SR20 daily driver

[Chicudo17]

Hello everyone, so I am looking to pick up an sr20 some time soon and I really want to use it as my daily driver but figured I would take care of all the stuff that can go bad before it is installed. I know I should replace all the gaskets/seals, hoses, belts, pumps, and maybe even the turbo but is there any other things you guys would advise changing prior to swapping in the motor? Thanks.

[smelly240]

stock rebuild... if u have time and money.

fresh engines are fantastic.

[clark]

don't you california guys have a hard time getting the RWD SR20 motors to pass smog???

[Chicudo17]

stock rebuild... if u have time and money.

fresh engines are fantastic.
really? would that include pistons, rods, head, and everything else? Thats gotta be pretty pricey. I heard once you crack open the internals they are never as reliable as it would be. Idk if thats true though

don't you california guys have a hard time getting the RWD SR20 motors to pass smog???
Ya but I have a buddy that can make my car "pass smog" lol. Thats why I am not too worried about that part. I am more worried about cops trying to pop my hood. But like everyone says as long as your not driving like an idiot, there should be no reason for them to pull you over. I just need daily turbo in my life:)

[Sleepy240]

stock rebuild... if u have time and money.

fresh engines are fantastic.

QFTW

Also if you ask me, if you want a reliable DD drive a stock car. Especially with a swap so many stupid things can set you back, and then you have to wait for parts when something does break

[ThatGuy]

Ya but I have a buddy that can make my car "pass smog" lol.

Do not discuss illegal activities here.

You can get away with discussion of illegal engine swaps, because there are plenty of track cars, but do not discuss illegal smog checks.

[S14Serge]

Dam guys tell me about it...I now have a knocking sound coming from my S14 SR20det and it's either a rod knocking or that dam VCT!!! Either way im gonna bit the bullet and just go ahead and rebuild it...as u should do the same OP

[aNskY]

my first sr swap, i dropped it in just as i got it from the importer.. didnt change a thing.. didnt even look at the clutch.. lol... that motor was abused for over 2 years as my dd with not a single problem!

but yes i would recommend you change at least the head gasket, oil pump, water pump, etc... you dont want to be doing it again do you?

[clark]

i basically did the same thing as ansky, except i replaced the thermostat and the clutch/flywheel/rear main seal.

i recommend you get a new OEM oil pump, water pump, new belts, new hoses, stainless braided turbo oil line and water lines, check the oil pan for dents (make sure oil pickup has clearance between bottom of pan), new thermostat, new clutch kit (includes TOB and pilot bushing), new rear main seal.

basically anything that is rubber you want to replace while the engine is out.

replace your mounts!!!! i have this headache now but i could have avoided it if i did the mounts with the engine out.

new exhaust gaskets for manifold to head, and new gaskets for the turbo (inlet, outlet, yadda yadda). check turbo for shaft play, rebuild if necessary, GET IT BALANCED if you rebuild it.

BE CAREFUL WTIH THE BANJO BOLT THAT GOES FROM THE BLOCK TO THE TURBO OIL LINE. it's a common problem that we strip the block since it's aluminum. i stripped mine and had to use a time-sert to fix it.

get new plugs, while your'e replacing them, do a compression test.

there's also a bunch of FAQs on here, but i think i covered everything you should do if you're swapping a buggery old engine.

[s13dan]

I have had my swap for some time now. My motor is at about 65k miles without a rebuild and its my DD. I can see no problems with mine, and i have an upgraded turbo and some after market parts. I had a pretty good motor to start with, and over the years have replaced little things like clutch, water pump font main seal some belts.. BUT a rebuild before the swap is a damn good idea.. Might as well while its out of any car.

[240cracker]

check the link in my signature
i daily drove that for a while

handles 500hp but only pushed like 300 to the wheels so its safe and wont blow shit

only 5,000 miles on it

[Jimmy Up]

SR20 daily driver


+

Chicudo17 (http://zilvia.net/f/members/chicudo17.html)
Leaky Injector

Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: california
Age: 20
Posts: 67
Trader Rating: (1 (http://zilvia.net/f/traderratings.html?u=61239))

=

Fat headaches in almost EVERY case I have heard of.

Cant just think about smog with an engine that is illegal and can get your car towed not to mention the fines of tickets and hoops you have to jump through if you are busted.


Buy a beater to daily...

[Chicudo17]

Ya you guys are all right, but I am not too worried if something does go wrong as I do have an extra car to drive(mini van). Also thats why I am trying to knock out all the things that can go wrong before even installing it. Completely spaced it about the turbo lines and the clutch/flywheel. I just want to daily drive a turby! I'm sure most of you guys can agree with me when I say their ain't nothing like driving a turby. So thats about all that can go wrong? Any problems SR20's are notorious about? I know the rocker arm stoppers but thats about the most of it I know.

[supportTHEezln]

You should not buy an SR because you said "turby."
Reason? If a cop does pull you over, and you say it has a turby, he'll punch you in the face prior to writing you a ticket.

[Wake]

You should not buy an SR because you said "turby."
Reason? If a cop does pull you over, and you say it has a turby, he'll punch you in the face prior to writing you a ticket.

He said it twice nonetheless

[Chicudo17]

Is there something wrong with saying "turby"? Also I'm pretty sure a cop won't punch you in the face and I am also very sure I would not tell a cop I have a turby. Plus my whole reason for this thread is not to talk about cops but to figure out exactly what I can do to keep it reliable in order to daily drive it...

[ThatGuy]

Just the fact that you sound like a retarded fanboy geeky loser.

[Chicudo17]

Nice, thats pretty much what I was going for.

[ThatGuy]

Then you're an idiot. Have a nice day.

[Chicudo17]

LOL wow. I am but seems like someone isn't. Sorry for trying to mess around

[ThatGuy]

I am but seems like someone isn't.

Thank you for admitting that you are an idiot, and I'm not.



:duh:

[YellowFox]

Zilvia, serious business.

[Chicudo17]

lol alright man whatever you say..

[Leo-kun]

If you wanna daily an SR, do it. No one is stoping you.
Stop arguing with others.
There was really no reason for you to make this thread since apparently you know about the basic parts to change.
If you needed to find out some more info, just search this forum or google.
Yep, it's really that simple.

[ManoNegra]

Been there, done that with the dd SR
trust me, nothing like a the piece of mind that a KA brings
want to go fast?
track car

[Wake]

if you really want a turbo invest in building a turbo kit for your KA since all you seem to be interested in is telling people you have a "turb_"......
I cant even type that word

[fliprayzin240sx]

Its pretty much hit or miss...all depends on the engine you get. The shitty part is, japan's running out of SR motors due to the demand from the states. Less and less decent engines are out there. Hell, its even harder to find a decent engine now locally. Most engines coming out now are the rejects from year prior that nobody wanted. Now theyre getting picked up since there's simply nothing left.

Biggest thing about these shitty engines are rod knock. You wont be able to tell that it has rod knocks till you actually start it. Everything else can be checked prior, ei: compression test/leak down test and bad turbos.

What I usually do when I swap in engines, change belts, water pump, clean the cam oil drippers/bleed lifters, thermostat, check the hoses under the intake manifold, change oil at 20/100/500 mile intervals, and change the tranny fluid 2x and bang out the oil pan.

[Team DET]

iam been DD my redtop sr for about 2yr 7 month's with no problems ..knock on wood lol

[2toneluv]

what are somethings to look for when you look at buying a 240 with a sr? any signs of abuse or near failure that can be found with a simple diagnostics?

[J40sx]

my bro went through 2 sr's already only as DD
so expect the unexpected

piston rings wont hurt,
heck throw aftermarket pistons and rods
you have already have a semi built lol

[heavenboundkevin]

im surprised THATGUY hasnt locked this thread yet, even after 4 replies. lol.