advantages of CA18?

[ShortGuy622]

hey i was wondering what the advantages of the ca18 engine are? im not hung up on power because im not gonna be racing(most likely).

[NZO]

Its cheap

[ShortGuy622]

any other reasons?

[L.D. 100]

iron block

*i think i dunno, im drunk right now*

[DRFT]

Stock CA18 is faster than a KA

[ShortGuy622]

whatre some sites that sell them?

[L.D. 100]

ummm i think venus auto carries them

[Sundi240]

Umm why not do the smart thing and swap in a low mileage KA? You can mod that if you decide to "race."

[nokeone]

Originally posted by L.D. 100
ummm i think venus auto carries them

blah..so many mixed reviews..

[FRpilot]

i think the scc article bashed on the ca18.. actually. from reading, the ca18 is still a very capable motor of making horsepower. its head is almost indentical to the VG head and flows better if not as good as an SR head. the block is iron and can take a lot more punishment. there are big high hp CAs in japan. there was a video of a yellow s13 silvia with ca making lots of hp. 500hp iirc. i would get a ca, since they have a lot of potential. the sr is just so trendy now. the only thing stopping me is the lack of aftermarket support for the ca engine. there is probalby more of an aftermarket for the ka than the ca, but what do i know, i dont live in japan. the ca market in japan is probably larger than i can ever imagine but still not as big as the sr aftermarket.

[elevator]

Originally posted by FRpilot
i would get a ca, since they have a lot of potential. the sr is just so trendy now.
????TRENDY????
Horse pucky! Given that they are not and have not been sold in the states as a stock option...given that they are not even LEGAL in the states...you are going to say ????TRENDY???? Give me a break. :rolleyes:

[NZO]

trend·y ( P ) Pronunciation Key (trnd) Informal
adj. trend·i·er, trend·i·est
Of or in accord with the latest fad or fashion

sr20s are trendy.

[Warwick5s]

if SR's aren't trendy, why does every ricer want to sell his civic and build a m4D tyte Sylvia(g) with the SR? but doing or not doing something based on whether it's trendy isn't really a good idea. You don't want to be the guy that gets ****ed when someone else has the same thing you do.



I'm going to start accumulating crap for swapping a CA after i sell my scirocco. Here's why:

1) Not trendy, so demand is lower and it's significantly cheaper
2) Better built than the SR - iron block, better valvetrain
3) basically EVERY replacement part is available here in the states, because there have been a few cars that came with some kind of CA engine here. (Most replacement parts come from an 88 Pulsar NX). there is something big to be said about being able to get almost every replacement part at Checker vs. having to mail order it. take a look here: CROSSOVER PART LIST (http://nissaninfiniticlub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=29573)
4) did i say cheaper?


i'm going to get mine from Soko in chicago. 800 for motorset, tranny, and ecu. probably another 600-1000 worth of harness, intercooler, exhaust and whatnot.

it will rock hard.

[ca18guy]

Not doing something because its trendy makes you as stupid as the people who do it because it is a trend :rolleyes:

[Dousan_PG]

let's stay on topic

ca advantages..i have no clue
haha
but im sure NiceDrgn would know (i think that's his screenname)

i think CA would be almsot as costly as SR. remember you are buying aengine that stopped production in 91. now most cars in japan are turned over fast...meaning sold..that's why you find modified running s13 silvia Ks for $2K and such

a CA will need some TLC and lots of part replacements
some parts can be pulled off US cars and such ut others will need order from japan

now getting parts for SR is EASY but not many companies stock CA parts..so you have to have resoursces.

best bet, talk with epople who have had CA for more then a few months...talk with people who've had them for awhile, becuase more then likely, they've ran into more problems then the guy who had it for 2 months.

[joe5169]

Iron block and bulletproof valvetrain...I like the higher redline too :D Replacement parts are very easy to find in the states where most of the parts are the same from the CA18DE from the Pulsar. Finding aftermarket parts is the main drawback as most aftermarket parts can only be found in Japan so parts will be a little more expensive. The engine is also older too, so just beware of that too. A few of the places that you can get a CA are AfterDark Tuning, Flashoptions, and of course Venus Auto. Dauntless from AfterDark has a very good rep on the NICO boards and is a great guy. This is probably the only place I would buy a CA. His website is down right now, but it should be up soon. DO NOT buy from Flashoptions, even though they're prices are very appealing. They are located in taiwan or somewhere offseas and are very good at taking money but not delivering engines. Venus Auto isn't as bad as a lot of people say, but you can still be carefull with them. Anyway, just my 2 cents....

www.afterdark-tuning.com

[Warwick5s]

Originally posted by dousan36


a CA will need some TLC and lots of part replacements
some parts can be pulled off US cars and such ut others will need order from japan

now getting parts for SR is EASY but not many companies stock CA parts..so you have to have resoursces.


it really doesn't look like this is the case. there are very few parts that can't be scavenged from some USDM car. maybe in socal getting parts for an SR is easy, but anywhere else the CA is going to be much easier to get parts for.

check out the CA forum on NICO. lots of good info over there.

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by Warwick5s
it really doesn't look like this is the case. there are very few parts that can't be scavenged from some USDM car. maybe in socal getting parts for an SR is easy, but anywhere else the CA is going to be much easier to get parts for.

check out the CA forum on NICO. lots of good info over there.

seriously, you need to resaerch. SO CAL does not mean easier to get parts..heavy throttle-east coast, lots of parts
enjuku-east coast lots of parts
unstable hybrids--east coast
secret services--east coast

dont pull that crap on me

the CA read joe5169 reply.
Replacement parts are very easy to find in the states where most of the parts are the same from the CA18DE from the Pulsar. Finding aftermarket parts is the main drawback as most aftermarket parts can only be found in Japan so parts will be a little more expensive

he has a CA...seems his reply is very similar to mine but he has for more info and i just learned a lot reading his post..


the SR and cali is all hype and hogwash. started up by people NOT in cali. i know lots of people outside california who run SRs and have the same access to parts i do. the whole cali gets the best stuff is ridiculous. most companies here we need to order from too. meaning---requires shipping

and NICO is the LAST place i'd go for some good info...i recal those wonderful RB threads....:rolleyes:

[transient]

Well, RB threads or no RB threads, a lot of people in the CA forum are pretty knowledgable when it comes to that engine, and it's also one of the only forums that has much CA info. I hang out on the CA board fairly frequently.

The CA18 is basically a mini RB, with some nifty features like dual lenth intake runners to back it up. Definately a worthy engine, and I should have mine any day now :).

Btw, that ca powered silvia was actually making 650hp (http://nissaninfiniticlub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=15195&highlight=650+silvia)

[AKADriver]

There's no real glut of parts from a CA18DE B12 Pulsar that are useful for a CA18DET. At least, no more than those from an SR20DE B13 Sentra are for an SR20DET. I don't know where that idea came from. You're still SOL for a lot of random things. I don't know where you'd get a MAF if you needed one.

If you don't think you have it good in CA, just try to keep up your track schedule around here :) Events are just less frequent and more spread out. I'm just rambling at this point though... real life has been taking center stage before car stuff for the past month or so, so I feel totally out of it.

[joe5169]

Originally posted by AKADriver
There's no real glut of parts from a CA18DE B12 Pulsar that are useful for a CA18DET.

Well, I beleive that all gaskets, most hoses, pumps, and many other small parts are interchangable between the S13 CA and B12 CA. Check out the crossover parts post at NICO:

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29573

Originally posted by dousan36
he has a CA

Haha, I accually don't have a CA :D I just learned a lot from the CA forum at NICO.

Originally posted by dousan36
and NICO is the LAST place i'd go for some good info

I can't say much for the other forums at NICO, but most everyone in the CA forum are very knowledgeable.

[AKADriver]

That's about the same list of stuff that interchanges S13 <-> B13

No advantage there.

I mean, you're better off in that regard than you would be with an RB, but it's not like every part is available.

[Dousan_PG]

ill have to check out that forum..must learn about CA...

not going to buy one,just like to know :) thanks!

[nokeone]

Originally posted by dousan36
ill have to check out that forum..must learn about CA...

not going to buy one,just like to know :) thanks!

you already are a wealth of knowledge...but i guess like most monopolies you just want to grow..err or somethin..lol..

hey when you comin back up north??

[FRpilot]

Originally posted by transient
The CA18 is basically a mini RB, with some nifty features like dual lenth intake runners to back it up. Definately a worthy engine, and I should have mine any day now :).

Btw, that ca powered silvia was actually making 650hp (http://nissaninfiniticlub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=15195&highlight=650+silvia)


yea. i remember reading about the ca. it is definitely a mini RB. an RB w/ 2 less cylinders? the ca even looks like an RB engine from the top. but i remember reading that the head and airflow on the ca has better flow design. its also stronger and a very capable motor. if what that other guy said about the ca being able to rev higher than an sr, then the ca definitely has its strong points and advantages? how is it able to rev higher? it doesn't use a rocker arm system?

thats the ca powered silvia i was talking about. 650 is just insane. isn't that motor stroked to 2000ccs? i just remember seeing that car because someone said it looked like jspec's s13ii.

[transient]

No rockers, just direct actuation of the valves :D. Also, the CA uses a timing belt, which I like personally. Timing chains are a bitch to change, and even though they're not considered a wearing item, there are times when you still have to change them. The belt on the CA is cake to change.

[FRpilot]

timing chains with the teeth look sick too. lol. can you see them? haha. yea, timing chains seem like a bitch to change. i hope i dont have to change my ka chains sooon.

[Joe_M]

There are lot's of parts that you can get for the CA's in the US. Some SR stuff works if you modify it a bit, but as far as replacement parts, you can walk into your dealer or AutoZone and get anything you need to replace on the CA.

Gaskets.... all USDM CA18DE gaskets work.
Turbo Gaskets... 300zx Twin Turbo gaskets work.
MAFS.... CA18ET from a 200sx Turbo works
TPS.... KA24E is the same....

So as far as parts being harder to come by for the CA.... I don't buy it.

I rock a CA and I like it. I could have been the third person I know of in Cincy with an SR.... or the first and only with a CA. I went with the CA.

Joe

[WongFeiHung]

What about ease of installation vs a SR swap??

[Joe_M]

Goes in and pretty much wires up the same as an SR. You need to hardwire the knock sensor into the engine harness, but that is the only thing different.

Joe

[jamik_69]

what about parts fron the s-12 with the ca18det will they work?

[Fastback180]

I'm a fan of the CA. You can get them out here for $800. And Japan...$200
They're a win/win situation.
Ohh by the way, nice install Joe. :cool:

[NismoGear5]

i believe the 200sx came with the CA18ET?? I don't remember.

[joe5169]

Originally posted by jamik_69
what about parts fron the s-12 with the ca18det will they work?

Yeah, the S12 came with the CA18ET, which is basically not worth anything at all. The CA18DET doesn't even compare to the CA18ET.

[ShortGuy622]

wow i started sumthin big lol. one more ? is the ca18 swap legal in the states?

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by ShortGuy622
wow i started sumthin big lol. one more ? is the ca18 swap legal in the states?

no.

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by ShortGuy622
wow i started sumthin big lol. one more ? is the ca18 swap legal in the states?

JDM Motor = Illegal.

[Burmonster]

The ca engine is a very solid built engine. I have converted 240s' to silvias' with both the ca18det and the sr20det and i personally found the ca to be for fun and more forgiving. Fun because of the large amount of torque which is produced by the engine at low rpm, very similar in feeling to that of the ka24de, and forgiving because, fankly, if something breaks the dealership down the street should have the parts to built it and of the robust iron block. And yes, i currently drive a s14b sr20det 240amc and have sold the 240 with the ca not because it is trendy but because i perfer the styling of the s14b body. However, i do agree that too many little wanna be racers are trying to sell the civics in order to buy to oh so trendy sr20, which scares me since they really cant deal with a car that is pushing 150hp much less one that easily produces 400rwhp. Oh well, i guess it time to get started on my rb25det swap before its get trendy too. Or maybe a rb26dett cramped in to my engine bay would keep my self same for the main stream for...oh... about 8 months. I am in, who is with me?????

[Bill Roberts]

Legal goes by STATE. A Blanket statement that the CA is an "illegal engine" should be discounted unless you live in one of the very few states that are anal about emissions.

IIRC, Florida, since their is no hose check, no inspection or no cops "asking" to peek under your hood (and No state income tax, No tax on food, No tax on medicine) Means if you want to put a 34 plymounth engine under your hood...who the hell cares?

If your car blows massive amounts of smoke (like a rolling tar kettle) FHP "can" pull you over as the law states "your car cannot emit any visable smoke for more than 5 seconds" Other than that..I saw an old azzed mitsubishi colt that was fogging like a "skeeter" truck right in front of a city cop Monday...and the cop was comical ...I saw him waving his hand like get the smoke out of the car...and he puts his lights on and pulled around the colt and took a right turn with big smile on his face passing me...we looked at each other LMAOROTF at the time...he was ...Schooooo that stunk..and went on.

So as far as "illegal engines go" it is via the State regulatory commission that you reside in.

No wonder California is broke and tired. I bet the state has spent 20 billion trying to be green...when you have that many people in one place...the toilet pipe problem is much worse than the exhaust pipe problem.

The worn out Diesels or all the bar be que's make more emissions than what modern non california cars do.

Priorities with the Govt. (California the state) there is bassackwards big time. They throw money at it instead of educating citizens how to be green. Costs the automakes so much...we are paying for it in the long run.


Governer is taking the heat...just no accountability...no how!

Spend spend spend..and screw the citizens!!!!

Such a missinformed mess.

I hope you guys can get behind whoever is in charge and solve the major problems...but running a CA is illegal...what a micromanagemenmt Government Joke.


Like one one thousants of the cars are gonna kill the air. Freedom rings eh?

How much of this money could go for helping citizens instead of enforcing a f ucking exhaust pipe.

Jeeeze what a mantality.


Rant over, resume play.

If I entered the Cali border with my Florida car, I would probably be put right in Jail. How about that grasshoppers?

[DRFT]

hmmm...w/all this knowledge of usdm parts being used on the CA engine can any SR parts be used on CAs? like manifolds, t25/28 turbo, and others?

[FRpilot]

the turbos could be used on the ca, but you will need a custom manifold. i dont think any other sr parts can be used on the ca. they are just different engines entirely but maybe someone out there has an interchangable parts list.

[dvdevo]

Originally posted by Bill Roberts
Like one one thousants of the cars are gonna kill the air. Freedom rings eh?

well a lot of laws or rules made in private or public places are the same. We can't say, "oh its just a couple of us, how is that gonna harm anything" I mean probably if they allow us, then motor companies would be saying, "wait a minute, you guys let poeple bring in JDM motors that dont have emmissions cert, n ****. Then why bother spendin money on r&d to make cars more air friendly"

but anyways, i want a ca too =] But i dont know too much about it. I hread that if you have a 89-90 240 then the engine would be easier to drop than a sr?

[elevator]

Originally posted by dvdevo
I hread that if you have a 89-90 240 then the engine would be easier to drop than a sr?
There is no difference. They are both the same level of difficulty. I have 2 SR20DETs and a CA18. The CA18 runs good but it is obviously an older beat than the others two. I prefer the SRs by a LONG shot.

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by Bill Roberts
Legal goes by STATE.

No, for the most part it does not.

By the Clean Air Act, which is federal, the CA, SR, etc. are illegal nationwide. The EPA handles these things for the whole country.

Your state may or may not choose to enforce it (with inspections or what have you) but those are the rules.

California does have its own specific set of laws that go above and beyond the Clean Air Act, but those laws don't apply here. They apply to modifications to existing engines, or to new car buyers (who must purchase a special emissions package).

[Burmonster]

AKA, yes the clean air act is a federal but it holds not to individual automobiles, but to industries and car manufactures, making it necessary for them to put emissions devices on their cars. Thats why paper plants dont smell like phosphorus any more because the clean air act makes the plans put chemical cleaners in thier waste towers. When dealing with cars, the clean air act does not apply, it is your state (and some times county) laws that in force it. For example, i live in metro atlanta, were cars have to pass the sniffer if OBD-I and the diagnostic test if OBD-II, the CA and SR are illegal with emissions in mind. None of my tuned cars have ever passed these emissions tests(and georgia has some of the lowest standards when it comes to emissons control). To solve this problem, I had my cars regestered in Macon, Georgia, where i go to school and where there are no emissions regulations becuase it is outside of the metro area. Basically what it comes down to is that if you live out side the metro area you can have what ever engine you want and do what ever you want to it in relation to passing emissions. It also allows you to travel into the metro area because your car is protected under your county's laws. It might be different AKA in your state but since it is different here, if can be said that the clean air act isnt the stardard law in the nation.

[Joe_M]

Originally posted by Fastback180
....
Ohh by the way, nice install Joe. :cool:

Thanks man.... It went from a clean setup with the stock sidemount to a Super Ghettofied install with my NPR intercooler. It looks like crap, but function over form for now!

Joe

[Red]

Now this is something that I have done some research on...

It is up to the state...

And if you tell me I am wrong... Maybe you should tell the head of Washington state emissions that he told me wrong.

AS LONG AS THE ENGINE HAS A COUNTERPART IN THE USA!

Basically they don’t give a ****. They are just people... All they want to see is that the engine will pass your cars specified emissions mark.. If it does this, they could care less weather its a CA- SR- or a damn big block... As long as it passes the emissions for your car they will issue you a waver that sez your engine is !OK! to use.

And don’t argue with me.

I was chatting with them for a while on this.

SO WASHINGTON STATE IS OK FOR SR!

Not that I care, I'm doing the KA build. To much SR hype.

[RoNiN240sx]

where do you find places that sell low mileage KA's? any in the CA area you guys might kno of?