[Lurch]

I am looking to try and get a bit more out of my 1.6 primera...i know your all probably going to turn around and tell me i'm stupid and to get an SR20 instead...but i'm not. This is my little experiment and i want to try and see what i can get out of her before maybe stepping up. It's that and i can't afford insurance on the 2.0 as i'm a mere uni student...!

Anyways....my problem is...i was looking at getting the JWT ECU and Cams over the summer of this year...but US spec and UK spec GA16DE's are different, you've got the VTC. Now i'm not sure which way would be cheaper, trying to convert my GA16DE to VTC or asking JWT to make cams which are for a non VTC GA16 as i've been informed that they don't.

Have i been informed wrong??

Also what am i looking at having to do to convert from non VTC to VTC? Intake, head and ecu?? anything else??

Sorry such a long post to start off with...any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Lurch

 

[sentra97gxe]

I am looking to try and get a bit more out of my 1.6 primera...i know your all probably going to turn around and tell me i'm stupid and to get an SR20 instead...but i'm not. This is my little experiment and i want to try and see what i can get out of her before maybe stepping up. It's that and i can't afford insurance on the 2.0 as i'm a mere uni student...!

Anyways....my problem is...i was looking at getting the JWT ECU and Cams over the summer of this year...but US spec and UK spec GA16DE's are different, you've got the VTC. Now i'm not sure which way would be cheaper, trying to convert my GA16DE to VTC or asking JWT to make cams which are for a non VTC GA16 as i've been informed that they don't.


Have i been informed wrong??

Also what am i looking at having to do to convert from non VTC to VTC? Intake, head and ecu?? anything else??

Sorry such a long post to start off with...any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Lurch

You sound like me somewhat. I'm setting out to get over 150 whp NA to prove to everyone that it's possible cuz many on here will say that it's not. Anyways, the JWT cams will work fine with your car. However, JWT does a special programming in their ecu's for the VTC but it's not a requirement I'm sure. Converting to VTC would require either a cylinder head made with VTC or if it's possible to modify yours for it then a few things. Ofcourse the VTC solonoid, the upper timing chain cover, and a hole in the rear of the cylinder head to hook up the VTC. Also, you wouldn't be able to do all of that till you have an ecu reprogrammed by JWT(unless you get a stock ecu with VTC program for temporary use). Converting is definately possible if you have the time and know how. However, it's not a requirement to run JWT cams and JWT ecu.

Mitch

 

[Lurch]

You sound like me somewhat. I'm setting out to get over 150 whp NA to prove to everyone that it's possible cuz many on here will say that it's not. Anyways, the JWT cams will work fine with your car. However, JWT does a special programming in their ecu's for the VTC but it's not a requirement I'm sure. Converting to VTC would require either a cylinder head made with VTC or if it's possible to modify yours for it then a few things. Ofcourse the VTC solonoid, the upper timing chain cover, and a hole in the rear of the cylinder head to hook up the VTC. Also, you wouldn't be able to do all of that till you have an ecu reprogrammed by JWT(unless you get a stock ecu with VTC program for temporary use). Converting is definately possible if you have the time and know how. However, it's not a requirement to run JWT cams and JWT ecu.

Mitch

so i can run JWT Cams and ECU on a non VTC head...bonza! Like the sound of that!

Can i ask what the benefits of VTC are and what kind of gains i would get from the conversion??

I've already got Hotshot header, quickshift stainless filter on a custom CAI, powerflow cat back...so this is the next step really!

Also want to do the clutch, flywheel and underdrive pulleys by the end of the summer as well! And then the year after...maybe turbo...

 

[manuelga]

Did you own your car since new???

This question is because maybe we at Mexico got the same engine at our Tsurus (B13) from 97 till now & Sentras (B14) 98 till 2000

Did your car's engine look +/- like this before the Custom CAI?

 

[Lurch]

Did you own your car since new???

This question is because maybe we at Mexico got the same engine at our Tsurus (B13) from 97 till now & Sentras (B14) 98 till 2000

Did your car's engine look +/- like this before the Custom CAI?

yep...with the throttle body mounted vertically sitting at the rear centre of the engine...thats the one!


compliments on a fricken clean engine bay as well mate!

 

[manuelga]

That's not my car, it's a friend one, Nissan Mexico call them GA16DNE, where the "N" came from, nobody knows but to the point...

It's supposed that DE cams work fine for DNE engines, not ECU's sorry.

Your engine is the same as in Asia & I've heard there's no problem interchanging heads, but you won't have the Variable Valves, unless you control them.

This variable valves gives (we got very strict smog specs, like California) 5 hp gain, but it's not so noticeable.

I don't know anybody (even these cars are very popular here) that swap engines here but I'll ask.

 

[Lurch]

That's not my car, it's a friend one, Nissan Mexico call them GA16DNE, where the "N" came from, nobody knows but to the point...

It's supposed that DE cams work fine for DNE engines, not ECU's sorry.

Your engine is the same as in Asia & I've heard there's no problem interchanging heads, but you won't have the Variable Valves, unless you control them.

This variable valves gives (we got very strict smog specs, like California) 5 hp gain, but it's not so noticeable.

I don't know anybody (even these cars are very popular here) that swap engines here but I'll ask.

I'm definitely not looking to swap the engines....

I was just seeing if a conversion could be done with say...sourcing a VCT head ECU and intake...?? If thats possible then i might as well do it, get the extra few horses and reap the greater rewards from the JWT cams and ECU...!

Just need to know whether or not the VCT head will fit on a non VCT block without and problems or complications...

also...prices of decent second hand heads and intakes etc.. would be helpful...

thanks again... :thumbup:

 

[manuelga]

I've seing sometime that head swap here, a guy from south-east asia did (Philippines???) maybe they can help you better, but anyway, I've read that JWT cams fit both engines (again not 100% shure).

I remember the topic say something like "How to control the VTC?" or similar.

 

[sentra97gxe]

I'm definitely not looking to swap the engines....

I was just seeing if a conversion could be done with say...sourcing a VCT head ECU and intake...?? If thats possible then i might as well do it, get the extra few horses and reap the greater rewards from the JWT cams and ECU...!

Just need to know whether or not the VCT head will fit on a non VCT block without and problems or complications...

also...prices of decent second hand heads and intakes etc.. would be helpful...

thanks again... :thumbup:

Well if you have to replace the cylinder head to get VTC then you will most likely need the intake manifold if I'm correct which could get a little sticky considering sensors and the throttle body. However, it's possible that your current IM will bolt up. If you find that this sounds like too much you could always call JWT and ask if they can reprogram your ecu considering you don't have VTC. JWT can do pretty much anything to a nissan if they put their mind to it so I'd be surprised if they can't help you. For a cylinder head check ebay. I've seen them on there occasionally for cheap.

Mitch

 

[Lurch]

Well if you have to replace the cylinder head to get VTC then you will most likely need the intake manifold if I'm correct which could get a little sticky considering sensors and the throttle body. However, it's possible that your current IM will bolt up. If you find that this sounds like too much you could always call JWT and ask if they can reprogram your ecu considering you don't have VTC. JWT can do pretty much anything to a nissan if they put their mind to it so I'd be surprised if they can't help you. For a cylinder head check ebay. I've seen them on there occasionally for cheap.

Mitch

cheers, yeah i've just had a look on the bay and theres Sentra heads on there for a decent price!! Shipping is going to be a bitch though i can tell...

and yeah i'm pretty sure i would need the intake as well...but other than that i can't see any probs...

any contact info for the guy that did it in asia?! Would be helpful...!

So just to clarify...is VTC like a very basic version of VTECH...i know it's no VVL...but what does it actually specifically do???

 

[Lurch]

cheers, yeah i've just had a look on the bay and theres Sentra heads on there for a decent price!! Shipping is going to be a bitch though i can tell...

and yeah i'm pretty sure i would need the intake as well...but other than that i can't see any probs...

any contact info for the guy that did it in asia?! Would be helpful...!

So just to clarify...is VTC like a very basic version of VTECH...i know it's no VVL...but what does it actually specifically do???

don't mind me...i've just gone and searched and read everything so i now am clued up on it... :thumbup:

 

[manuelga]

^^^^^^
Ok, no problem, if you need anything, just ask, I guess the only country where both engines were produced is Mexico, by the way it's supposed that JWT is working with some guys here to make any kind of improvement for these non USA GA16DE.

 

[Lurch]

^^^^^^
Ok, no problem, if you need anything, just ask, I guess the only country where both engines were produced is Mexico, by the way it's supposed that JWT is working with some guys here to make any kind of improvement for these non USA GA16DE.

well i hope thats true...but in the mean time i've gotta think about me other options...

Will start my hunt for an ecu, head, intake and throttle body then!!!

Think mine will be the only primera in the country with it as well...
emphasis on the think....

 

[IanH]

well i hope thats true...but in the mean time i've gotta think about me other options...

Will start my hunt for an ecu, head, intake and throttle body then!!!

Think mine will be the only primera in the country with it as well...
emphasis on the think....

Just a thought but the VTC only controls the intake cam timing, and you can simply adjust the intake cam to the high rpm spec, as if the VTC was in high RPM mode all the time.
Yes you will lose some lower end torque but a set of adjustable cam gears would enable you to tune and compromise if necessary. This would enable your HP gain and be a lot simpler and cheaper.
Done something simular an a Z28 Chevy V8 years ago, advanced the cam timing (one), a very popular mod....
Good Luck...
BTW how is the weather there ? Where are you in the UK ?

 

[Lurch]

Just a thought but the VTC only controls the intake cam timing, and you can simply adjust the intake cam to the high rpm spec, as if the VTC was in high RPM mode all the time.
Yes you will lose some lower end torque but a set of adjustable cam gears would enable you to tune and compromise if necessary. This would enable your HP gain and be a lot simpler and cheaper.
Done something simular an a Z28 Chevy V8 years ago, advanced the cam timing (one), a very popular mod....
Good Luck...
BTW how is the weather there ? Where are you in the UK ?

Fricken cold.... i live in a place called sudbury...in Suffolk..east anglia...?? You from the UK or just interested??

Yeah i was also thinking about that...but i dont' want to lose the bottom end as in some respects thats where the daily drive is...you don't drive at 7Krpm everywhere you go now...or do you... ???

I fancy doing the VTC conversion now as well...just because i can...and it's a nice little challenge and addition...might not be worth it money wise but think it stand me in better stead for turbo options in the future...!

Just how i look at it...i could be wrong and spending money on something very unnecessary but ah well...such is life... noones told me otherwise so far....

 

[IanH]

Fricken cold.... i live in a place called sudbury...in Suffolk..east anglia...?? You from the UK or just interested??

Yeah i was also thinking about that...but i dont' want to lose the bottom end as in some respects thats where the daily drive is...you don't drive at 7Krpm everywhere you go now...or do you... ???

I fancy doing the VTC conversion now as well...just because i can...and it's a nice little challenge and addition...might not be worth it money wise but think it stand me in better stead for turbo options in the future...!

Just how i look at it...i could be wrong and spending money on something very unnecessary but ah well...such is life... noones told me otherwise so far....

Yes I am originally from the UK. Hillingdon near Heathrow Airport.

The reason I bring it up is that the 90 or 91 1.6 here made 110 HP according to the factory and 115 Hp when VTC was added. It would be worth looking up the torque specs but assuming there is not much of a change upwards with the VTC I think the engine would still work well enough at lower revs.
Most of the mods you will do will tend to lower the low RPM torque, look at the TQ and HP on the modified 1.6
http://www.sentra.net/tech/garage/engine.php?S=9c36a8d173d1b9ab2ffaf00de72b9f2a
I did find a link that explored changing the valve timing and posted all kinds of Torque and HP numbers. I will see if I kept a file or link somewhere.
If you really are thinking of putting a turbo on maybe the money would be better spent going that way.
Good luck.....

 

[Lurch]

Yes I am originally from the UK. Hillingdon near Heathrow Airport.

The reason I bring it up is that the 90 or 91 1.6 here made 110 HP according to the factory and 115 Hp when VTC was added. It would be worth looking up the torque specs but assuming there is not much of a change upwards with the VTC I think the engine would still work well enough at lower revs.
Most of the mods you will do will tend to lower the low RPM torque, look at the TQ and HP on the modified 1.6
http://www.sentra.net/tech/garage/engine.php?S=9c36a8d173d1b9ab2ffaf00de72b9f2a
I did find a link that explored changing the valve timing and posted all kinds of Torque and HP numbers. I will see if I kept a file or link somewhere.
If you really are thinking of putting a turbo on maybe the money would be better spent going that way.
Good luck.....

yeah turbo's for a couple of years yet...unfortunately Uni student so just looking for a couple of good horses here and there before going for the big one. Just want a solid backing and i'd prefer to have VTC if thats what JWT designed there cams and there ECU programming around....a little bit more expense i reckon will stand me in better stead for future tuning and be more reliable...

 

[sentra97gxe]

Fricken cold.... i live in a place called sudbury...in Suffolk..east anglia...?? You from the UK or just interested??

Yeah i was also thinking about that...but i dont' want to lose the bottom end as in some respects thats where the daily drive is...you don't drive at 7Krpm everywhere you go now...or do you... ???

I fancy doing the VTC conversion now as well...just because i can...and it's a nice little challenge and addition...might not be worth it money wise but think it stand me in better stead for turbo options in the future...!

Just how i look at it...i could be wrong and spending money on something very unnecessary but ah well...such is life... noones told me otherwise so far....

If your figuring JWT cams and JWT ecu the gains are definately worth the swap. I just put JWT cams and a JWT ecu in my stock 93 Sentra SE and the hp gain was amaizing. Top end has alot more power and around 3k-5k rpms the torque is really noticeable whereas before I didn't notice much til around 4500 rpms. However, when shifting at redline I can notice a slight slip in my stock clutch. Just means I gotta upgrade my clutch. After I get a good performance clutch in and broken in I'm gonna goto a track to test the 1/4 mile and get it dyno'd and post the results. Don't go with adjustable cam gears. First off you won't gain as much as you would by getting VTC and second you would probably have to custom order them cuz I have yet to see any place that makes em.

Mitch

 

[Lurch]

If your figuring JWT cams and JWT ecu the gains are definately worth the swap. I just put JWT cams and a JWT ecu in my stock 93 Sentra SE and the hp gain was amaizing. Top end has alot more power and around 3k-5k rpms the torque is really noticeable whereas before I didn't notice much til around 4500 rpms. However, when shifting at redline I can notice a slight slip in my stock clutch. Just means I gotta upgrade my clutch. After I get a good performance clutch in and broken in I'm gonna goto a track to test the 1/4 mile and get it dyno'd and post the results. Don't go with adjustable cam gears. First off you won't gain as much as you would by getting VTC and second you would probably have to custom order them cuz I have yet to see any place that makes em.

Mitch

thats cool...i'm dynoing it on feb the 6th with my current mods to see the output...would be interesting to see all the gains after the summer mods!

have decided i'm doing it now...for definite! Just gotta raise the dosh first...

 

[Rubberspoiler]

So, ehh...

How would you know if you have the VTC?? A quick look at the block somewhere??!
Or is it something strictly made for the American market....
My GA16DE is European...

RubberSpoiler