Thread: Motor Build Questions

iv also heard a really really good ported DE head, bairly flows better than a VE head. if the VE is worked you wouldnt be able to keep up. iv semi built my DE and i know i wont make what i want unless i go big money, and by that time a VE puts me in the game with less $$$ and more room for improvement

DE motors can make good hp w/o nos. Fun to drive too. Have you considered installing a crank scraper?

Whats good HP? I also think a crank scraper and windage tray are a good way to add a few ponies. Ill be doing that to my turbo build.




Youre answering your own question. The costs vs gains on a DE are not worth it nowadays.




This is Mike Kojima's DE build.

Inexpensive motor build part 1 - SR20 Forum

Thanks for the link. I guess i need to do some searching on the other forum. I still think a feasible DE build can be done for less than a VE.

Honestly from what I'v done to my DE, I could have bought a VE. I recently did, because i wanted more power. If you think about it buy a set of cams(just say S4s, $560 new) SnRs $3XX, and then say u ant to bump compression, pistions cost what 300-400, and some pullies only about 150 for a 2part set. Just with those few mods your just about at the cost of a VE, plus you would be making the power of a fullybolted on DE....

on the other hand you still need to buy afew things to get the VE to run. if its NA power you want a VE is your meal ticket

USDM SR20DE non RR motor, you prob already have the motor if not 400
SR16VE pistons 250
JWT cam gears 150
BC Springs and Retainers 300
Port & Polish the head along with a 3 angle valve job 700, or possibly more dont cheap out on a good port job
1400plus u still need cams puts u at almost 2k, and your DE is just about maxed out

make a parts list and find out how much you willl spend on building your DE, and consider a VE(1300) and to say the leaset run it stock and get an MSD 150 and ECU 150, and your power will be decent


if my prices are off then change them....

Who is to say its not worth it? I've read all Mike Kojima's stuff. There's so much DE stuff lying around and 16ve pistons are dirt cheap. Mike kojima also wrote about doing some bench head clean up and de-burring. A set of BC/JWT cams and head bits. Its cheaper and makes pretty close to stock VE numbers. Then the VE spins a bearing on the 4 cw crank or you over-rev it trying to trap in 3rd gear. The DE owner is a lot less heart-broken.

Thats why Im spraying my DE. I wouldnt be happy modding the DE to its limit and only be able to keep up with a VE. I would want to smoke it. And with spray ive walked a few and took them for ice cream.

Sorry I neglected to mention that FOR ME it wouldnt be worth it. Im happy with 160whp with S4 cams. I would mod the DE more but its not worth it FOR ME because I already have another car I will be dumping a VE in.

And my DE block in my B14 will get tossed for a DET block so I can boost my B14. Ill most likely spray the VE I get for my NX and I wont care if it pops. The VE block isnt the expensive part. The head is what makes the VE.

Having swapped a VE into my car (that was almost completely ready for VE) its not a $1500 deal. Its kinda slow with the auto cams. Most people end up swapping a whole motor and making 170-175 to the price of S4s to give you 160. Thats a pretty good #. I've seen/ridden a few VE swaps and the really well built one is rare. I did like mine a lot with its low 182 on 16VE cams. It was totally worth it overall and I wish I'd left it sometimes. I wouldn't agrue the point in favor of "cost effectiveness" of the VE that's all.

A DET or VE block is also not a bad idea and they can be had for nothing if you know where to look.