Silvia Engine Swap for a Versa

[RBKhockey13]

Well, I bought a 2007 Nissan Versa about 5 months ago and the Engine blew because the first gear lock failed. Nissan is refusing to cover it under warranty because they said it appears as if the car was abused. And i guess in a way they are right because i have been slowly trying to get as much power as i can out of it without major makovers. I had a mostly OEM intake and a performance exhaust. Anyways.... I wasnt driving and it went into 1st at 55-60 when passing, instwead of third gear. Anyways, I am looking at dropping an new engine in. The dealership said a brand new engine will cost 6 grand. The versa is way too small for an R34 engine, which really a shame because i love the skyline. I found a silvia engine that is turbocharged and intercooled running for 2.5 grand, and i would love to put it in. I do have a few questions though..... If someone who knows about this can help me i would be much appreciative.....

This is what i know about the engine......

Nissan Silvia S14 Engine 220hpSR20DET40-60,000 miles95-98 Silvia DonorImported straight from JapanDOHCEngine Tails? SR20DETComes with:EngineTransmissionECUTurboIntercooled Twin Cam 16-valve30 day warranty

My Questions:I want to keep my existing transmission, can i keep it?I want to keep it FWD, because it is cheaper, can I?Will this be compatible and fit into my car without major mods?What else would i need to buy for it to run?Any other suggestions.....

I also was looking at a 2002 s2000 vtec engine... is that too much too convert or is it as easy? Whats better?Basically, if someone thinks that i should just pay the 6 grand and get the 122hp, tell me. I have many people around me who are amazing with cars and can help, but so far until i buy an engine i am on my own. If anyone can help i would much appreciate it. And if i missed anything, or left it out, please inform me because i really dont wanna buy an engine that i cant even install....

Thanks,Stan

[MIdnkight-lude]

first off, i would try getting a lawyer involve. because ya you might have abuse it, but there supose to be a first gear lock. >_< i mean i have enough problem shoving into first after 20MPH so ya. So you must have tried to shove it in there.

THERE IS NO ENGINE maybe except for the new 07 sentra engine that will fit the Versa transmission. So if you go with another engine, your going with an entirely new system.

Legal reason note: any engine you put in that car will be ILLEGAL, not because of smog reason because of age. If you do a motor swap, the engine has to come from a car that is the same year or NEWER. so just know your going into the illegal realm.

Now Fitting a RWD engine will not work without major modifaction. because they are RWD and has the drive shaft going down the bottom/middle of the car. you would have to oppen a tunnel. THen make custome axel and hub so that the rear wheels would turn. i mean i would LOVE to see this. but ya, not for under 6k which mean, your best bet is to go with the 07 Versa/Sentra engine.

Now if i had to make a suggestion, i would suggest that you pick up a FWD Sr20 engine, and use that, but the engine bay might not fit, because the Versa has a reverse mounted engine compare to older stlye cars. this lets auto maker cut the engien bay size, but making add parts a pain in the ***.

The other option is to find a crash Versa (i guess we got one now with that flip thread) and try to buy the Engine.

[RBKhockey13]

I did some more research on it, and i wanted to know what you gys think of a swap with a 2002 Acura RSX type-s? Would i need a new transmission or would it just bolt on?

[Jemdawg]

When it comes to projects like this, it's best to wait it out until somebody else succeeds in it. I wasn't serious when I said to swap the engine earlier, to do so would entail tedious, arduous weeks of work to find out that you probably have problems with the swap. I understand that your between a rock and a hard place, but an engine swap in a car so new like this should only be done by somebody who knows exactly what they are doing. You sounded a little unsure, and I think anyone would when they are thinking of swapping the V's engine.

[honda_killer240]

if u want an sr u will have to go pulser to keep it fwd

[Ever Victorious]

I did some more research on it, and i wanted to know what you gys think of a swap with a 2002 Acura RSX type-s? Would i need a new transmission or would it just bolt on?

There will be no such thing as an easy engine swap on a Versa. The MR18DE is a new style engine, completely different configuration than previous engines, and as mentioned the only other engine that MAY fit the existing transmission MIGHT be the new MR20DE in the '07 Sentra.

Now... to reiterate a couple points...

NO ENGINE FROM A CAR BUILT PRIOR TO 2007 WILL BE LEGAL FOR A SWAP! This is a common law in basically EVERY jurisdiction in the US, including areas that do not have Emissions laws. The first time you go to ANY inspection (safety, emissions, etc.) your car will fail, and you will not be able to reregister it.

NO NON-MR SERIES OR OTHER MANUFACTURER ENGINE WILL FIT THE MR SERIES TRANSMISSION WITHOUT SERIOUS MODIFICATION... furthermore, a higher power engine will require the burlier transmission from whatever car the engine came from.

And now a couple points that have not been stated yet...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE YOUR EXISTING TRANSMISSION FOR A SWAP! You have a failed 1st gear interlock! This problem will STILL exist after an engine swap!

A PROPER ENGINE SWAP OF A FOREIGN TYPE (Non-MR series) WILL COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10 GRAND... it's not just the engine. It is the custom driveline parts, custom mounts, ECU, wiring, sensors, any other custom fitting that would need to occur...

CHEAP engine swaps only exist in the realm of closely compatible cars. There is only ONE car on that list, when compared to the versa: '07 Sentra.

As painful as $6k for a new engine sounds, it is more than likely your least expensive option.

Now... I will also say "hire a lawyer" because it does not matter what you did to the car... if THEIR transmission gear interlock device failed and made it POSSIBLE for you to put it in 1st gear at 55 mph, that is THEIR fault. The failure was caused by THEIR faulty OEM equipment.

[motoguy128]

I think you'll have some trouble wiht torque steer without doing some suspension work. I'd looks at trying to fit the Sentra MR20DE motor and driverain in there and consider adding a Turbo. You'll need custom driveshafts and lots f custom made brakets ot fit acessories, intake and other misc. components.

In general... if you have to ask if it will fit... you're probably not really prepared to do it.

[MIdnkight-lude]

I guess he didnt read my post

anyhow. yes EV said the same thing as me. I came up with one more option.

Depending on the damages that was done, The only other option is if there was only head or minor block damages. It can be as easy as getting new value stems, spring and retainer.

If it block work, you might need, new piston, most likely Rods, and to rebore out the motor. but you can alwasy go a head and find aftermarket parts and built the motor for boost or some other application.

[versabundus]

Go for it buddy. I say you drop a L78 and a rock crusher in it. Drop the rice and turn it into a muscle car. Suggested paint scheme:



I kid, I kid...Modified by versabundus at 5:45 AM 12/2/2006

Modified by versabundus at 5:45 AM 12/2/2006
Modified by versabundus at 5:46 AM 12/2/2006

[c5neb]

This has been a major topic of discussion on another forum where I reside, and voiding a vehicle warrantee for adding non-OEM parts alone is illegal. If I have this corectly, the dealer and/or manufacturer must prove that the non-OEM part is the cause of the failure of the OEM parts. It is covered under the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975.

For example, if I put a blower on my car and the pistons burn out from the added power and heat, the engine warrantee is void. However if I change my exhaust and my windshield wiper motor dies, the dealer has to fix it under the warrantee because ther is no connection between the wiper motor failure and the new exhaust. On their claim of abuse, they would have to prove that going into third gear at 55-60 is "abuse". The owner's manual on page 5-16 indicates that the top speed for third gear is 74 mph.

Do a google for "Magnuson Moss Act" and you will find tons of info about your rights here. I hope this helps!!
Modified by c5neb at 8:52 AM 12/2/2006

[proxim2020]

Agreed 100%. When I originally read the post I thought, "Appears to have been abused? They need to prove that it has been abused in order to void the warranty. They should also show evidence" I didn't bother about posting because either the user did really abuse the car and Nissan had a good point/evidence or the user was more interested in swapping the engine instead of having the warranty work done.

[motoguy128]

On their claim of abuse, they would have to prove that going into third gear at 55-60 is "abuse". The owner's manual on page 5-16 indicates that the top speed for third gear is 74 mph. Modified by c5neb at 8:52 AM 12/2/2006

In the post he said that the driver was trying to shift into 3rd, but "accidentally" rammed the shifter into 1st and proceeded to dump hte clutch. Most normal driver would have noticed that the RPM's were going to high and pushed the clutch back in before allowing the engine to to try to peg the tachometer and let he engine spin past 10,000RPM. (redline in 1st is about 30mph... that means 55 is about 11,0000 RPM).

This is just my opinion from year of riding motorcycles. You always slip the clutch a little during downshifts incase you get the wrong gear and ot match revs more smoothly.

[Ever Victorious]

In the post he said that the driver was trying to shift into 3rd, but "accidentally" rammed the shifter into 1st and proceeded to dump hte clutch. Most normal driver would have noticed that the RPM's were going to high and pushed the clutch back in before allowing the engine to to try to peg the tachometer and let he engine spin past 10,000RPM. (redline in 1st is about 30mph... that means 55 is about 11,0000 RPM).

This is just my opinion from year of riding motorcycles. You always slip the clutch a little during downshifts incase you get the wrong gear and ot match revs more smoothly.

However every modern manual transmission has an interlock device that is supposed to make it physically impossible to put the car in 1st gear at speeds over 20 mph (less, in the case of the Versa). If the car DID go into 1st at freeway speeds, there was clearly a failure of this device.

[MIdnkight-lude]

However every modern manual transmission has an interlock device that is supposed to make it physically impossible to put the car in 1st gear at speeds over 20 mph (less, in the case of the Versa). If the car DID go into 1st at freeway speeds, there was clearly a failure of this device.

i agree, i was slowing down from 60mph, and i tried to jam the stick into first, and it wouldnt let me put it into first. so in order to get into first, i would either have to for and JAM the stick in, or the transmission lock was faulty. i would go with the transmission lock, unless you broke it.

[c5neb]

i agree, i was slowing down from 60mph, and i tried to jam the stick into first, and it wouldnt let me put it into first. so in order to get into first, i would either have to for and JAM the stick in, or the transmission lock was faulty. i would go with the transmission lock, unless you broke it.

In order for them to prove that "you broke it by abuse", They would actually have to dismantle the transmission and show you the abused parts that "snapped". They cannot make the "abuse" determination by looking at the car. From what I have heard, dealers will use the "abuse" line regularly if you have after-market parts and have given number of people just accept it and walk away. The result is they save money....my two cents!

[MIdnkight-lude]

In order for them to prove that "you broke it by abuse", They would actually have to dismantle the transmission and show you the abused parts that "snapped". They cannot make the "abuse" determination by looking at the car. From what I have heard, dealers will use the "abuse" line regularly if you have after-market parts and have given number of people just accept it and walk away. The result is they save money....my two cents!

this is very much true. :p i actually sale car parts, and i know which warrenty i would void with parts. haha but they would have to prove it. but if they did prove it, your at *** load of money, because they would charge you for the laber of removing and dismatling the transmission. >_<

[BillStrong]

personally I would attempt a minivan V6 swap. I loved my 2002 quest engine. so sweet and smooth.

hell, If I can shove a V8 into a 1st gen MR2, the V6 should be childs play in the versa...

said jokingly..

[DragonEye]

first off the 240's motor is not mounted in the right direction for the car... you should look at getting a G20 motor (super cheap at about $500) its an SR20DE motor, or you could always get the GTIR motor which is a SR20DET...

if you are looking to go all motor, get the SR20VE motor....

you will most likely have to go with a custom tunning program like mega squirt since the ECU wont go with the rest of the car... if you have any questions, ask away...

[TweeKeer]

There will be no such thing as an easy engine swap on a Versa. The MR18DE is a new style engine, completely different configuration than previous engines, and as mentioned the only other engine that MAY fit the existing transmission MIGHT be the new MR20DE in the '07 Sentra.

Now... to reiterate a couple points...

NO ENGINE FROM A CAR BUILT PRIOR TO 2007 WILL BE LEGAL FOR A SWAP! This is a common law in basically EVERY jurisdiction in the US, including areas that do not have Emissions laws. The first time you go to ANY inspection (safety, emissions, etc.) your car will fail, and you will not be able to reregister it.

NO NON-MR SERIES OR OTHER MANUFACTURER ENGINE WILL FIT THE MR SERIES TRANSMISSION WITHOUT SERIOUS MODIFICATION... furthermore, a higher power engine will require the burlier transmission from whatever car the engine came from.

And now a couple points that have not been stated yet...

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE YOUR EXISTING TRANSMISSION FOR A SWAP! You have a failed 1st gear interlock! This problem will STILL exist after an engine swap!

A PROPER ENGINE SWAP OF A FOREIGN TYPE (Non-MR series) WILL COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10 GRAND... it's not just the engine. It is the custom driveline parts, custom mounts, ECU, wiring, sensors, any other custom fitting that would need to occur...

CHEAP engine swaps only exist in the realm of closely compatible cars. There is only ONE car on that list, when compared to the versa: '07 Sentra.

As painful as $6k for a new engine sounds, it is more than likely your least expensive option.

Now... I will also say "hire a lawyer" because it does not matter what you did to the car... if THEIR transmission gear interlock device failed and made it POSSIBLE for you to put it in 1st gear at 55 mph, that is THEIR fault. The failure was caused by THEIR faulty OEM equipment.

The MR20DE is actually the same block as the MR18DE, just bored out a little more, so it should fit with your transmission and actually fit into the engine bay. However, why not just wait for the 2.5 VSpec engine haha.

[pr240sx]

Dont be silly... stick a 350z engine and twin turbocharge it!!!

Seriously, you will need a SR for a fwd car. The S3 and s14 are RWD so no luck there.GO FOR IT!!

[Clipsed]

hahaha pr240sx I like both of those ani's in ur sig! hahaha!!!

[Wings]

I think you can get one of the turbo 2.0 out of a bluebird or sentra that would work. I doubt that the transmission you still have would bolt up, besides with a new HP and torque curve you'd be better served with something geared for it.

[chicos240]

that sig is hilarious