86-92 RX-7 (with a 13B rev engine) or a 240SX (with a SR20DET engine)?
#26
#28
god, why would you bother? The REW isn't that big of a leap ahead anyways. anyone who knows anything about FCs would tell you that making REW hp figures with a 13B-t isn't that hard to do at all.
FYI, my friend drives an FD, when it was still stock, i had an intake, full exhaust and FCD...i blew him away...at least i did on the expressway..can't say much about the street though (as i am not a street/drag racer).
Sure, having an REW in an FC would be cool...but what's the point if you will most likely eventually swap out the twinturbos for a single turbo setup?
basically, I'd just opt to get a TII and keep the 13B-t and work with that...
"JUST BECAUSE IT'S OLD, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SLOW"
FYI, my friend drives an FD, when it was still stock, i had an intake, full exhaust and FCD...i blew him away...at least i did on the expressway..can't say much about the street though (as i am not a street/drag racer).
Sure, having an REW in an FC would be cool...but what's the point if you will most likely eventually swap out the twinturbos for a single turbo setup?
basically, I'd just opt to get a TII and keep the 13B-t and work with that...
"JUST BECAUSE IT'S OLD, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SLOW"
#29
The SR20 swap is relatively inexpensive, and not that tough to do. It's probably one of the easier swaps out there, and a lot of SR20 parts are available in the states because of it's popularity. But to be honest, unless you just want to tell people that you have a swap, I'd stick with the RX-7. Seems to me it would be better to tell people you have a rotary engine.
#31
Originally posted by madpj7
One of the reasons the 240sx is loved is for its weight distribution...almost perfect 50/50. I don't know how it is on the RX7, I'm new here.
One of the reasons the 240sx is loved is for its weight distribution...almost perfect 50/50. I don't know how it is on the RX7, I'm new here.
#32
Really, They have better L/R distro. too. Hey dont get me wrong. I love 240's, and you have great power house options, but when you drop an SR in the engine bay, kiss the 240's weight distro good bye.
#34
One of my friends here at college is looking at the sr20det swap for his 240. It isn't a hard swap, almost everything bolts on.
As for the 13-rew, you might as well just buy a 3rd gen. It will probably be about the same cost, maybe even cheaper than swapping its engine, the 13-rew, into a 2nd gen. Or for that matter, since you're already sending over $10k, just buy an imported Silvia. If you want a Nissan that is. Or for real Nissan wow factor rb26det into a 240, mmm R34 engine in a 240.
As for my personal opinion, we need more people like me looking into a 13b-re swap. It should be fun.
-J
As for the 13-rew, you might as well just buy a 3rd gen. It will probably be about the same cost, maybe even cheaper than swapping its engine, the 13-rew, into a 2nd gen. Or for that matter, since you're already sending over $10k, just buy an imported Silvia. If you want a Nissan that is. Or for real Nissan wow factor rb26det into a 240, mmm R34 engine in a 240.
As for my personal opinion, we need more people like me looking into a 13b-re swap. It should be fun.
-J
#35
Originally posted by ShadowX
The SR20 swap is relatively inexpensive, and not that tough to do. It's probably one of the easier swaps out there, and a lot of SR20 parts are available in the states because of it's popularity.
The SR20 swap is relatively inexpensive, and not that tough to do. It's probably one of the easier swaps out there, and a lot of SR20 parts are available in the states because of it's popularity.
The SR20DET swap is one of the most expensive swaps out there currently.  Unless someone is doing cut-rate work, most SR20DET swaps are priced around $6,000!  Not only do you require the SR20DET engine (long block - don't forget the AFM), but you also need the transmission - NO, the stock US-spec 240SX transmission doesn't fit.  Don't forget a FMIC!  If you're keeping with the stock ECU, then you need the ECU itself (duh) and an intact wiring harness - this makes the swap very pricey, as complete wiring harnesses and ECU's are very hard to come by; SR20DET long blocks are fairly easy and cheap to get - usually under $2,000 for a red-top.
If you're going stand-alone, this just tacks on more more and time to install and tune, but it might be better in the long run, as you don't need the stock AFM, wiring harness, or ECU.  I've been in an Autronic controlled red-top SR20 w/ stock turbo with no AFM that put down 250hp to the ground - most stock ECU SR20's can't touch those numbers.
Now, for the bad part...  The motor has only a 3 quart oil capacity!??!?!  Unless you get the GReddy oil pan extension (adds almost 2 quarts more capacity), 3 quarts is pretty damn low for a high performance engine putting down more than 100hp/liter + turbo.  Headwork (on piston engines) is big money (min $500).  Cams are big money (another several hundred $).  The stock turbo chokes before 300hp at the wheels.  Upgrade turbos are pricey - most opt for GT25/28 series turbos.  Big FMIC's are pricey.  By the time you hit the 400hp mark, you've dumped over $10,000 into the car!
By comparison, a 400hp FC 13BT can easily be built at HALF the price of the built SR20...
Don't kid yourself - there's been a LOT of BS in this thread on what is fact or fiction.
Think about it...
-Ted
#36
Ted...where do you get a $6000 figure from?
There are literally dozens of shops here on the west coast who will do a swap for under $4000 including aftermarket exhaust, fuel pump, intake, etc.
There are also shops who will swap in an SR20 with nothing more than getting it running for less than $3000.
Wiring harnesses and ECUs aren't hard to come by, they come in the clips when the bring 'em over. I've helped with dozens of 'em.
Big draw backs?
You'll never pass an inspection, you'll never pass smog (if it applies), you'll have constant trouble with the law on the west coast.
There are literally dozens of shops here on the west coast who will do a swap for under $4000 including aftermarket exhaust, fuel pump, intake, etc.
There are also shops who will swap in an SR20 with nothing more than getting it running for less than $3000.
Wiring harnesses and ECUs aren't hard to come by, they come in the clips when the bring 'em over. I've helped with dozens of 'em.
Big draw backs?
You'll never pass an inspection, you'll never pass smog (if it applies), you'll have constant trouble with the law on the west coast.
#37
$6000 is a bit high, even for a reputable shop. Heavy Throttle Performance is a pretty well known place that sells an S13 Redtop with tranny, ecu, electronics, etc for only $2500. They will recommend a shop in your area that they trust to do the swap if you're not near them. I was looking at $6000 for the engine/swap and an FMIC. It's a really straight forward swap. Sport Compact Car did one a few months back, and they chronicled the whole process in a fairly short article. It cost them a total of like $3000 including the cost of the car. I wouldn't do it that cheap, but that's just an extreme case. I'd still choose an RX-7; the RX-7 still has a better wieght distribution, and it's just a pretty "nifty" car in the first place. It was a tough decision between the two though. And if you were planning to do a swap, amke sure you have extra cash on hand for when something goes wrong, because as I've read many times, it's not an if, but a when.
#38
Also keep in mind that common parts are hard to come by for the SR20DET. Common engine parts are not sold over the counter here and need to be imported from Japan, these command very high premiums!
The only SR20 parts that are comparable price over here are performance parts...
The only SR20 parts that are comparable price over here are performance parts...
#39
Originally posted by ShadowX
$6000 is a bit high, even for a reputable shop. Heavy Throttle Performance is a pretty well known place that sells an S13 Redtop with tranny, ecu, electronics, etc for only $2500.
$6000 is a bit high, even for a reputable shop. Heavy Throttle Performance is a pretty well known place that sells an S13 Redtop with tranny, ecu, electronics, etc for only $2500.
http://www.srswap.com/
From what I heard, they are like the leader in SR20 swap online.
http://www.srswap.com/html/products/engineinstall.htm
$6,128, as listed
If you're assuming people can do this swap, that's asking for trouble.
-Ted
#40
Originally posted by JagdStealth
Ted...where do you get a $6000 figure from?
Ted...where do you get a $6000 figure from?
There are literally dozens of shops here on the west coast who will do a swap for under $4000 including aftermarket exhaust, fuel pump, intake, etc.
There are also shops who will swap in an SR20 with nothing more than getting it running for less than $3000.
There are also shops who will swap in an SR20 with nothing more than getting it running for less than $3000.
-Ted
#41
This is a silly trend this thread is following, but oh well. My friend who is doing the sr20 swap is doing it himself. It won't be hard. The reason he is getting a front clip. It's silly to get a long block and then get a tranny and then get all the other peices separate. He will get a S14 sr20 front clip for at most $3k. He will do all the labor and use a friends garae. That's it. He pays for the lcip and the shipping and nothing else. Sure maybe some minor parts, but no garage/install fees. That is a much easier and cheaper swap than a 13b-re.
-J
-J
#42
Heavy Throttle = srswap.com; and note that the 6128 comes from the adding in various upgraded parts not required for the swap, just a good thing to do. The actual labor is just listed as 1500. In the end, it is probably more realistic to look at $6,128 for the whole process, because you should upgrade to those items anyways, while you've got the engine out, it would almost be silly not too. This stuff is somewhat off topic anyways, as the guy is really just wondering which one to get. I would say that depending on where you're at, a turboed rotary is more rare than an SR20DET swap. And as RETed stated before, ALL the parts are available stateside, something to consider if you're going to keep the car long.
#43
Yes, we can argue on prices all day long.  I never really looked at the pricing detail from SRSwap.COM, but I do remember the $6,xxx figure.  Most guys in Hawaii are paying close to $3,000 for a good red-top SR20DET, trans, ECU, and intact wiring harness.  I'd tack on $1,000 for a decent FMIC.  I would add another $1,000 just to cover the miscellaneous stuff which would include another clutch, BOV, and other expenses.  Now, add $1,000 in labor, and you'd hit $6,000 easily...for those who don't have the resources to it themselves.  Now, if you can weld, got all the tools, get cheap materials, etc., the price is going to plummet drastically - but can others do the same?
Are you willing to sell S14 front clips for $3,000 for everyone else?
You're talking about your deals which not everyone can get, right?
I've seen $4,000 SR20 swaps, and they were nasty.  Sorry, I didn't follow the SR20 swap stories in the mags.
Now, as a side note, a fellow FC owner claims the S13/S14 suspension is superior to the FC3S in terms for drifting.  He wants to retrofit a custom front suspension to induce the 10-degree+ of caster trail like you can do with an S13/S14 just so you can drift better.  I disagree.  But, seeing the recent Signal Auto event over this past weekend, the S13's did look mighty nice drifting around the track!
-Ted
Are you willing to sell S14 front clips for $3,000 for everyone else?
You're talking about your deals which not everyone can get, right?
I've seen $4,000 SR20 swaps, and they were nasty.  Sorry, I didn't follow the SR20 swap stories in the mags.
Now, as a side note, a fellow FC owner claims the S13/S14 suspension is superior to the FC3S in terms for drifting.  He wants to retrofit a custom front suspension to induce the 10-degree+ of caster trail like you can do with an S13/S14 just so you can drift better.  I disagree.  But, seeing the recent Signal Auto event over this past weekend, the S13's did look mighty nice drifting around the track!
-Ted
#44
I've never seen the FC as a drift car, maybe an FD. Silvias/180sx seem to be the prefered car, simply because they're inexpensive. I would tell him to go for the FC, and save himself the trouble down the road from getting an imported engine. Or if he's got the money, find a 3rd gen, it'll probably run him close to the cost of an SR swap.
[edit]
Although, I'm not trying to say an FC couldn't be a great drift car. RWD and good power on tap, if I can drift a FWD 175hp car, I'd imagine it's much more feasible in a 200hp RWD car.
[edit]
Although, I'm not trying to say an FC couldn't be a great drift car. RWD and good power on tap, if I can drift a FWD 175hp car, I'd imagine it's much more feasible in a 200hp RWD car.
Last edited by ShadowX; 05-30-03 at 10:13 PM.
#45
RETed: The reference I made about a $3k S14 sr20det is a deal that my friend is working out with a small company we found in Seattle. They primarily sell jdm, or jspec engines on ebay right now. If you really want more info I can give you their number and web site. The web site is still under construction and the $ amount is only a ball park figure that I remember. It may or may not include shipping. You'de have to talk to my friend to be sure, I have because he is in another state right now.
Anyways, the only point I was trying to make is that an sr20det 240sx is cool, but not orignal. Everyone with 240 is doing that swap, because it is not that difficult once you have the parts. It will be a much easier swap than the fc with 13b-rew. It may also be easier to find a cheap 240 than a good fc, but in the end it all comes down to taste.
mm, rotorary.
-J
Anyways, the only point I was trying to make is that an sr20det 240sx is cool, but not orignal. Everyone with 240 is doing that swap, because it is not that difficult once you have the parts. It will be a much easier swap than the fc with 13b-rew. It may also be easier to find a cheap 240 than a good fc, but in the end it all comes down to taste.
mm, rotorary.
-J
#46
Originally posted by ShadowX
I've never seen the FC as a drift car, maybe an FD.
I've never seen the FC as a drift car, maybe an FD.
The reason the Silvia is so popular is simply like you said, they are dirt cheap, there are tons of them, and parts are easy.
That's the same reason they are popular in Japan. They are dirt cheap, there are tons of them, and best of all, they are still in production!
#49
Originally posted by IwannaFC
now i gotta ?. Can u beat on 13bt like an SR20. like doing a clutch kick or like flooring the engine and punching the clutch repeatedly to initiate a drift?
now i gotta ?. Can u beat on 13bt like an SR20. like doing a clutch kick or like flooring the engine and punching the clutch repeatedly to initiate a drift?
#50
Originally posted by IwannaFC
now i gotta ?. Can u beat on 13bt like an SR20. like doing a clutch kick or like flooring the engine and punching the clutch repeatedly to initiate a drift?
now i gotta ?. Can u beat on 13bt like an SR20. like doing a clutch kick or like flooring the engine and punching the clutch repeatedly to initiate a drift?