SR20VET or DET for the S13?

Well I anticipate doing a SR swap in the not too distant future. Having fooled around with N/A VE motors for a while I know that they are quite a lot stronger than their DE cousins. Their heads flow heaps more air and add to that they have low lobe, low rpm advantages too makes it a very tempting choice to consider.

However, they are only available in 4CW crank, FWD, N/a mode. Which means that there will be quite a bit more work needed to make it fit and run in the RWD S13, aka
custom bell housing/ adaptor
bigger injectors
8CW crank (on hand)
Forged rods and pistons to lower compression (may have needed for DET anyways)
Trubo and manifold (duh)
Custom intake manifold that faces the right way.

On the other hand the DET is a straight swap.

What do you guys reckon?

straight swap is the probably the easiest, but more risk may mean more return!

knowing you, you'll make it happen with the VE!!!

i'm always keen to see something different!!!

like hennie with his 1UZFE swap!!!
and anthony with the rotary swap.

just dont go putting a mazda EGI motor in there!

I'm CA18 biased I can't really comment...

My reason for staying with the CA18, I had the parts already, no fabrication issues, no electronic changes, no dramatic piping and wiring changes...

I spent my time and money on parts and not so much on fit mint. If I did go the SR20 Route, I don't think I would have had so many goods in my car as I do have now, maybe half.

People have proven that the CA18 can be reliable and strong, many is just against it because its so old and has 191cc less than the SR20. Compare the CA18 against any RB motor, 2 cylinders less, rest well it's nearly a copied design.

The age old debate about parts... I think its bull shit, you will sit with the same issue with the SR, when building a custom motor, you will nearly always have to wait for custom parts...

The SR20VE is also available in VET, 206 kw used in the X-trail in Japan. You should be able to fit the VE head on the DET block by blocking the oil drain (in the middle) on the VE head and relocate it to the DET (RWD) hole (at the back). Also use the GTi-R throttle boddies, should work on the VET head.
I would use the DET block, VE head, GTi-R throttle bodies or get a RB25 😉

Yeah but a VET motor is still to land at any importer in SA. Also they are FWD as well.

I have considered swapping a VE head onto a DET block etc. Would certainly make the gearbox issue and mountings etc all much easier.

Only problem is that means I need to buy a VE AND a DET motor.

Put an RB in and kry klaar!!!

Do yourself a favor and go for a drive in Bruno's car next time you're at wesbank on a wednesday.... 😛

Saw a RB going into a S14 on Saturday.... so easy, it just dropped in with the gearbox attached. 😮

Sokar wrote:

Put an RB in and kry klaar!!!

Do yourself a favor and go for a drive in Bruno's car next time you're at wesbank on a wednesday.... 😛

he's right you know.

bruno's car is fantastic. loads of power. totally driveable, and the handling has come alive since the mod!!! a sweet swop if there ever was one...

but i still say do something different!

VE head on DET block, with Gti-r throttles. sounds awesome!

GTiR Throttles are crap aftermarket ones are much better.

My 2c get a DET and build it right will easily make 220 to 230 at 1bar. plus parts are readily available and still made unlike the CA which has to use Honda pistons or get them custom made.

The Calibrator wrote:

unlike the CA which has to use Honda pistons or get them custom made.

LOL - is that a dig at myself and vlade i see. 😂 😂 😂

its true though. you can get everything, and i do mean everything, aftermarket for the SR20det.

first prize is det block + ve head. Will see what the budget allows when the time comes.

I would stick with the CA18DET and put the money to quality parts. If youreally want to change then do it right and go RB25DET or even better RB26DETT.

how about 1uzfe???

there are many many new links to forums with s13 and s14 where guys are doing the v8 thing!!!

i think its awesome!

Anyone every gone VG30DETT?? I think that motor has a lot a power just waiting to be unleashed.

How difficult is it to get rid of the front diff in the RB26dett sump?

true about the RB range, but my wallet doest stretch that far. Getting it in is one thing, what happens when something breaks? $$$$ 😮

I personally dig the CA18 range as well. We had 3 x CA18 N/a sentras in the family and they truely are little rockets when they are running well.

But having had experience with SR motors the market is just more open to them. It's sometimes nice to have a bit of choice when you're looking for parts.

So what would be a normal, average, good, excellent and awesome wkw figure for a SR20det then?

I'm aiming for around 250 - 350 wkw turbo only.

johansx wrote:

How difficult is it to get rid of the front diff in the RB26dett sump?

The only way I've heard of is using a RB25 or an after market sump.

Either that or you can weld up the holes by yourself, YEEEEHAAAA!!!!

Sokar wrote:

johansx wrote:

How difficult is it to get rid of the front diff in the RB26dett sump?

The only way I've heard of is using a RB25 or an after market sump.

Either that or you can weld up the holes by yourself, YEEEEHAAAA!!!!

A nice high capacity drifting sump.... 😂
I am just too lazy to read the WSM pdf. 😉
Sure the diff would have some mounting spots inside/under the block. Will ask Andre next time I go to Rustenburg.

I'm aiming for around 250 - 350 wkw turbo only.

I think that is pushing it unless you are looking at spending some serious dosh. I think Riaan is pushing 240RwKw and that cost him something like R40k, but I might be mistaken 😂 .

Gary57 wrote:

Riaan is pushing 240RwKw and that cost him something like R40k

Oh, I think it was quite a bit more than R40k.....