Thread: SR20VE head on S13 SR20DET bottom end

I have a question regarding the SR20VE head swap onto a SR20DET bottom end. I am doing research on this head swap as I want to start collecting parts once I have my bottom end finished being built. Currently this is what my bottom end will consist of:

CP 86.5mm 8:5.1 CR pistons
SCAT rods with ARP hardware
ARP main studs
ARP bearings

Outside of changing the front cover to a VE front cover for use of the more higher flowing oil pump and gear needed for the VE swap.

How do I ensure I have valve clearance between the head and bottom end?

Does the pistons need to be notched or anything?

what other parts will I need for the swap?

1) see answer for #4

2) No clearance issues if all items are stock height (head and block). Please remember to install oil pump and resurface the block as the vvl oil pump is a bit shorter than the DET block

3) The pistons you described are designed for the block, so no notching for oil squirters. However, the pistons may/may not be designed for the VVL head, they may need valve notches for P2V clearance when the high lift cam comes in. take a look at the pics of a stock vvl piston and compare with your selection.

4) - vvl relocation kit (absolutely necessary, the head gets no oil without this)

- some ignition management (fwd dizzy is a no no for rwd setup)

- you will need to plug the rear drain (on intake side of block) for the sr20det block

- you will have to plug the vvl oil feed in the face of the vvl head

- you will need the sr20ve spacer for your crank shaft

- you have to consider the Intake manifold as none are direct swaps to the vvl head

- the exh ports for the vvl head do not correctly align with the typical rwd exh manifold, so use the vvl gasket to ensure no overlapping

- the upper coolant adapter for the rad will have to be swapped from the Det head to the vvl head

- your timing marks will not align correctly with the vvl oil pump, as such, place the rwd crank pulley on the vvl crank pulley and re notch your timing marks on the rwd pulley (note the vvl front cover timing pin is shorter, so put the marks on the opposite side of the rwd pulley)

- by using the vvl spacer your pulleys will be about 1/4" behind your crank pulley. you will have to solve that one creatively (i made spacers for all accessories)

- the coolant neck (for heating accessories) from the vvl head must be reused and possibly modified. your routing here is up to you, specific to your setup.

if theres anything else i come up with, ill let ya know.

If you don't have the pistons yet just order the CP VVL pistons. They already have everything done to clear the valves

I won't be able to explore the VVL head swap for sometime, i'll be running a S13 redtop head until i'm able to collect the VVL swap parts.

This is what you need:

Mazworx VVL/RWD Conversion Kit - VVL/VE Conversion Parts - Mazworx

You can still put the VVL pistons in there with the DET head. Then when you're ready for the VVL head you will be ahead of the game. They cost the same as DET pistons.

what are yoiu goals with the VVL?
I would love to go VVL but i cant see spending all that $ for that set up on our RWD set ups

S@nt0s look up the head flow numbers of a stock unported VVL head and then look up the flow numbers on a DE/DET head.

It's the design and flow of VVL heads...

I'm looking for the wider power band that VVL head swap will offer over a traditional S13 SR head.

Yew the flow of the head etc but still look at the overall cost it just doesn't justify it unless you are looking for massive power.
I it was as simple a doing a LsV set up on a Bseries it's one thing that just a tap, plug and oil feed line and done but everything we have to do to run a VvL on a rwd is far too much in my eyes.
Like unsaid I wish I could go VVL and of a time presents itself when I can do it I would.
I'm currently on a stock head and will push that to the upmost limits before I consider going VVL