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.

[koukidough]

if the redtop is cheaper get it, impossible to notice the difference between redtop and blacktop behind the wheel. Also make sure the engine bay is stock, any performance mod you see in a clip is a clue that it might have been drivin hard dispite the fact that its low mileage.

[05civse]

They will be the same price. If an engine has mods and has low miles with good compression would I still have a problem if it had been driven hard? I wouldn't see why. This engine will be the base for a build-up over the next year, would the blacktop’s improvements make a difference over an equally equipped redtop (like blacktop make an extra 10hp when built vs. the redtop)? Thank you

[HyperTek]

same thing... go for the most complete and whatever looks the cleanest.. look at the oil etc.

[05civse]

when you say same thing do you mean that they have the same components or that it just doesn't matter? thanks

[Muzzy]

they are practically the same motor. if i were u i would get one that was auto so u know it wasnt beat on more then likely. inother words 5spd trans and motor but have the motor be from an auto if u can.
my friend got an auto motor and it was super strong!!!

but i would pick one with no mods. but check compression. thas about the most important thing. check for oil in the pipes to see if the turbo is ok.

[05civse]

the checking for oil in pipes is a good idea. any more things i should look for besides oil, comp. apperance, and mods. also, I thought about the auto thing but it would be too much of a hassle to buy a 5 speed tranny and swap (extra 2 or 3 hundred and not too much of a gain) but thank you for the in-put! good info guys, please keep it coming.

[Muzzy]

lol no dude jus get the auto motor and a 5spd trans from the same place. jus ask 4 it.

[05civse]

well, i am buying a front clip so im kinda stuck with one or the other. lol

[Muzzy]

not really. a clip doesnt have the tranny attached. its seperate from the clip. so if u did get an auto clip jus get a 5spd tranny there. jus ask.

[05civse]

hmmmmm... I may try and see if I can do that. They may have only ordered 5-speeds because of lack of requests for autos and may be afraid that they would never sell. I don't understand what you mean by "a clip doesn't have the tranny attached", the motor and trans. is all there mounted in a clip.

[Muzzy]

mmmm.....well when its cut the tranny isnt attached to it and when its shipped it isnt attached either.

[05civse]

hmmm, lol... I didn't know that, all the pics i have seen the trannys are attached when shipped. Oh well, whatever ill talk to my importer and see whats up. thanks man

[Muzzy]

no prob....i've never seen them together. depends on the place i guess......oh crap...yea clips do come with it attaced.

well..u can ask anyway i suppose.

[05civse]

Anyone else have any tips or answers to my questions? thanks guys

[DoriftoSlut]

Well i pity you for thinking that's the actual mileage! 40-60k KILOMETERS on a 15 year old car. 24-36k miles?!!!?! You can do that in 2-3 years! 5 if you don't drive the car everyday. So you're saying that this completely stock car was babied and only driven fro approximately 5 years and then what? Sat in a junkyard for 10 years?! Still wouldn't trust that shit!

IMO, get the cheapest one, put ~$1000 into rebuilding the bottom end and a new head gasket. Have a basically brand new motor with no worries.


And FYI, S13 chuuki blacktops (94-96) are identical to S13 Redtops (E5 ECU for black and 62 ECU for red is only difference). Kouki S13 blacktops (96-98) have an S14-style oil pickup (less likely to starve your engine from a dented oil pan) and a J4 ECU (slightly different maps, etc. Can run w/ no MAFS up to 2500 rpm which is good in case you blow an IC pipe coupler, you can limp off track or back home if needed).

I used to have kouki S13 motor. Now I have a Zenki S14 motor. Rebuilt. Learned my lesson.

[05civse]

They say the average Japanese person uses their car to get to the train or other form of public transportation hub for their home. I have seen some clips with over 100K kilometers but most that come to the US are around 40-60K miles. I agree, rebuilding the bottom end is the way to go. I know it is just a used engine and I plan to treat it accordingly = full rebuild (bottom end at leased). You are saying that the 96-98 s13 blacktops only changed the oil pickup and nothing else? Thank you very much for your information.

[05civse]

Any one know how to decode a JDM VIN number to determine the year of a front clip? Thank you.

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.