S15 SR Questions

[S14butodrifter]

I've searched about the S15 SR and haven't found much...probably because not many people use the S15 SR. So here are my questions...
The motor I'm looking at has about 30k on it.

At what mileage are the s15 SRs prone to have problems? (like at how many miles should i expect to replace the timing belt, turbo, waterpump, etc.)

If I'm looking to buy a car with an s15 SR already in it, what should I look for in terms to check if the motor is in good shape. Besides compression tests...I heard you should open the oil cap and feel around the inside with your finger, any metal or other substances in the oil is bad (common sense) ?

What else should I be aware of when buying an already swapped car?

Thanks

[GSXRJJordan]

mileage for tune up parts like you listed varies like crazy... but at 30k miles, you should be expecting an almost brand new motor.

The reason there's not much info on the S15 motor is that it's extremely similar to the S14 blacktop motor, and the main attraction for n00bs is it's 6spd gearbox. Problem is, 6spd gears inside the same housing at the 5spd means that it's a weaker tranny - if you look at all the high hp builds, they use the 5spd.

So the long and short of it is, don't pay the premium for an S15 swap.

[S14butodrifter]

thanks for the input.

As far as internals go, can the internals of an s15 SR be interchangable with the s13/s14 srs? An s14 timing belt would work in the s15 sr? stuff like that...

[HKsilvia]

yes, at least the they share the same oil filter along with the 350Z one lol, but one thing which is unique - the coilpack, S15 Sr use the indivual coil which different from S13 and S14, on every coil they have their individual ignition chip that S14 Sr does not have. and this coil is a bitch to get, took me quite a while to find one.
other than that i cant think of anything that is unique on S15 Sr for now, at least it didnt have anything that fail on my yet.
as for the gear box, yes, as stated from above it had proven weaker than the 5 speed (unless u get the nismo strengthen 6-speed which will cost u an arm and a leg) but as for daily driving, it did a very good job, if u want to keep the 6 speed i suggest you not to hard tune it over 300hp, keep it stock and enjoy the additional gear
i have the S15 FSM, pm me and i will send u.

[sean350z]

yea if you go with an S15 SR motor you could probably just get a 5 speed from a s13/14 like i did to make it cheaper. the six speed is worthless unless you want to save more gas which if you're worried about that don't get an SR.

one thing with the S14/S15 SR is that the VTC solenoid seems to crap out and will make a metal rattle sound at startup, not a big deal but it's annoying. wiring isn't that hard if you have a fsm.

if you're worried about modding it to 400+hp don't get a S14/15 motor. it's easier to do it on a S13 motor, not saying that it can't be done on a S15.

[Maurder]

Ive had the gear box from the S15 and it blew out within the first year or just normal weekend track, daily driver abuse. That was also on my modified KA so it wasnt even being throwin around with alot of power. Personally FTW s13-red top+the 5 speed tranny, wich is also a great tranny and easy as hell to rebuild if you want to learn about those trannys FTW!

[Sir]

EssArrr doesn't have timing belt.

[S14butodrifter]

So from what I've read....the s13 and s14 SR 5-speed trannies should bolt up directly to the s15 SR motor correct?

So if the 6-speed does blow, there's always the option of picking up a s13/14 tranny?

This is going to be my daily driver so I'm not trying for insane power...maybe like high 200's.

[sean350z]

yes it will bolt on, no modification...you will need a clutch/flywheel combo from a 13/14 tranny instead of using the 15 one.

[MasterOFDrift]

i doubt any novice driver will be able to blow s15 6-speed trannies, unless they are trying to. You have to realize the people who blow these trannies are professionals that drive high hp cars, atleast 300hp, in pro level competitions, frequently. I wouldn't be too worried about blowing the tranny, as long as you service it correctly.

[S14butodrifter]

masterofdrift- what servicing of the s15 tranny do u speak of? like servicing any other tranny?

sorry for the noob question, i'm trying to get as much info on the s15 motor as possible

[MasterOFDrift]

in servicing I mean changing the tranny fluid on time with thr right fluid. Make sure your clutch system is working properly, slave cylinder, master cylinder, lines, throw out bearing, pilot bushing, and fork are all in good condition. Basically all the parts that can and will wear out with use. That is all. These things are not meant to break, just like any mechanical part, they will function fine within their specifications as long as you properly service it, and I'm sure 300hp is within spec. seeing that stock hp is 250hp.

[S14butodrifter]

alright, thanks for all the input guys.

What should I look for when I testdrive an SR s14? The oil cap thing i mentioned earlier, compression test, what else?

[Stillslow]

I would recomend using the S14/13 tranny instead of the S15 because if you do every blow it or need a clutch atleast you can find one.I broke the tail shafts out of 2 trannies and if I had of had the S15 one I would have been fucked.As for the coil packs I also burnt one and it was a bitch to find a new one its nice to have rare motor but sometimes its a bitch.

How many people are running the S15s on this board??

[Jay7]

(Someone logged on my account and posted.)

[g6civcx]

Unskilled drivers destroy gearboxes due to the ack of skills. Pro drivers destroy gearbox because of power.

Quite frankly I'm getting sick of trying to track down SR parts. Everything either has to be custom or aftermarket. It's so hard to get factory parts. You can't just walk down to your local auto parts store and find what you need.

[HKsilvia]

Going with a S15 VVT motor and tranny, since VVT is like a vtec from honda does it help build boost? So the majority is saying that the s15 6speed tranny cant handle over 450+ FT TQ? I'm currently in the middle of thinking of what to do. GT35/40 turbo setup with the required mods, built head and bottom end is needed I know this. I'm thinking of building a s13 fast back to reach around 600whp using a power FC and 3bar map sensor. I'm familiar tuning the power FC i've tuned my single turbo RX7 using with it. Manifold fabrication isn't a problem and machine work and motor assembly is the least of my concerns I have all this covered. It's just the simple questions which take weeks to answer after using the search button.

think about the use of vvt and it will answer ur question
vvt doesnt major helping boost, it help on the timimg aka the open duration time of the valves.
and to be safe S15 tranny cannot hold more than 320 hp.
as said b4, the fate of the tranny depends on how u use it.

[rolloverboi]

so if you say that 6speed tranny cant hold more than 320horse . . then why would nissan even use the tranny in a SILVIA S15 then?? . . i dont think this 320horse power limit on stock S15 tranny is true . . or else half the people in japan would be changing their trannies in the first week . . since the stock already has around 250hp . . and the t28 ball bearing is capable of doing 320hp . . i dont think the tranny is as weak as some of you guys think it is . . some of you guys made it sound like " omg my car has more than 320hp . . im gonna have to change my tranny now" -__- is that like a 100% true fact???? . . i dont kno that is just my opinion . . sorry if im totally wrong . . it just my point of view

[dct223]

ok guys.. first off.. s14 and s15 SR's have VTC.. and NO!! VTC IS NOT LIKE VTEC DAMN IT!!! VTC helps with the LOW END power... its not for HIGH END!!!

[mayco_86]

well gentlemen 6 speed is not bad at all my s15 has 402 whp i have a 6speed still going strong all these guys talking about the 6 speed being weak i just think they aint got the money for it and to top it off i DRAG my car im hitting a 60ft @ 1.5 with 11.3 1/4 mile time thats a beat down in the tranny.