I am in the market for an older sentra ('91-'94) and i was wondering would i be better of turboing a regular XE's motor or looking for a SE-R and swatting in a sr20 redtop? i know there are a lot of threads on both but none ask this question. thanks guys

depends on a lot of things. The Swap itself would be cheaper than the turbo for the XE, but you could also find an XE easier and cheaper anyway. Up to you. Either way, you'll end up with one quick sentra and both engines are capable of power that the tranny and tires can barely contain. The absolute easiest(if you can find an SE-R) would be to just turbocharge the stock SR20DE in the SE-R.

i would get the xe and drop a sr20det into
i think your insurance will be lower with an xe instead of the se-r
i think a turbo kit for the se-r run around 3000 dollars and you can do the swap for about the same price depending on where you are

how ugly would the swap be if i put an sr20de into an XE? i dont want to spend a ton of money. also on fugiot's comment, will the tranny be able to hold up to the upgrade in hp running through it?

I'm not sure about the strength of the XE's tranny, but the SE-R's can barely hold 200whp. So it might be somewhere around there. Sapping the SR20 into the XE would be the biggest pain in the ass of the 3 options, but it's certianly do-able. And a turbo kit for the SR20DE won't be $3000. You can get on here for $1800. www.jgycustoms.com
Also, I don't think there would be any insurance difference between the SE-R and the XE. Could possibly be lower due to the standard ABS, LSD, and SRS airbags. It's still a FWD Sentra to the Insurance company though.

i disagree with the ser tranny @200 hp. i figure with my setup im close to 325hp and with good solid tranny mounts i havent had any problems. The factory lsd still works and i use my car daily and for solo scca. and who cares about insurance. it would only be a little more exspensive. plus with an early ser like my 91, it has no options which is nice for someone who plans to race it. i.e. no ac no power nothing i love my ser and wouldnt get an xe, there alot of little things youll have to upgrade that you wouldnt think off, like the brakes. and exhaust. things like that.

if he wants to do a det in a xe let him one hell of a sleeper... i did it in my 4door(look at sig.) and i dont regret it.... sure it was a lot of work but i also gained a massive amount of exprience..

fredo

i, there alot of little things youll have to upgrade that you wouldnt think off, like the brakes. and exhaust. things like that.



well if he's working on it being fast most likely a brake upgrade and new exhaust is something he would have to do anyways

yes but 90% of people who do power upgrades dont do brakes.....anyway it would be alot less hassle to start off with an ser vrs. an xe because alot of things are already there that you dont have to go out and find like the power steering cooler. and some seats with some for of side bolsters to hold you in around the corners...its just wayt cheaper to start off with the real thing in this case thats all