To answer your questions:
if, more like when i get an sr20det should i have some one take it apart and check the internals?
All I really suggest doing is replacing the rod bearings. There's a somewhat decent chance that they'll go shortly after installing the motor. Other than that, just check the shaft play on the turbo. Try to move the turbine shaft with your finger. If it moves excessively, the turbo will need to be rebuilt. If it moves a little bit, that's okay. Driving it hard is fine. Remember, the SR20DET is a stock factory motor. As such it was subject to the same rigorous reliability testing that every other Nissan motor is, and it should last just as long and be just as reliable as a stock SR20DE. Technically, it should be more reliable than a modded SR20DE, because your DET will be stock.
also would i need any modifications to pass smog in california?
Well... you are aware that *any* modification is illegal in California, right? That includes any bolt-ons, even a K&N filter is illegal, and none of them will pass smog simply because of the visual inspection. That being said, a DET, especially a relatively stock one, should pass a smog check though the tailpipe, assuming it's in a good state of tune. The trick is to find a place that will look the other way regarding the visual inspection.
A DET will run fine on 91 octane. 110 would be total overkill.
would i have to relocate any of the motor mounts, or will it fit as is?
A DET will go into any car that originally had an SR20DE in it with no modification. I do, however, suggest doing ES motor mount inserts, because your stock mounts will die an early death with a DET in there.
Just out of curiousity, how much were the motivational engineering struts?
I'm not sure... I bought the entire kit at once, including the struts, springs, GC coilovers, bushings and everything else. I paid $1400 for the entire package, for all 4 corners. I do highly recommend the Motivational kit, for what that's worth.
And no, I'm not a Nissan tech... I'm not nearly smart enough or mechanically inclined enough. My car was put together thanks to the help of some very good friends, many of which gave up their personal time and effort to help me with it. I couldn't have done it without them, and that ain't just sweet talkin.
