Here's where we act like we know something technical about cars. Feel free to ask us about your technical troubles. Write us at tech superstreetonline.com or Super Street c/o Tech Support, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Feel free to include a picture of your project or tech problem.
Q I have a few mods done to my '96 Acura Integra GS-R along with a GReddy turbo kit and recently started smoking white smoke. I know white smoke means that I'm burning coolant/anti-freeze, but it smells like burning oil. My level for the coolant is always normal and it never overheats. It only starts to smoke when I hit 6,000 RPM. Also my car idles kind of rough. I cleaned out my exhaust and catalytic converter. I did a compression test and everything came out normal. I'm going to do a leak down test next. My question is, what can cause my car to blow out white smoke? I've been told it might be my piston rings, intake and exhaust valve, out of timing or even my ECU. Can you guys help me out with any suggestions? I'm pulling out my hair!
Alfred Mendoza
Tucson, AZ
A White smoke indicates burning coolant; blue smoke means it's burning oil; and black smoke is from un-burnt fuel. Now the blue smoke is not a heavy blue. It just has a tint of blue. So it's very possible that you have the two confused. If it is coolant being burnt, then it would smell horribly different from burning oil. More than likely, you have an oil problem. Check to see if the oil is low. Do the leak down test to determine if the rings or the valve seals are a problem. If the leakdown test comes out okay, then it might just be the seals in your turbo. A general rule of thumb is if smoke is happening during acceleration, then it's the rings. Now if you get smoke when you let off the gas pedal, during deceleration, then it's the valve seals. And if it smokes under boost, start looking at your turbo.
Q Hey Super Street, I have a '91 240SX and I was doing some research and found that the 2.0L models of the early-to-late 200SXs and Sentras came with a non-turbo SR20DE motor. I was wondering if these motors are the same thing as a SR20DET but without the turbo? And if so could I rebuild one to turbo specs so it would be just like the SR20DET? It would be easier and cheaper for me to find one this way then to buy a SR20DET from an importer. Any advice on what I would have to do, buy or suggest for this swap would be great. I'm aware of all the other things I need for the swap like tranny, ECT/harness, but this is just for the motor. Thanks for making the #1 tuner mag out there.
Daniel Pileggi
Via the Internet
A Sorry, that's a no go. You're not the first person that's thought about that. And if it could work, you would have heard about it from one of the many many 240SX owners out there. Basically the 200SX, Sentra and even G20 came with FWD SR20DE engines. FWD meaning these are mounted transversely. Your 240SX is RWD, meaning it requires a longitudinally-mounted engine. The RWD SR20 and FWD SR20 engines have different blocks and they are not interchangeable. Even if it was possible, we'd suggest just buying a complete S13 SR20DET swap. Buying a non-turbo SR20DE, a RWD transmission and a turbo kit will end up being more than $1500.
Q I have been a reader since '03, and finally I have a question for you. I want to get an '84-87 AE86 Corolla but all I seem to find within my budget and area are SR5s. My question is: can I
still have a good drift machine or do I swap engines?
Carlos
Via the Internet
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