Originally Posted by Seanbonham

I have read through the bazillion or so threads addressing this debate but i have a few other questions and none of the other threads really answered my query.

First, i can't even really find a post addressing this, but it seems that a lot of the motors coming from japan have been beaten to hell in terms of never having their oil changed. Is an rb25det LESS likely to have these problems/treatment than an sr20det cause it's a nicer car?

Anyway,

This fall i get a check for 10k on the button. I'm planning on swapping something into a 240sx, professionally, not myself (cause well, i'm not that good yet and i want AC)

Here is my goal/dilemma

It's a DD, so i need it to start, and ideally keep starting for at least...idk a year, preferably 2.

I want to hit low 12s in the 1/4 mile so that's at a minimum,

320+whp from the RB25det

or

290+whp from a RED TOP s13 SR20det (ideally 300, cause that's the magic number)

Here are my concerns/questions.

Redtop SR20det CONS/concerns:

290whp i know isn't pushing it for the sr20det stock internals IF you got a slightly bigger turbo, injectors, etc. you'd still be pushing out probably 14-17 (guessing) lbs of boost to reach that....that's a lot to ask for an engine to run everyday. IS that a lot?

SR20DET PROS:
Cheap parts, common, etc. shit we all know, ALSO, the s13 swap is simple enough that after i had it professionally done and all the parts in place, i'm more then capable of swapping in a new block if i blow it....so that's kind of nice.


RB25DET Cons/concerns:
Little bit more invasive a swap...that's a big engine, going to have to cut the fire wall etc...If something did break in the rb25, that's harder to find, harder to fix, more expensive. Not so confident i could swap in an rb25...probably could manage i guess....but still a more expensive motor. Biggest concern is really that... If i got an rb25 and something broke...i may be a whole shit more out of luck than if i had the s13. However, if the rb25 is a lot less likely to break...that's kind of worth the risk. Also 300lbs weight difference means it has to make about 30 more rwhp then the sr20det needs to.

RB25det Pros:
It's a skyline..(had to say it), More importantly, it's a lot closer to that goal of 320 then the redtop is. You could probably put 300rwhp down with just a few bolt ons and stockish boost. Some have argued it's more reliable. Is it?


The most important thing here is reliability! That's what i want most.

Here's the place where i'd be getting the swap done, this is literally all they do pretty much. Both swaps would be the stage 2 for either, take a look at the parts list etc., and tell me what you guys think i should do for my goals.