2nrguy said:
ive heard that these engines can handle about 400HP before you have to start getting into the bottom end, im looking at getting a turbo set up for about 300-330HP and trying to weigh the pros/cons of going with a auto trans or just bite the bullet and do a manual swap.
On the drag, a built auto will be faster, and overall easier on your car. Autos are much less likely to tear the mounts. Doing a manual swap will be a lot of back ache and will require much skill if you do it yourself. Your car will be out of action for a long time. A well built auto is much better than a manual...and it is a world and a half better in applications using nitrous oxide (the built autos are designed to have N2O used with them and almost all of the serious drag cars are automatics). If you get someone else to do an auto to manny swap, expect a
big figure...and then you need to upgrade parts in the manual itself (clutch, flywheel, SS cable, SS, etc)
As far as turbocharging, the SR20 is a prime turbocharging candidate but I hope anyone knows, you cant slap on a snail and go (well maybe for a few miles you could). I have just recently started learning about turbocharged cars (even though I dont plan to own one soon) and all I can say is that it is a highly complex area. If you plan to do this yourself, take a few months at least to get an idea of what you want to do, how the parts work and how to correctly install them.
You could do quite a rewarding project, but said bluntly, doing it right will not be cheap, and doing it cheap will not be right. At the minimun between a transmission build and motor built, I think the bare minimun would be around $6,000. If you want to go for a more unusual turbo setup that would yield higher power (and probably need more custom work), this price could easily rise. If you are willing to invest, I would go for it. If you plan to turbo, I reccomend building the tranny first. If you think it is too much money, I would go with bolt ons as many exist for the SR20DE.
