• Air Intake
• Mass Air Flow Sensor
• Intercooler
• Fuel Injectors
• Fuel Pump
• Exhaust System
• Turbocharger
• Boost Controller
• ECU & Tuning

In a hurry? Watch our SR20DET tuning guide summary

Introduction to SR20DET tuning

Welcome to our SR20 tuning guide, this guide contains nine tuning tips that when implemented correctly should have your SR20DET running at peak performance.

WARNING: Before we dive into this tuning guide you need to consider that running your SR20DET at higher than factory power levels will put additional strain on all parts of the drivetrain. Depending on how far you push your engine you may need to upgrade to a stronger clutch and quite possibly a stronger gearbox.

The Silvia S15 six speed manual transmission is rumoured to hold up to around 350ps but pushing higher figures than that is not advised. As an alternative the Nissan 350z gearbox is a good candidate for a swap being robustly engineered and also a six speed.

You will also need to look into cooling, an upgraded radiator and higher pressure radiator cap will help to keep engine temperatures down. Although it looks ugly and takes up space in the ‘bay, within the SR20DET community it is widely recommended to retain the standard viscous fan and fan cowling.

Please also bear in mind that I am an enthusiast, not a professional. I am giving this advice in good faith, if you have any doubts what so ever please contact your local trusted tuner or garage and discuss your plans with them.

Now on with the tuning tips!

About the SR20DET

This Japanese built turbo charged four cylinder engine has powered over two decades of reliable drift cars. It is relatively cheap to purchase, reliable up to circa 400ps on stock internals and it is extremely tuneable.

What is the history of this engine? What versions of the SR20 exist? What cars did they come in?

The first SR20DET that rolled out of the Nissan Motor Company’s factory in 1989 could be found transversely mounted in the Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS.

A couple of years later in 1991 Nissan decided to redesign the mounting of the engine and flipped it longitudinally for it’s upcoming rear wheel drive coupé platforms. The first car to use this new configuration was the Nissan 180sx (S13).

All through the nineties Nissan tweaked their four cylinder SR20, along the way releasing a naturally aspirated SR20DE that found it’s way into most of the rare Nissan Silvia convertible range.

In the mid-nineties the Nissan Silvia / 200sx (S14) received the new “bentcam” SR20DET, this offered Variable Valve and Timing, bigger injectors and a larger T28 turbo charger.

The final incarnation of the SR20DET was built for the Nissan Silvia Spec R (S15). This version featured all of the improvements Nissan had engineered over the past nine years and in addition squeezed out an extra 50ps.

SR20DET engine specifications

Here are the specifications from the final ‘bentcam’ SR20DET that was housed in the S15:

• Manufacturer: Nissan
• Version: Nissan Silvia Spec R S15 (1999-2002)
• Displacement: 1998cc (rounded to 2.0 liters)
• Configuration: DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams), 16 Valves, Chain driven cam sprockets
• Power: 250ps @ 6,400 rpm
• Torque: 220 lb ft
• Turbo: T-28 Ball Bearing T2 Flange
• Stock boost: 7 psi
• Cars that housed the SR20DET: Nissan Bluebird, Nissan Pulsar, Nissan Sunny, Nissan 180sx, Nissan Silvia, Nissan Avenir, Nissan Liberty, Nissan R’nessa, Nissan 200sx

You can read more SR20 specs right here.

Now we have discussed the history of the SR20 and the cars that it came in let’s dive into the tuning.

Tuning philosophy

Basic engine tuning philosophy is pretty simple; Think of the engine as a giant air pump. Air comes in through the air intake, it is compressed on it’s journey by the turbocharger, it combusts in the engine and the waste is shot out of the exhaust.

Our approach to obtaining more power is to increase the amount of air coming into the engine, increase the air density by upgrading the turbocharger and to decrease the air flow restrictions of the exhaust system to allow waste to get out as quickly as possible.

These nine tuning tips aim to achieve this without needing to open the engine itself, while also keeping your SR20 running safely. In the tuning community you would refer to this approach as “bolt-ons” because you are not opening the engine.

Tuning tip #1: Upgrade Your Air Intake

The first SR20det tuning tip is to upgrade the engine’s air intake. Factory air intake systems are designed with dual purpose; to filter dirty air and to restrict intake noise.

An aftermarket performance air intake system is going to be focused purely on getting as much clean air into the engine as possible at the sacrifice of increased levels of intake noise. There are many aftermarket air intake systems available for the SR20DET and many of those have lofty power claims.

I would take those claims with a pinch of salt.

The MKIV Supra forum published an interesting article testing four different premium air intake kits on the same 2JZGTE, although it is not an SR20DET and the figures won’t exactly add up you get a good feel for which filters perform the best.

If it was my money I would pick the APEXi Power Intake.

I have used this air intake on my own cars in the past and I have always been happy with it. Unlike the foam filters this is also washable.

Tuning tip #2: Upgrade Your Mass Air Flow Sensor

As the name suggests the Mass Air Flow Sensor is a simple device that measures the volume of air coming into the air intake, this information is relayed to the car’s ECU so that the correct air / fuel mixture is set.

The original SR20DET was built to produce 200bhp at the flywheel, the engine used a Mass Air Flow Sensor with generous headroom all the way up to 300ps however to go over this we are going to need to look at the SR20det’s older brother for parts..

A Nissan 300zx Z32 model Mass Air Flow Sensor should be perfect to support our targeted power level and a brand new ISR Performance Z32 MAF can be found here.

Recently, tuners are steering away from the outdated Z32 MAF in favor of the modern-day equivalent found in the R35 GTR.

Although this may sound like overkill for SR20DET’s, it’s very similar to the outdated 20-year-old Z32 AFM, with a touch of updated technology.

With improved precision, the R35 GTR mass air flow meter allows for a far stable tune, eliminating the “MAF stalling” issues that many experienced with the Z32.

If you’re planning on going down the MAF route, we highly recommend opting for the R35 option over the Z32.

Another option is to ditch the Mass Air Flow Sensor entirely and go with a MAP sensor setup, this will do away with the ugly looking MAFS but I don’t really see the need unless you are going for seriously high power figures.

Tuning tip #3: Install A Front Mount Intercooler (FMIC)

The third SR20DET tuning tip I have for you is to ditch the stock (wing mounted) intercooler and replace it with a large front mounted intercooler.

An intercooler is designed cool the air charge – the cooler the air charge, the denser the air, the denser the air the more efficient the combustion cycle. By replacing the standard intercooler with a larger unit and placing that behind the front bumper (rather than in the wing like in most s-chassis) means more airflow to the intercooler and that means better cooling.

Which unit you choose depends on your budget but in my own 180sx SR20DET build I used a huge front mounted intercooler (S14, S15) – (S13). There are also plenty of cheaper alternatives on the market.

Tuning tip #4: Upgrade Your Fuel Injectors

The fourth tip to building your SR20DET into a true bad ass is to replace your standard fuel injectors with larger ones. Each different generation SR20DET’s came with different sized fuel injectors but if you want to turn up the wick on the power then you will want to increase the displacement of your fuel injectors.

Standard fuel injectors will work fine with the turbo boost setting at a stock or at slightly increased level however to really hike up your engine power you are definitely going to need to increase the size.

A set of four 550cc fuel injectors should do the trick. You can go even bigger in size for safety and future power headroom and just instruct your tuner to turn down the fuel duty cycle for now.

The FiveO 550cc fuel injector set should do the job. I haven’t personally used FiveO before but they seem to get good reviews.

Tuning tip #5: Upgrade Your Fuel Pump

Your car’s standard fuel pump has been around for at least 14 years (in the case of a late model Silvia S15) so it is probably due a replacement anyway, an engine leaning out from fuel starvation is going to go bang pretty quickly and we don’t want that.

When aiming for over 300ps you will definitely want to upgrade the standard fuel pump to a larger, higher capacity unit.

A pump that is flowing more fuel is going to provide a lovely, high pressure fuel stream to feed your larger fuel injectors. These two supporting modifications are going to allow you to safely increase the turbo boost pressure.

A good aftermarket fuel pump is a Walbro High Pressure 255 ltr/hr in tank fuel pump.

Tuning tip #6: Upgrade Your Exhaust System

Like the factory air intake your standard exhaust system is designed as a compromise between providing performance and keeping down the sound level.

An aftermarket performance exhaust system will offer increased pipework size and crucially less bends and obstructions to ensure that the exiting engine waste can leave the exhaust as quickly as possible.

As for which system to get you have a huge selection of exhaust systems on the market to choose from. For my choice at a reasonable price level I would pick the APEXi N1, this system has been around for a long time and is a proven performer for a reasonable price.

Our sister site the 180sx Club has written a detailed exhaust guide listing many of the currently available exhaust systems for the Nissan S13, S14 and S15. The guide also includes pictures and videos of each exhaust system so you can get a real feel for the exact look and sound that you want.

We highly recommend upgrading the SR20DET’s restrictive manifold (header) alongside an aftermarket exhaust to maximize the airflow.

While the Tomei Expreme Manifold is a popular choice for those looking for a simple setup, there are plenty of other alternatives.

Those looking for a cheaper option will want to check out the ISR Performance V2 Tubular Exhaust Manifold.

ISR Performance also offers premium RamHorn Top Mount, and Tubular Bottom Mount manifold alternatives if your plans are a bit different.

Tuning tip #7: Upgrade Your Turbocharger

The turbo charger one of the most complex and the most expensive upgrades on our SR20DET tuning list. There are so many options, trim levels and intake sizes, exhaust sizes etc I cannot confidently cover them all.

So instead let’s try to keep it as simple as possible; if our goal is to increase the engine output to 350ps – 400ps at the flywheel I would stick with a T2 flange. This means that we can reuse the standard (cast iron) exhaust manifold and fittings and just swap out the turbo charger unit itself.

To produce higher power outputs without an excessive amount of turbo-lag I would suggest a Garrett GT2871R turbo charger.

Garrett are one of the most well respected turbo manufacturers and the GT2871R is an ideal pairing with a properly supported SR20DET. This turbo is both oil and water cooled and has a great reputation.

Alternatively, if you’re after a newer update to the ever-popular GT2871R, then Garrett’s latest offering, the G25-550 turbo, is seen by many as the ultimate choice.

If you’re unsure which is best for you, check out this video from Adam LZ, where he fits the G25-550 turbo to his SR-powered S13 before heading to the dyno:

Garrett parts are readily available if you ever need to service the unit.

If you’re looking for a complete turbo kit for the SR20DET, we highly recommend checking out these offerings from ISR Performance.

ISR Performance Garrett GT2871R Turbo Kit Package

• Garrett GT2871R-RS turbo
• ISR Performance Bottom Mount Turbo Manifold
• ISR Performance Turbo Lines for S13 or S14
• Clocking adapter and Wastegate Rod Extension (S13 Only)
• GT fitting and drain kit (S13 Only)
• Oil Restrictor for Garrett Ball Bearing Turbos (S13 and S14)
• ISR SR20DET 7 Layer Exhaust Manifold Gasket
• ISR 4 Bolt Turbine Inlet Gasket

ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo Upgrade Package

• ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo drive (rated to ~380hp)
• ISR Performance V2 Bottom Mount Turbo Manifold
• ISR Performance Turbine O2 Housing
• ISR Performance Turbo lines
• ISR Performance Intake Kit
• All gaskets, couplers, clamps, and hardware (Does not include new exhaust manifold studs to the head)

Tuning tip #8: Install A Boost Controller

Now that all the supporting modifications in place on the intake side, the fueling side, the turbo charger and the exhaust side we can look at increasing the boost level.

In order to do this an electronic boost controller is the next item on our shopping list. By replacing the standard restrictive boost controller with an aftermarket item we can control the turbo charger boost pressure level from inside the cabin.

An attractive control unit will be fitted inside the cabin, normally around the dashboard area and this can be used to set the boost level.

Alongside setting the boost pressure level most modern boost controllers feature a ‘Scramble boost‘ setting, this setting is designed to spike the boost for a short amount of time, useful for performing an overtake.

GReddy is a highly regarded Japanese tuning brand and their Profec OLED boost controller is a lovely little toy. It is a modern, sophisticated and compact machine that is packed with features. This will make a great addition to any dashboard.

Cheaper boost controller alternatives are available, a simple manual boost controller will get the job done.

Tuning tip #9: Upgrade Your Engine management & Tuning

Everything is now in place to seriously hike up your SR20DET’s power output, all that is left is upgrading your car’s ECU and getting it professionally tuned. Standard ECU’s are tough to work with and most older cars require soldering on a chip that contains the custom tuning ‘maps’ which are needed to run your new performance components at their optimum level.

A standalone replacement Engine Management System such as an APEXi Power FC is a plug and play unit that neatly swaps with the standard ECU.

This ECU can also use a ‘Commander’ which is a cool little gizmo that you can mount on your dashboard to monitor vital engine statistics, temps, revs etc and also if needed you can create tunes on the fly.

Although the APEXi Power FC has continued to be a popular choice over the years, many see it as outdated technology compared to some of the other options on the market today.

One of the most impressive choices for SR20DET ECU’s in the present day comes from Link Engine Management.

Link makes off-the-shelf ECU’s for S13/S14 and S15 Silvia’s.

Now that the ECU is in place it is time to find a local tuner. Tuners can be hit and miss so it is really worth doing your research and asking around your local tuning community or owners clubs to find people willing to recommend a tuner. You will also want to make sure that your tuner is familiar with the SR20DET.

All of these fantastic aftermarkets parts will come to nothing if the tuner you select does not know how to safely tune a car. I am based in the United Kingdom and I have always used the London firm FC Tuning for all of my ECU tunes.

Drifted is not sponsored by FC Tuning, they are simply my personal preference. Steve has tuned my 180sx and JZX90 in the past so I trust him with my engines.

Conclusion

With all nine steps of our SR20 tuning guide followed and a healthy base engine you should be looking at the thick end of 300ps at the flywheel. Furthermore your engine should also be putting out some ferocious torque and you will really feel that.

Professional race shops and tuners have built SR20DET engines to hit far bigger numbers than these but to do that safely you will need to start upgrading your internal engine components such as pistons, rings, con-rods etc.

If you want to change the driving characteristics you can also look at stroker kits to increase your engine displacement. There are plenty of stroker kits on the market, the TOMEI 2.2 kit gets a good reputation and is often used on JDM tuner builds. TODA produce very popular 2.2 liter stroker kits.

Crate SR20DET engines

If you want to extract some next level power and reliability (and if you have deep pockets) a crate engine from TOMEI might be a good choice. The TOMEI GENESIS has a mouth watering specification and a great reputation, but TOMEI has unfortunately discontinued production.

There are many other tuning parts which can help you get to the 400ps figure that I haven’t mentioned including aftermarket camshafts, intake and exhaust manifold upgrades, cylinder head work but for this tuning guide I am keeping it as simple as possible.

You could also go down the route of Nitrous Oxide..

Wondering what a tuned SR20DET is capable of? Check out this 1971 Datsun Ute with a 1000 horsepower SR20 stuck under the hood.

Or what about this equally impressive SR20DET powered “Cage-Car”

For more tuning guides just like this for other popular drift cars, check out our tuning guides section.

Now that you are an SR20DET tuning genius why not check out how this engine fared against the mighty RB20DET? Maybe Nissan engines aren’t for you? Why not check out Mitsubishi’s 4G63T? Some say it’s the best 4-cylinder ever!

If you are passionate about SR20’s then take a look at Speedhunter’s SR20 archives to discover more great content.

Want an instant hit of drifting action? Try our free to play drifting games.

The post 9 Step SR20 Tuning Guide For Peak Performance first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Pre-Swap Considerations
• Engine/Transmission Mounts
• Exhaust Components
• Transmission Tunnel Kit
• Front Sump Oil Pan
• Harnesses & Wiring
• Power Steering Kit
• Clutch Master Cylinder Kit
• Hoses
• Front Sway Bar
• Intake Manifold
• Full 240SX LS Swap Kit

Although the 240SX is an excellent chassis in the handling department, it’s somewhat let down by the rather unimpressive KA24 engine, which is usually the first component to be removed from the car when building a competitive 240SX.

Despite being a disappointment, with a significant amount of work, the KA24DE can achieve power figures in the 600 horsepower range with a KA24DE-T upgrade.

On the other hand, the early-model KA24E isn’t capable of much more than potentially making an attractive centerpiece table in your house. Sorry for delivering the facts, single slammer fans!

Jokes aside, KA24E owners should consider swapping out the engine, as trying to squeeze power potential out of these engines is likely to become an underwhelming money pit soon.

Of course, the logical swap for a 240SX is to keep things in the true JDM spirit with an SR20DET swap, as Nissan intended.

Although we’re sure that most of you are aware – Nissan 180SX S13/200SX S14’s (the JDM equivalent to a 240SX in America) received two naturally-aspirated engines – the SR20DE and CA18DE.

However, the turbocharged variants – the CA18DET and the SR20DET, were the far more popular drifting choices.

The much-loved, high-revving SR20DET is often the perfect choice for an engine swap to take the car back to its original non-US heritage, but SR’s aren’t always the ideal solution, either.

With the first SR20DET engines reaching the market in 1989, they’re certainly not getting younger, and the chances are they would’ve had a hard life in the meantime.

Sure, production continued until 2002, where the final revision of the SR20DET found in the Nissan Silvia S15’s left the factory with a stock output of 247 hp. However, you’ll undoubtedly pay an obscene amount of scene tax to get your hands on a “newer” SR20DET.

With that said, we’ve got no doubt that if you’ve got the budget for a well-maintained SR engine, it’ll make the perfect companion for your 240SX, and you’ll still be able to yell ‘JDM yo!’ at the local meet.

On the other hand, what if you’re not too bothered about the JDM scene, and you’re more interested in unlocking some truly insane bang-for-your-buck power potential while screaming ‘LS SWAP EVERYTHING!’?

If that’s the case, then we’re going to guess that an LS-swap will probably be the ideal solution for you. Otherwise, let’s face it, you’ll probably end up quite rightly receiving some strange looks.

At this point, you might want to get used to the jokes, as you’re likely to become the arch-enemy of the local JDM fanboys.

240SX LS Swap Considerations

First up, it’s worth considering whether an LS swap is an ideal match for your needs.

As you’ve probably guessed, placing an American 5.7L engine into a car initially built with either a JDM 1.8L CA18 or a 2L SR20 in mind isn’t quite a straightforward plug-and-play solution.

With this in mind, to get the most out of an LS swap, you will have to carry out more alterations than you would do if you were to go down the SR20DET route, which is worth thinking about.

Thankfully, the parts in this guide will make the popular tried-and-tested LS swap as convenient as possible. But let’s also consider some of the JDM options.

JDM Alternatives

When fully built, an SR20DET will be capable of over 2.2L with a stroker kit, and going beyond 500 hp is certainly achievable.

There are also other options, such as the 1JZ, 1.5JZ, and 2JZ, for those thinking about keeping their S-Chassis JDM. We’ve even seen several 240’s with RB swaps over the years.

With that said, the LS1 is lighter than the 2JZ engine, and with the later variants, LS1’s have over 400 hp in stock form, with the potential to reach 500 hp with minimal work.

Big Power Goals

If you want to go beyond 500 hp, the LS will also be under far less stress and strain than the equivalent-powered SR22DET.

Add a turbo kit into the equation, and you’re laughing.

Also, an LS is capable of fourth-gear burnouts – ‘nuff said.

Sourcing/Prices

Thankfully, ‘Merica has plenty of LS engines, so they’re far easier sourced than the highly-sought-after JDM-taxed Nissan performance engines, so finding one on the market shouldn’t be too much of a struggle. There’s also the option of a crate engine if you’re feeling fancy.

For those that reside outside of the US, however, it may well be a different story.

When it comes to choosing the best LS-swap, the LS1 is typically the favored option. With most swap kits focusing on the LS1, it’s likely to be the most convenient choice.

If you’re planning colossal power gains with your 240SX swap, then you’re (obviously) going to need to consider upgrading more than just the engine, clutch, and gearbox.

This video is useful to learn what you’re likely to need to reach your LS1 power goals:

With the S13 and S14 chassis’ designed with a four-cylinder in mind, a high-horsepower V8 will push the differential and axles way beyond their limits.

Thankfully, the 240SX LS swap is a popular choice, so there’s a whole wealth of information out there to help you find the perfect parts for the route you choose.

Which cars came with the LS1 from the factory?

General Motors’ LS1 engines were produced between 1997 and 2004 model years in the US and continued until 2005 for the international market.

If you’re looking to go down the most convenient route with an LS1 engine, then these are the cars you’re going to need to be hunting down.

• Chevrolet Corvette C5
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Pontiac Firebird
• Pontiac GTO

Nissan 240SX LS Swap Parts

While the LS-engines came in various cars that weren’t deserving of such an incredible engine, we feel that the 240SX deserved far more than the KA24.

For that reason, it’s the perfect opportunity to match this epic chassis with an insane engine to make the ultimate combination.

In this section, we’re going to be showing you the perfect off-the-shelf parts to source the missing pieces of the puzzle for your 240SX LS build.

Engine/Transmission Mounts

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: ISR Performance LS Swap Mounts for Nissan 240SX S13/14

Our comment: ISR Performance offers this fantastic, reasonably priced mount kit that allows you to mount the LS engine along with an F-Body T56 6-speed (Cadillac CTSV TR6060) to both the S13 and S14 240SX chassis.

The engine and transmission mounts in this kit both feature urethane bushings to help dampen the engine vibrations without being too stiff, making these mounts suitable for daily drivers or track-bound drift cars.

This kit also has the option to add headers and a Canton Racing sump oil pan to your order, making an excellent setup for the price.

Enjuku Racing can also provide cross members, U-brackets, and driveshafts for this setup. Further information can be found on the product page.

If the ISR Performance kit isn’t ideal for your needs, then there are also Holley / Hooker LSx engine/transmission mount model-specific alternatives for both the S13 and the S14.

Manufacturer description: “The ISR Performance LS swap mounts are designed to be your one stop solution for all RWD LSx based motors with F body T56 6 speed to fit in both S13 and S14 chassis.”

“By utilizing a small base mount pedestal and separate mount bracket the ISR Performance mounts can pivot to accommodate for the slightly different width and pitch between the two different chassis subframes. Where other manufacturers require you to purchase either S13 or S14 mounts, or do not fit ideally in each chassis, the ISR Performance mounts will work flawlessly in both chassis, allowing you to transfer parts from one chassis to another if needed!”

Exhaust Components

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: ISR Performance HGC LS Swap Headers

Our comment: ISR Performance comes through with the goods once again when it comes to finding the perfect headers for your 240SX LS Swap.

These 1 ¾ “ piping diameter LS1 headers have been crafted from high-quality 304 stainless steel and are the perfect match for the ISR LS swap mounts above.

This kit’s main benefit is that it’s a newly revised “HGC” design, featuring higher ground clearance than the Hooker Super Comp header alternative.

You can also complete the package by opting for the matching ISR Performance Y-Pipe.

Installing the ISR Performance mounts, headers and Y-pipe will provide the perfect fitment for your 240SX LS swap.

Manufacturer description: “ISR Performance HGC LS1 S13/14 swap headers are built out of high quality 304 Stainless Steel and designed to pair with our own LS1 Swap mounts to allow for a simple and easy installation into your S-chassis!”

Transmission Tunnel Kit

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: ISR Performance Weld-in Transmission Tunnel Clearance kit

Our comment: If you’re looking to go down the popular route with the highly-regarded Nissan 350Z/370Z CD009 gearbox-route with your LS swap, then this bargain-priced transmission tunnel clearance kit will provide the space you’ll need.

You will, of course, require some welding to fit this kit, but it’ll be far more pleasant than endlessly hammering away at the stock metal, only to be rewarded with a terrible-looking and weakened transmission tunnel to show for your hard work!

Manufacturer description: “The hammering method will cause the mounting points to bend and distort from their original locations and therefore the transmission crossmember will not line up and install correctly, offsetting the entire driveline.”

“This ISR Weld in Transmission tunnel clearance kit comes with thicker metal reinforcement plates that allows you to also remove the upper brace, allowing ISR swap kits to sit the Transmissions higher up for better drive line angle and ground clearance than any other kits on the market. This kit will give over 1/2″ of additional clearance around your transmission tunnel.”

Front Sump Oil Pan

• Manufacturer: Canton Racing
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: Canton Racing Front Sump 240SX LS1 Oil Pan

Our comment: If you’re looking for a shallow oil sump kit, Canton Racing has got what you’re after.

With a diamond-shaped baffle with four trap doors and a removable windage/anti-slosh baffle to provide the best oil control, this is a highly recommended upgrade for drifting and racing.

The kit also includes provisions for a pan-mounted dipstick, a 20mm oil temperature sensor, and a 6.5-quart system oil capacity.

There are also optional additions for a GTO oil pick-up and an oil filter relocation block to go with the kit.

If the Canton Racing kit doesn’t suit your requirements, then the Moroso oil pan is a great alternative.

Manufacturer description: “This product measures 5 5/8 deep by 6 ¾ long by 14” wide front sump. Your order includes the 240SX oil pan, the LS1 remote filter adapter, and the Universal DipStrick Kit 1/4 NPT fitting, and Oil Pan Stud Kit.”

“We recommend also adding on the LS1 pan mounted spin-on filter mount, billet aluminum remote spin-on filter mount, and a 20mm plug if you’re not using a low oil warning sender unit.”

Harnesses & Wiring

• Manufacturer: Wiring Specialties
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 & S14 ’89-’98
• Purchase link: Wiring Specialties Pre-Made PRO LS1 Conversion Harness for Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94
• Wiring Specialties Pre-Made PRO LS1 Conversion Harness for Nissan 240SX S14 ’95-’98

Our comment: Wiring Specialties provide the ultimate harnesses to the market, ensuring a convenient and reliable solution to the potential wiring headaches that come with engine swaps.

Using their ‘tucked’ approach, this provides the perfect clean solution for your bay and will fit both the USDM LHD S13 and the GM LS1 drive-by cable throttle perfectly.

There’s a wide selection of options available on the Enjuku Racing product pages to ensure that you get the perfect solution for your wiring needs.

Manufacturer description: “Looking for the best in aesthetics, weight savings and reliability out of your harness? Our Pro Series harness completely replaces your old OEM harness so you can forget about those electrical gremlins.”

“This Wiring Specialties PRO Series harness was designed from the ground-up to exceed OEM specifications for wire quality, power/ground routing. With our optimized and ‘tucked’ approach the end result will be a clean and worry free installation with a guaranteed start up.”

Product features:

• Main Engine and Transmission one-piece tucked harness
• Alternator charge cable built into the main harness
• Knock sensor sub-harness connector
• MAFS connector (3-pin or 5-pin)
• MAP sensor connector
• Intake Air Temp connector
• TPS connector
• 8x Injector connectors
• Bank 1 and Bank 2 Coil interface connectors (coil harnesses are optional)
• Oil Pressure gauge connector
• Wiring for 2 PCM-controlled electric cooling fans
• Cam sensor connector
• Crank sensor connector
• Bank 1 and Bank 2 FRONT Oxygen sensor connectors (High Temp shielding)
• 1 x Ground ring terminal
• Idle air connector
• ECT sensor connector and cluster coolant temp switch connector
• Reverse lights sensor connector
• Speed sensor connector
• Reverse Lockout connector
• Skip Shift connector
• LS1 Alternator connector
• Starter signal/start connector
• A/C Wiring is available as an option. Please note that adding A/C to an LS1 S13 is not easy and will require custom lines and sensor installation. Wiring Specialties will provide a wiring sub-harness needed for operating the A/C system ONLY.
• OBD2 Communication connector
• Printable install instructions with pictures
• Turn Key ENGINE START Guarantee

Power Steering Kit

• Manufacturer: Chase Bays
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: Chase Bays Power Steering Kit

Our comment: Chase Bays offers this power steering kit to eliminate the common factory power steering leaks, fluid spillover, and overheating issues.

With a dual-baffled power steering reservoir, a genuine KOYO power steering cooler, and all of the required hoses and adapters, this is the answer to all of your 240SX LS-swap power steering needs.

If you’re only looking for a power steering line, then there are offerings from both Sikky and Deft Motion to choose from.

Manufacturer description: “With improved aesthetics, durability, and stealthy design, this is is a full 100% upgraded A.N. fitting replacement of the stock reservoir and hoses. From the reservoir to pump to rack. Our over-engineered Dual-Baffled Power Steering Reservoir (aeration and spillover proof) is at the core of this kit.”

“Chase Bays only uses the highest quality components available. Our reservoir is constructed of 6061 aluminum and is anodized black with a laser etched cap. The reservoir itself uses our own bracket design to bolt in easily to factory Nissan.”

Clutch Master Cylinder Kit

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: ISR Performance T56 Clutch Master Cylinder Conversion Kit

Our comment: ISR Performance returns to our list with more 240SX LS swap goodness, and this time it’s their master cylinder conversion kit.

When opting for the LS engine alongside the T56 transmission, the stock clutch master cylinder will no longer be up to the task of handling the added pressure, which is where this kit provides a required solution.

The kit’s additional benefit is that it includes a remote clutch bleeder to make bleeding the internal slave/release bearing far more convenient.

Alternatively, if you’re not looking for the full kit, Chase Bays sells a separate clutch line, which is also suitable for the T56 Gearbox.

Manufacturer description: “When swapping your S Chassis with the LS engine and T56 transmission the factory clutch master cylinder is too weak for operating the internal slave of larger and heavier pressure plate on the LS’s. Running an upgraded clutch master cylinder is absolutely required when doing the LSX Swap.”

“the ISR kits are a complete kit and includes a brand new clevis unlike other kits on the market that require you to disassemble and remove the rod and clevis end from your factory master cylinder and use it on the Wilwood.”

Kit includes:

• Wilwood Master cylinder
• Master cylinder adapter plate
• Clevis with Pin
• T56 Conversion Line with Fittings
• T56 remote speed bleeder Kit

Silicone Hoses

• Manufacturer: Mishimoto
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: Mishimoto Nissan 240sx S14 LSx Swap Silicone Hose Kit

Our comment: Now that we’ve covered the main components of your LSx swap, it’s time to consider the finishing touches.

This Mishimoto silicone hose kit is a simple yet effective kit for the S14 240SX owners out there that are looking to keep their KA24DE radiator.

Manufacturer description: “This kit will only be direct fit in conjunction with a KA24DE style radiator. Will not be direct fit with SR20 style radiators.”

Product features:

• Direct fit for 1995-1998 Nissan 240SX S14 with LSx Swap
• Max temperature of 330°F
• Made of high grade silicone and heat-resistant embedded fibres
• Efficiently reduces heat
• Increases pressure tolerance
• OEM replacement fit
• Mishimoto Lifetime Warranty

Front Sway Bar

• Manufacturer: Sikky
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: Sikky 32mm Tubular Front Sway Bar

Our comment: When swapping out your 240SX engine for anything other than the SR20DET, you’ll run into issues with sway bar clearance.

Although spacer blocks can be used to move the bar forward, this drastically affects the dynamics of the bar’s suspension and stiffness, which is why Sikky has produced this bolt-on replacement kit.

Product features:

• 32mm tubular sway bar
• Perfect fitment for S14 with engine swap (LSx, RB, 1JZ, 2JZ, VQ35DE, etc.)
• 3-way adjustable for fine tuning
• Added clearance when at full lock
• Tire rubbing on the bar is no longer an issue even with extreme angle spindles
• No longer need adapter brackets, spacer blocks to run front sway bar
• High quality design and construction that rivals any bar for the 240sx that is currently available

Intake Manifold

• Manufacturer: FAST
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: FAST LSXR 102mm Intake Manifold

Our comment: If you’re looking for the piece de resistance for your 240SX LSx swap, then the 102mm intake manifold is going to be the perfect step on your way to your big power goals.

These manifolds have been quoted to provide a 20 horsepower increase on an LS1 engine, and if you’re aiming for huge figures, then the ‘big mouth’ 102mm intake is going to be the perfect way to get your LS breathing efficiently.

Make this the perfect finishing touch for added wow-factor in your 240SX bay!

Manufacturer description: “Constructed from the same advanced polymer material as the LSX 92mm Intake Manifold, the LSXR offers a host of benefits over aluminum aftermarket intakes, including lighter weight, increased strength and improved heat dissipating characteristics.”

“While the LSXR features a 102mm air inlet that is perfectly suited to the FAST Big Mouth 102mm Throttle Body, it can also be used with stock or aftermarket 90mm or 92mm throttle bodies. Other features include integrated nitrous bungs and perfect bolt-on fitment that allows the use of factory accessories without modification or clearance concerns.”

Full 240SX LS Swap Kit

• Manufacturer: SIKKY
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX S13 ’89-’94 & S14 ’95-’98
• Purchase link: SIKKY Full 240SX LS Swap Kit

Our comment: For owners that want a full, complete 240SX LS swap kit, look no further than what SIKKY offers.
The SIKKY Stage 1 “Starter” Kit provides the essential components required for your S13/S14 240SX LS swap.

With motor and trans mounts, a remote mount filter kit, an oil pan, and a driveshaft included, you’ll still need to source or fabricate your wiring, intake, fuel lines, power steering lines, and much more for this to be complete.

The SIKKY Stage 2 Kit includes much more, including power steering lines.

However, for the ultimate off-the-shelf LS swap kit, their Stage 3 Kit will be the answer you’ve been looking for.

The Stage 3 kit is designed for those looking to fit an LS1 straight into their 240SX. You still need to purchase a fuel kit, intake, radiator, and fans, but other than that, you’re good to go.

The SIKKY kits are the most comprehensive LS swap kits on the market.

With SIKKY’s knowledge and R&D behind it, there’s no doubt it will provide a perfect solution for those wanting a simple, convenient 240SX LS swap option.

Manufacturer description: “Sikky Stage 3 packages are a master swap kit that includes a brand new wiring harness made by Wiring Specialties. This kit is ideal for those who want to buy an LS1 and drop it into their chassis with little left to do. The only pieces left to assembled are a fuel kit, intake, radiator and fans”

Thank you for reading our 240SX LS Swap Kit guide

If you enjoyed this article, then please share it with the buttons at the side and bottom of your screen. Find this information useful? Please post a link to it with other Nissan and LS fans. We appreciate your support.

The post Ultimate 240SX LS Swap Kit Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• TOMEI Turbo Kit
• GReddy Turbo Kit
• ISR Performance Turbo Kit
• Full Race Turbo Kit
• CXRacing Turbo Kit
• XS Power Turbo Kit
• Nice Time Racing Twin Turbo Kit
• Jump to winner

In a hurry? Here is our KA24DE Turbo Kit summary

Budget Choice	Drifted Choice	Premium Choice
ISR KA24DE Turbo Kit	Tomei ARMS KA24DE Turbo Kit (turbo only)	Nice Time Racing KA24DE Twin Turbo Kit
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

We recently had a Drifted fan ask us whether it’s worth heading down the turbo kit route with his KA24DE 240SX. As usual, we tried to dive into the web for guides, but to our surprise, there was very little recent information.

It’s no real secret that the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated KA24DE is a little anemic at best. It’s a low-revving, low-redline engine, which, being honest, also falls pretty low on the excitement aspect too.

This is where we introduce one of the kings of automotive tuning – the much-loved turbocharger.

Check out this awesome Formula Drift spec 240SX with a 600hp KA24DET burnout to see the potential of what a fully-tuned KA is truly capable of:

We want to point out that when we mention “KA” in this guide, we are not referring to the earlier-model KA24E engine.

For the single slammers out there, I’m afraid to say that we’d highly recommend upgrading to the dual cam KA or an alternative powerplant to get the best power gains.

One of the main questions when carrying out a KA24DET upgrade is, “Why not just swap out for an SR?”

Well, SRs aren’t exactly the perfect answer, either. They, too, can suffer from reliability issues, and not everyone wants to carry out an engine swap when they’ve already got a perfectly good KA sat in the engine bay.

Not to mention the scene tax, which is not only being piled onto the SR that makes it an even more expensive option than ever.

If an SR is the route you’d prefer to go down, then sure, it could be the easiest method for you, and let’s not forget that it’s an engine that Nissan built for this chassis on the JDM market. However, remember that the KA can provide more torque than the SR if you’re willing to put the time and effort in.

Sure, the SR is a higher-revving, convenient solution, but there’s something a little special about having a different engine for the masses.

We’ll put the SR20DET to one side and focus on the task, turning your KA24DE into a turbo-powered KA24DET.

In the early 2000s, owners built their own DIY turbo kits to help the KA24DE achieve its maximum potential. There are still several guides online that explain precisely how to do this. Still, we prefer to take the less-risky alternative of simply buying a tried-and-tested off-the-shelf kit with the proper research and development carried out.

With many of the older forums and website links now down or images lost in the Photobucket fiasco, we decided it would be a great time to revisit this subject and update it with the latest turbo kits for your KA24DE.

Turbocharged KA24DEs, also known as the KA24DET, have frequently proven they can handle 10-12PSI without breaking a sweat on stock bottom ends.

If you go far beyond that, you’re potentially risking an almighty ‘KA-boom.’

A typical boosted setup can keep you in the safe upper region of around 250whp, and sure, your buddy might have achieved 400whp+. Still, we’re talking long-term reliability rather than impressing on the dyno.

As always with forced induction, ensuring you have a healthy, well-maintained engine as a base is a good idea.

Carrying out a compression test will give you a good idea of what you’re working with and give out early warning signs it’s plagued from the start. There’s nothing worse than throwing big money at a tired engine.

While the KA bottom end is ‘overbuilt’ for naturally-aspirated needs, this is a blessing in disguise for those going KA-T.

The downfall is that, unlike the SR, its pistons are only designed for natural aspiration (N/A).

This is fine for those going for a basic KA-T setup. However, if you’re hunting down significant power above 1 bar, you’ll want to upgrade pistons and rods to forged aftermarket units.

For this guide, we will keep things simple and look at a sensible-powered, off-the-shelf kit to kick your KA24DE engine up the ass, which it should’ve come with from the factory.

Chris Forsberg and Ryan Tuerck took on the task of doing a KA24DET build and turned it into a series, check out the first episode here:

It’s always important to remember that you can’t simply bolt a turbo to a car and expect substantial performance gains. You will want to consider the additional costs that come with these kits. Some won’t provide fuelling or engine management.

Chances are your cooling system will need some upgrades. An uprated radiator alongside the front-mount intercooler will be ideal to compensate for the increased engine heat. Oil cooling is also ideal for keeping on top of this, and a relocation kit could be an excellent investment.

The final consideration is, have you got an adequate exhaust? You’ll need at least a 2.5″ setup to expel the additional gases generated, but we’d generally recommend going with a 3″ to be on the safe side.

Now that you have a little more of an understanding of what you’re taking on, it’s time for us to show you how to wake up your KA24DE and unleash the power it should’ve left the factory with!

Let’s take a look at our KA24DE turbo kits

To read more about these products, click on the turbo kit name or photo.

TOMEI KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: TOMEI
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Buy the Tomei MX7960 turbo kit here | Buy the Tomei MX8270 turbo kit here

Our comment: TOMEI has invested much R&D into their new ARMS turbos. With their typically high standards, they bring a stunning bolt-on kit to the KA market.

They aimed to provide torque, response, and usable power in a single, convenient package.

Tomei has given owners two choices for turbos.

Firstly, the M8270 is made for big horsepower and can handle over 450hp. It begins to kick in a little later but then continues to provide an impressive amount of power to the redline. This kit is more suited for drag racing and high-powered setups. If you’re using it for drifting, be prepared for sudden boost surges.

The M7960, however, is designed to provide lower to mid-range torque and is more suited to over 400hp. This turbo provides much more bottom-end response on a lower-powered car to achieve the maximum potential. With its more linear power curve, this is ideal for drifting, auto-x, and street/track use.

Although this is a turbo kit that comes at a great price, it’ll only provide the basics, and you’ll need to consider basic additions such as a manifold, cooling, and engine management on top.

With that being said, it’s still a fantastic package.

Tomei has gone out of their way to provide you with every part you’ll need to turn your KA into the perfect package in their KA24DET turbo guide.

Manufacturer description: “The new Tomei ARMS MX-Series Turbocharger improves upon Tomei’s original M-Series turbocharger design by introducing a new lightweight billet wheel, multi-rate billet actuator, and the very same ARMS technology Tomei is known for!”

“With over 20 years since its initial debut, Nissan enthusiasts are continuously looking for high-quality performance parts to tune their KA24DE. At TOMEI, we wanted to see more users enjoy tuning their engines, so we continued developing new products. After many years of testing and production, Tomei has all components available to turbocharge your KA24.”

GReddy KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: GReddy
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Discontinued

Our comment: As you can see, there’s a pretty hefty price difference between these two JDM tuning legends. However, there is quite a bit of difference between the two kits.

TOMEI provided the basics with their kit, whereas GReddy has concentrated more on fueling and engine management, providing you with a pre-tuned ECU.

Although it’s in the higher price range, you won’t need much more than a front-mount intercooler to begin shredding the streets.

Given that the front mount intercooler is rather expensive, we’d recommend sourcing an alternative front mount and piping, as you can usually trust the cheaper kits on the market to provide a decent solution.

Manufacturer description: “GReddy Turbo Kits for naturally aspired motors provides instant horsepower gains with less time and money while still providing room for upgrading for even more power! GReddy turbo kits are designed for optimal response and performance while maintaining daily drivability, comfort, and reliability.”

“Each GReddy turbo kit is designed based on a completely stock engine so each kit will come with all the necessary basics such as manifold, turbocharger, downpipe adapter, piping, hardware, and heat shields. Some kits even include pre-tuned piggyback ECUs or fuel pressure risers.”

ISR (Formerly ISIS) KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: ISR (Formerly ISIS)
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Buy the ISR KA24DE turbo kit here

Our comment: ISR was previously (somewhat awkwardly) known as ISIS before another group decided to take over the name.

Thankfully, they came to their senses and rebranded as ISR. They bring a fantastic all-around package at a very reasonable price to the market.

That said, it comes with a turbo which is probably a bit on the large side for the engine. This means that not only is it a squeeze in the bay, but it also has more lag than the previous offerings.

There are mixed opinions on the quality of their turbos, so it may be worth discussing alternative options with Enjuku. Perhaps you could consider buying the kit without the turbo and find a more suitable one for your needs?

This will need a MAF, oil feed and drain lines, injectors, and an ECU, but it does come with a manifold and an intercooler kit. On the whole, it’s an excellent kit for the money.

Manufacturer description: “Finally an Inexpensive KA-T kit! The Nissan KA has become a wildly popular engine for turbo upgrades. This is due to the engine’s heavy duty iron blocks and 600cc cylinder size, which provides robust torque. Plus, the KA is a lower-priced engine. With the Nissan 240sx KA24DE turbo kit, you’ll get a dramatic boost in engine power without having to break the bank.”

Full Race KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: Full Race
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Discontinued

Our comment: There are many variants to the Full Race kit, and if you begin adding up the options, you’ll see the price inflate pretty quickly!

Their kits are a work of art, and quality certainly comes at a price.

If you’ve got big bucks to spend and you’re looking for an awesome twin-scroll setup that can be customized to maximize the potential of your needs, you’ll want to get in touch with Full Race to see what they can offer.

Unfortunately, the kit has now been discontinued. However, if you can find one on the used market, we’d certainly make this a consideration if the price was right.

Manufacturer description: “Full-Race Engineers designed the Twin Scroll RWD Turbo Kits to deliver power levels normally seen from moderate-large turbochargers, but with drastically improved throttle/boost response, earlier spool times and significant power/torque gains.”

CXRacing KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: CXRacing
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Buy the CXRacing KA24DE turbo kit here

Our comment: CXRacing shows its hand with an extremely reasonably priced product. CXRacing state that this kit keeps the stock fuel injectors and ECU and allows you to boost at 7psi with around 230whp.

They’re undoubtedly proud of their fit-and-go style kit, but we recommend at least upgrading some simple parts like injectors and an ECU to get the most out of the setup and reach around 350hp.

Despite the setup not being the highest quality in our guide, it certainly has the potential to build from. If you’re looking for a DIY build, it’s worth getting this kit without the turbo and wastegate (an option on their website) and using some higher-quality items. This will give you an excellent value-for-money kit.

Their manifolds have been known to crack with prolonged use, so if you were to go over some welds and maybe add bracing and better gaskets, you could well be on to a winner for a bargain price—a great cheap and convenient base for those that don’t want to spend huge amounts of money.

Manufacturer description: “This is a Bolt on kit, from manifold to Downpipe, Catback, intercooler, Piping. Not like other kits offered, they are just parts and have not tested. Our kit was developed in the US and fully tested, bolt on fit.”

XS Power KA24DE Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: XS Power
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Buy the XS Power KA24DE turbo kit here

Our comment: XS Power have turned up with the cheapest product in our various turbo kit guides, but unfortunately, they seem to get the same, primarily negative, feedback every time.

Their reputation certainly isn’t the strongest, but many owners have purchased this reasonably priced option and run it without issues.

Others have reported problems within a few hundred miles. Maybe they’re pushing it too hard, but it seems more like a quality control issue.

For the money, we would advise going with CXRacing, as they have a better product with a better reputation and many happy owners.

Nice Time Racing KA24DE Twin Turbo Kit

• Manufacturer: Nice Time Racing
• Fitment: Nissan 240SX
• Turbo configuration: Twin turbo
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: Buy the Nice Time Racing KA24DE twin turbo kit here

Our comment: It’s not every day you see a brand-new turbo kit design for the KA24DE, which is why we were equally surprised and stoked to see this revolutionary offering from Nice Time Racing.

Given that this is the only twin-turbo offering available for the KA24DE, it will be perfect for owners looking for something different.

It has a stainless steel manifold and downpipe, a twin inlet intake (inc. K&N filter), and a 2-1 hot charge pipe.

Alongside the massive power potential of the kit, it fits with no modifications. Retaining the factory A/C, power steering, distributor, and brake booster is a real bonus.

While this all sounds incredible, it does come at a price, especially when you factor in the fact that you’ll also need to purchase two T2 turbos.

Since this kit is still new on the market, we’re yet to hear any real-world feedback before giving it a 5-star rating. If you’ve fitted this kit to your KA24, we’d love to hear from you.

It is excellent to see a company willing to push the KA24DE to its true potential. We’d talk to them beforehand to ensure you have sufficient supporting mods for the setup and get the most from it without sacrificing reliability.

Alongside their twin-turbo setup, they also have many other single-scroll and twin-scroll options in their store, as well as several parts which will be helpful for those considering building a custom turbo setup.

Our winner

Our winner is the TOMEI Turbo Kit.

To pick our winner from this choice of KA24DE turbo kits, we looked at several criteria; quality, popularity, upgrade potential, and price point.

We have chosen the TOMEI Turbo Kit as our winner based on these.

Tomei ARMS KA24DE Turbo Kit

TOMEI has gone above and beyond to deliver the ultimate product for KA24DE owners.

The level of R&D they put into such a niche product is awe-inspiring. Although it might not be the cheapest, you can count on it being impeccable quality and providing fantastic reliability.

Sure, you’ll need to fork out some additional parts to go with this basic kit, but we have no doubt it’ll serve you exceptionally well long-term.

Full Race and GReddy are two brilliant alternatives in the upper price range. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper setup, we highly recommend checking out what CXRacing offers.

Thank you for reading our KA24DE turbo kit guide

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and bottom of your screen.

• Enjuku Racing
• Full Race
• CXRacing
• XS Power
• Tomei USA
• Z Car Blog
• Nice Time Racing

The post Ultimate KA24DE Turbo Kit Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• Garrett GT2871R
• Garrett GT28RS (Disco Potato)
• HKS GT-RS
• HKS GT-SS
• ISR Performance RS3871
• Garrett GTX3071R
• Garrett GTX3076R
• Precision 5128
• OEM Nissan S15 T28
• ISR Performance T25/T28
• Garrett G25-550
• Jump to winner

In a hurry? Here is our SR20DET turbo summary

Budget Choice	Drifted Choice	Big Power Choice
ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo	Garrett GT2871R Turbo	Garrett GTX3071R Turbo
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Nissan’s SR20 engine is undoubtedly one of the best four-cylinder engines ever made, and we think it could quite possibly be our favorite. From the humble stock engine, right the way through to the outrageously modified 2,000+ HP drag cars. It’s not just the drift scene that trusts this fantastically tuneable engine to continue raising the bar in the present day.

You may well be thinking, “But I was told that SR20’s are hideously unreliable?” The problem is, that in the drifting scene, in particular, people are often keen to squeeze as much power out of an engine without thinking about adequate supporting mods or sufficient maintenance. If you’re bouncing your car off the limiter on a terrible tuning map all day with a huge turbo, then the chances are it’s not going to be too delighted.

Those that have tuned their SR properly with the correct supporting mods for the power whilst keeping up the correct maintenance intervals will likely be rewarded with a reliable engine which will keep on performing.

We all know just how highly regarded the SR20 is in the drifting communities around the world, but check out this awesome compilation video to hear some of the craziest SR’s on the planet pushing the boundaries of what you thought was possible in all forms of motorsport:

SR20’s have served their place in the bays of many different cars over the years, even from the showroom. From naturally aspirated front-wheel-drive grocery getters, right he way through to the SR20DET which found its home under the Silvia hood which we know and love.

With some naturally aspirated SR20DE’s leaving the factory with under 200hp, it’s then capable of achieving around double the power at 400hp on the stock bottom end, provided the correct supporting modifications have been carried out.

If you’re wondering how high it can go with a huge amount of upgrades, we weren’t exaggerating when we said that there were 2,000hp drag cars, and with Mazworx representing the Silvia family with their surprising engine choice for world record hunting, it proves what these engines are capable of with the right setup, even if they are a little ‘enhanced’ from the OEM specifications!

Check out this video of their absolutely ridiculous S15 throwing down 6-second runs, here:

When it comes to the OEM T28 turbo which was found in the last SR20DET’s to roll out of the factory in the S15, that’s capable of hitting around 280-300hp at 1.3 bar. You will, of course require the additional breathing and cooling modifications to ensure reliability.

If you’re looking to go beyond this, or would rather achieve these numbers without having to push the turbo to its absolute limits, you’re going to want to upgrade to one of the many aftermarket turbo options available on the market.

As we mentioned, we wouldn’t plan to go above 400hp on the stock engine before you have to consider forging, which is always a great idea if you have the cash to splash. To even get to 400hp, you’re going to have a number of bolt-on modifications to consider, including; A boost controller, intake, exhaust, injectors, front mount intercooler, uprated fuel pump, AFM, clutch and a piggyback or standalone ECU with mapping.

These parts add up quickly, and we always recommend to consider which setup you’ll likely to be happy with long-term to save having to buy parts twice and aim towards that.

For an SR20, the .64 a/r turbos are preferred due to their low-end power, which offers a faster spool and makes them far more ideal for drifting. If you’re after more high-end power with a slower spool that’ll suddenly throw you into your seat and light up the rear wheels when you hit boost, you’ll want to consider going down the .86 a/r route. This is obviously a little trickier when it comes to drifting as it’s preferred to have easily accessible boost when you need it.

If you’re still reading, you must have a rough idea of which route you’re planning to go down. Whether you want to replace your tired OEM turbo, upgrade to a low-spooling drift setup, or run a laggier high-powered monster setup, we’ve got you covered in our SR20 turbo guide.

Let’s take a look at our SR20DET turbo selection

To read more about any of these products simply click on the turbo kit name or photo.

Garrett GT2871R Turbo

• Manufacturer: Garrett
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase links: Buy the Garrett GT2871R turbo here | Buy the Garrett GT2871R turbo kit package here

Our comment: We kick off our list with one of the highest regarded companies in the turbocharger world – Garrett. Their GT2871R has stood the test of time and is frequently classed as the perfect turbo to compliment your everyday SR20 for those that don’t want to mess about with the engine internals.

Realistically (besides the obvious cooling/exhaust mods), an AFM, injectors, uprated fuel pump and remap will be all that you’ll need to see some fantastic power out of this. If you’re looking at the 350-400hp range, this is the ultimate choice for you. Expect to hit full boost at under 4,000rpm and for it to pull hard the whole way to the redline.

If you’re after a tried and tested method for your SR20 that’ll offer the best price and power to lag ratio combination, look no further than the GT2871R.

Not yet purchased your manifold? Enjuku Racing offers a great GT2871R package which is well worth checking out for the price.

Manufacturer description: “This GT2871R uses Garrett GT technology. Dual Ball Bearing GT2871R turbo assembly with T25 style turbine inlet and S15 front compressor housing. Comes with internal wastegate pre-assembled and is a direct bolt on replacement for S14/S15 T28 turbochargers.“

“This turbo will produce 375 horsepower to the wheels in an SR20DET equipped with the right supporting modifications. Full boost can be achieved as low as 3800 rpm with the .64 a/r T25 style exhaust housing.“

Garrett GT28RS (Disco Potato) Turbo

• Manufacturer: Garrett
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the Garrett GT28RS (Disco Potato) turbo here

Our comment: The amusingly named ‘Disco Potato’ has been another extremely popular SR20 choice over the years.

For those of you that are looking for a simple setup, this will run fine without the need for an AFM, injectors, fuel pump or remap like the GT2871R. Some basic cooling and exhaust mods should see this run a respectable 330hp and will only be slightly laggier than the stock SR20 turbos.

A great solution if you’re looking to keep life simple without huge power and minimal lag. For those of you looking for a low maintenance drift setup, the responsiveness and power of this setup makes it one of the best options.

Manufacturer description: “The Garrett GT28RS Disco Potato Turbo Charger is easily the most famous turbocharger released by the manufacturer. With a T25 .64 AR back-housing, the Disco Potato (GT28RS) has been seen on a variety of small displacement vehicles, making good horsepower levels up to 330 whp. This amazing turbo is designed with power band in mind.“

“The GT28RS has been used on Dave Colemans’ sport compact car Nissan Silvia, Garrett’s own project Sentra, and numerous Mazda Miatas. With its high flowing NS111 turbine wheel and highly efficient 60mm compressor wheel, the Disco Potato is the choice of many turbo enthusiasts.“

HKS GT-RS Turbo

• Manufacturer: HKS
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the HKS GT-RS turbo here

Our comment: HKS certainly needs no introduction, and the Japanese powerhouse brings their first of two turbochargers to our guide.

Despite being a popular upgrade, which unsurprisingly has a lot of positive feedback, the HKS GT-RS turbo is essentially a re-branded GT2781R (apparently made by Garrett themselves), featuring a different compressor wheel which allows it to run slightly more efficiently.

As much as it’s a great turbo, unless you’re keen to maintain the JDM aspect of your car, we would personally choose to go with the GT2781R at less than half the price.

Manufacturer description: “Give your Nissan SR20DET more bite with a turbo upgrade kit from HKS. Designed to replace your stock turbo, the new, larger HKS GT Sport Turbos are designed and sized to promote maximum power and response for maximum airflow throughout the RPM band.“

HKS GT-SS Turbo

• Manufacturer: HKS
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the HKS GT-SS turbo here

Our comment: As with the HKS GT-RS, it’s a very similar story with regards to it being produced by Garrett, for the GT-SS, it’s essentially the same as the GT28RS (Disco Potato) turbo.

With the price difference not as drastic, the GT-SS could well be worth considering for those of you that are looking to go for maximum power of around 330hp. The HKS GT-SS is another fantastic turbo for lower powered drifting and some owners have achieved 1 bar of boost at 2.5k revs on the stock manifold.

Manufacturer description: “HKS GT Ball-Bearing Sport Turbo Upgrades are bolt-on turbo upgrade kits for factory turbo-charged vehicles. These kits consist of new, larger HKS GT turbos designed to bolt directly on to the stock manifold(s). HKS GT Sport Turbos are designed and sized to promote maximum power and response for maximum airflow throughout the RPM band. From the HKS precision cast turbine and compressor housings to the specially designed blades, each turbo is crafted to provide high levels of performance and quality.“

ISR Performance RS3871 Turbo

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance (Formerly ISIS)
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the ISR Performance RS3871 turbo here

Our comment: ISR Performance go up against some of the biggest names in the tuning industry with their extremely cheap RS3871 option.

Formerly (rather awkwardly) known as ISIS, ISR have actually been around for some time now, and this kit has been tried and tested with some great responses. Sure, your buddy might refer to it as a ‘Chinese’ turbo and tell you not to touch it with a bargepole, but we prefer to look at real-world tests instead.

This kit is once again based on the much-loved GT2871R, but runs a journal bearing instead of a ball bearing. Sure, it’s not quite as impressive as the GT2871R, but for just a fraction of the price, it’s a great alternative for those of you on a budget.

We’ve heard of several owners happily pushing their GT3871 to its limits for several thousand miles with no issues at all. If you’re looking to maximize the performance and frequently push your SR20 as hard as possible, we’d recommend saving up for the GT2871R, but the RS3871 certainly has its own place in the market.

Manufacturer description: “Many sports cars have factory-installed turbo options. Although, even when the manufacturer’s turbo drive is in place, it’s no guarantee that a performance car enthusiast will be pleased with the results.“

“Whether you have a Nissan 240SX that lacks turbo capability or you want to upgrade your car’s current turbo capacity, ISR’s Performance RS3871 Turbo for Nissan SR20DET is perfect for the job.“

Garrett GTX3071R Turbo

• Manufacturer: Garrett
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the Garrett GTX3071R turbo here

Our comment: Garrett return to our list with the first of the big power ‘GTX’ setups for those of you looking to take things one step further with your SR20. We personally wouldn’t want to run over 400hp on stock internals, but with the right tuning, the GTX3071R can realistically achieve around 500hp.

Some owners have ran this at 400hp on stock internals but have advised that it will have increased lag over some of the alternative options, so we would personally be running the GT2871R for up to 400hp. If you’re looking to exceed that, then this could well be a potential answer and will undoubtedly pull like a train to the redline.

Manufacturer description: “GTX3071R dual ball bearing turbo with ultra high flow compressor wheel and featuring Garrett 11-Blade technology. 550+HP potential flow.“

Garrett GTX3076R Turbo

• Manufacturer: Garrett
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the Garrett GTX3076R turbo here

Our comment: The second option in the GTX lineup is the GTX3076R. This is a great turbo for those looking for even bigger power gains than the GTX3071R, but it does come with more lag. However, once it does come on, expect the sudden surge of power to throw you back in your seat!

If you’re looking for a high-speed, big power track setup, the 3076R is going to be a great choice, but we wouldn’t personally want to run this on a lower powered SR.

Manufacturer description: “A Garrett GT3076R turbocharger gives your SR20 the horsepower it needs to own the road. This system forces air into your car’s combustion chamber for a more efficient and more powerful stroke. Whether you’re burning up the street or the track, it’s a must-have performance component. Give your car the turbo it deserves.“

Precision Turbo 5128 Turbo

• Manufacturer: Precision Turbo
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the Precision Turbo 5128 turbo here

Our comment: The Precision Turbo 5128 is Precision’s equivalent to the Garrett GT2871R. Given that so many turbos are based on the GT2871R, it’s a testament to just how impressive it is.

Precision Turbo’s have a good reputation, and if there is any reason you’d prefer not to go with the Garrett then this is an ideal alternative. Fits with the stock manifold, but will ideally need the same upgrades as the GT2871R. This turbo provides a great, consistent power delivery.

Manufacturer description: “If you need more power, upgrade your turbocharger to Precision Turbo today. Designed to replace your stock Nissan SR20DET turbocharger, the 5128 is race engineered for performance and durability. Don’t get left behind!“

OEM Nissan S15 T28 Turbo

• Manufacturer: Nissan
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the OEM S15 T28 turbo here

Our comment: There’s no doubt that the T28 is a highly responsive and capable turbo. This is the final version of the SR20DET turbos that Nissan released on the S15 and the best performer.

We’ve shown you the positives from the alternatives, but if your OEM turbo has an issue, you may well want to stick to keeping your SR20 how Nissan intended from the factory.

This is obviously a fantastic turbo, but we feel you’d get enjoy an uprated turbo with a comparable level of reliability for a little more money and a whole lot more enjoyment!

Manufacturer description: “Whether you need a replacement for your damaged stock Nissan S15 SR20DET OEM turbo or you’re upgrading your Nissan S13/S14 to a turbocharger with more power, this is the system for you. Designed specifically to give your SR20DET the flow it needs for real horsepower gains.“

ISR Performance T25/T28 Replacement Turbo

• Manufacturer: ISR Performance
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the ISR Performance T25/T28 replacement turbo here

Our comment: Decided that you’d rather stick with how Nissan intended, but don’t have the money to fork out $999.99 for the OEM turbo? ISR have you covered.

With a substantial price difference, you’re probably wondering what the catch is? Well, the main downside is that you are likely to notice some slight lag compared to the OEM T28.

ISR (formerly ISIS) do have some negative reviews out there, but as stated previously, they seem to have earned themselves a much better reputation in recent years. Many owners have happily run this set-up long term with no issues.

We would personally try and save a little more cash to get a more exciting alternative. However, with that being said, you’re not going to get a better brand new option for under $400!

Manufacturer description: “Did your T25 turbo give up the ghost? T28 on its last legs? Then get your motor back where it needs to be with a replacement turbo from ISR Performance. Designed to replace broken and damaged turbo systems, it’s the best value for your money.“

Garrett G25-550 SR20DET Turbo

• Manufacturer: Garrett
• Fitment: Nissan SR20
• Turbo configuration: Single turbo
• Value for money: product rating
• Purchase link: Buy the Garrett G25-550 turbo here

Our comment: The SR20 has been around a very long time and turbo technology has dramatically advanced over the years. This has been driven chiefly by the drop in displacement in mainstream cars to meet tighter emissions standards and subsequent investment in turbocharger technology to replace the power lost by using smaller engines.

Garrett shifted the paradigm with its modern G25 series of turbochargers. Utilising the latest technology, the company managed to squeeze out 550bhp from the tiny T25 framed G25-550. If the horsepower figures were not enough to convince you, the spool is the fastest on the market for this power level.

Most serious SR20DET owners that are looking to break the 350bhp barrier would do very well to choose the G25-550 as their turbocharger choice, however, there are a couple of downsides worth mentioning…

Chief among these is the price; at the time of writing (2023) this wonderful little turbo will set you back upwards of $2,500 USD. That is a lot of money for a turbo. When they were first released, they were only offered with T25 flanges which meant owners would need to purchase a T25 flanged exhaust manifold, however recently they have brought out a direct bolt-on T28 flanged option which is great if you want to keep your existing exhaust manifold (header).

Overall this is an excellent choice of turbo but for the horsepower capacity and the price, possibly not the perfect fit if you are seeking more modest power goals.

Manufacturer description: “The most powerful small frame turbocharger on the market. Introducing performance out of a package you never thought possible. This clean sheet product is tailored to meet the demands of hard core racing enthusiasts while providing industry leading power capability in a small package.“

“The G-Series G25-550 turbochargers are compatible with 1.4L – 3.0L engine displacements and capable of producing up to 550 horsepower. G Series 25 turbochargers are smaller and outflow all comparable products on the market“

“New compressor and turbine aero combined with high temperature resistant materials allowed engineers to push the limits of performance.“

Our winner

Our winner is the Garrett GT2871R.

If you’ve read the whole guide, we’re sure that his result didn’t come as a surprise. As an all-rounder we really don’t think anything can compete with the GT2871R. When mated with the SR20 for daily use and drifting, it’s the perfect combination. To pick our winner, we looked at a number of criteria; quality, popularity, lag, power and price point.

Based on these criteria we have chosen the Garrett GT2871R to be our winner.

Garrett GT2871R

At under $1,200, this turbo is an insane bang-for-your-buck solution. With just a few mods, this will allow your SR20 to produce up to 400hp with minimal lag and a power delivery from around 4,000rpm to the redline that’ll keep you grinning from ear-to-ear.

Of course, we do understand that not everyone wants to keep their SR20 at under 400hp, and if you’re willing to carry out the work required, the Garrett GT3071R or Garrett GT3076R may well be what you’re after, depending on how much lag you can deal with.

There’s no doubt that Garrett has dominated our list, however, if you’re looking for a budget setup then we highly recommend you take a look at the ISR Performance RS3871R. At less than $600, this GT2871R replica is a fantastic kit at a fraction of the price of its competitors.

Thank you for reading our SR20DET turbo kit guide

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• Enjuku Racing
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• The Lowdown
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The post Ultimate SR20DET Turbo Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.

• KW Variant 3 coilovers
• Megan Racing EZII coilovers
• Fortune Auto Dreadnought coilovers
• Stance XR1 coilovers
• BC Racing RM coilovers
• Fortune Auto 510 coilovers
• ISR Performance Pro Series coilovers
• Ksport Kontrol Pro coilovers
• APEXi N1 Evolution coilovers
• TEIN Super Drift coilovers
• Jump to winners

In a hurry? Here is our S14 Coilover summary

Runner Up	Drifted Choice	Premium Choice
TEIN Super Drift Nissan Silvia S14 Coilover Kit	KW Variant 3 (V3) Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers	Fortune Auto Dreadnought PRO 2-Way Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

About the Nissan Silvia S14

Nissan’s S-chassis line-up is undoubtedly one of the highest regarded in the world of drifting. For those on the Japanese and European markets, in 1993, Nissan launched the 200SX S14 which featured a turbocharged SR20DET engine under the hood.

Meanwhile, US enthusiasts were forced to settle for the somewhat lethargic, naturally-aspirated 140hp KA24DE engine. Despite still featuring the same epic looks, it certainly lacked in the fun factor which its European relatives had in abundance, and led to many carrying out the KA24DE-T turbo upgrade.

With the very latest model of the Silvia family, the S15, being a hit across the world, it would once again be a depressing outcome for the US market. Not only did it never get released, but it would also face a 25-year ban alongside the other epic Japanese machinery which suffered the same fate due to strict importation laws.

This means that for the time being, in the US at least, the S14 reigns supreme in the S-chassis world. With SR20DET swaps available on the used market, if you’re willing to pay the price, owners have been handed the perfect opportunity to turn their S14 into the beast it SHOULD have been when it initially hit the market.

For those of you in Europe or Asia, it’s time to count your blessings as you admire your awesome turbocharged 220hp SR20DET engine from stock with heaps of tuning potential to cause some serious upsets to higher-powered rivals.

Interested to know more about Nissan’s S-chassis history? We have no doubt you’ll love this video from Donut Media:

When the S14 was launched, it was wider, lower and had a longer wheelbase than the much-loved S13. This made drifting even easier than before, despite the S13 already winning various competitions across the world.

With the Zenki S14 being produced from 1994 to 96, Nissan clearly noted the popularity of this epic affordable chassis and opted to upgrade the design to the Kouki (S14A) for the facelift version which rolled out of the showroom until they ceased production to make way for the S15 in 1999.

Even until the present day, very few cars on the market can offer the same package that the S14 does, and even with its added ‘drift tax’, there’s no doubt that this legend is worth every penny and will be a great investment.

What’s in this guide?

Whether you’re looking for the perfect drift setup, a daily cruiser, to scrape your chassis on the street or shave off seconds on your time attack lap, our coilover guide is going to be perfect for your needs.

For each coilover option, we also add our own comments. In addition, we have given a Drifted rating (1-5) based on features and price. We are considering budget, mid-range and high-end coilovers in this comparison.

Let’s take a look at our S14 coilover selection

To read more about any of these products just click on the product name or photo.

KW Variant 3 (V3) Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: KW
• Levels of damping adjustment: 14
• Construction type: Twin-tube
• Spring rate front: 343lbs/in | 6kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 224lbs/in | 4kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase link: KW Variant 3 (V3) Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: We kick off our list with what is undoubtedly one of the best setups that you can get your hands on for your S14.

German suspension experts KW offer this fantastic coilover kit which features a rust-proof stainless steel construction and alongside being one of the most popular kits on the market, owners continually sing the praises of this 3-way adjustable setup.

Whether you’re looking for ideal suspension for drifting, auto-x or a daily driver, the V3’s will undoubtedly be one of the best choices you can get your hands on.

Manufacturer description: “State-of-the-art technology from motor sports for more performance on the road. The separate and independently adjustable rebound- and compression damping allows for an individual suspension setup for different uses and preferences.“

“The unique patented system with its two-stage valves allows a rebound damping adjustment (comfort) and a compression adjustment (driving dynamics) in the low-speed range while the high-speed range which controls the driving safety is fixed.“

Megan Racing EZII Series Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Megan Racing
• Levels of damping adjustment: 15
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: Megan Racing EZII Series Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: The Megan Racing EZII kit is the most reasonably priced setup in our guide, it offers an impressive level of damping with a solid monotube construction for a very low price point. If you want a cheap kit to lower your car and replace the tired stock suspension this is a solid choice.

We have known Megan Racing to be one of the love/hate brands on the market among owners, so if you can stump up a little extra change, there are better options out there for slightly more money.

Manufacturer description: “Megan Racing EZII Series coilover system is aimed towards the more budget oriented enthusiast to offer the most basic essentials from an after-market coil-over setup, yet makes no compromises for quality and performance.“

“15 Levels of Adjustable Damper Strength, Aluminum Brackets paired with rubber inserts, Rubber Dust Covers, Adjustable Ride Height, Conservative Spring Rates, Single-Cylinder Design – monotube, All coilover damper kits come with 1 year manufacture-defect warranty, All Hardware is Included.“

Fortune Auto Dreadnought PRO 2-Way Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Fortune Auto
• Levels of damping adjustment: 24
• Construction type: Monotube with external reservoirs
• Spring rate front: Range of options available
• Spring rate rear: Range of options available
• Fitment: Nissan Sivia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: Fortune Auto Dreadnought Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: Fortune Auto have arrived to help you empty your pockets! The stunning Fortune Auto Dreadnought’s are undoubtedly at the high end of the price bracket, but if you have the money to spare we have no doubt you’ll be a happy owner.

If your S14 is likely to spend most of its time at the track, and not so much time on the road, these will undoubtedly be a contender if the budget allows.

Manufacturer description: “Dreadnought PRO dampers are the foundation of a race winning suspension; designed and tested in the harshest environment possible- the race track. Offering top tier race technology and durable race proven components, Dreadnought PRO damper systems are the ultimate in performance and adjustability.“

“All systems are completely built in-house by our engineering staff in Richmond, Virginia. We insist on building bespoke suspension in order to offer some of the best quality control in the industry.“

Stance XR1 Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Stance
• Levels of damping adjustment: 16
• Construction type: Monotube with external reservoirs
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: Stance XR1 Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: Stance brings you their flagship coilover offering, which is great for owners who are looking for low ride height with good adjustability while still maintaining great handling.

Despite being slightly firmer than stock, it’s not a crashy ride and if frame-laying is your thing, comfort probably isn’t at the top of your list! With the option of swift springs available, we’d highly recommend opting for these. If you’re intending to track the car there are better options out there, but for daily driving, this is a great, affordable option.

Manufacturer description: “Suspension tuning is a sort of “black art”. Properly valving dampers is difficult to master and there are many variables involved in making the perfect suspension. We have acquired our knowledge through our involvement in all forms of motorsports. Vehicles using our custom valved dampers have excelled in drifting, time attack, drag racing, land speed, and hill climb. Drivers at the highest level of competition need maximum traction control, and that is what our Bespoke dampers provide.“

“The XR1 is our new flagship line of coilovers. Oversized diameter shocks allow large pistons for ultimate performance and response. 16-way adjustable dampening allows the driver to tune the shocks for any conditions and handling characteristics. With huge range of adjustment that can be felt and seen, it offers serious performance for all levels of drivers. Stance XR1 coilovers are built with highest quality materials and tolerances to ensure durability and performance.“

BC Racing RM Series Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: BC Racing
• Levels of damping adjustment: 30
• Construction type: Monotubeli>
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: BC Racing RM Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: BC Racing have continued to earn themselves a positive reputation over the years, with many satisfied owners. The RM is their mid-range offering and is great for those who use their car for daily driving and like to hit the track occasionally.

With the RM being their mid-price offering, we highly recommend checking out their budget BC Racing BR coilovers for cheap daily use and high-end BC Racing ER coilovers for a high-performance track orientated setup.

Manufacturer description: “The BC Racing RM series feature high quality damping adjustable mono-tube inverted dampers at the front or front and rear, depending on vehicle. The RM coilovers offer the majority of the features of the BR series but with the additional benefit of the inverted damper unit. Inverting the damper unit brings with it a number of advantages.“

Fortune Auto 510 Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: Fortune Auto
• Levels of damping adjustment: 24
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: Range of options available
• Spring rate rear: Range of options available
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: Fortune Auto 510 Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: Fortune Auto return to our guide with another fantastic product, this time their equally colorful mid-range offering. As tempting as the Dreadnought’s are, we understand that they’re going to be out of most owners price ranges.

The 510 offers rivaled quality and advanced features of the higher-end setup at a fraction of the price. If your heart is set on Fortune Auto coilovers and the price is still too high, make sure you take a look at their S14 500 series coilovers, which fall into the low-end price bracket but still maintain exceptional quality.

Manufacturer description: “Fortune Auto is proud to release the all new Generation 5 510 series dampers. The advanced suspension technology found in our new shock absorbers is derived from recent successes in World Challenge, One Lap of America, and Global Time Attack.“

“All systems are completely built in-house by our engineering staff in Richmond, Virginia. We insist on building bespoke suspension in order to offer some of the best quality control in the industry.“

ISR Performance Pro Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: ISR
• Levels of damping adjustment: 32
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: ISR Performance Pro Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: Formerly (rather awkwardly) known as ISIS, these coilovers have been a popular budget choice by owners under both brand names.

With coilovers, it’s often a case of ‘you get what you pay for’, however, for those of you that are looking for a cheap kit which will give you a good setup for the street, you’re going to struggle to find better than these for the money.

Manufacturer description: “After years of success with Basic Coilovers, ISR Performance has released a high-end line of coilovers that offer better dampening control and overall driving performance than many of their predecessors.“

“ISR coilovers are designed to deliver ultimate performance for both track racing and everyday driving, making them some of the most flexible coilovers around.“

KSport Kontrol Pro Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: KSport
• Levels of damping adjustment: 36
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 8.7kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 6.2kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: KSport Kontrol Pro Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: KSport has been in the coilover game for a long time now and they have built up a decent reputation amongst owners. They are known for being on the firmer side even when fully adjusted, so if you’re looking for a soft setup, these might not be for you.

For $900.00 these are undoubtedly going to be a great consideration for the budget buyers.

Manufacturer description: “Ksport Kontrol Pro Fully Adjustable Coilover Kits provide the ultimate in suspension technology for your vehicle, both on the street or at the track. 36 levels of damping adjustment allow fine tuning of the damper to suit both handling and comfort needs. The damping adjustment alters compression and rebound simultaneously, for more effective and user-friendly setup changes.“

“The Ksport Kontrol Pro Coilover system has been designed with professional road racing in mind, offering extremely high value and performance for any application.“

APEXi N1 Evolution Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: APEXi
• Levels of damping adjustment: 25
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 9kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: APEXi N1 Evolution Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: Stepping into the higher end of the suspension market, APEXi bring you their upper-range N1 Evolution drift-orientated coilovers. Despite the serious price tag, these are undoubtedly a fantastic choice for those who are looking for a great coilover system which is more track-orientated than street.

Unfortunately, they have priced themselves above the KW V3’s, which we feel are the strongest contender in the mid-range price bracket. Although they’re undoubtedly a great setup, we’d definitely be putting our money into the V3’s.

Manufacturer description: “The N1 Evolution is the newest generation of our track engineered flag ship N1 suspension. All N1 dampers feature large piston, monotube design using a threaded base for height adjustments without compromising shock or spring travel.“

“Every year, we gather incredible amounts of suspension data from our direct involvement in many different racing series. This specialized data goes directly into our sports parts development to provide the customer with the same cutting edge suspension technology we use on all of our race vehicles.“

TEIN Super Drift Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

• Manufacturer: TEIN
• Levels of damping adjustment: 16
• Construction type: Monotube
• Spring rate front: 10kg/mm
• Spring rate rear: 8kg/mm
• Fitment: Nissan Silvia S14
• Value for money:
• Purchase links: TEIN Super Drift Nissan Silvia S14 coilovers

Our comment: JDM suspension experts TEIN acknowledge the demand for S-Chassis drift-specific coilover setups and release this great coilover setup to the market which provides everything you need to throw your car down sideways.

Another great thing about this setup is that is EDFC compatible. If you have a little extra money reserved, the EDFC system allows you to electronically control the damping on each coilover from inside the car without getting out your seat. This is a great idea for those that are frequently driving on the streets and heading to the track.

Manufacturer description: “TEIN’s support of competition D1 drivers and vehicles has led to the development of Super Drift dampers. Which were specifically developed for the avid drifter. Spring rates and damping force characteristics were chosen to increase car control in a drift, and to aid in initiating a slide.“

“Full length and 16 level damping force adjustment allow suspension tuning for drivers at all skill levels. Pillowball upper mounts with front camber adjustment plates are included*. EDFC compatible for quick and hassle free dampening force changes. Super Drift is the suspension of choice for all levels of drifters.“

Our winner

Our winner is the epic KW Variant 3 (V3) coilovers.

KW simply cannot be faulted for the price point. With the perfected German build quality combined with 3-way adjustability and rust resistant coating, you really aren’t going to get a better product for your money.

KW Variant 3 (V3) Nissan Silvia S14 Coilovers

For those with a mid-range budget who are looking for a setup for both the road and track, look no further. KW are unquestionably up there with the very best in the suspension game, and although it may seem expensive, trust us when we say they’re actually incredible value for money.

Runner-up

TEIN has been around in the JDM tuning scene since the beginning of time, yet their products keep evolving to match the high standards we expect from them. For those of you that are planning on skidding your S14, their Super Drift Coilover Kit combined with the EDFC damping is definitely going to be an excellent choice.

TEIN Super Drift Nissan Silvia S14 Coilover Kit

For those of you on a budget, we’d highly recommend taking a look at the ISR Performance Pro Series coilovers. At under $800, we struggle to believe you will be able to find a better coilover out there for the money.

ISR Performance Pro Series Coilover Kit

Thank you for reading our Nissan Silvia S14 coilover guide!

If you enjoyed this article then please share it with the sharing buttons at the side and the bottom of your screen.

Additional S-chassis related articles

Planning to start drifting your S14? You’ll want to check out the most important modifications before you start running walls at the track in our 5 Must-Have Drifting Modifications article!

Has this guide given you the motivation to boost your KA24DE engine? If so, you’ll definitely want to check out our KA24DE turbo kit guide.

Perhaps you’re not entirely sure if the S14 is for you? We’ve given you some alternative considerations in our 11 Best Budget Project Cars, or, if you’re new to drifting, our 9 Best Drift Cars For Beginners guide.

If you’re an S14 lover, you’ll definitely want to check out the most famous S14 on the UK drift scene as we check out Alex Law’s crazy build.

Keen to know more about the SR20DET and want to know why this engine is so popular in the drift scene? Check out the 15 SR20DET Specs That Prove Why Drifters Love This Engine guide here!

Photography credits

We thank the following entities for use of their photography in this article:

• Z1 Motorsports
• TEIN
• Enjuku Racing

The post Ultimate Nissan S14 Coilover Guide first appeared on Drifted.com.