Engine Options: Information and Resources Guide

Overview:

All the info you ever wanted to know about the popular engine swaps for the 240sx.

*NOTE: When performing any swap, it is a good idea to replace any maintenance items on the car and motor before installation. This includes but is not limited to:

– water pump
– timing chains or belt
– fuel injectors
– fuel pump
– spark plugs and wires
– dist cap and rotor/coil packs
– all filters
– all fluids
– belts
– clutch and flywheel
– gaskets and seals

S13, S14 KA24DE (DOHC)

General:

– From 1991-1998 Nissan 240sx
– 2.4 liter/145 c.i. displacement, 89.0mm (3.50393 in.) bore x 96.0mm (3.77592 in.) stroke
– Cast iron block, aluminum head
– DOHC 16 valve solid lifter configuration
– CR: 91-94 – 9.2:1, 95-98 – 9.5:1
– Weight: ~ 465-500 lbs not including transmission

Peak HP – 155 @ 5600rpm
Peak Tq. – 160 ft/lb @ 4400 rpm

Availability/Cost: High/Low
Parts Availability/Cost: High/Low
Difficulty of installation: Low

Parts Required:

– Motorset (complete, virtually nothing from the SOHC motor is compatible)
– Transmission (not required for S13 DOHC swap, CAS location on S14 motor may require S14 transmission)
– Power steering relocation lines
– Wiring harness and ECU

Procedure:

– See Article

CA18DE-T

General:

– From 1987-1988 S12 Silvia GT-X, 1989-1990 S13 Silvia/180sx, 1989-1993 S13 200sx (Euro-spec).
– 1809cc displacement, 83mm bore x 83.6mm stroke
– Cast iron block, aluminum head
– DOHC 16 valve solid lifter configuration
– CR 8.5:1
– Weight: ~ 500 lbs.

Peak HP – 173 @ 6400 rpm
Peak Tq. – 166 ft/lbs @ 4000 rpm

Availability/Cost: Mid/Low-Mid
Parts availability/Cost: Low/Mid
Difficulty of installation: Low-Med

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission
– Wiring harness and ECU
– Engine and transmission mounts
– Driveshaft

Procedure:

– See Article

– More Info

Sponsor Sellers:

– Total JDM

SR20DE-T (Redtop, Blacktop S13)

General:

– From 1991-1993 S13 Silvia, 1991-1998 S13 180sx
– 1998cc displacement, 86mm bore x 86mm stroke
– Aluminum block and head
– DOHC 16 valve hydraulic lifter configuration
– CR 8.5:1
– Weight: ~ 490 lbs.

Peak HP – 203 @ 6400 rpm
Peak Tq. – 202 ft/lbs @ 4000 rpm

Availability/Cost: High/Mid
Parts Availability/Cost: High/Mid
Difficulty of installation: Low-Med

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission or bellhousing and KA transmission
– Wiring harness (hybrid KA/SR – splicing required) and ECU
– Heater hoses for re-route

Procedure:

– See Article

– More Info

SR20DE-T S14 “Notchtop”

General:

– From 1994-1998 S14 Silvia (VTC variable valve timing)
– 1998cc displacement, 86mm bore x 86mm stroke
– Aluminum block and head
– DOHC 16 valve hydraulic lifter configuration
– CR 8.5:1
– Weight: ~ 490 lbs.

Peak HP – 217 @ 6000 rpm
Peak Tq. – 202 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm

Availability/Cost: Mid/Mid-High
Parts Availability/Cost: High/Mid
Difficulty of installation: Med

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission or bellhousing and KA transmission
– Wiring harness (hybrid KA/SR – splicing required) and ECU
– Heater hoses for re-route

Procedure:

– See Article

– More Info

SR20DE-T S15

General:

– From 1999-2001 S15 Silvia
– 1998cc displacement, 86mm bore x 86mm stroke
– Aluminum block and head
– DOHC16 valve hydraulic lifter configuration
– CR 8.5:1
– Weight: ~ 490 lbs.

Peak HP – 247 @ 6400 rpm
Peak Tq. – 202 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm

Availability/Cost: Low/Mid-High
Parts Availability/Cost: High/Mid
Difficulty of installation: Med-High

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission (5- or 6- speed available)
– Wiring harness (hybrid KA/SR – splicing required) and ECU
– Driveshaft (if using 6-speed transmission)
– Heater hoses for re-route

Procedure:

– See Article

– More Info

RB20DE-T and RB25DE-T

General:

– From HR31, R32, R33 and R34 Skyline, C33 Laurel, A31 Cefiro, and Stagea
– 1998/2498cc displacement, 78mm bore x 69.7mm stroke/86mm bore x 71.7mm stroke
– Cast iron block and aluminum head
– DOHC 24 valve solid lifter configuration
– CR 8.5:1
– Weight: ~ 670-800 lbs

Peak HP – 210 @ 6400 rpm/245 @ 5600rpm
Peak Tq. – ???

Availability/Cost: Mid/Mid-High
Parts Availability/Cost: Low-Mid/Mid-High
Difficulty of install: Med-High

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission or bellhousing and KA transmission
– Wiring harness (hybrid) and ECU
– Engine and transmission mounts (custom)
– Driveshaft (custom)

Procedure:

– See Article

– More Info

RB26DE-TT

General:

– From R32, R33, R34 Skyline and Autech-tuned Stagea 260RS
– 2568cc displacement, 86mm bore x 73.7mm stroke
– Cast iron block and aluminum head
– DOHC 24 valve solid lifter configuration
– CR: 8.5:1
– Weight: 750-800lbs (w/o awd transmission)

Peak HP – 276 @ 6800 rpm (actually closer to 320-330hp)
Peak Tq. – 260 ft/lbs @ 4600 rpm

Availability/Cost: Low/High
Parts Availability/Cost: Low/High
Difficulty of installation: High

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission (RB25 transmission can be used with minor modification; extensive modification required for AWD transmission)
– Wiring harness (hybrid) and ECU
– Engine and Transmission mounts (custom)
– Driveshaft (custom)

Procedure:

See Article

More Info

VG30DE/VG30DE-TT

General:

– From 1990-1996 300zx (USDM), 1989-2000 Fairlady Z (JDM)
– 2960cc displacement, 87mm bore x 83mm stroke
– Cast iron block and aluminum head
– DOHC 24 valve solid lifter configuration
– CR: 8.5:1
– Weight:

Peak HP – 227 @ 6400 rpm / 300 @ 6400 rpm
Peak Tq. – 198 ft/lbs @ 4800 rpm / 283 @ 3600 rpm

Availability/Cost: Mid-Low/Mid
Parts Availability/Cost: High/Mid-High
Difficulty of installation: Med-High

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission
– Wiring harness (hybrid) and ECU
– Driveshaft
– Engine and transmission mounts

Procedure:

See Article

More Info

VQ35DE, VQ35HR

General:

– From 2002 – current 350z and 2003 – current G35
– 3498cc displacement, 95.5mm bore x 81.4mm stroke
– Aluminum block and head
– DOHC 24 valve configuration
– CR: 10.3:1
– Weight:

Peak HP – 240-301@ 6,200 rpm
Peak Tq. – 246-287 ft. lbs. @ 4,800 rpm

Availability/Cost: Low-Mid, High
Parts Availability/Cost: Mid-High, Mid-High
Difficulty of Installation: Med-High

Parts Required:

– Motorset
– Transmission
– Harness and ECU
– Mounts (custom)