VH45DE or SR20DET

[SlammedCarsUSA]

Looking to trade my SR20 S13, I've had 2 offers, one that is a 97 Kouki SR20 Blacktop, and a 96 Zenki VH45DE swap.

Looking to see which people prefer, I have a SR20 Redtop on 12psi in my S13, as the 97 is running 14psi. I like V8s, but only familiar with the LS swaps, have heard of VHs but know they aren't super popular. Both are good looking cars.

Any major problems with the VH45DE swap, or things I should watch out for? And are they good swaps and better than a LS swap?

Thanks in advance.

[zeitgeist]

Flip a coin. It really doesnt matter

[SlammedCarsUSA]

Well I'm curious if there are comcommon problems with the VH. And if it's better than a SR. I don't have a problem with a SR but V8 seems cool.

[franksterz]

VH: you can source parts at your local auto parts store, power and torque on demand, a lot less common (cool factor), they’re over built from the factory so they can handle

http://www.q45.org/vhpower/info.shtml
^ good source for good info on the VH.

SR: Boost (cool factor), bigger selection of aftermarket parts, a lot more knowledge out there I guess.

Just like zeitgeist said, flip a coin at the end of the day they both have pros and cons, it just comes down and which ever you want.

[SlammedCarsUSA]

Ok well thanks. Probably head more for the 97 Kouki Blacktop, Koukis are more desirable imo.

[Prok0]

VH will not make as much power as an LS, parts (aftermarket) are a bit harder to source than an LS or SR where there are a bunch of options generally available for things like Cams, springs/retainers, etc.

VH will be a bit harder to work on just space wise in the engine bay vs an SR or even an LS.

VH would be decent if you wanted like 250ish whp and good torque and none of the headaches of a turbo car, otherwise I would say you may be better going with another powerplant.

[simmode1]

The VH45DE is an ok motor. Its less popular than any LSx swap because, while it's only 4.5L it is still actually bigger than the LSx and harder to fit in our bays. Additionally, the VH is a lot heavier than the LSx, even though the VH has smaller cubic capacity. The VH is also more complex thanks to 2 banks of DOHC heads versus the LSx's SOHC heads. A healthy VH swap should dyno around 280whp. Lots of youtube videos on it. My favorite is GSRacer's supercharged VH45 that makes like 400 something HP. But would I do it? Hell no. SR in a heartbeat.

[Ramonesfreak2010]

SR20 for life.

[SlammedCarsUSA]

If the Zenki was a LS motor I'd be all over it, but I'm not super confident with the VH since o don't know much about it. I'll probably go for the 97 Kouki SR. I appreciate the advice. Just gotta strike a deal!

[OBEEWON]

VH is like marrying a tranny. They might look good and sound good, but they can't deliver the goods.

The goods being babies.
And true happiness.

This is a man with a VH s14

[SlammedCarsUSA]

LOL

Funniest way to answer this. You win the Internet for the day.

[OBEEWON]

^^ also if that is your car in your sig, keep it.

[SlammedCarsUSA]

Sig is mine.
Dude it has been hell. I over paid for it, which was a dumb mistake, didn't even beat him down much on the price and the tires were beyond gone. Just got new rubber, and shop said electrical is a nightmare. Trying to get it fixed so it will run. Blown 2 fuel pump wires. Idk why bought it with the cage, the cage it kinda annoying. I don't fit in the bride seats, blah blah blah. I want a S14.

[livelovesole]

With simple bolt ons, your SR can make just as much power as that vh with half the space taken up. To me personally, the vh is a cool swap, but is limited in its aftermarket parts as while the sr has a ton of aftermarket selection and much more knowledge on it. If it were up to me I'd take the sr, just my 2 cents.

[v30magna]

Originally Posted by OBEEWON

VH is like marrying a tranny. They might look good and sound good, but they can't deliver the goods.

The goods being babies.
And true happiness.

This is a man with a VH s14

Lol. That is hilarious!

[v30magna]

I say sr20 too. If you have to ask, you will prefer the sr.

Someone who really wants a vh45 would have already bought it and we would be looking at pictures of it right now. It's all about v8 torque/ sound, and getting it out of a high tech Nissan engine for cheaper than a pushrod Chevy motor.

[SlammedCarsUSA]

I think I'll end up going with the SR. It's running g 14 psi and 290rwhp. I personally like the car more than my 13. My 13 was a track car, but silly me, thinking I could drive it like normal on the street. Boy was I wrong. Cost 1000 to make to street worthy again. Time for someone to enjoy it for a track car like it should be, and me to enjoy a more daily driver type car.

[My$800S14]

Originally Posted by simmode1

The VH is also more complex thanks to 2 banks of DOHC heads versus the LSx's SOHC heads.

Ls's are single cam OHV dude...

[mogli9000]

I've dealt with them all.

SR20

Now do it and don't question it

[simmode1]

Originally Posted by My$800S14

Ls's are single cam OHV dude...

You are correct. In either case, the LSx's simple cam & head setup makes it far lighter than the VH.

Originally Posted by SlammedCarsUSA

My 13 was a track car, but silly me, thinking I could drive it like normal on the street. Boy was I wrong. Cost 1000 to make to street worthy again. Time for someone to enjoy it for a track car like it should be, and me to enjoy a more daily driver type car.

Smart.