MIchael
This has probably been asked before but, where have you been getting your
engines, and at about what cost? Thanks, the stroker will fire in a day or
two, and I have a 2 litre next on the list.
thanks
Mike Koken
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Spreadbury" <michaelspreadbury@attbi.com>
To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2002 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: SR20 engine swap
> Hi Alan,
>
> I get a lot of inquires about my SR20DE swap into my 1966 Datsun Roadster.
> This swap has been so successful, that we have five more swaps lined up
for
> local owners who want to find a rev-happy, flexible, replacement Nissan
> engine which still retains the excellent handling characteristics of the
> Roadster, but without the maintenance issues that the U20 has.
>
> One of the most common questions I get about my swap is the viability of
> installing the venerable SR20DET engine into the Roadster. For those who
> don't know, the SR20DET is the turbocharged version of the SR20DE series
> engines which makes 202-247hp in stock form depending on which version is
> installed.
>
> The SR20DET is gaining lots of popularity here in the states with the
> owners of the 240SX who can literally bolt in the engine, and with a few
> minor modifications have a very powerful engine which responds well to
> modifications.
>
> As the long-block of the SR20DET is the same as the non-turbo engine, it
> will fit into the Roadster's engine compartment with the same
modifications
> that is necessary to fit the SR20DE (ie. notch the front crossmember,
build
> new engine mounts, etc.) I can speak more on this if you are interested.
>
> The fitment issues come with the associated turbocharger. The stock
SR20DET
> exhaust manifold puts the turbocharger in the wrong place as it hits the
> steering shaft, and the inner fender. This can easily be resolved with a
> custom exhaust manifold which will relocate the turbo to be a top-mount.
> This however, is not an inexpensive proposition.
>
> Then the exhaust issue needs to be resolved. The maximum size of exhaust
> pipe that I have been able to squeeze through the "X" frame is 2" (with
> modifications to the X frame), and ideally the SR20DET wants a 2.5" or 3"
> exhaust pipe exiting from the turbo. This will involve serious
> modifications to the X frame, or the complete removal and a replacement
> with a custom built K-frame.
>
> The other issue is how to plumb an intercooler into the equation as well
as
> the SR20DET was designed for an intercooler. To do this cleanly without
> serious modifications to the body and frame will take a lot of thought and
> planning.
>
> Of course, if one does not care about how things look, or does not have an
> issue hacking the car away, the SR20DET can (and has) be fitted to a
Datsun
> Roadster.
>
> I don't work that way, my engine swaps look like they came from the
factory
> with the SR20DE: http://www.zparts.com/showcase/msSR20swap1/intro.html
>
> I also question wether a Roadster really needs the extra turbo in the
first
> place. I think most who have driven my car (~150-160hp) with the SR20DE
> would say that it really needs another 50-100hp that the turbo would add.
I
> just don't think that the added work would really make the swap
worthwhile.
>
> If you are looking for a very flexible, low maintenance engine for one of
> your Roadster's, I would take a long look at the SR20DE, it really works
> well in this chassis. Last summer, I drove the roadster down to the All
> Datsun Meet at Mt. Shasta, California and the car performed flawlessly all
> weekend. We even drove it down to Sacramento (in 100'+ heat!) with no
> issues. Coming home we averaged 80-mph and the roadster got 32-miles per
> gallon, which is totally amazing, but speaks wonders of how great this
> conversion really is.
>
> Don't kid your self, this is not a simple one weekend conversion, it is
> going to take lots of time, money, and
> effort. However, a roadster, with this awesome engine and transmission,
> will provide you with a very low
> maintenance, high performance, power plant which has a broad torque range,
> outstanding drivability, amazing
> mileage, and will generate more smiles per mile that ANY other Nissan
engine.
>
> Michael Spreadbury
> 1966 Datsun Roadster (SR20DE power!)
> 1969 Datsun Roadster (soon to be SR20DE power!)
> 1970 Datsun Bluebird SSS Coupe (SR20DET/6-speed)
>
>
>
>
>
> At 11:08 AM 3/29/2002 -0500, Alan Horton wrote:
> >Hello List,
> >I too am now looking to do an engine swap because of the cost and
> >availability of U20 engine parts. I have a 68 and a 69 2000. The 69 is an
> >all original, numbers matching car (still in original paint) and the 68,
> >while running a U20, is not running the original engine. So I want to
> >conserve what parts I have left for the 69. I am leaning heavily toward
the
> >Jspec SR20 and have found an SR20DET at what I feel is reasonable. But
this
> >leads me to my question. Has anyone seen a swap into a roadster using
this
> >engine? I have seen the pics of Michael Spreadbury's car but I don't
believe
> >he used the turbo model. I would like to know if the SR20DET can be
> >transplanted without hacking my engine compartment and/or frame.
>
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