Nissan SR20DET engine

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Nissan SR20DET engine

The SR20DET is a very popular engine that can be found in several Nissan cars, but mostly in the Nissan Silvia, 200SX and 180SX. It also came in the Pulsar GTI-R and the Nissan Bluebird. This engine replaced the CA18DE and CA18DET that originally powered the Silvia and 180SX. As the CA18 became too expensive to produce and also no longer met the Japanese emission standards, it was eventually replaced by the SR20DET. The SR, just like the out-going CA, was a turbocharged intercooled engine with a great tuning potential. Nissan also produced a cheaper naturally aspirated version called the SR20DE. In the US and Canada, the Silvia and 180SX are both under the 240SX banner. USDM and Canada 240SX's come stock with the SOHC KA24E for earlier models, or the DOHC KA24DE for later models. Both are naturally aspirated engines producing 140 hp (100 kW) and 155 hp (116 kW) respectively. SR20DET engine swaps are becoming more commonplace due to the numerous forced induction aftermarket additions available for the SR20DET engines and many shops around the world specialize in SR20DET swaps.
(image credit: nissan catalog)

You can now check your knowledge by taking the quiz near the bottom of this lens!

SR20DET technical facts

The S14 silvia standard blacktop engine (s15 spec R in brackets)

Number of cylinders: 4
Bore: 86mm
Stroke: 86mm
Displacement: 1998ccm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Valves: 16
Intake valve diameter: 34.15mm
Exhaust valve diameter: 30.15mm
Intake camshaft: 232° duration, 10mm lift
Exhaust camshaft: 240° duration, 9.2mm lift
Oil capacity: 3.5 liters (or 3.7 with oil filter)
Injector size: 370cc side-feed (480cc)
Throttle body diameter: 50mm
Block material: Aluminium
Turbocharger: Garrett T28 @ 0.5 bar, 0.4 bar in 1st and 2nd gear (GT2560R ball bearing on JDM models @ 0.5 bar)
Intercooler: Wing mounted
Blow off valve: recirculation type
Rev limit: 7200 RPM
Max power output: 202HP @ 6000 RPM (250HP @ 6400 RPM)
Max torque output: 275NM @ 4800 RPM (275NM @ 4800 RPM)

Engine code breakdown:
SR - engine family (no special meaning known)
20 - 2 liter displacement
D - dual overhead camshafts
E - electronic fuel injection
T - turbocharged

Useful part numbers

Here is a list of useful Nissan part numbers that should come in handy when just ordering regular service items or rebuilding the engine with new parts:

14036-75F00 Exhaust manifold gasket
14415-75F10 Exhaust manifold to turbo gasket
14445-75F10 Turbo to turbo elbow gasket
15208-9F600 Oil filter
11026-01M02 Sump plug washer
22448-50F01 Ignition Coil
21010-65F27 Water Pump
22690-69F03 O2 Sensor
10101-75F25 Full engine gasket set
A1950-65F12 power steering belt

Please note these part numbers are for the S14/a blacktop SR20DET parts and could be different to the ones for the S13 redtop and S15 SR20DET. Turbo gaskets are all the same though.

Buy SR20DET OEM oil filters

With this pack of three SR20DET oil filters and washers, you're covered for around 18000 miles.
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Buy SR20DET OEM fuel filter

It is recommended to change the fuel filter every 60.000 miles or when doing an engine rebuild.
As an upgrade, the Z32 300ZX fuel filter can be used and is a direct fit to the S14.
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Buy SR20DET OEM thermostat

It is recommended to replace the thermostat every 5 years or 50.000 miles, as a stuck thermostat can cause the engine to either overheat and cause headgasket or wore engine damage, or if stuck open cause very slow heating up of the engine, no warm heating in the cabin and increase the wear rate of engine internals.
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Buy SR20DET OEM turbo gaskets

The turbo gaskets are common to fail with high mileage or older cars. There are a lot of different gaskets out on the market, but genuine gaskets perform the best. Recommended when fitting and aftermarket manifold or fitting a new or uprated turbo.
Also note the manifold to turbo and turbo to elbow gaskets fit the CA18DET engine with the T25 turbo too.
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Looking for an engine?

Well it is cheaper than a rebuild if you look at it that way...

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Tuning

The SR20DET is highly tunable and can run close to 400HP safely with stock internals in good shape!

Tuning the SR20DET engine

Some tips for almost double than standard power!

credit: own photo

As most turbocharged engines, the SR20DET is capable of developing more power without spending an awful lot of money on the project. Here is the list of parts you would need to run a safe 380hp on your engine without building it from scratch:

Pistons: if you have a healthy low mileage engine, it is not required to fit aftermarket ones.
Conrods: same as above, standard conrods should be able to take upto 450HP on standard rev limit.
Head gasket: the standard 1.1mm head gasket should be good for boost upto 1.6 bar or around 420HP.
Head studs: always replace the head studs when rebuilding the engine, or you risk the chance of them streching which results in head lift at higher power levels. ARP head bolts are good upto 600hp, OEM ones seem to slowly strech above 350HP.
Valvetrain: check the condition of the valves, shims and rocker arms and replace if there is to much wear or if you like to bang on the rev limiter. These parts seem to wear out quickly above 350hp too if they have never been replaced. Weak valve springs are not that uncommon and can lead to severe power loss at higher RPM.
Injectors: Nismo 555cc ones or 730cc if you'd like some reserve with fueling.
Air flow meter: the 300ZX Z32 orange label AFM is a popular upgrade. Requires a suitable air filter.
Camshafts: standard ones are good for around 400HP, anything more would require a turbo with more lag, so upgrading cams is almost needed. You should get away without needing a remap with 256° or 264° ones and still notice gains. Uprated camshafts may require stronges valve springs and matching retainers. Some aftermarket camshafts retain the VCT system.
Turbo: the Garrett GT2871R is a straight fit, available in .64 r .86 exhaust size, both should reach 380HP comfortably and could be pushed to 400-420HP with the right supporting mods. Holset HX30/35 seem to be used too, but there are no premade chips or maps available for these turbos, so will require a custom map or standalone ECU.
Intercooler: due to the small size of the standard WMIC, it is important to fit a front mount intercooler.
Clutch: an aftermarket ones will be required as the standard one struggles even when increasing boost on a standard T28 turbo and getting around 250hp.
Spark plugs: 2 grade colder ones are required, NGK copper BCR8ES should do the trick, all 4 for the cost of an iridium one if you don't mind replacing them every 10.000 miles or so.
Coilpacks: standard ones work fine, but are prone to failing. You can get 2nd hand ones cheap or get Splitfire ones so you don't have to worry about them anymore..
Exhaust manifold: the standard exhaust manifold becomes very restrictive above 350hp, so it would be a good idea to replace it with a stainless steel one. Try to aviod cheap ones as they'll most likely crack very soon and also keep in mind that not all manifolds retain the same position as the stock one, so you might need a matching elbow too.
ECU / mapping: for 360-380hp, the easiest way is to buy the Horsham Developments stage 3a ECU upgrade, which is a perfect match for the above setup (but only for nismo 555cc injectors, it would work with the larger GT2871R 0.86 turbo but wouldn't be ideal).
Fuel pump: an aftermarket fuel pump is needed when increasing power, the Walbro 255L/H pumps are popular. Should be one of the first mod anyway.
Oil: use good fully sythetic oil and change it every 4000 miles if you drive hard, otherwise every 6000 miles would be ok too..

IMPORTANT: when increasing power, it is crucial to upgrade the cars suspension and brakes, so try not to spend all the budget on just engine tuning parts!

Stage 3a video

GT2871R @ 1.4 bar 0-200km/h

powered by Youtube

Useful links

Visit these links for most of the parts you need:
H-dev
ECU upgrades and other parts for Nissans.
Apex Performance
Everything you need for your 200SX / silvia, Europe's largest 200sx specialists.
SX owners club
Owners club with lots of info, 2nd hand parts, traders, etc. A valuable resource for every owner!
DB power
Big brake kits and more parts for your car.
Japspeed
Brake parts, suspension parts, engine parts and other performance parts for Nissans and other brands.
Sumo power
Lots of performance parts for various brands of cars, they mostly have Cosworth headstuds, metal head gaskets and bearings for the SR20DET engine.
West Covina Nissan
aka The Nismo Shop, a great online store with OEM and some aftermarket parts for almost all Nissans. Lots of SR20DET parts at usually discount prices, usefull for hard to get parts.

The SR20DET quiz

Test your knowledge of the SR20DET engine.

Running an SR20DET engine?

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Have your say :)

  • karmicchristian Apr 25, 2012 @ 6:10 am | delete
    Stopping by for another test drive! Thank you!
  • wrapitup4me Apr 15, 2012 @ 12:57 am | delete
    Just popped over here out of curiousity. You really pack a lot of information into a small space.
  • tylerabernethy21 Apr 6, 2012 @ 6:53 pm | delete
    This is some really good information man. I can tell you know your stuff, so keep on struttin' it buddy!
  • ChinaGal Mar 22, 2012 @ 10:33 am | delete
    I'd like to get a 200SX or 240SX some day.
  • tylerabernethy21 Apr 6, 2012 @ 6:54 pm | delete
    Me too! I love the 240sx!
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