SR20DET Engine Repair

[IketaniS13]

I have a redtop SR with about 75,000 and just pulled the motor to do some repairs. I have to replace my Front Oil Cover and main seal. I've been doing a lot of thinking and while I have the motor out should I replace the headgasket, and timing chain as well as the manifold gaskets? This is alot of work and I have never performed a timing chain or oil pump install, I dropped the motor myself and wired it up and performed other repairs. I want to tune my car for 250-275 whp just as a daily driver but I want the engine to run efficiently.

Should I:

1. Attempt to install the parts myself and how difficult is it? Do I need to replace the headgasket and timing chain.

2. Bring my engine to a shop that deals with SR20DETs and have them install the timing chain, headgasket and front cover.

[trybal]

if you follow the fsm those things should be a problem as long as you have patience and the correct tools. You will save alot doing it yourself. If your going to shoot for 275 i would change the headgasket and head studs. Not really sure about the hg.

[IketaniS13]

Ive looked over the FSM and I feel pretty confident that I can perform the install. However I was wondering if I should purchase a whole new timing chain or reuse my old one?

[Gramentz]

IIRC, the FSM has tests to check if the timing chain needs to be replaced. As long as you're at it though, I would buy a new one...they're only like 90 bucks. I would get new head studs and head gasket while you're at it also. Swap it out now so that later you won't have to worry about it.

You can do it yourself as the process is fairly easy, you'll know more about it, and you'll save a lot of money.

[Jon-S14]

When rebuilding the motor, how far would you go into replacing things? Is it recommended to replace the piston rings, rod bearings and get the cyl walls honed out? how much would it cost for a full rebuild including sending the head out?

[Wykydtron]

When rebuilding the motor, how far would you go into replacing things? Is it recommended to replace the piston rings, rod bearings and get the cyl walls honed out? how much would it cost for a full rebuild including sending the head out?

After reading your post, I come to think, what garage/website offers full rebuild service on SR's that you can just package a crate and send it to them to have service done? For example, AMS Performance does builds on KA's, BuiltZMotors specializes in VQ builds, who does SR's?

[fliprayzin240sx]

I have a redtop SR with about 75,000 and just pulled the motor to do some repairs. I have to replace my Front Oil Cover and main seal. I've been doing a lot of thinking and while I have the motor out should I replace the headgasket, and timing chain as well as the manifold gaskets? This is alot of work and I have never performed a timing chain or oil pump install, I dropped the motor myself and wired it up and performed other repairs. I want to tune my car for 250-275 whp just as a daily driver but I want the engine to run efficiently.

Should I:

1. Attempt to install the parts myself and how difficult is it? Do I need to replace the headgasket and timing chain.

2. Bring my engine to a shop that deals with SR20DETs and have them install the timing chain, headgasket and front cover.

Honestly, your doing enough work to warrant you to go ahead and change the chain and maybe the HG. Depending on how much of a pain in the ass it may be to put the front cover back on, you may have to warrant to taking the head off since its a really tight fit. When I did it, i took the head and the upper oil pan completely off to give me all the room i want. Also if you change the chain, you might as well change the chain guides. Just make sure you the engine in TDC before you start disassembling anything.

[Maurder]

id just do a basic walk through and get a good HG while your at it. the SR's are easy motors to work on and a really good motor to learn on.