JDM Nissan Silvia SR20DET BAD ENGINE TEARDOWN. What Killed The Most Popular 240sx Swap Engine?

If this is the first teardown you are finding, there are over 20 others I've done! Lots of LS's, A viper engine, rx8 rotary, and a couple SRT8 Hemi's to name a few. Check them out here • Blown Up Engine Tear D...
My name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto salvage business called Importapart located in the Saint Louis MO area. Part of our model is dismantling and selling parts from rare and niche market engines. If you're interested in buying parts from other engines I've torn down, email us at [e-mail].
In this video I teardown an engine I will likely never see again! This is a redtop Nissan Silver SR20DET. This is an engine that was not offered in North America, but is the most popular swap amongst the 240sx crowd.
This was pulled from a local yard in unknown condition. Like all engines we cannot hear run, we do compression and leak down tests, as well as other diagnostics to see whether an engine is worth selling complete or not. My guys said it had nearly no compression and my guess is that it wasn't spinning fast enough to get an accurate reading. Regardless, its a VERY good thing it didn't end up in another car as it is. Thankfully, there are tons of good parts on this swap, and I'll do pretty good.
As always, I love all of the comments, feedback, suggestions and even the criticism. Thanks for watching!
Catch you on the next one!
-Eric

[@bjornbidell4519]

Your personal hesitations and apprehensions about disassembling more complex engines is refreshing, what do I mean? The internet is full of egos and scene re-takes which give the illusion that they know everything and never have questions of their own. I love the real world experience that you portray. Well done and keep it up!

[@CableWrestler]

I came here to write the same thing

[@RonyIsaPony]

@@CableWrestler ok

[@RamanPanda]

Would love to see this after a run through the parts wash.

[@skylinefever]

These engines have great aftermarket support, so getting replacement connecting rods will be easy. The cylinders look like they could be bored to a common oversize, so no worries about finding pistons either. It will need valves, but those are also easy to find. This looks like a good core for a high boost Silvia build.

[@dooooooval904]

Thinking same thing. Plus a bore out with the right piston equals more room for boost?

[@skylinefever]

@@dooooooval904 When you rebore and rehone, you can follow the piston companies recommendation for how much clearance for how much boost you take.

[@mbsnyderc]

There to expensive and have many issues.and the rocker arms are a problem in making higher horsepower,and there getting quite old.

[@Erik_Swiger]

It's Christmas Day, exactly 3 months after this video was made, and thank you for keeping me company today. Always awesome videos.

[@thomasfletcher4765]

Looks rebuildable , bore and hone the cylinders , replace the bad rod , new pistons , and get some good , long miles out of it ( but that's my opinion )

[@Fabien2626]

It is clearly rebuildable. But you still needed to disassemble it entirely. Selling the parts to repair another one (or in fact quite a lot of them) is equally good. If it were mine, I would feel pretty lucky to only have a rod to replace, and would probably just clean of the bad cylinder and not even overbore them. 1 new rod, 1 head gasket, new rings, new bearings, then check and lap the valves and I would just run it that way if it passes a leak down test with similar enough results on all cylinders.

[@ohhthepatpat]

Depending on how much of a overbore the cylinder walls need couple need a sleeve at that point it's 👎

[@thomasfletcher4765]

@@ohhthepatpat from the looks , not much , just a slight amount for ensuring the rust is cleaned out for a proper ring seal .

[@Questchaun]

Agree, send the block to the machinist and slap her back together.

[@Tyler-qn4gn]

Spoiler Alert

[@jackrichards1863]

You're a straight up kinda guy. Appreciate what you've given us with this tear down.

[@yashiroda01]

I love your video so much because you always gives good advice and comment to all what you’ve done and when something you don’t know you always be honest about it every single time. Learned a lot from your video thank you so much.

[@jasonharris996]

I had a 200SX SE-R back in the day. Only issue with the engine was the timing chain tensioner which caused chain slap on startup. Easy fix with an upgraded one from a newer SR20. Drove it over 200K miles with no major issues until I got T-boned by a red light runner. Stock it made good power and torque for the time and had a 7.5k redline if I remember correctly. Great motor.

[@glassjoe6542]

The B14 SE-R will age like the S130 did. They have parallel stories. A little softer, a little more refined, arguably better in some ways than its predecessor yet these same virtues could also be held against it. Looks also generally weren't well accepted despite being beautiful in its own way. It won't be long before a lot of people who have a first gen SE-R on their bucket list get priced out (many are right now) and realize the next best thing is right under their nose. Just like the S130 is finally getting its due, so will the B14 SE-R. iykyk

[@Stylemaster911]

Awesome! I absolutely love this channel, had some fun tearing down a Subaru EG33 from an SVX a few years back! Definitely learn a lot on this channel about how stuff works, pretty fascinating.

[@timmoutos8860]

I have a 91 sr20 I've owned since new. It's getting close to restoration time. Glad to know you may be a resource for any parts.

[@MrPokemon7777]

this video is so good keep this up

[@kennethconnors5316]

your editing is flawless, makes for a great video . worth watching / seen this dark oil ,usually cheap oil run low oil

[@lukeaclarkeb5602]

Hello from Chattanooga Tn! Subscribed! Stumbled on your channel and i am really enjoying your videos. Im not even a car guy and or mechanic but i feel i am learning a few things now. Thanks for that and keep up the good work!

[@roscothefirst4712]

Great. Video, 👍 I find these videos you do as strangely addictive

[@stephentreadwell8436]

awesome video. Thank you

[@mitchelldavidson9911]

Such a treat to watch u tear engines down

[@GuitarJawn]

THANK YOU FOR THIS, THIS IS HOW I LEARN!!!!!!!!!

[@2strokeFORever]

Another great teardown love the variety

[@MultipliedByZero]

That valve cover alone is probably worth $200-300, just because it's JDM-red. Plus they make damn good wall-art.

[@andrewsmart2949]

yeah so many blown it's hard to find a good one,later engines featured 3 step variable valve timing

[@coache1nine]

I've always liked this engine, even more because of the aftermarket support. A turbo kit on one, dropped into a mid '80's 200SX would be a lot of fun.

[@masondyer2396]

They absolutely rip with some minor parts added. I run a chipped ECU, Z32 maf, 740cc injectors and a Tomei MX8270 turbo on 15psi and make over 310wheel on a virtually stock engine. They take a beating pretty well and make great power for an old 2 liter.

[@shanetyler9391]

@@masondyer2396 i have about the same Mods Tomei turbo and 1.3 bar which is about 18.5 psi of boost i have a S14 SR engine my car is a S14 it has a 6 speed 350z trans also with a VLSD rear end the car is a lot of fun :)

[@erichartke4331]

Tragic! I am happy to see that this can see a second life! With your teardown i can now see how these can handle decent amount of power. The block looks very strong! I had a 2001 Sentra with the SR20DE. I loved that car i had a ton of fun driving it, until body cancer claimed it.

[@jacobmeisner9255]

Great content. I always love seeing different motors you don't see all the time!

[@chrischiampo7647]

Nice Job I’ve Worked on Many of These Nissans Over the Years 😀😊😀

[@BakedKipling]

Great video

[@NIGHTRUN7]

nice video man

[@scotty2307]

Well! The inside of that engine is more thoroughly seasoned than my cast iron pans.

[@allenbeaulieu7077]

Good job buddy. Nice engine, very salvageable. Funny how that piston popped right out of the block. Thanks for sharing. Big Al

[@tct9mm151]

I really enjoy your videos. I always await your posts every Saturday. Great video

[@paulstan9828]

Always look forward to your Saturday evening video! 😁👍

[@austincopeland9504]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the notification of a new tear down

[@31dknight]

Great video.

[@sirhim1567]

hey bud. love the channel. can you do a nissan titan tear down?

[@SoCal_ayyayyron]

I absolutely love your videos. Thanks for publishing these, and keep up the great work!

[@JasonLuther1]

Great teardown man. Your barn door is open 22:56 Cold air intake

[@jmjv0077]

Great videos, I’m hooked every Sunday morning. Can you do a M20A-FKS carolla engine?

[@anomamos9095]

A tip for really stubborn fasteners. There are breaker bars wit a spot where they can be hit with a hammer. They’re often used to break lug nuts loose on heavy equipment. One guy stands on the bar while another hits it with a sledge hammer kind of thing. You can rig up a smaller version for head studs, you just need to apply steady pressure with the bar while you strike the down on the top of the fasteners

[@richardthingsilike9562]

great vid thanks!

[@scooterwoodley195]

I had 3 vehicles in my youth with this engine. Wish I still had one. Great job as usual!

[@kanenstuff]

Really enjoying your videos and I agree the Nissan JDM engines are easy to work on and yes idiot proof. I'm not a mechanic but with my 795 page manual for my 180SX with a CA18DET I can do everything myself. I have done the head gasket put a exausht cam on the inlet side with adjustable can gears, changed the turbo, injectors and many other parts. My mate always comes to check to see how I done and never been a issue great engines and fun cars to drive.

[@mikeo7604]

Love these teardowns! I'd like to see a video where you put together a project engine from a table full of clean parts and a bare block!

[@ghoffmann821]

It's good to see someone properly utilize the universal wrench.

[@llllbserkllll]

Really a nice engine- looks simple well designed and engineered. I like it.

[@shaneroberts8668]

I don’t own a sr20 but as someone with a s13 that has a KA24de in it i can dream lol Thanks for the laid back dismantle 👌

[@Nous3rnam3haha]

Got a like before I even started watching lol. I love Nissan JDM rice burning motors! Wish I could give a heart instead of a thumbs up.

[@hondaccool]

Really entertaining to watch your videos, good work 👍

[@mentorofarisia371]

"You guys are probably laughing at me" NO WAY! I've watched dozens of yours now, and never laughed at you. Often laughed at your jokes, tho. Keep up the great work.

[@matheisgordiz2743]

i just received a sr20 turbo that the guy believes spun a rod bearing and this video has helped a bit on what i should expect upon disassembly unfortunately I feel even less prepared to deal with it

[@______________9903]

Hello I am super new to the channel and I was wondering if you have ever made a teardown video of a 1990 7mge?

[@iamthefatstig]

I had the 1800 red top turbo in a UK spec 1990 200SX. Left standard (The JDM car culture didn't exist as popular then) it was mechanically bulletproof, only the dreaded rust let it down. A great car, my late father loved posing in it.

[@25enyce]

Water pump removal was step # 1. Good video

[@viktortoews9657]

Great job on your videos. Appreciate that you keep them clean with lack of cursing and other BS. Keep it up!

[@negativeindustrial]

“Lack of cursing and other BS” 🤔

[@rayshutsa6690]

That is the engine on a car in one of the cars in fast and the furious. First time seeing òne of these engines up close thank you for the video ❤🇨🇦

[@jakethoover]

I'd like to see a Mazda 2.2L Turbo from a MX6 GT.. 1988 to 1992. My favorite car ever. Great videos man! Love the content and watching you tear motors apart. Your commentary is spot on. Feels like working in the shop with my buddy.

[@I_Do_Cars]

I still own two of those cars and I’ve got 8 or so complete engines so it’s likely

[@jordanandashleyphillips5148]

I remember playing Need for Speed Underground 2 and using the 240 all the way to the end

[@leefeatherston7014]

Hi I wonder if you can get a 2.8 Chevy s 10 but this is a good show learn a lot thanks

[@540i_be_fly]

Bro I have one of these in my 93 G20 p10. By far one of my most favorite vehicles to own and drive.

[@alexanderstefanxandraswedi5835]

Great video sharing brother

[@DaPepster]

One of the exhaust valves in the #2 looks like it's chipped on the inside edge towards the spark plug

[@ert870]

13:02

[@firewatch814]

That exhaust valve has seen better days.

[@Fabien2626]

Good catch! This one clearly leaks compression massively. Also they are way darker than the other exhaust valves, this cylinder is not hot enough to clean the exhaust valves of carbon deposits.

[@SEIOWADIGGER]

Cylinder 4 valves starting to do the same

[@willagresham2978]

I’ve been a mechanic for over 20 years. I had a friend give me a great tip regarding socket headed bolts. You can do one of two things, take a punch that fits into the hex cavity and give the punch 3-4 good hits or do the same with the socket instead of the punch. You may damage the socket a bit but good steel doesn’t mind too bad. This tip has saved me a lot of time and frustration.

[@stevenbelue5496]

Socket headed bolts? Are you referring to 12 point or Allen maybe?

[@johncoops6897]

@@stevenbelue5496 - He said "hex cavity" so we'll have to assume he meant Allen head. I'm not sure what the tip is supposed to be - it's common knowledge to tap the head of a bolt that is stuck tight. That's always got to be done without damaging the fastener's key (hex, flats, splines, or whatever)

[@aaroncostello8812]

Yes, this works great. The axial shock imparted by a few sharp hammer strikes will often free any galling and make Allen bolts come out quite easily. The Germans love these damned bolts and I learned this trick from a buddy of mine who works on German cars.

[@patrickmckenna2086]

Is it just me, or is the sound of cracking cam caps loose the most satisfying sound in these videos?

[@LockieNZ]

The SR20 does not like it if you leave the oil changes too long. The oil feeds to the cams are tiny pinhole thick, so they can get clogged easily and you end up with cams that feel like sandpaper

[@adotintheshark4848]

but this engine had nice cams and journals

[@LockieNZ]

@@adotintheshark4848 Yup. Which is weird. Because with the way that head looks, you'd expect them to be torn up. Might have been sitting with old oil for a while rather than being run with old oil?

[@bradhaines3142]

@@LockieNZ the rust all over seems to agree with you

[@zeroyon4562]

@@LockieNZ We had a SR20 Serena van come through our family shop many years ago that had chewed a lobe off, it had never had an oil change once it was imported to NZ. I remember the owners scrapped it because they couldn’t afford to fix it.

[@LockieNZ]

@@zeroyon4562 I'm a kiwi too ;)

[@laxr5rs]

Great one. Thanks.

[@dougwhitney7712]

You really didnt even need a turbo in a 240sx... my 91 was super light and handled well with the 2.4 liter that it came with. Pretty quick too, you can beat up than nissan truck motor for years of fun. First car i could do doughnuts in lol! Was so much fun to drive.

[@powerman1955]

I can't tell you why, I don't think I really have a good reason, I've just never been a BMW fan. But, I very much like your pretty little blue coupe, that is one very beautiful automobile. Since you had it at the shop I'm going to assume your driving it regularly now, which is great, you deserve to enjoy it. Another interesting video, thanks for sharing.

[@DrEvil-os9dc]

I hated BMWs until I owned one. I still hate it but I can’t deny, it’s one of the best driving vehicles ever made. And Somewhat easy to work on.

[@dhyskRand]

I miss my 240 sr20det.. such a great little car

[@KrashGT]

I had an older Sentra with an SR20DE, great engine, great car. Ran like a swiss watch, had good power too.

[@Sendmetacos]

This video should have no dislikes. There’s nothing to dislike about this

[@AffordBindEquipment]

Unless he gave a downer response on another video. Happens all the time.

[@SurfCityAmpRoom1]

The same engine I am running in my 1968 Datsun 510, with upgrades on stock block 400hp

[@jimbates955]

Wow I’m impressed, assembling those cam cap thingy’s back on the engine was spectacular! A rare look at your engine assembly skill! 😂

[@edgarrivas5791]

Spent 9 years working at pick-n- pull. I spent a good 3-4 years underneath the drain racks as a drainer/ cat cutter/ gas tank drainer, etc. We would have to do anywhere from 30-50 cars a day. Aluminum pans would be punctured in 3 occasions; the drain plug was over torqued and caused the bolt to strip.The engine suffered major head gasket failure (10 plus minutes of draining molasses and still not done), or... out of sheer laziness. And yes, sometimes the aluminum casting would completely break and it was really bad. Anyhow, it was because we were always rushing. I'm not there anymore, much happier now.

[@jmillhone5.9]

I’ve had two of these engines and both developed rod knock because of sludge. The rest of the engine looked really good though so I replaced the bearings and cleaned it up and it’s been running very strong for 4 or 5 years now. I love an sr20

[@45AMT]

This was an awesome teardown.

[@caseyjarosiewicz773]

I have a 2012 hemi 5.7. I'm looking to rebuild and use 6.1/6.4 parts that will work with 5.7. Where do I go to find these parts from you. Really enjoy your videos.

[@pctek961]

Look at Cylinder head, number 2 has burnt exhaust valves, they are not round and are darker color than other valves.

[@alexscruggs8792]

Great show!

[@brunotulliani]

Good video and keep up the good work!

[@danzigg08]

Ive seen SR build rebuild breakdown vids and follow all the channels but this is the clearest breakdown ive seen yet. Most other vids skip huge chunks of the process but here its all there. Ill sub for that

[@mattt525]

I believe there is a procedure for properly loosening either the head bolts, or cam shaft bolts. Not quite sure though. Great engine love these guys

[@erikrunas226]

Knowing which tool to use at the appropriate time is key...special wrench ftw.

[@moosenbeans903]

Keep doing what your doing. This is my favorite channel. One request tell us which are good oil filters / air filters/ plugs and oil brands and most importantly how often to change it. Thoughts on fuel cleaners and adding gunk or transmission fluid to your oil before changing it. Last thoughts on sea foam? Thank you. Hi from Washington state

[@KangoV]

I had a nicely modded SR20DET in a Nissan Sylvia (S15) running at around 280bhp. This, in a car that weighed 1,240 kg! It was an absolute hoot! I miss it terribly. These engines in the UK go for around £2,000-£3,500 at the moment.

[@ericpleasant7722]

Did this come from the STL LKQ in Washington Park? It had a BIG turbo on it. ;)

[@MultiMightyQuinn]

That is quite a magical wrench. Quite impressive!

[@jamescameron2521]

Sport Compact Car and Project Car Mag destroyed the SR20DET market…. That and the “couple of SR20 motors pulling a premium a week before race wars…” franchise.

[@misterp158]

good stuff, thanks

[@marcoszavala8898]

I hope you find a Delorean engine someday. That would be cool to see

[@jimbrown5091]

I've owned four 240SX's (89, 91 and two 96's) I've torn down and rebuilt several interations of KA24, but never an SR20DET.

[@nickstarz9316]

Sr20det is a great engine . Tuned right they go for years . And honestly most sr20 owners don't even maintain them .

[@_jehh]

21:41 love the wrench!

[@fixingitrightish]

That squeeking sound is coming from the rubber piston rings. They are dry, put some oil in there 😆

[@Eelgnotsa]

I had three SER Sentras just because it had this wonderful engine..

[@buckstarchaser2376]

I would have liked to see how you dealt with all those broken bolts. It seems like that would be hard to take care of while preserving the value of the parts.

[@hobotheclown1761]

Would be curious to see a video on a LL8 (4200 Vortec) if at all possible, ive always been so curious to see one torn apart. Love all the content none the less 👌✌ keep it up

[@kwakas4ever]

Another good one! Love ya work - any chance of a later VW, both petrol and diesel, or have I missed them?

[@nrgonline]

Damn. Been 18 years since I messed with a red top sr in my s14. Life was good.

[@racerguy008]

Somewhere, Adam LZs soul left his body, listening to that engine turn over.

[@1benyko]

omg, saw SR20 and clicked immediately

[@tuomaspetlin92]

Hi, one question? Why you do not take timin cover and chains out before cams?

[@nofilter2091]

Your M3 looks fantastic! Nice work on that. I watched the videos on the repair process, very cool project.

[@psavel274]

I'd have to agree. Hard not to love an LSB e46 m3. Well as long as it's not SMG that is. Sincerely, - A Bimmer Fanatic

[@bradleyquerry9653]

you should try a compresion test after pulling the plugs