SR20VE Performance: How to Make 230 Horsepower

The sr20ve is a powerful motor when compared to it's little brother the sr20de, it boasts higher compression and variable cam timing allowing it to switch cams in the higher rpm's to increase power while still yielding acceptable fuel mileage. The sr20ve is rated at 187 horsepower from the factory, but in it's factory form the sr20ve puts down a lesser 165 horsepower to the ground. The stock sr20ve will be fun for a while, but at it's factory power level soon becomes boring. I will list the parts and tips necessary to build your sr20ve to a grander potential of 230 wheel rated horse power with no turbo or nitrous on pump gas. This cannot be done with simple bolt on's, we will have to get into the sr20ve engine internally.

SR20VE ENGINE
The engine can be any JDM 97-2001 2.0 liter sr20ve in good working order that has run and operated correctly in your car.

SR20VE INTAKE
We will be using a sr16ve n1 intake manifold that has runners ported approximately 1/8 of an inch in diameter (the factory n1 manifold if not ported will make no power gains), sr16ve n1 70mm throttle body, custom made 3 inch diameter piping cold air intake w/ k&n filter, and a factory sr20ve mass air meter (good to 325whp if your interested to know)

SR20VE VALVE TRAIN
Brian Crower sr20ve dual valve spring and titanium retainer kit (which incidentally also used on Vtec H22 Honda engines)

SR20VE CAMSHAFTS
You will be using sr16ve n1 camshafts, they are much more radical, for example: the sr20ve stock intake cam high lobe is rated at 10.7mm of lift and 264 degrees of duration, the same measurements to the sr16ve n1 camshaft is 12.0mm of lift and 288 degrees of duration. So, when the high lobes kick in these babies are really going to scream. You will also need Tomei cam adjustable cam gears to make sure you have them degree'd in right on the dyno.

SR20VE HEAD GASKET
Cometic 87mm

SR20VE BOTTOM END INTERNALS
We will use CP 12.5:1 forged pistons and factory connecting rods (you can opt for forged sr20ve connecting rods if you ever intend to put it on race gas and spray nitrous.)

SR20VE BOLT ON'S
SR20 turbofreak header (that can be purchased at the site at the end of the article as well as all of the other parts necessary for this build), full Unorthodox pulley system, Fidanza aluminum flywheel, ACT street/ strip clutch, VRS 3 inch exhaust with your choice of free flowing muffler.

SR20VE IGNITION
Magnacore 8.5 mm ignition wires, new distributor cap, new ignition rotor, NGK BKR6E-N spark plugs

SR20VE FUEL
Factory 333cc injectors (which will be maxing out at 230 whp) Nismo fuel pressure regulator and fuel pressure gauge. Walboro 255lph fuel pump

SR20VE ENGINE MANAGEMENT
Jim Wolf Technology or Calumsult ECU programmed for a factory sr20ve engine tune. You will also need an Apexi SAFC 2 and an AEM or Innovative wide band air/ fuel gauge. It's also a good idea to pick up a Nissan Consult to check your injector duty cycle. If you have a 95' or newer sr20ve powered car you will need and obd2 to obd1 conversion harness.