Thread: S13 NA modifications

hey guys, names Daniel, new to this forum
I live in Melbourne Australia and have a Nissan Silvia S13 SR20DE pics on request lol

i've done a quick search on the forum but with no prevail…since i can't have a turbo car (Probationary license laws in Australia) I want to get more power out of my NA

motor wise I currently have a CAI, 2.5" exhaust, 4-2-1 Jasma extractors + few suspension related mods. Puts out 82rwkw.

I’m planning to purchase HKS step 1 264/264 cams (10.5mm lift) and a re-map of the stock ECU (tune) ($1400)
But then I thought about buying a smaller headgasket (perhaps 0.8mm) and shaving 1mm of the head to increase power more. (~$300-400?)

What are everyone’s thoughts on this? I’m looking more ‘bang for buck’ mods, got about $1500 AUD to spend, maybe little more...

Anyone have similar mods? I’m not sure what power gain I would get.

Btw, car is street driven daily but am seeking more power to drift easier.

Thanks all

i would hold off on shaving the head and a thiner gasket. not really worth the work. cams are the best way to bring the power out on a na sr. have to be carefull on the cams though turbo cams are usally timed different and need to be re adjusted to work effecently on a na car.

82wkw seems a bit low for stock.

mine made ~102wkw with CAI, stock ex-manifold, 2 1/4" exhaust and a Link Computer.

its in a starlet but i think the drive train losses would be similar.

the stock ecu is easy to re-flash so you dont need an Aftermarket computer,
the cams and retune idea sounds like the best idea to me. infact thats exactly what i would do if i wasnt going VVL

NA S13 SR20DE motors are not as easy to make power as the S14 NA SR20DE motors. I would go with cams larger than those HKS ones. Try something more 264 12.0mm or 272 12.0mm in that range, also get a good 4-1 header if you can, or a custom 4-2-1.

I would not get a full standalone system, just chip the ECU if you can or even just run the stock one.

-Ted

Thanks for all your answers guys,

stock ECU would remain.

if i were to get bigger cams, would i have to change valve springs / lifters etc?
I was under the impression that 264 10.5mm HKS cams are 'drop in' hence, don't have to spend too much money replacing other things?

Ted, what do you mean custom 4-2-1? I already have 4-2-1 extractors?

I think anything 12mm of lift and higher need upgraded valve train. I also agree that those HKS cams will not help as much. I think that those HKS cams you want to get are more for boosted engines. I would get something from JWT instead and get something that is in the C-series or upper S-Series cams. A header would be a better place to spend your money, as would a well-tuned ECU.

The 4-2-1 VS 4-1 header is a design. You want to get a head that goes from 4 pipes (from exhaust manifold) to 2 pipes and then to 1 collector I then the exhaust. Either that, or one that goes directly from the 4 to the 1. hence, 4-2-1 or 4-1. Good luck and FOR SURE keep us posted.

i already have a 4-2-1 header, and will be getting the ECU tuned straight after the cams are installed

i'm still deciding whether to go for HKS step 1 cams or go for step 2 cams (higher lift) but that would need upgraded valve springs (more $$$)

What about JWT S4 cams? They work very well in DE with stock springs.

price check on JWT S4 cams from a trader on here?

btw, I'm in Australia and can get HKS cams for AUD$759 delivered... the oz dollar is quite weak atm lol

G Spec Performance

they cost 540usd