SR20 Power Capability? Needing Some Advise

[Z32 TwinZ]

I'm needing some advise on the power output and reliability these motors have. Would be great if some of you can help me out that would be great.

I'm looking into getting a Datsun 510 project car, which i will put in a SR20DET motor. I'm not familiar with these motors and i only know about VG30DETT motors as i currently own a z32 twin turbo. This 510 i want to make fun to drive. My z32 will be the highway runner pushing around 800whp so im not looking to make the 510 a drag car, but i don't want it to be a puss when i give it gas. I could put in an RB or VG motor, but would require more work to do, and ive noticed that almost everyone does a SR20DET swap.

Some questions:- How much can i pick up a motor for?- Can these motors handle (reliable) 500whp?- How much would it cost to rebuilt the motor to handle 500whp?- What turbo would you suggest using?- Getting to 500whp, would there be major boost lag?- Is 500whp too much? (suggest another whp range if too much, as i want the car to have a good power band)

These are just a couple questions about the motor, as it is the heart of the car and i want to get an understand of it potential.

Thanks!

[numbnuts240]

almost 2 years and 1800 posts. you should know better than to ask questions like that.

[simmode1]

-You can get SR's for ~$2000 or so. That should include engine, transmission, wiring harness, etc.-500hp on a stock SR is not realistic. -For a rebuild with forged internals? Expect to pay another ~$2500 ontop of the cost of your motor, not including turbo uprades.-GT2871R turbo-Yes...500hp is too much. 400hp is a better target, but you wouldn't even need that much power to have a fast S-chassis, much less a lightweight 510.

[Xdisaster240sX]

SEARCH! this topic has been covered lots and lots of times. You should know this.

[E7-S14]

IMOnot worth it.Build a KA and drop it in.

400whp and 400wtq out of a KA24de will feel like 600 in that lil 510

[S14toRPS13]

If you want a nice power curve and reliability, I'd wouldn't go too much over 400 whp.

zerothread/213470

[simmode1]

IMOnot worth it.Build a KA and drop it in.

400whp and 400wtq out of a KA24de will feel like 600 in that lil 510

This is the route to go. I'd rather buy a KA for dirt cheap and build it, rather than buy an SR for $2000 and still have to build it.

But realistically, even around 330hp KA-T in a 510 will be stupid scary fast. But then again, if you lower your goals to this amount, a full rebuild of the SR shouldn't be needed.

[car nut]

Yeah, remember two things here. First, 500whp is a lot of power from 2 liters. Like everyone else said, I'd aim lower then that if you want the car to be drivable at all. Second, remember a dime only weighs like a ton. Say it weighs 2200lbs wet w/driver. That means at 400whp (I'm gonna say around 500 at the crank) you would have practically the same power to weight ratio then your 800hp Z (assuming the Z weighs around 3500lbs in the same state). That car would be a rocket.

[shift_SRDETuser]

I make around 350ish for power have been there for over a year and the tuner told me it should run 11s to low 12s in the quarter. So they can be made fast -- it all depends on the tuner and the if you do it right. Do it right and it will last a long long time.....

[DuckyD]

- How much can i pick up a motor for? Anywhere from $1700 - $2500

- Can these motors handle (reliable) 500whp? Stock bottom-end SRs have lasted a long time at 500hp. I personally wouldn't push test this though.

- How much would it cost to rebuilt the motor to handle 500whp? Reliable 500hp, with valvetrain (cams, valvesprings, etc) and bottom end (pistons, rods, ARP hardware) you are looking at about $3k starting out. Depends greatly on what parts you throw in there.

- What turbo would you suggest using? Twin scroll 30R would get you close or 35R.

- Getting to 500whp, would there be major boost lag? Full Race Twin scroll twin gate 30R would be rape and would see full spool by low 4000's. 35R would see full boost by low 5000rpm.

- Is 500whp too much? (suggest another whp range if too much, as i want the car to have a good power band) Depends. What are you doing with the car? I would say decide if you are going to build the motor and run with stock turbo for a little while. Then decide from there. 500hp would be good for drag racing and highway pulls, but might rip your 510 apart.
Modified by DuckyD at 9:50 AM 1/15/2010

[Z32 TwinZ]

Thanks for all the information!