Reliable fun car for summer

[240brazijitsu]

Hey guys.
I'm brand new to the forum and have been lurking around here for a while. I absolutely love the vibes in here and the enthusiasm for nissans. I'm looking to do my own project car now and it will definitely be a 240. Currently I do not own one, currently in the saving process. I made a huge mistake before with my last 240 since it was a automatic and was rotting like MFer

So to my question. I'm a MMA and Jiu-Jitsu athlete (hate calling myself a "fighter") so I'm not the richest of guys, but I got a passion for cars like you wouldn't believe. I want a 240 that I can drive about 6 months out of the year and give me some excitement on the road during the summer since I'm in the Boston area. I drive all over mass on a daily basis, which one of the three following engines would be most ideal for a daily driver in a 240 while still being cheap enough not to cost me a arm and leg to keep running?
CA18det Sr20det or the rb20det or rb25det

I'm looking to spend about 6 grand max on the swap til it's done.

So what do you guys think?

[jr_ss]

I suggest you do a ton of research. Seriously, you need to have a clue what you're getting into, rather than coming here and asking a bunch of guys on the internet to do it for you.

Personally, I'd stick with the 4cyl engines, but I'm biased. The cheapest solution would drop a motor-set that bolts right in(SR), rather than having the extra expense of a mount kit. A BPU SR is probably all you need at this point. It'll still get great fuel mileage while having that extra oomph that I suppose you're looking for.

There is tons of information on this site. Take some time and look through it all. If you have specific questions you can't find an answer for, come back. I sure there will be some flaming as there always is.

[240brazijitsu]

Jr_ss I do I have some decent knowledge on the different engines and there requirements from there swaps. I have researched and priced out every single one of the 4 i mentioned above I just don't have personal experience with them considering most of my buddies are fighters rather than car guys. I don't see many threads comparing the different engines on a daily driven basis.

[jr_ss]

Don't waste your time with the CA or the RB20. They are both old engines with very little aftermarket support. Not to mention replacement parts are getting harder to come by.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Put 6k into an SR swap and it'll be fast / reliable.

[angel mkiv]

I'd go with a sr swap since it's the easiest to swap and more common..so finding replacement parts or parts to upgrade it will be easier to source locally I'd imagine..there reliable, good mpgs if that's what you want and still pretty quick stock.

[claine650]

My s14 240 has the s14 sr20det it's my daily driven summer car here in ohio. Right around $7500 invested. Has been super reliable, fun, good gas mileage when I'm not having too much fun. Overall better than any other options for your price range, it's very easy to get pretty much any part you need for the Sr motor. I love the power the stock s14 motor puts out with just an upgraded intercooler, plenty to have fun and scare unsuspecting passengers lol. Not To Mention it's easy to get much more power from this motor without feeling sick spending boat loads of cash. there's no way you could be disappointed with it if you do things right.

Also you need to think about, do you have the skills, desire, and capabilites to do all the work yourself? Do you have all the tools you would need to complete the swap? If not I suggest making some new friends who are into cars that can and are willing to help.
You can of course just learn along the way and buy tools and such, you just need to factor that into your budget.

[scott883]

5.0 drops right in with explorer motor mounts and u can buy a motor for 500bucks with trans running. V8 power and American so you don't have to wait for some fanboy to ship it parts you can go anywhere locally. Not to mention bolt on'a are so cheap for them it's hard to not go that route... Also it doesn't take much to make a 5.0 400to the wheels all motor. Think outside the box unless ur a fanboy and totally have to have a Nissan swap.

[PG BOOSTED]

SR20 or RB25. You will spend more money getting the RB25 into the car and running and won't have alot left to modify it. The SR20 is more than likely your best option like the others said previously. BPU setups are great for what you going/ shooting for, like jr_ss said. Good luck with your decision dude.

[Dima1127]

5.0 drops right in with explorer motor mounts and u can buy a motor for 500bucks with trans running. V8 power and American so you don't have to wait for some fanboy to ship it parts you can go anywhere locally. Not to mention bolt on'a are so cheap for them it's hard to not go that route... Also it doesn't take much to make a 5.0 400to the wheels all motor. Think outside the box unless ur a fanboy and totally have to have a Nissan swap.

5.0 is also something to consider if your doing a swap.

The most simplest route to go in my opinion is sr, i daily mine and it gives me minimal issues. My suggestion on whatever route you decide to go, take good care of it and it will take care of you.
oh and boost is fun a hell

[bataangpinoy]

keep it stock ka-de, and enjoy the AC

[scott883]

5.0 is also something to consider if your doing a swap.



The most simplest route to go in my opinion is sr, i daily mine and it gives me minimal issues. My suggestion on whatever route you decide to go, take good care of it and it will take care of you.

oh and boost is fun a hell


5.0 parts are in demand ar parts aren't sr parts u find are most likely gonna be used unless u know someone who can get new parts and doesn't take forever. V8 sounds cooler and u can super charge it or turbo it. There booth good options.

[Dima1127]

5.0 parts are in demand ar parts aren't sr parts u find are most likely gonna be used unless u know someone who can get new parts and doesn't take forever. V8 sounds cooler and u can super charge it or turbo it. There booth good options.

if i could redo it all again, i would have a hard time choosing between sr and 5.0
but when the little engine that could goes, im most likely going with a big v8 that can lmao

[scott883]

if i could redo it all again, i would have a hard time choosing between sr and 5.0

but when the little engine that could goes, im most likely going with a big v8 that can lmao


Let me finish my super charged 5.0 and we will meet up and give it a go! Lol might be awhile tho hahahahhaa

[Dima1127]

Let me finish my super charged 5.0 and we will meet up and give it a go! Lol might be awhile tho hahahahhaa
you should pm me some pictures, im intrested in what you got going.
you got a build thread going?

[scott883]

you should pm me some pictures, im intrested in what you got going.

you got a build thread going?


It's on the prem members me and my roomates have 2 5.0 motors were putting in a coupe and a s14 ones gonna turbo ones gonna be carb supercharged lol when I get home I'll pm you the picture links so u can see were in the process of doing the full revuild motors are tore down the turbo 5.0 is gonna get a stroker kit were just saving up some money for it atm but Ya there gonna be awhile Jahaha gonna be awesome when we're done tho.

[Dima1127]

sounds intense lol ill be waiting for those pictures

[jr_ss]

Your run of the mill 5.0's are still junk regardless of the mods done to it. If you want decent power, 351 W or C is the way to go. There are some big power house cars out there, but they are running 10-15k in their motors alone. I'm not impressed with large liter motors making mediocre power with a supercharger or turbo, but my opinion is biased.

Stick with something simple for your first go round.

[scott883]

Your run of the mill 5.0's are still junk regardless of the mods done to it. If you want decent power, 351 W or C is the way to go. There are some big power house cars out there, but they are running 10-15k in their motors alone. I'm not impressed with large liter motors making mediocre power with a supercharger or turbo, but my opinion is biased.

Stick with something simple for your first go round.


Like said.. To each there own. A na 5.0 is an easy 280 to the wheels and the motor is very simple and like I said parts are there when you need them. No reason to flame home girl.

[jr_ss]

I'm not flaming, just calling it like it is. It's a boat anchor compared to an SR and bolt ons will net you roughly the same, if not more hp.

[Tom N]

If I was to drop a v8 in, it wouldn't be a old heavy ass 5.0.
You want simple with good power just do A SR. Keeping things like a/c and all electronics is pretty basic and motor/trans bolt right in. I love the powerband a S14/15 SR makes with working vct and a few bolt ons.

My S15 with a just a fuel pump, FMIC. Exhaust, and boost controller made 305hp 320tq. And has a/c.

[calebc96]

give a ka24de a try. I own one and still fun as hell even with out turbo-ing