If you had ~5 grand to spend on CA18DET..?

[DanR_83]

Hey all,

I have a 87 Pulsar w/ a CA18DET motor in it, pretty stock (cept for clutch..), goes ok. 13.9 down the quarter w/o an intercooler (which is now on). Anyways, its done about 115000k's, and im thinking of doing some mods...heres what i had in mind..

engine rebuild, stronger internals, rx 7 injecters, extracters, bb t28 @ 15+psi(hopefully)..stuff like that. but then the suspension would be stock and i want to do something to that but unfortunatly i dont know squat about suspension..might need brake upgrade too i dont know. Has anyone worked a CA18DET before? links/info would be awsome, thanks guys!

-Dan

[thehelix112]

http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=104

By all accounts a nice engine.
Regards,

Dave

[datsqik]

$5k doesnt go very far.It will probably cost you $3k to rebuild the motor yourself using forged pistons.These motors can suffer from head gasket failure so its a good idea to get the block and head decked.The heads respond to some porting and bigger valves.The lifters just about always need machining in these heads and k liners usually need to be fittted as they seem to wear the guides out early.I wouldnt bother changing the exhaust manifold i would just fit a used S15 turbo,550cc injectors,z32maf and have the ecu remapped to suit.Should give you a reiable 230rwhp on 15psi.

[DanR_83]

i thought the CA18DET came with forged pistons..? but thanks for that datsqik, that does give me more stuff to think about.

One thing i really need to know is if someone can recommend a mechanic that knows his shit about the ca/sr engines, i dont wanna take this to joe blows dodgy 'performance workshop'.

5 grand and only 230hp ? (its a front wheel drive) thats only like a 35hp gain for my 5 g's. this doesnt sound right..?? i did get it dyno'd at brisbane tuning and turbo..so its probably not the most perfect of readings but it came out with 195fwhp (120kw@da wheels)

im so confused..a mechanic that i could talk to about this would be wikid! thanks!

[DanR_83]

I got this reply from perfourmance motorsports..thoughts anyone?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have done a few modified CA18DET engines. One in particular has had:
forged pistons
billet rods
port and polished head
head stud kit
haltec ecu
i think the garret t28??
this is in a datsun 1200 ute street car and is currently running 10.7 at the drags (about 320hp @ wheels)

You can use more than 15 psi if you upgrade the internals but you must go to an aftermarket ECU for good power.

engine build with the above items is about $4500
haltec, wiring it, tuning about $3000
if an aftermarket ecu is used then i recommend a CDI unit and remote mounted coils with HT leads. $1200??

[matlennon]

13.9 no intercooler on a near stock CA18, thats bloody impressive. Your making 198hp@wheels with that combo? (or is it 198hp@flywheel). With the above mentioned mods and with 230hp you will be torque steering till your hearts content. What sort of mph did you run with this combo?

[DanR_83]

heya,

it was dyno'd at ~195hp @ the wheels (ala ~120kw @ wheels) umm, the mph i cannot recall..ill have to check the timeslip, the dude who i bought the car off did the run so yeah. i have the slip so he wasnt bullshittin me or anything..from memory it might of been 124mph? that a total guess tho i just remember 124 from the slip...

[niscort]

Originally posted by DanR_83
heya,

it was dyno'd at ~195hp @ the wheels (ala ~120kw @ wheels) umm, the mph i cannot recall..ill have to check the timeslip, the dude who i bought the car off did the run so yeah. i have the slip so he wasnt bullshittin me or anything..from memory it might of been 124mph? that a total guess tho i just remember 124 from the slip...

Oh.. it wasnt you who did the run. 13.9 still seems a little fast, not to mention 120kw at the wheels with a stock ca and no intercooler. Did he say what psi he was running?

As for the 10.7 1220 ute.. Search for '1ostu' I believe those engine specs are correct except fot the billet rods.. someone can hopefully correct this. Maybe the owner.

I suggest reading as much info as you can possibly get your hands on. But with fairly minor mods, very healthy power figures are obtainable.

http://www.turbophile.com/turbophile.html?home.html&1
much info .. check links

http://nissansilvia.sanitytechnology...asp?FID=4&PN=2
this seems to be down of late


cheeRS
glenn

ps.. search PF under my username in forsale as I have some parts you should be interested in.

[DanR_83]

sweet thanks man! i shall read that stuff when i get home.

it was running stock boost..so 7psi. i remember shaun (dude who i bought it off) saying that the motor was an import that may have had some work done to it but cause theres no records of it no one knows..

[Nero]

With quality machining and good/genuine parts with trial builds etc I'd say that most 4cyl engines would cost around $3k to recondition. I know it can and often is done cheaper, but only when corners are cut e.g. no trial builds and measurement etc.
Does the engine require a rebuild...have you done a leak down test etc?

[datsqik]

120rwkw is actually 160rwhp not 195.

[DanR_83]

i thought one kw was 0.7457 (give or take) hp? they said 195hp so that actually works out to be 145 kw..which is strange. this is all at the wheels btw..

i havnt had any tests done, i spoke to darren at ocean mechanical and he said im going to run into problems with the drivetrain and thats gonna cost me big bucks to strengthen apprently...gonna do some more ringing around. i think im just gonna get about a grand or 1500, do all the tests, compression leak etc, get whatever leaks fixed and stuff like that. as long as its reliable and not slowly breaking itself ill be happy. my NEXT car will be my uber do up one

[datsqik]

What turbo do you have on it now as its not the standard turbo as these are lucky to make 100rwkw on 7psi.

[DanR_83]

its the standard t25 @ 7psi. the more i think about it the more i think brisbane tuning and turbo pulled those figures out of their arses..i dont see how my car could have 145kw @ the front wheels..fuckers. lucky i didnt spend too much $$ with them...

its front wheel drive btw..

[fury]

Its true about the drivetrain though.. I've heard most FWD have trouble once you start pushing a lot more through it and tend to snap drivetrains. Hence why RWD is so popular for fast car buildups.

160rwkw isn't too difficult out of an standard internal CA18DET on a sivlia or the like, so should be the same on the pulsar unless its a different design.. rebuilt: 250kw @ wheels isn't out of the question.

haltec, autronic etc probably overkill unless you're getting really serious and at those prices definitely!

You can get the CA18DET ECU remapped and the like if you find the right people.. might only cost a few $hundred.