The previous CA18DE and CA18DET engines were deemed too expensive to produce (due to its cast-iron block) and no longer met Japanese emission standards, and so they were replaced with the SR20DE and SR20DET respectively.

The SR20DET is a popular choice as an engine swap in several cars, most notably the 240SX sold in the United States and Canada.

Engine swaps for the SR20DET are becoming more commonplace due to the many aftermarket forced induction options available for the SR20DET.

The SR20DET was first introduced in the U12 Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS ATTESA Limited in a transverse-mounted front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive form in October 1989.

One such kit was produced by ENDLESS Japan in 2008 and featured two GReddy TD05-16G turbines in parallel.