Hello, I'm thinking of getting an S14 and swapping in a s14 SR20, the problem is I'm a Senior in High School and I'm worried about the reliability of the swap after I get it. I don't want to be driving without a tach or some other electronic failure. I've heard that the S14 SR20 swaps directly into the USDM S14 AKA 240SX, but people were vague, the would say things like you'll need new motor mounts and etc.... Again I'm a high school student I'm on a tight budget I was just wondering if i get a WHOLE swap including engine, tranny, ecu harness and all the good stuff, if there will be any more work besides just droping in the engine. I know this is annoying to all you Nissan Guru's, but I just want to get things straightened out before i get a car, I don't want to regret not getting a nissan or getting a nissan. BTW...I'm planning on using the car for road-racing so please put your input below...

 

Well here is the deal. This engine came STOCK in the car in Japan. If you get a good quality engine and install it properly it WILL be reliable, as reliable as any production car because it IS a production car.

My suggestion is to start SEARCHING THE FORUMS instead of asking everyone else to do your homework for you.

Now here is another problem you gotta understand. Road racing puts an ENORMOUS STRAIN ont he drivetrain & chassis which in turn KILLS RELIABILITY. You gotta decide what you want, good track ability or reliability because you can't have both.

As for how it will swap, you GOTTA search or people will destroy you. All your answers are ont he MANY 240SX forums....just start looking.

 

thank for actually helping

 

Hey everyone I am kinda new to the nissan scene too but have been doing research for 2 months and 2 days ago just pulled the KA24(USDM 240sx motor) out. Such an accomplishment since I never done anything like this except replacing suspension and braking parts. But man, I tell you, it was hard at all just takes a lot of time. Basically, you don't need to buy any parts for the swap really, all you need to do is basically when you get the clip(if you do the swap yourself), just remove everything carefully. It is really just a straight in swap, you don't need: motor mounts, down pipes, front mount intercooler, oil pan (if it wasn't damaged during the import of the clip), wiring harness, and anything else. I mean there are suggested parts, but in general you don't need anything that a front clip won't give you. Now if you clip is missing parts, like wiring harness, ignitor, or mass air flow sensor(basically intake), then you in for a ride on your wallet. Other than that you are all good.

Woops forgot to tell you, you definitely need a garage space about that can fit 2 cars, you are going to spend problem $700 bux on tools (ie. Hoist, engine caddy, sockets wrenches, specialty tools, etc)

I have compiled a step by step guide for doing the swap compiled from 4 swap guides: Sport Compact Car, Nissan Motor Magazine, Heavy Throttle Swap guide, and one other guide. These guides are considered the best, so I just compiled all the different information and made it better.

It is easy. Couple of noobie tips: Regsiter your car right when you get it, I got my shell towed and godf....ing darnit, it cost a lot of money to get it back because of exp. registration. When you pull the motor, take it off the anything that is raising the car, and stretch the hoist arm to 2 tons, 2.5 ton marking will just make your life miserable. Lemme know if you need the guide for swapping, it is in work format.

 

As long as you get a clip from a reputable seller you're pretty much set. I'm doing a SR swap right now in the shop the only extra things we've needed so far besides the clip are the 5/8-3/4 adapters for the heater hoses, and he took both the SR and KA Steering lines to have them crimped together because his car was a SOHC.