SR20det with aftermarket Turbo Reliability

[wise3]

I'm looking to possibly buy a S13 with a SR20 swap and a Garrett gt2860rs turbo on it. Guy says it makes 315whp on a 15 psi dyno tune. Car appears to be well taken care of. Imagine the car was well taken care of its whole life and isn't abused. I'm a 240 noob so the question is for you 240 experts out there, if i just daily the car and only get on it here and there should the car hold up fine or will it likely be a money pit?

Remember i will baby the car and likely will it it tuned down 10 psi or even lower to improve reliability. car is a beauty, full 180sx exterior and looks great so id really love to have the car.

also the SR20 only has about 60k on it

[jedi03]

I have dailied several sr20 240sx s and a rx7 swapped sr20 as of late...don't drift everywhere and maintain it and it will hold up great...if you are a noob a prepurchase inspection can go a long way!

[zurud]

all s chassis is money pit especially when you are in this forum. You know you are going to abuse it. In couple years you are going to put the car or the sr in the for sale section. Welcome

[zach3904]

How would anyone on the internet be able to help you out? There's no way to give you a definitive answer on any of your questions. The things that matter are basically unknown to you. Maintenance history, how it was driven, who did the mods, actual mileage on the motor, etc. The seller can say whatever he wants, but that doesn't mean it's true.

"Imagine the car was well taken care of its whole life and isn't abused." An unwise assumption to make. No one builds a 315hp car to drive like a grandma.

My advice would be to generally avoid modded 240's OR don't go up to your budget limit with buying the car and leave some aside to fix things as you find them.

[wise3]

How would anyone on the internet be able to help you out? There's no way to give you a definitive answer on any of your questions. The things that matter are basically unknown to you. Maintenance history, how it was driven, who did the mods, actual mileage on the motor, etc. The seller can say whatever he wants, but that doesn't mean it's true.

"Imagine the car was well taken care of its whole life and isn't abused." An unwise assumption to make. No one builds a 315hp car to drive like a grandma.

My advice would be to generally avoid modded 240's OR don't go up to your budget limit with buying the car and leave some aside to fix things as you find them.

I said that not making an assumption of the particular car I'm looking to buy I said that to give people that are going to reply something to go off. I'm just saying in general will a swapped but well maintained car that hasn't been abused be reliable. I'm not dumb I realize that that likely isn't the case with this particular 240.

[zach3904]

I said that not making an assumption of the particular car I'm looking to buy I said that to give people that are going to reply something to go off. I'm just saying in general will a swapped but well maintained car that hasn't been abused be reliable. I'm not dumb I realize that that likely isn't the case with this particular 240.

I see what you're saying, but it seems frivolous to ask about a fantasy scenario, doesn't it? Why wouldn't a properly maintained and cared for engine be reliable?

What I'm saying is that you'll never know everything you need to about a modded/swapped car as most sellers are full of shit, so just be prepared with some extra cash and make sure you're getting a good deal on one. It'll hurt a little less when the turbo goes or it rod knocks.

[wise3]

I see what you're saying, but it seems frivolous to ask about a fantasy scenario, doesn't it? Why wouldn't a properly maintained and cared for engine be reliable?

What I'm saying is that you'll never know everything you need to about a modded/swapped car as most sellers are full of shit, so just be prepared with some extra cash and make sure you're getting a good deal on one. It'll hurt a little less when the turbo goes or it rod knocks.


I was just curious to see if anyone has a sr20 with a upgraded turbo that takes car of it just to see how there's is in terms of reliability. I've had boosted cars in the past that I meticulously cared for and stuff would break all the time so I was just wondering if Sr20s are that way or not because I've never had one

[e1_griego]

What are you worried about breaking? If the tune sucks, you'll kill the motor. Outside of that, if you use cheap parts they tend not to last as long.

[wise3]

What are you worried about breaking? If the tune sucks, you'll kill the motor. Outside of that, if you use cheap parts they tend not to last as long.

I've done lots of research on SR20s and I still can't figure out if they handle any kind of power because I've heard it both ways so many times. I'm just trying to find out if a well maintained non abused sr20 with after market boost will last or if it won't be able to handle power

[ultimateirving]

I've done lots of research on SR20s and I still can't figure out if they handle any kind of power because I've heard it both ways so many times. I'm just trying to find out if a well maintained non abused sr20 with after market boost will last or if it won't be able to handle power
Many people daily there sr20s. It comes down to shenanigans and maintenance. If you don't fuck with it(ie upgrade mod adjust customize) then you will have a solid reliable daily driver. My sr ran perfect for 2 years and the only time it was down is when I was doing some shit to it.

The second part is maintenance and every car owner should know how important proper maintenance is. Keep the engine in fine shape and dont abuse her you will get many miles out of her.

The aftermarket turbo has minimal impact on reliability( given its a quality turbo) if its properly installed and the engine is tuned for it. Gt2860 at 15psi is no big deal.

[wise3]

Many people daily there sr20s. It comes down to shenanigans and maintenance. If you don't fuck with it(ie upgrade mod adjust customize) then you will have a solid reliable daily driver. My sr ran perfect for 2 years and the only time it was down is when I was doing some shit to it.

The second part is maintenance and every car owner should know how important proper maintenance is. Keep the engine in fine shape and do t abuse her you will get many miles out of her.


Thank you for that information. I was just informed the 240 I was looking at sold but that will help me in my search thanks!

[jorge1190]

I used to daily my 330 whp SR. I used to take it on 3 hour plus drives, I used to get stuck in rush hour traffic. It was fine. Now it makes over 500 and sometimes I still drive it to work, or to dinner, or my brothers house. Cause I didn't use shitty parts and it has a good tune.

[e1_griego]

I've done lots of research on SR20s and I still can't figure out if they handle any kind of power because I've heard it both ways so many times. I'm just trying to find out if a well maintained non abused sr20 with after market boost will last or if it won't be able to handle power

Idiots kids who buy beat-on craigslist SRs and are too broke to buy good replacement parts (e.g. buying used water pumps, etc) rag on their SRs, don't do maintenance and then complain that the SR is a pile of shit.

People who take care of their motors, regardless of use/abuse, generally don't have many issues.

A stock bottom end/stock hg will take a few years of 350whp as long as it gets some maintenance and the tune is good.

A fully stock SR should last a really long time provided the motor gets some attention and oil changes.