The SR20DET Motor Install
This is the SR20DET after I got it off the truck. The motor had to be prepped to be installed into the Sentra. To get it to work with the USDM ECU I had to remove all of the JDM sensors and wiring harnesses. I also had to remove all of the cut rubber hoses and replace any of the seals that looked like they got damaged during shipping. For good measure, I checked the head to make sure the rockers were in order and I swapped the valve covers. The red valve cover the motor came with was a bit beat up from removal so I decided to put on the stock one.
Link to SR20DE and SR20DET specifications
The SR20DET Motor in the Car
Once the motor was in the car I wanted to get it running as soon as possible. As you can see by the picture, I didn't quite have everything I needed. For test purposes, I connected the turbo outlet pipe to the throttle body with a nice 3 inch piece of silicon tubing.
The Test Drive
The shakedown run was a blast. I drove the car around the neighborhood with no hood, no exhaust and no bumper cover. It was like a roller coaster ride! I came back grinning from ear to ear.
Buttoning Everything Up
Obviously I couldn't drive the car with the hood and exhaust missing so over the next few weeks I spent my weekends fabricating the intercooler piping for the front mount intercooler. The exhaust down pipe was fabricated at a local exhaust shop.