Has anyone here done an sr swap? is it much harder than a CA swap? Does the firewall need any mods?

I did an SR swap its similar to the CA but the Ca is a better compromise as far as weight is concerned, it would be better to have a CA.
Only concerns are the transmission tunell.
check out Autospeed sight and search for a 1200 Coupe with n SR20DET it was cool

I've just bought a 180SX that is going to donate it's SR20DET to my LHD Datsun 1200 in a few months. I've asked others who have done the swap in a LHD car, and did not get a clear answer if the stock turbo/manifold would clear the steering box. It fits without firewall mods, but will require some transmission tunnel mods if your car was not originally an automatic. I think the goal with this engine is to sit it back as far as possible in the engine bay, as it seems to get tight in the front with an intercooler added in, plus with the extra weight you don't want too much going in front of the front wheels. When I do this swap I WILL do a full write up on it so everyone knows how to do it....unlike the others.

How much more would an sr weigh than the ca?

ca18det = 128kg

sr20det = 149kg


according to the tech section....

Don't forget you'll lose a lot of weight dropping it into the 1200 as you'll have to pull the A/C and related brackets/pulleys, and the fan, and possibly some other emissions items and stuff you don't need. In addition, a stainless header will also drop weight over the stock manifold. So plan on losing at least a good 50 lbs!

Good point afracer. I wouldnt have thought that 20kg would make too much differece? The reason I would steer towards an sr is that performance parts ( especially 2nd hand ) seem to be alot easier to get hold of, like manifolds, turbo kits ect. What are your thoughts??

there are a couple of sr20de powered 1200's doing club car events in nsw,in improved production.you can't cut the firewall or transmission tunnel in this class,so you shouldn't have to do that.it'd be better to start with an auto car,as these have a bigger tunnel,& the stock sr20 box is ginormous,& very long.figure on having the passenger in the back change gears for you,if you use the stock box.there's probably some way to get a stumpy box behind one,but just what bellhousing you'd use,i couldn't say.

Yeah I agree with you TYAFRYA the SR is way easier and cheaper to get aftermarket parts for, and it seems the market just keeps getting bigger and bigger! You can buy a new upgraded turbo and stainless extractors for less than $600 US. I just bought a new 3" stainless down pipe and test pipe for under $200!