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Versa MR20DE Swap!!

72929 Views 128 Replies 38 Participants Last post by  Cobb
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As some of you know, my versa motor took a crap on me and Nissan did not want to replace it and I have been with no car for 2 months. I can't shell out 3-4k for a new motor, so I opted for the next best thing, the MR20DE. I found one that is a 2008, with 24k miles on it for $850 (not a bad price :coolgleamA:). Took the MR20 to one of Bobs (versaspeed) friends garage and he installed the motor in it this week. All I can say is OMFG, the car is awesome! It pulls way harder, the 20hp and 20tq really make a huge difference, let alone the versa weighs about 200lbs less than the sentra. I am super stoked and excited that the conversation of the Motorswap is now confirmed and working.

First initial thoughts:

-When I got to the auto wrecking yard and saw the motor I almost thought it was a versa motor, I was shocked to see how very similair they are. Then again, they are the same engine just with some different internals.

-When the motor was installed and I took it for a run, the exhaust note from the DC catback is a little louder, I like that. My roommate has a 2010 Lancer GTS and we raced down a stretch of road ( i know unsafe, but I had to test it out :p) and we were neck and neck the whole way until about 80mph I was passing him up! The GTS has 168hp (not whp) so i was extremely excited after that. It certainly put a huge smile on my face.

-Shifting is different. Every time I shift and let go of the clutch power is instantly there, no lag. Awesome.

According to Bobs friend everything was plug and play, just a few minor differences but nothing crazy. Like the key ignition plug was different, but it was easily swapped from the MR18 to the MR20.

I want to know the #'s but I don't have any plans on dyno soon.

Here are some pix.

MR20DE at the wrecking yard


MR20DE in my car, excuse the dirty car, hasn't been home in 2 months!



******UPDATE*******
Hit 200miles on half tank, not bad considering its a bigger engine. however I babied the shit out of it, barley hitting the gas. I don't get this good of mileage just driving normal and spirited, just fyi.
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exceeded your expectations :thumb2:

I would take the same road when mine starts knocking.
but it really beat a 2010 lancer GTS? That's Kool!!
it does look very similar to the MR18

Good Job!
exceeded your expectations :thumb2:

I would take the same road when mine starts knocking.
but it really beat a 2010 lancer GTS? That's Kool!!
it does look very similar to the MR18

Good Job!
if we kept going I think i would have fully pulled past him, but we were head to head at 80 and then i started inching past him, we let off after that. he was driving automatic.
:drool5:
Thats pretty awesome dude! Its good to know we have other options if our 1.8L craps out.
:drool5:
Thats pretty awesome dude! Its good to know we have other options if our 1.8L craps out.
Im stoked to slap the supercharger on it when it gets released!

Not gonna lie, but finding an MR20 within 150 miles at an auto wrecking site for some reason here in socal was difficult. When I went to pickup the motor the guy told me it was a good thing that I picked it up that day because he just got a 2 requests for one from another wrecking site.
:thumb2: thats awsome now i cant wait till my 1.8 craps out.
That is so awesome!! You got to feel great about owning one of those!!! Keep it forever!!! lol You've got a one of a kind on your hands.
Oh my....
:drool5:
I assume the mr20 was from newer sentra 140hp etc.
If i got a whole [wrecked] sentra, there must be other swappables:woot:
Glad you stepped up and made it happen!
Im stoked to slap the supercharger on it when it gets released!

Not gonna lie, but finding an MR20 within 150 miles at an auto wrecking site for some reason here in socal was difficult. When I went to pickup the motor the guy told me it was a good thing that I picked it up that day because he just got a 2 requests for one from another wrecking site.
it is difficult to find used parts sometimes, I remember I needed a new 5 star aluminum rim for this 1998 subaru legacy that I had. the rim somehow cracked, I looked every where. One place I called they said "we have 3 rims" drove 50 miles to get one, but when I got there the guy told me "sorry, they're bad" I was pissed, then he gave me another phone number to call, I called they said "sorry, no rim for that year but we have a 2000 model" then they gave me another number. then I finally went to this placed called knoxville auto used parts, they did have a 1998 aluminum 5 star rim but it was out of state
they don't charge for shipping if you pick it up at the store. the rim came from Arkansas. They don't have nissan versa parts, the website says knoxville Auto parts does not have your part inventoried.
Please request a quote.

I think the reason why is so difficul is because the parts that are in your state other people from other states are trying to buy them online or over the phone :thumb2:
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That is so awesome!! You got to feel great about owning one of those!!! Keep it forever!!! lol You've got a one of a kind on your hands.
Thanks! The versa is super dirty. hasn't been home in 2 months, so major TLC this week.

Oh my....
:drool5:
I assume the mr20 was from newer sentra 140hp etc.
If i got a whole [wrecked] sentra, there must be other swappables:woot:
Glad you stepped up and made it happen!
yup, 140hp and 147tq. I was suprised, the crank pulley, and the header are the same as the versa
Wheres pics?
updated pix coming in the next cple hours. it basically looks the same as a regular MR18. but ill post anyway
Well how about the 2.5 from the altima? Is it possible? That would be a decent swap. 175hp, yeah, that would be interesting in a versa, lol!!
Nice swap! Don't know how easy a MR20 would be to find over here..... *goes hunting*
Oh my....
If i got a whole [wrecked] sentra, there must be other swappables:woot:
Good job on the swap. And I agree with 08v...a 5-lug Versa would be great. Imagine a Versa with Sentra SE-R or 370z wheels. :D
Well how about the 2.5 from the altima? Is it possible? That would be a decent swap. 175hp, yeah, that would be interesting in a versa, lol!!
That would be fun ha, but you would have to also change the ECU and what not. I didn't have to do that.

Good job on the swap. And I agree with 08v...a 5-lug Versa would be great. Imagine a Versa with Sentra SE-R or 370z wheels. :D
that would be sick
Very nice! That's pretty cool...let us know if you have any trouble with it. Hope all is well and it stays in good shape. The unfortunate part about the motors being so similar is that they may see some of the same problems. But, don't focus on that yet, ENJOY!
pix updated
This is just amazing. Congrats to you. Wonder if the swap is just as easy going from an HR to MR20? I like my gas sipper but maybe at the end of her life I could turn it into a track slut. The MR20 would do nicely in a 2300lbish car.
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