How upgradable are the early 90's sentras?

[91HBSi]

I'm just curious as to how difficult it is to upgrade an early 90's model (92ish) sentra. Are there many turbo kits available for the 92 SE-Rs and other performance parts (cams, cam gears, pistons, exhaust, fuel rail, injectors, etc.). I see a lot of older sentras around for less than 2500 bucks and I was just curious.

[nacho_nissan]

yah,for the SE-R you can find alot of parts..

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by 91HBSi

I'm just curious as to how difficult it is to upgrade an early 90's model (92ish) sentra. Are there many turbo kits available for the 92 SE-Rs and other performance parts (cams, cam gears, pistons, exhaust, fuel rail, injectors, etc.). I see a lot of older sentras around for less than 2500 bucks and I was just curious.

Speedwise, just purchasing a Classic SE-R is an upgrade in itself, if you're coming from lesser Honda models.

My 1992 SE-R, with just an intake and timing-advance, has beat a b16-swapped Civic EX, and a b16-swapped DelSol...which both probably cost twice that 2500 figure of yours, and more than twice the 1800 I paid for mine.

Anyhow, my friend's shop has offered me an SR20DET swap for about 1700-dollars, including the install...which that alone should have me in the mid-13's, problems notwithstanding.

Also, with the notoriously restrictive intake/exhaust the car has, just a CAI/H/Exh should have you at least in the high 14's, if not mid 14's with the stock SR20DE. Also, the stock LSD is priceless...or 500+ dollars if bought for a Honda ...

[integra818]

I saw a 91 sentra rinning 13.0 quarter-mile time last night. He claimed he was boosting 14 LBS. These cars are VERY upgradable.

[91HBSi]

where can I find one. I see the non-SE-Rs around, but NEVER the SE-R. I found one in RI that is 2200 obo and it comes with a couple bolt ons and some spare parts. He claims it's in really good condition. The only problem is that I live in South AL. I wonder how much shipping would be.

Also, how much harder is it to swap the DET into a non SE-R model? If I could get an SE-R I wouldn't swap, but if I can't then an maybe I could swap over the DET.

[Datsun83]

I would seriously think about your options before going turbo. Have you considered VVL? VVL provides a more smooth curve in power than the DET. You could easily get a classic SE-R running low 14s with minimal modification. Plus, you can save a few bills with the VE.

[91HBSi]

Originally Posted by Datsun83

I would seriously think about your options before going turbo. Have you considered VVL? VVL provides a more smooth curve in power than the DET. You could easily get a classic SE-R running low 14s with minimal modification. Plus, you can save a few bills with the VE.

Yeah, I'm aware of the smoother curve... but I was refering to a hypothetical situation in which I couldn't get my hands on an SE-R. In that case I would do the DET swap. Are you saying that I should get a Sentra 1.6 and convert to an SR20DE instead of to a DET? Are those engines hard to come across?

[sr20de4evr]

save money with the VE over the DET?
Well for one the engine itself costs more than a DET, costs more to get it running, has less power, and costs more to upgrade. The VE is for NA freaks and that's about it, if you want serious power that's not the route to go.

Also, it would be much more cost effective to find an se-r and turbo it than to get a lower model and swap in a det. You would have to swap the tranny, engine management, mounts, engine, and probably the gauge cluster as well.

[Datsun83]

Sorry, didn't quite know your situation. I would definately go for the Sentra 2.0 instead of the 1.6. I know for a fact there is an SR16VE on ebay right now going for 1500 and that would probably corrolate better to the 1.6. SR20VEs are becoming increasingly cheaper and easier to find but as you know they lack a little in the torque area.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by Datsun83

Sorry, didn't quite know your situation. I would definately go for the Sentra 2.0 instead of the 1.6. I know for a fact there is an SR16VE on ebay right now going for 1500 and that would probably corrolate better to the 1.6. SR20VEs are becoming increasingly cheaper and easier to find but as you know they lack a little in the torque area.

Even with an SR16, you have to remember, it's still an SR motor, which needs an SR tranny.

If you get any "lesser" Sentra, to swap in ANY SR motor, you'll still need to purchase a USDM SE-R's tranny, engine management, mounts, at the minumum, just like sr20de4evr said. The JDM stuff are mostly from AWD platforms, so they won't work.

It's still cheaper to get the whole SE-R from the start...

[Gojira]

I bought the '92 XE model (with the 1.6, same one in the 200SX non SE-R) for $700. I've read on [I think sentra.net] one of their project cars was a turbo 200SX witht the 1.6 with 233WHP. I think the 1.6 or the 2.0 would be a good deal if your adding a turbo. I know I plan to.

[7rain]

yeah ive been looking for a 1st generation se-r for quite awhile now... and they are hard to come by. i dunno... maybe its just where i live - but the people who have them, dont want to give them up. but its definetly a car id buy in a second if i could find one.

[fugiot]

Originally Posted by sr20de4evr

save money with the VE over the DET?
Well for one the engine itself costs more than a DET, costs more to get it running, has less power, and costs more to upgrade. The VE is for NA freaks and that's about it, if you want serious power that's not the route to go.

Also, it would be much more cost effective to find an se-r and turbo it than to get a lower model and swap in a det. You would have to swap the tranny, engine management, mounts, engine, and probably the gauge cluster as well.

The SR20VE is only about $200 more than a DET(average), is easier to install, has a higher redline(8000rpm), sounds WAY better, and is much more dependable and fuel-efficient. No worrying about the turbo warming up or cooling down, no worrying about your car overheating, and best of all, no front-mount intercooler to give away the speed of your car. You also don't have to get a ridiculous looking 3" exhaust to the max power out of it. A classic SE-R with an SR20VE and maybe an intake/exhaust combo will break you into the high 13's.

The single most important thing about the VE swap is the fact that, yes, your max power goes up by about 50-60hp but your torque only gets bumped by about 20-30. This is a MAJOR plus for a FWD car if you want to get into auto-X or just flat-out track racing. With the DET, all the extra torque might be fun to feel and burn your tires with, but it'll hurt your handling more than anything. So it's up to you, if your up to taking care of all the turbo accessories and just want a killer straight-line drag car go for a DE turbo kit. Or if you want a very fast dependable street car, go for the VE.

[fugiot]

Originally Posted by Datsun83

Sorry, didn't quite know your situation. I would definately go for the Sentra 2.0 instead of the 1.6. I know for a fact there is an SR16VE on ebay right now going for 1500 and that would probably corrolate better to the 1.6. SR20VEs are becoming increasingly cheaper and easier to find but as you know they lack a little in the torque area.

The only way you could benefit from the SR16VE would be to heavily upgrade the valvetrain to get it to rev to 9000rpm and then get a much shorter final drive gear. It'll make your car feel MUCH lighter to the engine.

[soonerbred981]

Originally Posted by sr20de4evr

save money with the VE over the DET?
Well for one the engine itself costs more than a DET, costs more to get it running, has less power, and costs more to upgrade. The VE is for NA freaks and that's about it, if you want serious power that's not the route to go.

Also, it would be much more cost effective to find an se-r and turbo it than to get a lower model and swap in a det. You would have to swap the tranny, engine management, mounts, engine, and probably the gauge cluster as well.

I just bought a '92 sentra E. And I'm new to the Nissan family what I'm wanting to do is basically turn it into an SE-R. First off is that even possible? Second if so would that mean that all of the above mentioned things is what I need?