Rebuild or Replace? Engine is already in pieces. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

sre30s14 · 09-26-2021, 10:04 PM

So I have an SR20DET from an S14. No issues for 8 years. Stock boost.

I finally had enough money to boost it and I thought why not. Let's do what it was meant to do.

I send it to the local SR specialist who I have been going to whenever little issues would creep up for the past 4 or 5 years. He says to go past 300 WHP reliably I would need a new headgasket, new headstuds, might have to machine the block for the gasket sit right, injectors, fuel pump, clutch, and etc. Which is all fine and dandy. I was going to just get a new turbo while I was at it. Make the classic 350 WHP and call it a day.

A week later, he tells me the pistons are off of some 2JZ-GTE, they are badly scratched up, rings are blown, walls, the whole shebang. The bore would need machining. But the head has already been sent for resurfacing.

I admit, I think a little compression test would've been suffice and I could've then determined if I wanted a new block or not. But its spilled milk at this point. He hasn't done anything like this in a long time so it was a little odd.

My two options are:

1. A 1 year warrantied rebuild that will set me back nearly $3000. Some of the money has already been sunk in. The head has probably been machined by now and the block is washed. This is including a fancy gasket, fancy studs.

2. Find an S13 SR long block for about $2000 that the seller could give me a warranty on. I could ask my specialist to see if its perfectly sealed etc never opened.

3. Find an S14 SR long block for about $3500, sell the head. Put on the machined head off of the old SR I guess.

Theres obviously a whole host of stuff after that. Injectors, clutch, pump, regulator, and etc. I might have to install a new headgasket and headstuds ($600 before labor) on the new motors.

It seems like the specialist wants to do a rebuild and there is sunk cost but I don't want that to influence my decision. There are lots of stories in each and every way. All I want is some decent horsepower to have fun with.

09-26-2021, 10:04 PM	#1
sre30s14 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Thailand Posts: 26 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Rebuild or Replace? Engine is already in pieces. So I have an SR20DET from an S14. No issues for 8 years. Stock boost. I finally had enough money to boost it and I thought why not. Let's do what it was meant to do. I send it to the local SR specialist who I have been going to whenever little issues would creep up for the past 4 or 5 years. He says to go past 300 WHP reliably I would need a new headgasket, new headstuds, might have to machine the block for the gasket sit right, injectors, fuel pump, clutch, and etc. Which is all fine and dandy. I was going to just get a new turbo while I was at it. Make the classic 350 WHP and call it a day. A week later, he tells me the pistons are off of some 2JZ-GTE, they are badly scratched up, rings are blown, walls, the whole shebang. The bore would need machining. But the head has already been sent for resurfacing. I admit, I think a little compression test would've been suffice and I could've then determined if I wanted a new block or not. But its spilled milk at this point. He hasn't done anything like this in a long time so it was a little odd. My two options are: 1. A 1 year warrantied rebuild that will set me back nearly $3000. Some of the money has already been sunk in. The head has probably been machined by now and the block is washed. This is including a fancy gasket, fancy studs. 2. Find an S13 SR long block for about $2000 that the seller could give me a warranty on. I could ask my specialist to see if its perfectly sealed etc never opened. 3. Find an S14 SR long block for about $3500, sell the head. Put on the machined head off of the old SR I guess. Theres obviously a whole host of stuff after that. Injectors, clutch, pump, regulator, and etc. I might have to install a new headgasket and headstuds ($600 before labor) on the new motors. It seems like the specialist wants to do a rebuild and there is sunk cost but I don't want that to influence my decision. There are lots of stories in each and every way. All I want is some decent horsepower to have fun with.