SR20 Tops

[iownju]

Im trying to learn about the sr20 and that type of stuff because one day i want to do a swap myself, but the one thing i dont know alot about are the tops. What do they represent and what options go with which tops. I know that different models of cars have different tops, but as far as doing a swap with one, which is better, which is faster, etc. I tried searching but could find anything that would help me. But i think i might pick up that sr20 swap dvd

thanks for the info.

[Weapon X]

Yeah I dont think there's too much information on this site about that sort of thing. I would say try Zilvia.net, 240sx.org, and Freshalloy.com and doing a search for an SR20 FAQ. That should give you more than enough information.

[iownju]

thanks, ill check them out

[GRiDRaceTech]

Chassis Year Engine Color
S15 1999+ SR20DET Black
S14 1996-1998 SR20DET Black
S14 1993-1996 SR20DET Black
S14 1993-1998 SR20DE Black
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DET Black
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DE Black
RPS13 1991-1995 SR20DET Red

Chassis Year Engine Rear Slant
S15 1999+ SR20DET Yes
S14 1996-1998 SR20DET Yes
S14 1993-1996 SR20DET Yes/No
S14 1993-1998 SR20DE Yes
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DET No
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DE No
RPS13 1991-1995 SR20DET No

Chassis Year Engine Front Hump
S15 1999+ SR20DET Yes
S14 1996-1998 SR20DET Yes
S14 1993-1996 SR20DET Yes
S14 1993-1998 SR20DE Yes
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DET No
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DE No
RPS13 1991-1995 SR20DET No

Chassis Year Engine Slots
S15 1999+ SR20DET 8/7/8/10
S14 1996-1998 SR20DET 8/7/8/10
S14 1993-1996 SR20DET 8/10/10/10
S14 1993-1998 SR20DE 8/7/8/10
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DET 8/7/8/9
RPS13 1996-1998 SR20DE 8/7/8/9
RPS13 1991-1995 SR20DET 8/7/8/9

Check here also: http://www.sr20detinfo.com/

Took all of five minutes from Google.

[180fan]

There are other differences within the "tops".

S13 redtop used as a base reference engine. all differences will be noted against the s13 redtop.

s13 blacktop has ribs on the head. supposedly stronger rods. I've seen the internals for my own blacktop but haven't done a rebuild yet for a redtop. Just my own blacktop so I wouldn't be able to compare the two yet.

s14/s15 have the hump in the valve cover. low port head instead of the older high port head (better for higher end power). bigger injectors for the s15. thicker IC for s15. s14 had the journal bearing t28, s15 ball bearing t28. They also have the VTC solenoid (the bump in the passenger side of the valve cover).

[sil180sx]

Originally posted by 180fan
There are other differences within the "tops".

S13 redtop used as a base reference engine. all differences will be noted against the s13 redtop.

s13 blacktop has ribs on the head. supposedly stronger rods. I've seen the internals for my own blacktop but haven't done a rebuild yet for a redtop. Just my own blacktop so I wouldn't be able to compare the two yet.

s14/s15 have the hump in the valve cover. low port head instead of the older high port head (better for higher end power). bigger injectors for the s15. thicker IC for s15. s14 had the journal bearing t28, s15 ball bearing t28. They also have the VTC solenoid (the bump in the passenger side of the valve cover).

im pretty sure that the 14 t28 and the 15 t28 are identical as in both being ball bearing.... i thought the only difference was the fact that the wastegate on the 15 t28 is split

[180fan]

I'm pretty sure the s14 had journal bearings and s15 had the ball bearings. I'll double check that though.

[Ripper]

what about the blue tops?

[180fan]

no such thing unless you're talking about tuner shops that paint their valve covers. In which case, Tomei has blue, JUN has yellow/green...but they have stamps on their valvecovers to let you know it's genuine, otherwise the person with the sr may have just painted it. Like mine has been repainted white.

[sil180sx]

Originally posted by FreeThinker
Only the Spec-R S15 has the divided wastegate, and the S15 turbo uses an inconel turbine wheel.

-Sean

yea.... because only the spec r is turbo..... whats a inconel turbine wheel....ive never heard of that before

[Ernie]

S13 engines have a straight cut intake tunnel that has more of a top end advantage, while the S14 and S15 engines have a venturi style intake design. The opening starts large and decreases in size as it gets closer to the intake valves. This creates a drop in pressure and an increase in velocity. Air rushes into the cylinders at a higher rate of speed giving it more midrange power. This design coupled with 20degrees of VTC adjustable cam timing from 1500rpm to 5700rpm gives this engine a higher level of response "a drifter's engine". While if I were a drag racer I would prefer the redtop or blacktop S13 engine with more top end(higher rev range) power. Wanna really get tripped out research the SR20 VVTi that was designed for the Tommy Kaira Kit car. This one had individual throttle plates and twin VTC Solenoids.

S14 and S15 turbos are both ball bearing. I think S15 is slightly bigger exhaust with the divided actuator in the turbine housing casting. This is just what I see when I install them at my shop. They are otherwise identical and take about 30+ seconds to stop spinning after the engine is shut off. Kinda cool!

[180fan]

Yep, I stand corrected, the S14's do use a ball bearing turbo.

[nissanguy_24]

Perhaps im mistaken but doesnt the S15 actually use a "gt28" turbo as opposed to the t28 on the S14? thus making them slightly different ?

I really dont know.. doesnt surprise me though that there is confusion on the subject.. how many S15s are floating around america? not many...