Arent Rb20s going for sub 1.2k these days as well?

I cant find any Kas in my area. Not one im not gonna have to rebuild anyways. This was Engine transmission, ecu, wiring harness, maf, ingitor, turbo, all that s*** for 2200. I though it was a good deal but that is why i started this thread. If you think i can get it cheaper lemme know, I would love to find it cheaper. I cleared off some space on my carport too. Im goin at it alone lol.

[TroubleBound]

Haha i feel like you are me one year ago. "Oh my an SR only costs 2.2K? Well that wouldn't take too long to save up""Hmm i need plugs, filters, gaskets, rtv, lithium based grease, gasket scraper, solder, heat shrink, heat gun, drill/holesaw, degreaser, gauges/gaugepod/adapters, flywheel/clutch, thermostat, radiator, intercooler, etc."My 2.2K is currently escalated to around i don't know, like $5,000 in SR swap expenses, and it's still on an engine stand waiting to be installed. Listen to these people when they say it will cost a lot more than you're thinking it will. You can try and plan for the unexpected but you can't predict the future and some expenses will still come up.

With that being said, do not be afraid to swap the SR in yourself. I knew absolutely nothing when i joined NICO, i could do brake pads and oil changes, and after spending a couple years here reading all of the tech articles and a lot of the threads in the SR20 forum, i have a much better (still VERY incomplete) understanding of the swap. Seriously, a second grader with some hand tools could perform this swap do NOT let your friend jew you out of $800. If you can change oil then you can swap an SR.

I am doing ALL of the wiring myself. Before last week i was scared of wiring/soldering, and looked up some youtube vids on how to do it (i suggest the popular mechanics channel, dude knows what hes talking about) went out to the radioshack for some solder (Home Depot only goes to 0.040 not 0.025) and to Home Depot for the heatshrink/heatgun($25) and it is easy as cake. Enjoyable even. I can't believe people charge over $100 dollars for the SIMPLE wiring harness modifications that need to be made. (check out http://www.frsport.com/sr20det....html)

I've been labeling things with tape and ziplocs while i take them off so my no-memory having a** can put everything back on where it went, and i'm not done yet but i don't foresee any difficulties with this swap. Just minor obstacles that patience and money will overcome. Check out the SR forum and a Nico user named Positron. He has a 20 page long SR Prep thread that walks you through the process with LOTS of pictures. And the SR FAQ sticky has lots of useful information and swap guides in it. Heavy throttle has a pretty descriptive guide as well, http://web.archive.org/web/200...x.asp.

Anyways, if you DO get the car running for $4600 then i would say you didn't pay too much. I paid $3000 for just my car(S13), when the KA still ran perfect and before it was hit. That plus the $5000 (at least, i'd hate to add it up) brings me up to $8000 so far for a stock SR S13 lol talk about a rip-off. <--Should Have Done More ResearchGood Luck though keep us posted/walloftext

[nissanman04]

Haha i feel like you are me one year ago. "Oh my an SR only costs 2.2K? Well that wouldn't take too long to save up""Hmm i need plugs, filters, gaskets, rtv, lithium based grease, gasket scraper, solder, heat shrink, heat gun, drill/holesaw, degreaser, gauges/gaugepod/adapters, flywheel/clutch, thermostat, radiator, intercooler, etc."My 2.2K is currently escalated to around i don't know, like $5,000 in SR swap expenses, and it's still on an engine stand waiting to be installed. Listen to these people when they say it will cost a lot more than you're thinking it will. You can try and plan for the unexpected but you can't predict the future and some expenses will still come up.

That's pretty much how my RB20 swap went. It was about 4k for just the basic stuff to get it running.

[DamonDread]

Thanks guys that really helpfull, and huge confidence boost. I have 5g set aside for it. Plus what ever i can get my wife to let me have for anything extra that comes up. I am sure i will lots more questions. Cuz i am definatly doin it myself. I am glad i started this thread, it gave me lots to think about. NICO ROCKS!