Not a newb question: Blacktop or Redtop?

[SR20d2fourT]

I have a redtop, or so I think, SR20DET...but from my experience in reading up on them, they didnt have the "fins" at the front of the block above the water pump and below the valve cover-only the blacktops came with the fins...well my engine has the fins, but a red valve cover. I didnt notice this until recently. Did any Redtops come w/ fins at the front of the block??? How can I recognize it using other clues? heres a pic...I know, it looks ugly w/ the clutch fan and the radiator hose, but thats all gone now ;)
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1552/pict08383va.jpg

[sideview_180sx]

check your ECU if you are unsure, possibly the valve cover was swapped. either way, if it runs, that's all that matters initially.

[TAMTANIUM]

correct me if I'm wrong. Don't quote me on this either! :bite:

There are 2 models of red top. The early model doesn't have fins the later model has fins. haha that's what i know :naughty:

[Irukandji]

Dorifto89's redtop has fins.

[drifter808]

it looks like your injectors are blacktop. i see some purple in there cause my stock redtop were like doo doo green and i put blacktop injectors and there purple.

[mr_240sx]

by looks of it..... its a black top engine.... but who really cares....

[TheTimanator]

interesting. My tedtop has fins, purple injectors and IIRC a blacktop ecu. Never really thought much about it though.

[kensreliableb18b]

later gen reds had them fins. anyway, theres other ways to tell but it doesnt matter, same shit

[SR20d2fourT]

Yeah, but I'd like to know just to know. It doesnt matter to me, as long as it runs right (which it does cept for an old ass, need to rebuild, turbo haha). Thats wierd though. Oh, anyone know of a T28 for sale? not the GT28R. I want it off the s14.

[blu808]

Shock topic changing.


Yea one really easy way to tell is if you have the skinny redtop, or thick blacktop 02 sensor.

[kouki_s14]

blacktops have fins and newer redtops have fins too
you just have a newer one i believe

[TheTimanator]

Shock topic changing.


Yea one really easy way to tell is if you have the skinny redtop, or thick blacktop 02 sensor.
:duh: this would explain why the redtop o2 sensor I ordered wouldn't fit. I guess I have a blacktop with a redtop valve cover. It may not matter but it's still good to know (especially when ordering o2 sensors) :)

[SR20d2fourT]

ah, I'll check that then :)

[andrewmp6]

the mid run of the redtop had fins only things i know of difference between them is the blacktop has a bigger oil pick up

[fliprayzin240sx]

There were 2 redtops? I thought there were only one redtop S13, then 2 types of S13 blacktops. Only blacktops had the fins, and newer Blacktops only had ECU and wiring changes vs the older blacktops. yah o2 can be a dead give away too, but then again, your assed out if they changed turbos to a T28 w/ T28 elbow.