My Mind Hurts

[jess14]

Okay... first of all. I know information about both the S13 and S14 engines, so don't tell me to go and press the search button. What I need are peoples opinions.

I have enough money to buy either an S13 Redtop or an S14 Blacktop. The problem is...

If I buy an S13 Redtop, I could get one for around $1,600. I will have around a little over a grand left to spend on modifications for the SR20 or suspension. (205hp + modifications)

If I buy an S14 Blacktop, I could get one for around $2,500. I will have no money left, so no modifications. (220hp)

The thing is if I buy the S13 and modify it with the money I have left will I have over 205hp? Or is going with the S14 a better bet? I've heard many different sides and I just need people opinions. I have enough money to buy either engine. And don't tell me to search because I know what I need to know about the engines, I just want to know what all you guru's would do in my position. Thanks.

[HiPSI]

are those complete motor sets with IC/harness/ignitor/ecu etc.? $1600 is a "too good to be true" price for a complete red top set. the SR swap is not this "cheap" proposition lots of people make it out to be. if you only have $2500 to spend then you should wait and save up for the other pretty much necessary parts (dowpipe/exhaust, FMIC kit, etc) so you can complete the swap without too many headaches. you *could* do the swap like you're saying, but chances are it's going to be missing stuff anyway or things will need to be replaced. you have to be prepared to take care of all of this before you even start the swap.

[the240sxer95]

you got an s14?? get the s14 sr! but me personally would get a s13 sr and save for some other mods =O (suspension! )

[pruto]

welll... some people have this thing called hook ups. I know people who've gotten full clips at less than that price (at cost).

ok, i've been told that red tops are better if you're going to do a full build up. better for tuning for the high horsepower because it doesn't have the troublesome VTC to contend with. Since you're going to rebuild the engine anyway it doesn't really matter if it is 10 years old.

s14 black tops are better because they are much easier to swap into an s14 (assuming you got the same year. 95 into 95, 97 into 97 etc.) They are newer, so if you're only going to do bolt ons mods for your engine, its the way to go. And it looks completely stock when its done (nitekid's car).

HiPSI is right in that if you only have 2500 or close to that, the swap is going to be a pain in the ass for you. Lots of things can and will go wrong, hidden costs everywhere. its best to have like at least $500 of emergency cash just incase you need it for something. However, there is NOTHING wrong with having a completely stock SR, SMIC, stock boost and everything. So you don't have to get a FMIC, downpipe/exhaust/bov/turbo timer or whatever when you first install your car. It'll be easier, but not necessary.

so anyway, we don't know your budget, or your plans, or your connections. Its your money and your decision. Its hard one, but we don't have to live with it if we make it for you.

[mellojoe]

Most people will agree on 2 things:
s14 into s14 is a great way to go, but the s13 is easier to make more horesepower

Other than that it comes down to preference.

Me? I'm one of those s14 engines in an s14 body. But, the idea of having an extra $1000 to play around with is very tempting. boost guage, egt probe, oil pressure guage - that would be one very useful way to spend some of the money you would save over the s14 sr20det. Or you could invest in a nice turbo (a t-28 comes to mind) and work on the injectors/fuel pump/tuning part of the equation and hit your horsepower goal.

So, its definately a preference thing.

The guru's will tell you to go with an s13 engine because its simple. Simple is good. But, I still say go with an s14 if you have an s14, or an s13 if you have an s13. Thats the way the car was designed.

[Yoshi]

I hope you're keeping in mind that you'll need AT LEAST several hundred dollars for the miscellaneous parts, fluids, belts, etc that will be needed. When I did mine i was CERTAIN that I had a grand set aside as "oh $hit" money, and u know what? I needed every bit of it :/ Don't forget you'll need things like fuel pump, boost, fuel pressure, and EGT gauges, FPR, new oil and fuel filters, lots of oil (break in), etc. There's so many odds and ends to spend $ on.

Bottom line: Do it right the first time.

[nightwalker]

stay with the corresponding years, you'll thank yourself later. Just do a compression check to see if the motors are any good.

[jess14]

I have over $3,000 in the bank right now and climbing. I asked some of the suppliers that I have been talking with to do the compression tests and they havn't replied yet. I'm all about having a true S14, I really want one but the power and money saved for the S13 is so tempting. It's right at my finger tips but I can't make a decision.

[Burmonster]

I have over $3,000 in the bank right now and climbing. I asked some of the suppliers that I have been talking with to do the compression tests and they havn't replied yet. I'm all about having a true S14, I really want one but the power and money saved for the S13 is so tempting. It's right at my finger tips but I can't make a decision.

Patience is a virture. Wait to get the S14 SR, you wont regret it. It makes things easier. I have traveled down the s13->s14, s13->s13, and the s14->s14 path and choosing the right one makes all the difference.

[TRUENOCOUPE]

You mind hurts? Come over my house and let me hit you with a bat on the head.

Stay Stock.

You will find out later in the future what you be needing.

(damn im whoring)

[Dousan_PG]

s14 rocks
i LOVE that motor, sooo nice
s14 in a s13 is so hot too. hehehe, my friend has that

go s14 SR if you can. it drives and feels QUITE different from S13 SR. so much smoother

[drift freaq]

s14 rocks
i LOVE that motor, sooo nice
s14 in a s13 is so hot too. hehehe, my friend has that

go s14 SR if you can. it drives and feels QUITE different from S13 SR. so much smoother

yes aaron speaks correctly here. if you want a engine that has no bottom end under 3500, (IMHO) but has mad mid and top end, a S13 SR is the way to go. now mind you when that boost starts to kick at 3500 with a 3 inch downpipe you will feel it like a 2 stroke motorcycle instant on rush of power.
With a S14 SR you have bottom end a healthy amount of it(its a completely different feel. You do not lose much of your top end and you have a nice broad flat power band.
Now the reason the tuners run s13 SR's Blacktop or Redtop really is no difference, is because they are high port engines which can be tuned for lots of top end. Primarily the only time you would want this is with a track engine because the minute you tune an engine for high hp top end you lose all of your bottom end like nothing below 4k. Thats the way Honda engines are tuned from the factory. For street this is kind of a drag because bottom end i.e torque is what gets you off the line or stoplight quicker. so for a street engine that will see some track a S14SR is a really nice comprimise. I have several friends running them here and they have seen nice HP results with bolt ons that would make you very happy and yet retain their VTC.
I am a big fan of the S14SR for this reason and its becoming a more popular install here in socal in the last 9 months or so.
its all up to what you like. If your accustomed to the bottom end torque of your KA then you will like a S14sr better. If you a love a peakier engine that you have to rev up to 3-3500 to really make it start moving then you will probably prefer the S13SR .
thats my take on the whole thing having driven both engines .

[nightwalker]

..profound!

[jess14]

Good stuff, I'm leaning more toward the S14 SR. Are there any locations/suppliers you all know of that have any in stock. Most the companies I talk to are out of stock at the moment. Let me know and thanks for all you peoples help!