While searching these forums and a few others, I came across post that said you could take the head off of a GA16DE and hook it to a GA16i block. Now I realize that you'd also have to get an ecu and the wiring harness from a GA16DE, but I'm just wondering how this whole thing works. I know this may sound stupid or just straight noob, but how do you take the head from a DOHC fuel injected motor and strap it onto a SOHC TBI motor?
All the post that I've read so far have basically said that the head, wiring harness, and ecu are all you really need to change. That can't be right. You'd have to take the intake manifold from the GA16DE too, wouldn't you? Not to mention a few other components.
If somebody could clear this up for me, I would be very grateful as my GA16i is currently in peices in the garage and if I can hook on a new head and some externals for some more power that'd be great.
You would need the head, intake, exhaust, wiring, and ecu. The coolant ports and the oil gallies basically line up. It's, dare I say, like taking the DOHC 1.6 head off an Acura and putting it on the basic SOHC 1.6L Civic block. same thing. a GA16 block is still a GA16 block no matter how you badge it (varying from year to year respectivly with new castings and whatnot... but you get the idea)
^^^^^^
Yup, you will need intake and exhaust manifolds, as well as the head, and ECU. The timing cover, chain guides and tensioner are also needed from the DE engine.
I also thought I heard someone say you would need to change out the pistons too, but I don't remember who or where.
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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!
One day in my garage I put a spare GA16DE head on a GA16i block. Bolted fine. Now, mind you, I did not tighten down the head bolts or use a head gasket. The problem lies in the different fuel injection systems. You can, or at least I assume, grab a wiring harness from a GA16DS or GA16DNE (which are TBFI) and use them?
One day in my garage I put a spare GA16DE head on a GA16i block. Bolted fine. Now, mind you, I did not tighten down the head bolts or use a head gasket. The problem lies in the different fuel injection systems. You can, or at least I assume, grab a wiring harness from a GA16DS or GA16DNE (which are TBFI) and use them?
I believe the GA16DS is carbureated, and not TBI, but I may be mistaken.
It would be kinda cool to find a Twincam head that ran a TBI intake and swap on to a GA16I, that way you wouldn't need to change out the wiring harness and computer.
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89 Sentra owner 9 years 205,000 miles and counting!
You are right, the GA16DS is carburetted. I am pretty sure there is a GA16DNE or something along that line that is TBFI like the GA16i. It is used in South Africa and other nations who have different emission standards. There are plenty of guys here on the Forums that live in other nations who might be able to acquire the harness and computer for you.
GA16DE Head Swap
Linear Mode
