How to Build a Bulletproof 400 Horsepower Nissan SR20 Engine!

MotoIQ would not exist if it wasn't for the Nissan SR20DE engine and the 1990's cars the founders of the company drove when they met over 20 years ago! In this video Mike shows you the way we would build one of these engines today!
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
1:28 - Rods & Pistons
10:53 - Bearings
12:38 - Baffled Oil Pan
14:28 - Cylinder Head
15:20 - Valves
17:56 - Headwork
23:38 - Valvetrain
29:03 - Camshafts
33:07 - Adjustable Timing Gears
34:15 - Bottom End
40:56 - Conclusion
LINKS:
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[@pizzasteakphocheeseburgeri2965]

what a great guy

[@buronwillaims9108]

I agree 100%❤❤❤

[@minibikemadman]

dude always has a big ol grin hahaha that cali weed!

[@tonyfrancisco370]

​@@minibikemadman dude looks like he got a joke to tell you

[@minibikemadman]

@@tonyfrancisco370 ya i know..he has knowledge to share tho.

[@mynamea.n.s.s5472]

Yeah bro

[@S-Kidz]

Anyone else just amazed by how much knowledge he has and how easily he able to explain it? 😳

[@dylanwaters3915]

I love how Mike seems like hes just about to laugh, love this. Its perfect for my plans with my SR as a beginner engine build, explained so well!

[@Low760]

You like starting with expensive motors?

[@MrAuto727]

@@Low760 bought my sr20ve for $800

[@alessandromeyer4888]

@@MrAuto727 Guess he's talking about components.

[@Redwheelsarecool]

@@Low760turbo sr is expensive but the na sr from g20 or ser are much cheaper

[@Datsun510zen]

I've been running an s13 SR20DET in my auto-x Datsun 510 that's been making a reliable 374 whp on e85 for nearly a decade. The bottom end is all stock rebuild with a Greddy oil pan. The high port head was decked, ports are polished and matched to manis, stock guides valves, and retainers with mild Tomei cams and two stage springs. 22psi from a GT-X2867R on a log mani. 50K + miles on it and it's running as strong as the day we fired it up. I'm an SR20 fanboy and proud of it.

[@motoiq]

Watch for a FBO SR20 soon!

[@joseg.4626]

What rod and main bearings did you end up using? Bi metal tri metal? Considering building up my Sr but wasn’t sure which route to go with

[@Datsun510zen]

@@joseg.4626 Really depends on what your power goals are and how it'll be used. I'm not making a ridiculous amount of HP so new stock replacement rods and pistons with King bearings are more than enough handle it. Also had the crank magnifuxed rebalanced. For track use, it's important to have a large capacity oil pan with internal trapdoor surge tank for the pickup. That said, Eagle rods and pistons are a worthy upgrade for up wards of 500+ HP.

[@colchronic]

I absolutely love this guy he loves his job keeps smiling like he is probably one of my favorite people on this planet

[@brandonhedges719]

This guy's knowledge and ability to explain these builds is so fascinating. It's not just "build with this" but "why" for every little aspect. Every little detail on the piston even as to why it's important.

[@madmonkee6179]

Wow! so much knowledge, you can see his passion and willingness to share the information for free!! I loved your explanations of the "why". Off to watch more!

[@stevensantiago0329]

I plan on making an awesome build with an SR20 and you’re by far a man that knows the SR20s so well. I hope to learn a lot about it

[@billshoe22191]

So much great knowledge. Learned so much. Fantastic job. Thank you for doing these

[@rickclark6700]

love this guy. Just oozes wisdom from experience. Saving people a lot of money.

[@rubenjimenez5213]

It is very refreshing to hear some one that actually knows what he is talking about, lots of knowledge from years of experience, keep up the good work 💪💪👍👍

[@Sk8orDieWorldWide]

If only everyone could have a chill like this guy the world would be a better place.

[@CAMMAMO117]

I just finished building my sr20 with arp studs, hopefully there wont be any issues lol Thank you Mike for the wisdom!

[@zappy7393]

You have had a lot of requests to look over the SR20... Thankyou comments section and you fine sir for this invaluable content. I'm building up a catalog of parts now for a VE engine so a video would be much appreciated. EDIT: Perhaps a mention about the SR oil pumps, their relief springs and how to deck the block with the oil pump included will be added to the next video.

[@paulsterling2610]

yes nissan sr ve engine video would be killer

[@jdcustomz]

Love his videos. Bulletproof left the building when Hydrolocked. Again Love this Channel.

[@mrbookends]

I first encountered Mike's big brain with the Suck, Squish, Bang, Blow series in Sport Compact Car magazine over a decade ago - now here I am, getting my stuff together for a potential SR20DET swap into my '77 Datsun 620. I've come full circle!

[@VancouverBForrest]

I have an SR20 and a 2JZ to build this year. So thanks for this info!

[@boostedghost3182]

Hello just found this channel and video, definitely gonna be using it for reference as I’m in the middle of building my sr. Thank you for the knowledge

[@MeijndertMotorsport]

Awesome video, thanks! Would love to see one of these about the VE.

[@klxgv]

You can see that this guy loves What He is doing. Love there videos

[@calhun1567]

That smile is so infectious! Brilliant videos!

[@49S13]

Yes finally! 40 minutes of gold!

[@HeshGecko]

Awesome content! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@R_Niko]

Always the best from Mike 👍🏻

[@Garage-1881]

Mike is one of the nicest and most earnest car guys on the planet.

[@OleUnreliable]

I wish I had this video years ago when I tried to assemble an sr20det for drifting. I swapped the cams for bc264s with their springs and retainers. The engine ran fine until it spit a rocker and dropped a valve destroying the engine. I always felt the ras had a big part in the dropped valve. Now i'm soaking up all the info possible, since i'm almost done collecting parts for the top to bottom rebuild. Great content, i'm glad I found this channel.

[@mjjjj_8780]

Sitting on or bouncing off the limiter usually drops the rocker arms on SRs, bee r limiter or ecu limiting the rpm works well, rocker arms are also useless as they can get the rocker arm stuck and destroy your cam and head, but you could also get an sr20ve head that avoids all this

[@reubenmosman9466]

Love the show . . . definitely one of the good ones

[@VideoShowMeHow]

So much absolutely excellent information, thank you very much for sharing

[@laserbeam1620]

I wish this guy was my uncle lol. He seems like the kindest hearted dude ever. He just smiles ALL of the time.

[@exithe]

Mike, we would love a video on the history behind some of those old pictures! Where you're from, how you got into racing, what were some of your favorite cars like frist car, races, etc. !!!!

[@jimcetnar3130]

Literally one of the coolest channels I've found. Kinda disappointed it took me so long haha

[@paulbarnett5856]

New to your channel own a GTI-R it's great to hear some info on the rwd stuff

[@Lovesausage269]

No idea what he’s talking about, but this is the second video I’ve come across that I find interesting from him.

[@sock979]

I love this guy's videos

[@TheRoulette77]

thanks so much mike !

[@jdmlorenzo]

I only subscribed because i liked this guy. I cant picture him mad.

[@justinphillabaum4245]

Subscribed! Great content :)

[@alejandrobonfiglio506]

Sr20 holy grail of nissan drift machines. I would love to have a hardbody with an sr20 in it. This engine and the RB are the best.

[@dyingbreed7740]

I'm here for this! I owned a B13 with a GA16DE and always lusted after the SE-R's and NX's.

[@vman1011able]

nah GA 4 LIFE!

[@tortron]

I just pulled my ga15 and put in an Sr20.

[@macantonioc]

I had a 1994 Sentra with the peppy GA16DE. Then I moved on to a 1993 Sentra SE-R. Unfortunately the SE-R rusted out from Chicago winters, but I transferred the SR20 engine to a 1988 B12 Sentra!

[@kamargee9680]

I have to see the VE video. That VE head is AMAZING! If I am ever blessed to get another S chasis with an SR, I'm doing that SR VE head swap.

[@imadjawad4408]

Great content!

[@_errnest_]

Year ago I did not know anything about engines, maybe could say what is R4/R6/V8 Engine. Now I am finishing my own SR20DET and it makes me happy that I have mostly the same parts like here (JE Pistons, Eagle Rods for example)... I even mostly understand what is all this video about :) I'd love to see more of it!

[@joebucksucksdck9769]

man would love to hear if you have any tips or know any more good videos or forums i can learn about building sr20dets from

[@aland7236]

I am very interested in the upcoming SR20 work you talked about. When I was 18 I had a redtop in an S14 Zenki but not for long enough, I miss both the engine and the S-Bucket I had.

[@surrealinabox5220]

Bro same. I had a 200SX SER with an SR Redtop someone put in and I wish I kept it. Been looking for one due to it was my first car overall and the recent builds of the SR20 been making wanna find one and build it up.

[@benbob8024]

Amazing video thank you🙏

[@shiloh5199]

I see a lot of pretty cars in the backround...shiny!!

[@ferdis7]

Thanks Mike :)

[@patricklaporte180sx]

Nice vidéo very well explain cant wait for more sr20 content And will love too see 1UZVVTI content cause thats the swap i did too my 180sx and there is almost no vidéo for it

[@akispeedmy2173]

Love this guy!

[@ZXMBE]

This guys cool could watch him all day

[@jakcough]

the amount of stoked this dude is to present this info is palpable.

[@davids4830]

The first engine swap I ever did was the Sr way back in 2003!! I miss it

[@DelaCroix94]

thank you for the great video

[@doriftuh7331]

You the man mr mike ❤

[@ShutUpandShift]

Any plans for a video like this for a rotary build? Would love to see that!

[@CORRADOVRT]

Amazing would love a s15 silvia

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Another beefy block is the Volvo Redblock, built like a diesel. Other engines I'm interested in, the Volkswagen VR6 both in 2valve and 4 valve, quite a stout and very unique engine, sounds amazing modified.

[@closedcasketcustoms]

The older I get, the more I'm beginning to appreciate Volvo stuff overall. The redblock is a brick shithouse, and yes it really does sound pretty amazing too.

[@timothynelson1052]

I never get tired of this guy explaining the critical information about engine building! I have never learned anything near as much about engines and all the aftermarket parts from listening to anyone else ever in my life. This guy is like an engine building god in my opinion. When it's time for a new motor in a high performance car of mine, I will definitely be getting a motor from this guy!

[@MentalMode1]

Mike San is a priceless legend!

[@ky1e200]

A big thank you for you nollege

[@MM_MAXQ]

Waiting for VE hybrid video! Got one myself to make!

[@adammitchell6359]

The only thing missing from this video are links to purchase the parts! I think you sold me on every single one 😂

[@EH-mh4it]

I’m definitely interested in a VE hybrid video!

[@freeemailssuck6848]

This guy is smiling in every video I’ve watched with him in it 👍

[@JustAnotherHouseCat]

Finally the SR20 content Ive been begging for! What kind of price range does this budget build fall in? All said and done?

[@motoiq]

something like 7-8k.

[@JustAnotherHouseCat]

@@motoiq What have you guys seen in powerband difference between stock intake manifolds vs aftermarket?

[@motoiq]

For turbos they work pretty good. For NA a lot less bottom end and a little more on top.

[@DECENTRALISEDDIGITALBITCION]

i own a Nissan Primera 1996 and shes awsome.

[@slammed_510]

Mazworx has sr20 main studs that are longer than the normal ARP studs so they bottom out all the way. Thanks again for the awesome video!

[@motoiq]

good to know, I was talking to some manufactures about making them for us.

[@moustygee4507]

Mazworxs sell head studs that bottom out, the main studs are standard arp sr20 studs, the mazworx studs are made by arp but to there specs.

[@motoiq]

ARP main studs don't bottom and can strip out unless they listened to us and redesigned them. We complained.

[@moustygee4507]

@@motoiq mazworx have there own arp stud design which does bottom out, it’s similar to the 4b11 evo engine studs. Im running the mazworx standard studs and it’s holding perfectly at 32psi 600whp

[@moustygee4507]

@@motoiq also when you build a vct motor and want to retain the vct, you need to run a spring with less then 70ish lbs of seat pressure, im using supertech singles. Double valve springs will kill the vct and make it rattle.

[@pred2001]

SR20 to the world❤

[@Skubasteph]

This video has perfect timing just pulled the sr20 from my e30 to put pistons and stuff rods in it. If I was building it today I wouldn’t of used an sr20. Might sell it and put a k series in it. When I bought the sr20 set engine and trans they cost only $1400.

[@cctrans29]

Nice Evo 9 in the background.

[@primeradriver]

A Kojima article in a fresh SCC mag off the stand was life

[@MiguelGarcia-hb7zj]

Hermosa esplicacion muy bien.

[@sr20vet6speed]

Mike..... Nice video. I might be at the west coast convention bro. You should come. I would love to meet you. I got the b15 sr20vet 6 speed. Haletech 1500 elite. I run the double chain with p11 head. Vet bottom end. Good information in your video.

[@jjnolms1967]

Great videos, as always. What do you think about the kia stinger 3.3 tt?

[@skibootdier9488]

I love seeing all of those BAD-ASS cars in the background..

[@Flybert]

Great video, you could also discuss in the next video how people create s13/s14 hybrid valve covers welded together.

[@motoiq]

We don't do that, just use S14 covers on S14 heads.

[@slammed_510]

Simply put, it helps with baffling with the earlier model (s13) valve covers

[@motoiq]

We just use AOS on either engine.

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

Wanted a SR20 powered NX2000 ever since borrowing my Mom's NX1600 5 speed.

[@paulsterling2610]

Love the video since you have lancer evo would mind you doing a vid on the 4g9 mivec and gdi engine family

[@motoiq]

That's coming. 4G63-64 stuff no GDI because no one runs those.

[@brandonalonzo3047]

Love theses. Please do fa20 when you get the chance. FRS brz gt86

[@motoiq]

We did a lot on the MotoIQ web site motoiq.com/?s=FA20

[@user-qd8rc4qg5k]

Thanks to SR20!!! Tell about the Nissan P10 what background))

[@samuraiunlimited]

On my built sr I WPC treated everything. So its like even better

[@miquelanesto1762]

B4 I watch this, men here racing weekend at 500 n driving to work every day, new bearings and good tuning.

[@metricmoto]

I would love to work for this guy!

[@Dropaguitar]

Can you be my cool jdm uncle Mike? Haha love the content.

[@Murpsi]

I love how in the midst of these legendary cars in the back, there is a G20/primera with a massive wing and cage 😂

[@Shareezy]

Is there a euro-tuner shop equivalent to you guys?! Your attention to detail/machining processes/metallury/dedication to engineering excellence seems unprecedented to me, but unfortunately I drive an Alfa Romeo :)

[@AdamNZ]

Honestly to build a bulletproof SR20DET you should focus doing the dual valve guide conversion even tomei solid lifters, using beehive valve springs not dual spring, using a SR20VE oil pump and getting the block oil galleries grooved. I wouldn’t recommend using the rocker arm stoppers. They cause damage still. If you have the supporting mods like fmic, 1000cc injectors, 3 inch exhaust, turbo, wastegate, poncams, ecu ect you’ll have a nice 400HP engine. Or just fit a SR20VE head and you’ll have 500HP.

[@driftbrady]

Sr20 is best I subbed

[@richardtpgusa7236]

Great info for beginners and keyboard engine builders. You have enough here to at least have something reliable and twice the OEM output

[@POVShotgun]

Can’t wait for the s14 motor

[@oscarlainz]

Would love to see this with a Mazda Bp engine 🙏

[@joshtoth-thomas5847]

Would love to see a video like this for a bulletproof, very daily-able 2j build

[@motoiq]

Hahaha stock. We will do a 2JZ eventually.

[@kingmaybus8409]

I really really need a hour of you going over the sr20ve head 😅

[@slider2828]

Thanks! I cant wait for the more advanced builds. But on the studs, sounds like you should stick to all stock stuff vs arp head and main studs?

[@motoiq]

All stock period until we can confirm that the Mazworks studs fully bottom. We will use them in our next build. When studding you will probably need to align hone.

[@rjaybruhh]

*_What about the D16Y series engine from Honda?!_* 🔥 love the videos man!

[@motoiq]

We have never had any calls about it, we could, Bisimoto has a lot of single cam stuff.

[@biondavis2306]

Hi ❤the content. Can you guy's give us an assembly video 🙏🏻 please 🙏🏻

[@C-M-E]

While I don't have an SR20 build in my immediate future, I always enjoy the build tricks and fine engineering bits all the same. Modern hot-rodding! Out of curiosity, I was watching a sim on swirl induction the other day and while it looks impressive in the video, to me I don't feel there's enough time to really do anything with it in the milliseconds the charge air is entering, makes the turn and begins compression in the cylinder. I guess in the grand scheme of percentages, you might gain a partial percent in flow volume in the window the valves open. Any thoughts? Add: Man, I haven't heard Jim Wolf's name in Forever! We had a long dialogue of going back and forth on the idea of turbocharging the single cam KA24 back in the early 2000s. That's bringing back fond memories!

[@motoiq]

Swirl is an old concept that was shown to have poor VE. Tumble was proven to work better, at least on 4 valve engines.

[@C-M-E]

@@motoiq Ah crap, my bad. It was tumble. At any rate, I think it was shown off on a Toyota with turbo (quite possibly the new Tundra). Thanks for the reply!

[@paulsterling2610]

@@motoiq speaking of ve do you have any knowledge/ vids on the sr20vet

[@conradsealy9603]

Despite the hate for the SR20 in some people I like them and they can be made to produce insane amounts of power. I think its a good looking engine as well. As for rocker arm stoppers. Years ago Okachan from Yashio Factory said dont use them. The dual guide shim mod works way better than any RAS.

[@driftbrady]

should check out the sr20vet conversion to the rwd platform :)

[@motoiq]

We are going to do a video on that.

[@sentraselify]

I love my fwd sr20

[@l_unchtime]

Learned so much from this video and am super excited about the VE head on DET bottom in future video! I want to do this to my S15 SpecR eventually as a SR22VET is my dream engine for my Silvia, aside from a 2JZ ofc but the extra front weight might not be ideal despite being swaggy af.