Long term plans...

[LanceS13]

Ok...I know a few of you out there have turboed 240's...mainly Mark, PSI..., and ca18guy, so maybe I can get some help.
I would like to eventually (I'm talking years here) have about 250hp.  I see the NSport turbo for about $3700...it'll be probably 3-4 years for me just to save that up.  But you know what they always say...however much you think it's gonna cost, double it, and that's how much you're gonna spend.  So...what is the most cost effective route that will lead me to 250hp.  
If you say turbo my current engine, remember I have the weaker S13's internals which have about 146,000 miles on them...they'll have even more when I can actually afford this idea of mine.  So an engine swap is almost mandatory if I want to turbo and still have a reliable engine.  So what should my plans be....a '95+ KA replacement with a turbo kit, an upgraded SR, or an upgraded CA?  I know it's a long way off, but when the time comes I want to know everything about.  Engine swap costs don't apply because I and especially my dad have a good deal of automotive knowledge...so it would be DIY.  I'm basically looking for a price range including every possible thing I would need...I don't want to do it half ass and not have the money to fix something that breaks.  
I guess I'll wrap up this dissertation...thanks for any help.

[ca18guy]

With the mile's you have on your car, i'd say swap in a engine. Since you like to autocross, I'm assuming that you want some low end torque so I'm putting my vote in for the ca18det. Lets say you buy a ca18 for $1000 and that you can work on it yourself and put it in yourself (if not just add the money that you would pay a shop on this list to) Well add about $400 for various things that you need to complete the swap (there is always something extra you need to buy) Now if this is your first engine swap and but you know what your doing, lets make it a 2 week job (probably could be done in alittle over a weekend if you were crazy about it) So then to get the ca18 to your goal of 250HP you buy all the mods to accomplish that (you allready have a cat back right). You buy the K&amp;N induction kit for $100, then you get the rest of the exhaust system from the downpipe to the cat (which would be removed <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> ) for $200 est. Then you get the Stage 1 Chip for $200 which allows for enough ECU control up to 280 HP, then custom fit a starion front mount intercooler (or any other large intercooler)to the car lets estimate $300 for that. And lastly get a bleed valve or boost controller, for the sake of cheapness we'll say the valve for $50. That gives you the grand total of $2250. That is pretty much the &quot;variables&quot; in the equation of a ca18det with 250 HP. Of course the prices could differ but you get the idea. See how easy that is <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[ca18guy]

Also by your theory of take what you plan to spend and double it, it still only comes out to $4500, thats still pretty cheap for a 250 HP (expecially in a car that only wieghs about 2800 lbs)

[LanceS13]

Wow...I didn't know CA18's were so cheap. &nbsp;But you said it would be good for torque...I assumed it would have the least since it's only 1.8L. &nbsp;But if I could do it all for around $4000...that sounds pretty sweet. &nbsp;How much can the CA's stock internals take?...you know just in case I want to bump that 250hp up on down the road.;)
thanks for the help.

[ca18guy]

The stock internals are recommended to be upgraded at 350 HP the stock injectors are 375cc (i think) and need to be upgraded around 310 HP, the stock turbo is pretty much maxed at 250 HP (bad news is that it's a tiny T25 turbo, good news is it makes that bigger turbo feel that much more powerful if you ever get one) Also don't quote me on the price of a engine, I'm sure you could get one that cheap if you look around, just be patient.

[West]

Im gonna agree with ca18guy. You should get a CA18 engine. They are real nice and a little better torque curve than the SR. They are lightweight and very good power potential. Best part is you can have a newer engine and tranny for less then what a turbo kit for your KA will cost. If I owned a s13 I would get a SR or CA. Well actually, no.... I love toque to much to ditch the KA <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[JeffNJ]

Excuse me.

Who's car at this forum weighs 2800 lbs?

That can not be possible, can it?!

[JeffNJ]

Ok, seriously, I just double-checked the label on my car, and it weight 3700 pounds. &nbsp;Thirty seven hundred pounds. &nbsp;Figure, with a driver and cargo, my little engine that could is dragging TWO TONS worth of weight around with it. &nbsp;Do you people understand why I may have considered a smaller, lighter car yet? =)

[West]

Either convertabiles weight ALLLLLLLLLLLOT more or your be smokin the sweet stuff.

s13 are about 2650-2750lbs
s14's are 2750-2800lbs

It depends on if its a coupe or auto or manual too.

[DragonReborn214]

Dude, your car weighs 2800 pounds. Go check.
<a href="http://www.edmunds.com/used/1993/nissan/240sx/2drseconvertible/specs.html?id=lin0066

" target="_blank">http://www.edmunds.com/used....0066

</a>

[JeffNJ]

Ok, I checked that link. And I'm definately not on crack. But, uhm, maybe I'm reading something wrong. I just took this photo. What does it mean?

http://www.goamerica.net/jeff/240sx-weight.jpg

(Edited by JeffNJ at 4:28 pm on Oct. 5, 2001)

[ca18guy]

hahaha thats the weight LIMIT. I can see why you thought that though.

[JeffNJ]

Duh. &nbsp;Uhm, ok. &nbsp;Nevermind. &nbsp;I'm stupid.

I mean, uhh, on crack. &nbsp;Yeah, that's it.

(thanks though)

[S13Grl]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> Funny <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> : ) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[misnomer]

uh, shit, CA18 is purdy cheap. *sits and waits for his engine to die*.

Unstable Hybrids has a CA-18 listed at 1600 w/ tranny, 600 for starion intercooler, plus odds and ends. I fear that much. But then again, going by Nissan's naming conventions, you won't have a 240sx anymore <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[my240likenoother]

so what you r saying is that the CA18det is better that the sr20det??
iv been looking at the sr and like it alot but i also have not checked out the CA
i think that im looking at the leters i like the bigger block
i guess i need a little help myself

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from misnomer on 8:37 pm on Oct. 5, 2001
uh, shit, CA18 is purdy cheap. *sits and waits for his engine to die*.

Unstable Hybrids has a CA-18 listed at 1600 w/ tranny, 600 for starion intercooler, plus odds and ends. I fear that much. But then again, going by Nissan's naming conventions, you won't have a 240sx anymore <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
If you pay $600 for the starion intercooler I reserve the right to slap you upside your head <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[SpoiledBoi]

how much can stock SR internals handle? and how much to upgrade?

[misnomer]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If you pay $600 for the starion intercooler I reserve the right to slap you upside your head &nbsp;</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

For why? That cheap or spensive? I pulled that price right offa Unstable Hybrids.

[ca18guy]

$600 for a intercooler you can find in a Junk yard? Just saying don't buy it from them, shop around you can find them alot cheaper.

[SpoiledBoi]

ok, I dont understand something? The CA sounds so great, y would most ppl choose SR over the CA?

[S13Grl]

SR has more factory horsepower output, and it's a bit more widely spread (in the silvia and 200sx than the 180sx) or so I think...

[ca18guy]

The CA is less common because it was only available for a short while, and only came with 180 HP stock, so because of this it does'nt have the aftermarket or recognizable name like the SR. Both good engine's.

[S13Grl]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from SpoiledBoi on 1:54 am on Oct. 7, 2001
how much can stock SR internals handle? and how much to upgrade?
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I talked to a shop that does swaps, they're saying about 400 horsepower. I'm not sure about upgrades.

[LanceS13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from misnomer on 9:37 pm on Oct. 5, 2001
Unstable Hybrids has a CA-18 listed at 1600 w/ tranny, 600 for starion intercooler, plus odds and ends. I fear that much. But then again, going by Nissan's naming conventions, you won't have a 240sx anymore <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I don't care...I'm going for a 180SX &quot;replica&quot; anyway. I plan to get the 180SX Type X taillight conversion within a few months.

The likelyhood of me finding an intercooler in a junkyard around here are slim to none. Down South, I live in a world of big trucks and V8's. Turboed cars, 4cyl. or otherwise, are a rarity. So if I had to resort to an aftermarket unit, what is recommened and how much should I be willing to pay?

Thanks for everyone's help...looks like I got a CA in my future.:biggrin:

(Edited by LanceS13 at 7:45 pm on Oct. 7, 2001)

[LanceS13]

Nobody want to answer my intercooler question?

And are there other places besides unstable-hybrids that imports CA18DET's? &nbsp;Also, being an older engine, what kind of mileage would I be looking at?

[240booster]

I don't care...I'm going for a 180SX &quot;replica&quot; anyway. I plan to get the 180SX Type X taillight conversion within a few months.

The likelyhood of me finding an intercooler in a junkyard around here are slim to none. Down South, I live in a world of big trucks and V8's. Turboed cars, 4cyl. or otherwise, are a rarity. So if I had to resort to an aftermarket unit, what is recommened and how much should I be willing to pay?

Thanks for everyone's help...looks like I got a CA in my future.:biggrin:

(Edited by LanceS13 at 7:45 pm on Oct. 7, 2001)


Ya Me to man im from Alabama and LMAO junk yard people have no idea what a turbo is &nbsp; &nbsp;lol &nbsp; Suxs :-/