CA18DET engine swaps?

[g81981]

Just curious if anybody has successfully swapped a CA18DET into an s13 240sx. And also is the CA18DET comparable to the SR20DET?

[JonCarson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by g81981:
Just curious if anybody has successfully swapped a CA18DET into an s13 240sx. And also is the CA18DET comparable to the SR20DET? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ok g81981,
You've potentially openned up a topic that's been somewhat heated in the past.

For those wishing to propose the superiority of one engine over the other, let's just keep it amicable. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Of course I have to chime in on this little topic. I own a '90 Silvia S13 K's with a CA18DET and I prefer the engine over the SR for a few reasons. The first is the fact that they are more torquey than an SR which is a plus for me because I'm a drifter. I have seen CA K's make SR K's look bad off the line but the SR beat the CA eventually because its a faster engine in the long run. Another reason I prefer the CA is because I know the damn thing inside an out. I've rebuilt them, swapped them, etc.. I have one on the porch I stripped down and rebuilt just for the hell of it. Alot of people will say that the SR is faster because it produces 205ps stock compared to the CA's 180PS... yes that's true but you also have to consider the fact that the SR comes with a T28 turbine as opposed to the CA's T25 which is the major factor in the small hp difference. I know guys who have installed SR turbines on CA's combined with an EVC and ran the ps up to 230-245 at between .9 and 1.1 bar. Another factor you have to also take into consideration is that the SR can produce more hp than the CA. Alot of people prefer the CA for drag racing as opposed to the SR. I know a few guys with Silvias that had the SR and they swapped it out for a CA because they think it's a better drag engine. The fastest S13 that I know of is powered by a CA and it runs low 9's in the 0-400meters. I think the closest SR powered S13 is Saurus's and it's running 9's too. This might have changed by now but I'm not sure. But I frown on doing the swap into the 240SX. Why? Well because the SR is more accesible. The CA swap would be easy enough but there is already an SR following so parts are easier to get and there is more knowledge about the SR. I myself would swap a CA into a 240 but that's only because I know the thing inside and out and I have tons of spare parts. My advice is to stay with the SR swap and if you wanna be different go with the S15 SR20DET.. Or just get the S14 and the S15 ecu, injectors and turbine....

Ryan Stevens
'90 Silvia S13 K's
'90 300ZX TT http://velocity.isfaster.com

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I thought that the CA engine had it's non turbo domestic counterpart just like the SR20DE for the SR20DET. Doesn't that make the parts accessible? The CA18 DETengine is already built for turbo. How bulletproof is the CA18DET?

BTW, how much do you think a s15 SR20DET engine would cost?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The CA is a stronger engine and it's more durable. The only reason that the CA18DET was dropped is because the SR is so much cheaper to produce. The US never received the CA18DE...only the CA18E from the S12 or whatever it was called in america. About the SR, I really don't know what people charge for it in the US. I know I can go pick one up in Tokuyama for around 6-700 dollars but it's probably super expensive in the states. I'm also betting that if you were to get one in the states they'd stick you with the 5 speed tranny from the S14 because it replaces the S15's 6 speed without any mods. A more cost effecient route would be to make your own S15 engine. Just get the S14 SR20DET and swap out the turbine, injectors, and ECU for the S15's. You could also get the Pulsar GTI-R turbine and pistons and a metal head gasket and turn the boost way up. Lots of options you just have to do your homework. My suggestion though is to go with the SR because more people know about them and parts are readily available. Every time I turn around someone is selling something for an SR...

[**DONOTDELETE**]

CA18DE did sell in US. In the B12 Pulsar NX SE Twin Cam. Its the same engine but not turbo. And yes U can get all the parts in US. And no the CA is not as strong as a SR, call up Jim Wolf and ask. CA18 is OK engine to swap if U don't have the $$$ for a SR. CAs go for about 800 bux with tranny, where a SR goes for about 1500-2000 bux.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

My car has CA16DE on it and considering to overhaul (the ring is leaking, and piston might be scratched). But if I can get CA18DE(T) FWD cheaper, how can I get it (I'm from Indonesia). And, should I replaced the ECU and tranny ?

[JonCarson]

Welcome to the FA forums 'SentraGSCoupe'.

Your questions are appreciated, and I'm sure someone will be able to provide you with some information.

Do keep in mind though, that this is the 240SX(S13,S14,S15) forum. There is a Sentra forum, and I'm quite certain that the knowledgable Mike Jez and others like him will be happy to field your question there.

Jonathan Carson
Moderator

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks for your attention, but this is because I haven't found any sites that has in-depth discussion about CA's engine. And this forum discussing the CA's engine coincidentally. Most of Sentra powered by GA and SR engine (sentra.net and se-r.net). And my Sentra is completely different with any of its variant in US (Japanese Spec, I guess). It's very kind if somebody could tell me the sites about Sentra with CA's engine. BTW to Ryan Steven, you have mentioned that you have tons of parts of CA's engine. Can you help me if I need some parts from you (It's very difficult and very expensive finding that parts in my country)?

[JonCarson]

I didn't mean going to a different website. I simply meant asking your question in the SENTRA forum here at FreshAlloy.com.

By the way, I noticed that you're in Indonesia.
Ryan Stevens of Velocity is in Japan if I'm not mistaken.
Sou desho, Ryan?

Please don't feel as though I'm trying to force you out of the 240SX forum. If this is the only place you're able to get an answer to your query, then by all means, stay! ^_^

[This message has been edited by carsonjon (edited 06-28-2000).]

[Grumpy]

I will doing a CA18DET swap into a s13 this summer.....I can keep you guys informed on the swap if you want...just let me know....Hopefully I am getting a complete front clip...so it should not be that hard...The total cost should be around 4 g's for the customer....

[**DONOTDELETE**]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by carsonjon:
I didn't mean going to a different website. I simply meant asking your question in the SENTRA forum here at FreshAlloy.com.

By the way, I noticed that you're in Indonesia.
Ryan Stevens of Velocity is in Japan if I'm not mistaken.
Sou desho, Ryan?

Please don't feel as though I'm trying to force you out of the 240SX forum. If this is the only place you're able to get an answer to your query, then by all means, stay! ^_^

[This message has been edited by carsonjon (edited 06-28-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually I came back to the states last year. I should be going back at the begginign of next year hopefully. back to the land where SR's come stock....lol

[g81981]

Any useful information is great.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Hey Grumpy,

Where is your shop? Also how do you order a whole front clip? Do the engine importers also handle that type of transaction?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

i had a question for ryan...
i'm visiting japan for about a month in september, and was wondering if it is cost effective to buy the sr20det for my s13 there and bring it back to the u.s. i'm gonna be in hiroshima, and was just wondering if it would be worth the hassle. thanks.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Velocity is from Hiro man. I know about 4 partsyards in the area where you can get SR's for super cheap. One has them for about 500 bucks. I emailed you some more info and whatnot....

[**DONOTDELETE**]

will the CA18det pass a CA smog test (not the visual)??

[**DONOTDELETE**]

It won't pass smog just like the SR won't. But from what I hear cops can't tell that the SR is a swapped engine So maybe it'd be the same for the CA. Of course the SR looks alot more like the KA than the CA does... But from what I hear bribery is pretty easy in cali.... http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

so it is definetely illegal to transplant the sr20det into the s13 in CA? is it fairly easy to pass the smog or does everyone have to find a willing bribe recipient?

[JonCarson]

Here is the response that I got from CARB when I asked about engine swaps.
Oh, and I never called their lab for specific information.....
--------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Carson:

Thank you for your recent e-mail to the California Air Resources Board (ARB)
regarding an engine swap.

In general, the engine replacement must be the same year or newer than the
engine currently in the vehicle (according to model year).

Please call the ARB's motor vehicle laboratory for specific information
regarding your vehicle: 1-800-242-4450.

Thanks again for writing.

Sincerely,
Gennet Osborn
Public Information Office
California Air Resources Board