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The SR20 can bolt-in to a Datsun 1200 without cutting the firewall, though it's easier with an original automatic-equpped car (which has a bigger central tunnel). The 1989 SR series is considered to be the replacement for the 1981 CA Engine based primarily on NVH improvements. It is heavier and bulkier than the CA series, but the SR20 puts out more HP than the CA18 or CA20 engines. In most Australia states, 2-liter is the largest normal engine swap into 1200, so the SR20 naturally aspirated is the ultimate capacity swap. In North America where there are no laws limiting capacity swaps, the KA24 is a more popular swap due to the larger CCs, higher horsepower in stock form, and higher availability.
Contents |
Overview
Also See: Nissan SR engineᵂ
- SR16VE is a hot one (NEO VVL), but small displacement means it is better for parts to make a hot SR20
- 16VE N1 Autech was 200 HP stock with with 8600 RPM redline
- SR18Di was made for a while (1990-1993), but has less HP than the lighter GA16DE engine -- see GA Engine Swap
- SR18DE made 125HP, but is much heavier and bulkier than CA18DE 131 HP
- SR20Di only 122 HP (single-point Fuel Injection aka TBI)
- SR20De is low emissions version
- SR20DE from 140 to 169 HP
- SR20VE has NEO VVL variable camshaft timing and lift (Nissan VVL). Unfortunately it was only available in FWD vehicles
- SR20VET has the most HP (280HP) and was available only in the X-trail GT
- SR20DET from 205 to 250 HP
NeoVVL 1200 Coupe
Which is better - CA or SR?
- CA18DET = street legal in all States
- SR20DET = not street legal in a 1200 in Australia. A bit newer, a bit more power, heaps more parts globally, many more of these engines, so more parts for a long time
SR20 has more CCs -- and there's no replacement for displacement. On the other hand, SR20DET is too big for legal street use in some countries.
POWER CA18DET 167 hp stock SR20DET 205+ hp stock
modded stock block (stock rods, pistons, head) CA 400 hp SR 400 hp Cams, turbo, intake and exhaust are the mods To go over 400 hp internal upgrades are needed
Naturally aspirated, bone stock CA18DE 131 hp SR20DE 140-169 hp
- There are more racing parts for SR engines. On the other hand, there are the same type of racing parts for CA engines (just not as many brands of them). There are even stroker kits for CA. It is easier to get parts like winged sumps etc for an SR. That doesn't mean the same parts are not available for the CA, it just means you need to look a bit harder.
- SR engine fits in a an unmodified 1200 engine bay. So does CA engine. Tie.
LOOKS - do you prefer the CA look or the SR look? Bulging muscles, or muscular athetic build?
- CA is lighter than SR. On the other hand, both are far heavier than A-series engines. Yes, the SR has an alloy block, but it's still heavier than CA.
- SR is more expensive than CA in many countries. In USA, CA18DET is less expensive then SR20DET -- RWD versions of both are imported as used engines (both were sold in USA in FWD form only). In USA the KA24DE from S14 trumps both CA or SR non-turbo engines. Cheaper and more powerful.
- More 1200 fans are experienced at CA swaps, so there is a larger body of knowledge and know-how for the CA swap. On the other hand there are plenty of SR swaps too.
- SOUND: SR has a different engine note, which some may prefer. Others like the sound of the CA.
- SR has timing chain, which requires less maintenance than the CA's timing belt. CA coils on the other hand often go bad.
Swap Overview
This is one way to swap an SR20DE into a 1200 -- and is easier than most ways.
- Stock SR20DE from Silvia S13 (RWD), get complete with wiring and 5-speed
- Find the 5 wires needed to run the engine and connect them to the 1200 wiring system
- Stumpy 5-speed, swap front case with SR 5-speed front case
- Stock 1200 auto driveshaft (unmodified)
- Create Gearbox Mount suitable for Stumpy
- Cut the stock 1200 crossmember uprights, weld flat plates at an engle to it. Drill a hole for the Silvia engine mounts
- Fit a large B310 radiator or other similar shaped radiator
- Modify/find radiator hoses and water outlet to suit
- Fit exhaust (welding, tube bending, etc)
- Fit 5/16" medium pressure EFI fuel hoses and EFI fuel pump
- No need for tank baffling or swirl pot (surge tank) -- if you keep the tank above 1/4 filled
- Use skinny tires with stock 1200 diff, or fit a 1200 Ute diff (H165) for more spirited driving. Swap in an H190 rear axle assembly for hard driving.
If your government requires it, check with an Engineer before starting this project. Local regulations may require other changes to the engine as well as to the chassis.
RWD vs. FWD block
FWD generally has the distributor at the back of the cylinder head, while RWD has it on the front. To install a FWD SR in a 1200:
- Make transmission adapter or modify block or modify transmission.
AND
- Cut a hole in the firewall so that the distributor can fit
OR
- Remove distributor and convert to a Crank Trigger ignition
RWD SRs: * Japan market Nissan Silvia PS13, S14, S15 1990-2002 * Japan market Nissan 180SX RS13 (S13 fastback) * Europe market Nissan S14 (SR20DET only) * Japan market C23/C24 Vanette Serena has engine configuration more like a FWD version * Europe market Serena C23M
RWD vs FWD bolt pattern plate 30411-52F00 | 1992 Nissan B13
AWD Bluebird
Crossmember
SR can use the same mounts as L-series or Z-series or KA-series. So treat the crossmember like any L-series swap.
See main article: L/Z/KA/SR Crossmember
Maddat Crossmember
Maddat sells conversion crossmember
Product No - FKSR1200 SR20/1200 Fitting Kit
Engine Cross Member, Modified SR Engine Mounts, Rubber Engine Mounts, Gearbox X-Member and sway bar kit. Trans tunnel, and remote clutch application sold separately. Very tight conversion, recommend using S13 to avoid problems with manifold hitting brake booster.
Transmissions
SR20/SR20DET gearboxes for RWD * 5-speed FS5W71C * 6-speed FS6R92A * Automatic RE4R01A
- Japan Market S15 came with 5-speed FS5W71C. Optional was 6-speed FS6R92A or Automatic.
- Japan Market S13/S14 with SR20 came with FS5W71C.
71C transmissions don't have a removable bellhousing. Instead its integral with the Front Case. 71C gearbox for other engines (e.g. KA24, CA18, VG30) can be used: by partially disassembling the gearbox and swapping the front half of the case it can be used on the other engine.
See 71-series Transmission#Swap Notes for more swap details
See Stumpy for a bolt-in version that fits the Datsun 1200
Sources
Japan Market RWD
Vanette is similar to the FWD SRs in that the distributor is on the back on the cylinder head, and the Throttle Body is pointing back. Because the engine is mounted under the floor, there is no firewall to foul on.
C23 SR20DE 9106-9906 Vanette Serena * underslung plenum back-head * rocker cover vent straight-back * rear exhaust C24 SR20DE 9907- Serena * top plenum straight-back * rocker cover vent on back sides * center exhaust
S13 SR20D 9101-9310 Silvia underslung up rearex RS13 SR20DE 9608-9812 180SX S14 SR20DE 9310-9812 Silvia overslung forward rearex S15 SR20DE 9901- Silvia overslung forward rearex S13 SR20DT 9101-9310 Silvia COP COVER (13287-51E00) RS13 SR20DET 9101-9812 180SX COP COVER (13287-51E00/13287-51E01) S14 SR20DET 9310-9812 Silvia overslung forward rearex S15 SR20DET 9901- Silvia COP COVER (13287-91F00 sloping)
RWD SR - japan import engines Nissan Silvia S13, S14, S15 1990-2002 NIssan 180SX (RS13)
Japan Market North-South
North-south (horizontally-mounted) engines typically have:
* rocker cover breather pointing straight back * distributor on the back of the head * throttle body facing back * center exhaust outlet
M11 SR20DE 9508-9811 Prairie M12 SR20DE 9811-0105 Prairie Liberty N30 SR20DE 9710-0107 R'nessa P10 SR20DE 9002-9508 Primera 4-dr sedan P10E SR20DE 9107-9611 Primera 5-dr hatchback P11 SR20DE 9509-0101 Primera P11E SR20DE 9611- Primera UK R11 SR20DE 9501-0008 Presea U13 SR20DE 9109-9511 Bluebird U14 SR20DE 9601- Bluebird V10 SR20DE 9812- ラィーノ back+side vents W10 SR20DE 9005-9808 Avenir W11 SR20DE 9808- Avenir WP11 SR20DE 9709-0011 Primera Camino wagon M12 SR20DET 9910-0105 Prairie Liberty high-mount turbo N14 SR20DET 9008-9501 Pulsar N30 SR20DET 9710- R'nessa U13 SR20DET 9109-9511 Bluebird W10 SR20DET 9005-9808 Avenir W11 SR20DET 9809- Avenir P11 SR20VE 9509-0101 Primera P12 SR20VE 0101- Primera U14 SR20VE 9601 Bluebird WP11 SR20VE 9709-0011 Primera Camino wagon R10 SR20D 9006-9412 Presea tubular dual-outlet exhaust T30 SR20VET 0010- X-Trail Top-plenum COP U12 SR20DT 8910-9108 Bluebird distributor U12 SR20D 8910-9108 Bluebird WU12 SR20D 9102-9109 Bluebird オーズィー RB14 SR20DE 9801-0008 Rasheen distributor, top box plenum
box-plenum: SR20DE M12 N15 SR18DE N30 P11 R11 RB14 U14 W11/WP11
tubular dual-outlet exhaust SR20DE U12/WU12 W10 P10/P10E R10 SR18DE B14 9509- N15 9601-
North America
All FWD - distributor on back of head, no Variable Valve Timing
B13 J/SR20DE Sentra B13 U/SR20DE Sentra B14X SR20DE B14U SR20DE B15U SR20DE
USA - FWD SR 1991-1994 B13 Nissan Sentra SE-R 140hp 1991-2002 Infiniti G20 (Nissan P10/P11) 140hp. 145hp from 2000-2002 1995-1998 B14X Nissan Sentra SE & SE-R (both 140hp) 1995-1998 B14U Nissan 200SX SE-R 140hp 1999-2001 B15U Nissan Sentra SE 145hp (roller rocker)
Colors
Red Top, Blue Top, Black Top, Black Cherry Top
Red Top: S13/180SX/Bluebird/Pulsar 1989–1994, Garrett T25G turbo Black Top: S13/180SX 1994–1998, Garrett T25G turbo Black Top: S14 1994–1998, CVT, Garrett T28 Black Top: S15 1999–2002, CVT, Garrett T28, Coil-pack, 6-speed Silver Top: Avenir 1995–2001 Silver Top: R'nessa 1997-2001
Identification
S13 underslung plenum | S14/S15 top plenum
S13 - no VVT S14/S15 JDM - black top CVT (cam bulge), DET has twin slope cam cover FWD - no VVT, distributor on back of head RWD - distributor on left side of head at front S14/S15 DET - no distributor (COP ignition)
S13 SR20DE (distributor)
RWD SR20DET (4 coils and front CAS)
S13 1994–1998 Red Top SR20DET (no plug wires) aftermarket top-mount turbo manifold
S13 1994–1998 Red Top SR20DET COP, no VVT
S13 1994–1998 Black Top
S14/S15 1994–2002 Black Top
S14 SR20DE - JDM cam bulge (CVT variable valve timing)
S14 SR20DET - cam bulge w/twin sloping cam cover
COP ignition - no plug wires
S15 SR20DE - plug wires & distributor
Same as S14
S15 SR20DET - COP (no distributor) twin slope-cover
Same as S14
Intake Manifold
S13 curve-down | S14/S15 curve-up
SR20VET high-mount turbo sloping rocker cover COP * COP Cover NEO VVL (unique) * dual-lobe intake camshaft (VVL) * Side-mount plenum (unique) front sump large ports deeply notched GT2560 (T28BB) turbo
AWD X-Trail SR20VET | FWD NEO VVL
Ignition
S14 SR20DE VVT - distributor on left side of head on front S14 SR20DET - COP, no spark plug wires FWD SR20DE/DET - distributor at rear of engine
RWD
SR20 CAS vs SR20 CAS/Distributor
S13 distributor is on head, left side at front. CAS is inside distributor
S13 DET COP: four coils on top of engine (no distributor). CAS is on head left side at front
FWD
FWD SR20DET Bluebird U13 - distributor at back of cylinder head
SR20 FWD distributor short type (RWD is long type)
Clutch & Flywheel
Speedometer
The 71-series gearbox speedometer drive works with the 1200 speedometer cable. If you need a longer cable, the Datsun 810 (200B) cable fits.
If the gearbox has an electronic sender for electronic speedometer, you can unbolt it and bolt in cable drive:
Cable drive (obtain from any 71C gearbox)
Silvia engines do not need the electronic speedometer signal. If it is installed, it can be used for overrun fuel-cut (increased fuel economy) plus the Silvia gauge cluster can be fitted to the 1200 dash.
See Main Article: Electronic Speedometer
Wiring
See main article: EFI Wiring
Alternator
JPN all MITSUBISHI S13 23100-35F10 A2T14694 + RS13 CA18DT 23100-52F10 <> 23100-52F11 23100-65F10 <> 23100-65F15 + RS13 SR20DE/DT S14 23100-65F10 <> 23100-65F15 23100-65F16 23100-65F17 S15 23100-85F10
Feature Cars
BAD310
Twincharged's '20 DAT'
See Main Article: Ricardo 1200
See main article: MYDRUG
journal of SR20DET Swap into Left-hand-drive 1200
See Main Article: Brynn
See main article: Mini_ME
racinaround
Sunny B13 "Nissan Sentra" race car, converted to RWD using tube fram
FWD SR converted to RWD use
SR20 with Holley 2-BBl carburetor
SR20 with GSXR throttle bodies
evey
Club member evey put together this SR-powered 1200 ute
Richard Swap
Some guys at Ozdat swapped an SR20DE into a 1200, costs were $1400 for the engine swap part ($2000 including the car, not including registration).
Ozdat forum: Richards SR20DE 1200 banga :)
V I D E O (click to view)
Yellow
10 psi. r33 brakes, vl turbo diff with disc brakes, xy mirrors, holden door handles, plasma man inter cooler and radiator
Yellow ute_man
ute-man's with r31 rear axle assembly, Commodor calipers, mini-tubbed to rail, half roll cage, S13 SR20DET (missing turbo) with Auto Gearbox
Variable Valve Timing
Nissan's version of VVT (variable valve timing) came in different flavors.
- VCT (Variable Cam Timing) advances/retards the intake cam (S14/S15). Side-mounted solenoid, fits well, needs no ECU (can wire a dash switch to select low/high RPM cam timing)
- VVL (Variable Valve Lift) uses two sets of cam lobes (SR20VET FWD/AWD only). rear-mounted solenoids, takes some work to fit in a 1200.
This solenoid is an on/off switch that switches to the hi-speed/lo-speed set of cam lobes. It is operated by the excellent factory ECU, or you can add a Megasquirt as a secondary ECU if for some reason you want to independently control the solenoid. You can also use MegaJolt as an RPM switch or even an MSD ignition controller to activate the solenoid. Or if you want to manually control it, use a toggle switch on the dashboard.
Is VVT worth it? N-VCT on S14 is only 15hp more than S13 so no biggie. However, Neo VVl (SR20VE/SR20VET) is a much bigger power increase. SR20VE with 190hp makes almost as much power as the QR25DE Spec-V (200hp) and far more power than SR20DE (128-160 hp).
N-VCT
All JDM S14 came with N-CVT (Nissan Variable Cam Timing). Europe S14 Turbo also came with it.
CVT is intake cam rotation (CVT does not change the lift). The cam retards at high RPM for freer flowing air charge.
23796-65F00 VALVE ASSY-VALVE TIMING CONTROL 9606- 23796-65F01 23796-1N515 23796-65F10 VALVE ASSY-VALVE TIMING CONTROL -9606 23796-6P000/23796-6P001/23796-6P002/23796-6P00A * S14 JDM SR20DE * S14 JDM SR20DET * S14 EUR SR20DET
Electrical solenoid activates a hydraulic circuit machined into the head
Mount to side of head, near the front
VCT can be spotted by the bulge at the front of the cylinder head.
NEO VVL
The AWD SR20VE NEO and AWD SR20VET NEO came with the more advanced VVL (variable valve lift and timing), which is more advanced than the simple N-CVT (variable valve timing only) of the black top SR20DE. It is also more advanced than VTEC as it can switch intake and exhaust independently, although that doesn't make a huge difference in practice.
This controller solenoid is attached to the rear of the cylinder head. So cut a hole in the firewall to make room. Specially-built low profile versions are available if you want it to fit between the head and the firewall.
- 1997-2000 P11 Primera (JDM) Te-V sedan or G-V wagon, 190 HP (139 kW)
- 2001-2003 P12 Primera (JDM) 20V sedan or W20V Wagon, 207 HP (152 kW)
- 1997-2000 U14 Bluebird (JDM) SSS-Z, 190 HP (139 kW)
- 1997-2000 Y11 Nissan Wingroad (JDM) ZV-S wagon, 190 HP (139 kW)
- 2001-2007 Nissan X-Trail GT (JDM) 280 PS
The 187 horses and the whiplash pull of variable valve lift (VVL) produced by the SR20VE motor teases the 140 horsepower SR20DE owners.
The SR20VET was 280 PS (30hp more than S15 SR20DET).
Unfortunately the AWD blocks are a variation of FWD blocks (see #RWD_vs._FWD_block).
Photo Index
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