rebuild Redtop or get a Blacktop? - see inside

[fliprayzin240sx]

First off, your not asking about rebuilding an engine, your just talking about replacing stuff that should be replaced before any shop. You cant honestly expect to drop a 10-15 yr old engine thats been sitting in a junkyard for god knows how long and expect it to run reliably. Doesnt matter if its a redtop, blacktop, bluetop, pinktop etc, you need to do preventative maintenance on it before dropping it in. If your so stingy to change shiet like thermostats, water pump, belts, oil pans, etc, then you will end up paying alot more in the long run when that engine starts having issues, because you gimped on it when you did the install.

The difference between a S13 redtop/blacktop is a couple hundreds, tops. You want a reliable engine, blacktop wont be a good candidate (for me atleast). Why? All blacktops came from 180sx in japan. I have yet to see a 180sx that hasnt been BEAT TO HELL. Go find an automatic SR engine and youll have a better chance of finding them in a better condition and less abuse. It doesnt take much to make them work with a 5 speed tranny.

[MrFairlady]

Originally Posted by fliprayzin240sx

First off, your not asking about rebuilding an engine, your just talking about replacing stuff that should be replaced before any shop. You cant honestly expect to drop a 10-15 yr old engine thats been sitting in a junkyard for god knows how long and expect it to run reliably. Doesnt matter if its a redtop, blacktop, bluetop, pinktop etc, you need to do preventative maintenance on it before dropping it in. If your so stingy to change shiet like thermostats, water pump, belts, oil pans, etc, then you will end up paying alot more in the long run when that engine starts having issues, because you gimped on it when you did the install.

The difference between a S13 redtop/blacktop is a couple hundreds, tops. You want a reliable engine, blacktop wont be a good candidate (for me atleast). Why? All blacktops came from 180sx in japan. I have yet to see a 180sx that hasnt been BEAT TO HELL. Go find an automatic SR engine and youll have a better chance of finding them in a better condition and less abuse. It doesnt take much to make them work with a 5 speed tranny.

Thank you....I'd rather do it right so thats kinda why I'm asking by the time I spent money on stuff..would the Blk be a better starting point.

Redtop looks like my best bet and Just get the prevenative parts to Work well.

co-worker dropped a Redtop in his coupe (orig had a DOHC as well) and it has been his daily for about 6-8mnths since the install.It had a relativley new clutch.Had a wire wrong and had to replace the ECU but thats it.He got a Clip of some kind that had SMIC,etc,etc.
Everything has Run excellent for him.Hes had to I believe get a new water pump recently..thats it.

I hop I'm as lucky as he is and just go ahead and drop a new clutch,Seals,gaskets..pumps and hope for the best.
Do I need to go ahead and bet on th eoil pan being dookie when i get the motor too? Go ahead and buy a new OEM one?

thanks again.

**This wil hopefullyl be a good search thread that i wish I would have found,..but were moving right along for Future Newbs that will hopefuuly search.

[Cloud9]

It should only be a couple hundred diff between the s13 red and blacktop, so save 200 more and get a blacktop just for the sake of possible lower miles. And then rebuild it if you wish, ive had my sr for over a year now and only did minor things like exhaust gaskests, water pump, main seals, plugs, clutch, ect and it runs great and i beat the shit out of it and drive it 4 hours home from every event.

[unicoladron]

Originally Posted by MrFairlady

Thank you....I'd rather do it right so thats kinda why I'm asking by the time I spent money on stuff..would the Blk be a better starting point.

Redtop looks like my best bet and Just get the prevenative parts to Work well.

co-worker dropped a Redtop in his coupe (orig had a DOHC as well) and it has been his daily for about 6-8mnths since the install.It had a relativley new clutch.Had a wire wrong and had to replace the ECU but thats it.He got a Clip of some kind that had SMIC,etc,etc.
Everything has Run excellent for him.Hes had to I believe get a new water pump recently..thats it.

I hop I'm as lucky as he is and just go ahead and drop a new clutch,Seals,gaskets..pumps and hope for the best.
Do I need to go ahead and bet on th eoil pan being dookie when i get the motor too? Go ahead and buy a new OEM one?

thanks again.

**This wil hopefullyl be a good search thread that i wish I would have found,..but were moving right along for Future Newbs that will hopefuuly search.

you don't have to go and waste 60 dollars on a new shiny oil pan. just bash out the one you get with a hammer. don't go to crazy on it to fuck up the metal that would potentially cause a leak. use a plastic/wooden mallet or some shit. the money for that oil pan can go to a turbo timer or some other shit.

[nissanmotorsports]

Originally Posted by fliprayzin240sx

First off, your not asking about rebuilding an engine, your just talking about replacing stuff that should be replaced before any shop. You cant honestly expect to drop a 10-15 yr old engine thats been sitting in a junkyard for god knows how long and expect it to run reliably. Doesnt matter if its a redtop, blacktop, bluetop, pinktop etc, you need to do preventative maintenance on it before dropping it in. If your so stingy to change shiet like thermostats, water pump, belts, oil pans, etc, then you will end up paying alot more in the long run when that engine starts having issues, because you gimped on it when you did the install.

The difference between a S13 redtop/blacktop is a couple hundreds, tops. You want a reliable engine, blacktop wont be a good candidate (for me atleast). Why? All blacktops came from 180sx in japan. I have yet to see a 180sx that hasnt been BEAT TO HELL. Go find an automatic SR engine and youll have a better chance of finding them in a better condition and less abuse. It doesnt take much to make them work with a 5 speed tranny.

yea, that's right! i just did a swap in my 1991 240sx with an Automatic SR engine, well what can i say it runs perfectly and reliably, soon, i will rebuild the motor, just in case.