S14/S15 SR20det engine clarification please!

[AnthonySR20DET]

Hey all,

So im one of the lucky ones stationed in Japan who got the opportunity to purchase a S15 Spec-R. The issue is I cant tell if this motor is a S14 or a actual S15 engine since its past is unknown or wheater this engine has been swapped. The reason I ask is because I know that on most S14 engines they use the acorn style valve cover nuts and on S15s they usually have the flat nuts. This particular engine has acorn style. I need to change the valve cover since mine is cracked and leaking oil and I know S14 and S15 valve covers differ. I did the obvious checks, the VIN came back as a actual spec-R, the ECU is a S15 spec R ECU, and the injectors are also S15 spec-R 480cc. Is there anywhere else on the motor I can check to see where this motor came from or were there S15 motors with acorn style nuts as well? For all I know this motor could be a half S15/14 motor. Thanks! I know in the photo its hard to see, but the nuts on the front of the valve cover are acorn S14 style

[lucas240sx]

Lucky you....ship me some stuff :)

Sorry i cant help here, bump for you

[jr_ss]

What makes you think that the motor was swapped? From my understanding the valve covers are identical, it's just the hardware that differs between the two...

[KiLLeR2001]

Well take it for what you will, but there are different part numbers amongst the two valve covers.

S14 SR20DET: 13264-69F02
S15 SR20DET: 13264-91F00

[K_style]

What makes you think that the motor was swapped? From my understanding the valve covers are identical, it's just the hardware that differs between the two...


S14 and S15 have different Valve cover.

Loos same overall but where the coilpacks go is different.

[AnthonySR20DET]

What makes you think that the motor was swapped? From my understanding the valve covers are identical, it's just the hardware that differs between the two...

The previous owner stated that the prior motor overboosted and blew, but that was information he got from the person he bought it from. The valve covers are identical for the most part except the coil packs don't fit properly between the two.

[AnthonySR20DET]

What makes you think that the motor was swapped? From my understanding the valve covers are identical, it's just the hardware that differs between the two...

So would the hardware be the give away then? Because from what I've seen the acorn style valve cover nuts are from S14s

[K_style]

Hey all,

So im one of the lucky ones stationed in Japan who got the opportunity to purchase a S15 Spec-R. The issue is I cant tell if this motor is a S14 or a actual S15 engine since its past is unknown or wheater this engine has been swapped. The reason I ask is because I know that on most S14 engines they use the acorn style valve cover nuts and on S15s they usually have the flat nuts. This particular engine has acorn style. I need to change the valve cover since mine is cracked and leaking oil and I know S14 and S15 valve covers differ. I did the obvious checks, the VIN came back as a actual spec-R, the ECU is a S15 spec R ECU, and the injectors are also S15 spec-R 480cc. Is there anywhere else on the motor I can check to see where this motor came from or were there S15 motors with acorn style nuts as well? For all I know this motor could be a half S15/14 motor. Thanks! I know in the photo its hard to see, but the nuts on the front of the valve cover are acorn S14 style


Well first of all you if your motor has 6 speed, 99% sure it is S15 motor. only few will bother to go through 6 speed conversion for S14 motor.

S15 and S14 Kouki SR20s have bolt for valve cover and S14 Zenki and S13 SR20s have washer and nuts for valve cover.

In your case, someone could have been replaced it old style for some reason or replaced with S14 head since they are identical.

[K_style]

FYI You can use S15 ECU on S14 motor as long as you have S15 coilpacks and you have S15 Engine harness or re-pin the S14 Kouki harness.

[jr_ss]

I forget that the coil pack area was changed on the S15 for the smaller dia coils.

[K_style]

I forget that the coil pack area was changed on the S15 for the smaller dia coils.

yes, I believe S15 and SR20VE has same diameter Coilpacks.

[AnthonySR20DET]

Well first of all you if your motor has 6 speed, 99% sure it is S15 motor. only few will bother to go through 6 speed conversion for S14 motor.

S15 and S14 Kouki SR20s have bolt for valve cover and S14 Zenki and S13 SR20s have washer and nuts for valve cover.

In your case, someone could have been replaced it old style for some reason or replaced with S14 head since they are identical.

Yeah I think you might be right, it is 6 speed and I'm running S15 coil packs, (split fire) I think ill just go ahead and get and get a new S15 valve cover then, I was hoping to solve this motor mystery, the only bad thing about buying cars in Japan I they all at least probably had 20 owners and all kinds of shady things and stuff you have to find out.

[jr_ss]

yes, I believe S15 and SR20VE has same diameter Coilpacks.

The P12 may have the same diameter coils. The P11 uses a distributor and plug wires.

[K_style]

The P12 may have the same diameter coils. The P11 uses a distributor and plug wires.

Oh yea, that's what I meant.

[K_style]

Yeah I think you might be right, it is 6 speed and I'm running S15 coil packs, (split fire) I think ill just go ahead and get and get a new S15 valve cover then, I was hoping to solve this motor mystery, the only bad thing about buying cars in Japan I they all at least probably had 20 owners and all kinds of shady things and stuff you have to find out.

Well, it's because lot of people only own the car till their emission test and inspection. so people change the car ever 2~3 years or so.

Regardless what motor you have, if you have S15 coilpacks get S15 valve cover.

S15 coilpacks are different than Spitfire coilpacks.

[Mikester]

Yeah I think you might be right, it is 6 speed and I'm running S15 coil packs, (split fire) I think ill just go ahead and get and get a new S15 valve cover then, I was hoping to solve this motor mystery, the only bad thing about buying cars in Japan I they all at least probably had 20 owners and all kinds of shady things and stuff you have to find out.

Dude, on any given Sunday night after say 10-11pm, turn right out Kadena Gate 1 onto 58...Go down to the Lawson on the left past the marina... You will see a bunch of gaijin-looking dudes with nice cars out there hanging out... A lot of those guys are the old heads that have been in Okinawa since gradeschool. Pick their brains... get to know them... and listen to what they have to teach you. I learned a TON from those guys in the 6yrs I spent there. Tell them Mikester says hi.

Also, get an account here: www.zeroyon.com (http://www.zeroyon.com)

[godsmack]

^^^ loved going out there to see the..... um..... cars. You can also go to bill at b&m right out gate 1 also. But def get an account on zeroyon. The guys on there are pretty cool.

[AnthonySR20DET]

^^^ loved going out there to see the..... um..... cars. You can also go to bill at b&m right out gate 1 also. But def get an account on zeroyon. The guys on there are pretty cool.

Yeah I've been here for 2yrs already, I regularly use Bill for parts and he has worked on my car a few times.

[AnthonySR20DET]

Dude, on any given Sunday night after say 10-11pm, turn right out Kadena Gate 1 onto 58...Go down to the Lawson on the left past the marina... You will see a bunch of gaijin-looking dudes with nice cars out there hanging out... A lot of those guys are the old heads that have been in Okinawa since gradeschool. Pick their brains... get to know them... and listen to what they have to teach you. I learned a TON from those guys in the 6yrs I spent there. Tell them Mikester says hi.

Also, get an account here: www.zeroyon.com (http://www.zeroyon.com)

I've seen a lot of different hang spots but I've hardly been out that late on a Sunday night haha sucks getting up at 4am

[fliprayzin240sx]

Yeah I think you might be right, it is 6 speed and I'm running S15 coil packs, (split fire) I think ill just go ahead and get and get a new S15 valve cover then, I was hoping to solve this motor mystery, the only bad thing about buying cars in Japan I they all at least probably had 20 owners and all kinds of shady things and stuff you have to find out.

Valve cover holes are where its different. S13/S14 and S15 NA valvecovers all have larger coilpack holes. Its not easy to find S15 Spec R S valvecovers since not a whole lot of folks would part out their parts. There's not really anything different between S14 and S15 engines internally.