ok so im looking into replacing the engine in my 97 nissan pickup and im thinking about dropping in a larger power plant and what i need to know how big of and engine can i put in this thing and what kind of swaps im going to need to do.
like what kind of differential can i swap that may bolt up directly, or with some modifications
maybe like a 302 out of an old bronco with the drive train and ect..?

all info will help!! cause i need to get my nizzy back out on the road and trails!

your transmission won't hold up to V8 power, and your Tcase won't bolt up to any other transmissions without some pretty involved adapters that would need to be fabbed from scratch.

That said, you'd be looking at an entire engine/trans/tcase swap to get a V8 in the truck. Your rear axle would be up to the task; the front IFS would be marginal.

The 302 has been done. It would be better to swap the entire early bronco drivetrain like you said.

I'd like to see how a SR20DET works in a 4x4...

The only thing with the turbo would be getting your revs up enough to create the boost needed to get the power advantage...

High revs are good for getting across mud holes and what not, but not really good for crawling, being that the whole nature of crawling = slow...

The SR20DET came with a T28, which is a small enough turbo that you can get it spooling up quick enough, but wht the nature ot trubo'd engines, you create most of your power in the higher RPM ranges, which is not really ideal for off-roading, IMHO.

I would think that by the time you NEED the HP that a turbo'd engine can produce, you'll already be past the obstacle your attempting.

I would rather the low-end torque vs high end HP, but that's just me...

A carbed 302 would be much easier to swap in. engine and trany mounts would be all custom.

I agree 100%. Well, not 100% but close.

With low range, how much horsepower do you really need? My 150hp V6 is fine on the trail but sucks above 45mph.

A stock SR20DET has over 200 hp and almost that much torque. They can produce much more with a few mods.

It would be silly on a dedicated trail rig though...just extra stuff to break. You probably know more about the SR than I do. I've only done a few builds/swaps.

quote:

Originally posted by Jayman:
The only thing with the turbo would be getting your revs up enough to create the boost needed to get the power advantage...

I would rather the low-end torque vs high end HP, but that's just me...

That is why I'm looking into an Eaton supercharger. I'm also trying to decide whether I would rather leave it on a pulley system or run it centrifugal.

You didn't say what motor you have now...

I'd say avoid the 302. How about a 4.3 Chevy V6. Width wise it is probably about the same as the 302, but it is one cylinder shorter. The 4.0 (I think that is the size) Ford motor, like in a Explorer was a dog.

But, putting a big motor in a small hole has problems. Especially when changing plugs and working on them.

You should search the NPORA forms b4 putting in a v8. IIRC a few guys there have done it and the big issue is generating allot of heat @ low speeds and not having enough room to fit a bigger fan to accomidate.

I had a sr20det s15 t28 turbo etc..300hp in a s13 240sx,great power,Its just really expensive with all the mods.I always dream of a nissan hardbody 4x4 with a SR and a front mount inter-cooler showing thru the grill.

I'm getting a s13 as soon as I can get rid of the R50. SR swap if I can get it for a reasonable price.

What about a supercharged vg33? Size and heat won't be issues. I guess people put a different pulley on it and make a bit more power.

There's a writeup for swapping a vg33 into a d21 on this forum somewhere.

mainly im looking at just getting away from my KA24 cause its getting to be to much of a hassle having to replace all the stuff that is goes wrong with it.

Ive considered a V6 to but im not to sure what i could use cause i have a couple 302's laying around with the tranny's still attached so im just looking at all my possible routes that i could go to fit a larger engine in the truck

Also another thought crossed my mind, would there be any way to get away from the torsion bar suspension up front and switch over to coil and shocks??