Originally Posted by
ga16eats Well dollar for dollar isn't a ve a much better option. and I have a wanted add up for a flywheel
Don't be so quick to say that, it really depends on how you plan to use your car. A VE has more
POTENTIAL, but dollar for dollar a DE may be a better bet. Allow me to explain why I say so.
Most likely you already have a DE, so that $700-800 you need to spend to buy a VE can be put back into your DE for mods. My list would go like this:
- SR16 (11.75-1) or N1 (11-1) pistons used for $200-300
- mild port on your De head $400-500
- new head gasket - $40-75 depending on which you get and certainly less than what a cam switch device will run so you are still even money
I know of very few people who go VE and stay stock cams for long, so plan to budget for cams at some point. DE cams are less expensive so no better value here.
You will need a header for either engine, you can go cheap or expensive on either setup and remember you get what you pay for in this area. You may not need a new cat back exhaust for your DE, to realize all that VE potential you will want a new 3" exhaust. No savings here.
You will need a tunable ecu and some tuning on either setup.
My point is you have to look long range and figure all the costs for where you want to end up. Like I said a VE may have more potential, but a DE may be less expensive in the long run especially for a daily driver. Ask yourself this - where are you more likely to spend time when you drive? I bet you spend more time from 4,000-7,000 RPM in the middle of the DE power band. A VE doesn't really come to life until at you pass 5500 RPM, and a modest VE with cams makes its power from 6,000-9,000. A fully built VE kicks ass for sure, but on the high side of 8,000 RPM!! Do you want to have to drive it like you stole it??
Lest anyone think I'm bashing VE's I am not. I just think there is life left in the DE's already out there.