What would you do? please help

[05civse]

I am getting an SR20DET front clip (s13) on Monday for sure. Now my question is should I get a blacktop (stock, a couple to choose from around 60K kilometers) or a redtop (importer will throw in a tuned ECU, clips range from 40K-60K kilometers)? I have done a TON of research on the two engines and seem to get the same information, blacktops have better/different pistons, better oil cooling passageways and squirter patterns, a head design made to flow a little better than the redtop, and little cooling fins. There is also people claming that the only difference is the ECU. So here I am trying to decide what to do, stock blacktop with a little more miles or redtop with less miles and a new tuned ECU installed for the same price.

My other question is what are your feelings on buying a clip with modifications? Do you think that this is a sign that it has been driven hard and stock would be better? What about low miles (43K kilometers) with a strut bar, ground kit, and sheepdog BOV? Do you think modifications don't matter as long as the engine has good compression (what is stock for a dry compression test? 160ish?)? I am just having trouble trying to make a decision and I need as much input as I can get.

Thank you all very much for your time, help and input.

[180fan]

Buying a clip with mods,I would assume it would have been abused. Regardless, you're buying a used engine and should consider it a fixer upper regardless. The blacktop has a better oil pickup design, but you can make cuts into the redtop pickup to make it like the blacktop. Otherwise, virtually identical sans the ribs on the blacktop head at the front. The ground kit, you can do it yourself for less than 50 bucks using monster cable. Strut bar, I would assume to be in pretty bad shape if it was on a junked car. I personally like the nice shiney feel of a perfect strut tower bar *strokes cusco stb's* oh yes... If it's all showing 160, it really depends on you. The bov comes down to a matter of preference from what it looks like. I'm personally using a Sard but a couple of my other buddies are using ARC and Sheepdog, but as long as it doesn't leak like the blitz or have terrible response like the hks you'll be in good shape.

[05civse]

so you are saying that a hks ssqv would have bad response or just a regular hks BOV? also, 160 is a good number? what would you look for? Alot of people have told me that the pistons are different, is that true? Thanks for your input! anyone else with an opinion on this matter?

[180fan]

ssqv has terrible response. 160's good. Don't sweat that. Pistons are not different. The ones that told you that haven't torn them both down if they make a statement like that.

[05civse]

thanks 180fan. Any one know how to decode a JDM VIN number to determine the year of a front clip?

[05civse]

You guys say a clip with mods = ran hard, but do you think that someone who mods there engine would change the oil more often and therefore cause less damage than the stock engine that has 20,000 mile between oil changes (talked to a guy that lives in Japan and says they are very bad at preventative maintenance. some people go as much as 2 years before changing oil)???? Just a thought.

[da40]

just go with the red top..its got the same potential of the black top has less miles on it too,besides u cant go wrong with either imo i'll go with the red top dude i know i did