Learn me: FWD sr20det

I am currently running a B15 Sentra Spec-V in autocross, and while looking for some coilovers, someone pointed me to this ad.

While I know how to make the B15 Sentra handle, I have no knowledge of the sr20det. According to the owner, it blew its head gasket and when that happened, he thought he might as well upgrade the turbo and intercooler, so the car comes without those two crucial items. The engine has received some internal mods (forged crank, wiseco pistons, ACL bearings and ARP head bolts).

What do I need to check on the engine to make sure it's just the head gasket that is fubar. Also, what kind of upgraded turbo would bolt on to this engine. Since I can get this under the asking price, it could be a potential challenge car.

Buying a vehicle with a suspected BHG, you almost have to assume the motor is toast. Yeah, a HG is a PITA to replace but not that expensive. But is that the problem and the only problem? Did a piston get melted in the process? Is the head cracked? Some other problem more unique to the SR20? You kinda have to pull the head and see, or even head and pistons.

If you feel lucky, a compression test showing 2 adjacent cylinders with low compression could be a BHG.

Anyway, the hardest part of any swap, in my experience, is the wiring. And if it was up and running before, that part is probably OK, and at worst, you need another SR20DET, which are available. So budget that in as "worst case," and is it still a bargain?

Do your own swap and use the Pulsar GTIR version lol. Has ITBs and solid lifters plus a capable turbo.

Don't forget, that was a very heavy car, unsure of the Nissan b13/14 transmission being up to the task.

Trackmouse wrote: Don't forget, that was a very heavy car, unsure of the Nissan b13/14 transmission being up to the task.

Why do people think that the B15 is so heavy?

B13 SE-R curb weight: 2414 lbs

B15 SE-R curb weight: 2660 lbs

Also, the car I am looking at has a built B15 transmission, so not a problem.

The car that I am looking at was on the road for a few thousand miles before the HG let go. I will assume that the engine is toast.

What my real question is:
Can someone point me in the direction of a good source for some cheap FWD SR20DET performance modifications information... good HG, what needs to be upgraded for big boost, turbo suggestions and all. All I am finding on the interwebs are RWD drifto sites with very dubious information.

The 2000/01 Sentra SE with the SR20 was not available turbocharged from the factory (at least in Canada) so the one listed has been home modified...

The NX2000 and Pulsar GTI were available with the SR20DET in Japan so info on front wheel drive reliability could be extrapolated.

And the engine, whether in front or rear drive configuration, is still the same, so head gasket, burnt piston concerns etc still apply.

Get a true SR20DET from a JDM supplier, not one based on a NA conversion

Maybe add Mike Kojima to the search? It might be pretty old stuff though.

I thought these had the QR25 motor, not an SR20DE. Am I thinking of later models?

thatsnowinnebago wrote: I thought these had the QR25 motor, not an SR20DE. Am I thinking of later models?

No, you're right. It's why I said what I did about the porky b15 chassis. B13=2,266lbs. B15= 2,500 and change. It's 300 extra pounds that the b13 wasn't designed for.

The QR25 first came out in the 2002 SER and Spec-V. The ad linked in the original post was a 2001 SE 2.0 with the SR20DE that somebody turbocharged. I believe Fanfoy has a 2002 or later with the QR.

VQ swap! It's cheap, fairly easy to install and makes 200lb-ft at 2000rpm.

search around here for some really good info on fwd sr20 stuff:

http://www.motoiq.com/MagazineArticles/tabid/59/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/19/Project-Low-Buck-SR20DE.aspx

sr20forum, lots of FWD SR info. There's lots of SR info out there period. They're pretty basic motors, a few different FWD, AWD, and RWD variants. I have more RWD insight, but basically there are a few OE turbos that bolt on. S14/S15 snails can both do about 300 rwhp.