How hard is it to put a timing chain kit on a SR20DET? I'm gonna get a timing chain kit and want to know if I can install it on the motor before I swap it into the car.

 

If the motor is out of the car, its not too dificult. Mind you, alot of the motor has to be disassembled to do the job which is kind of annoying. But it is very straight forward, just follow FSM specifics on removal procedures and mark eveything off etc.

Be careful if you have an "old style" SR with allen head bolts that are recessed style--it was a pain for me as I stripped them and ended up switching to the newer style reg hex head bolts.

 

/\/\/\/\/\ werd

 

With the motor of the car it really isnt that bad to do, it will be time consuming though. If you do have the old style sr with allen head studs, and easy way to get them out without stripping the bolts is to take a normal 10mm allen key and cut it in half with a sawzall or dremel then fit a 10 mm socket of the straight half of the allen key, depending on the age of the motor, or how long its been since the head has been removed you wont be able to remove the studs with a L or T handle Allen wrench, also try to avoid ball end wrenches as they have a tendency to break the ball off in the stud, then you'll have a whole lot of fun trying to drill it out.

 

Drilling it out is a ****.
I broke 3 craftsmen Easy Out bits on them
The expensive ones that cost like $10 each
It takes forever too

 

All you have to do is buy a 10mm allen socket. Works much better than dealing with the whole cutting of an allen wrench. Also easier to apply torque. Good luck.

 

its really really easy man...check out the dvd that driftspeed put out...oddly enough it helped me out, because unlike the FSM you can actually see exactly what they are talking about...

 

like everyone said before. its pretty easy if you follow the fsm. its very straight forward. But i would highly recommend taking the motor out(with tranny). it takes me about 1 hr to get my motor out, but even if it takes you 2hours, it still makes changing the timing chain SO much easier. The fsm recommend you taking off the head to remove the timing cover, this isnt neccessary. you can get the cover off with out marring it and just use some rtv sealant on it.

 

imo i wouldnt change it how many miles does you'r sr have? probabaly not even 60k and thats when u change a timing belt in sever weather conditions and you have a chain.

imo not saying anything about u or ur skills but u or anyone is more likely to f up doing the timing chain then it actually breaking anytime soon.

also it usually stretches messing up the timing b4 it breaks you your car wont run right or at all b4 it breaks so there are warning signs....the auto tensioner can only go so far.