ca18det apprecition thread - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

deadghost · 03-01-2010, 11:51 AM

Was chatting with a buddy all last weekend about the motor. My curiosity is running through the roof on the engine, and I wanted to see if anyone out there has any decent pics, builds, and opinions to share. granted I would prefer a SR any day over that motor, but being the Nissan enthusiast I am, I wanted to see what it could offer and do.

Please post pics, reference material of any kind to the ca18det motor, and any opinions are welcome to the engine characteristics.

*DALAZ_68* · 03-01-2010, 11:55 AM

you want a place were info is abundant for this motor...u need Nico's CA18 section...

this forum is SR dominated and a lot of sand baggers here who think its a waste of money...just a thought

ILoveMyRHS13 · 03-01-2010, 12:25 PM

I love the CA. I would never swap one into my 240, because if I ever need random parts, not a lot of people in the area have a CA so parts would take longer to get.

The baby RB is an impressive motor.

Taniguchi_Is_#1 · 03-01-2010, 12:40 PM

RS feast silvia. you can read the Nov. 2002 issue of sport compact car for a feature, if you like. that was probably the coolest thing i had ever seen when that article came out. i think i wanted a ca18 for the 2 years after i read that. it is a nice engine, but lacking on parts availability. an interesting note is that it has a square bore and stroke, so you can rev the shit out of it, which you'll need to do, since it is only 1.8. go to nico for more ca18 stuff.

*DALAZ_68* · 03-01-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taniguchi_Is_#1

but lacking on parts availability.

thats a constant misconception...there are plenty off parts to scavange here in the USA for said motor...and like any other motor, if someones willing ot spend for it, companies will make it...

BlitzRPS13 · 03-01-2010, 02:27 PM

Very underrated engine.. i've been beating on mine for 3 years and haven't had any major issues.

sLiDewAys · 03-01-2010, 02:58 PM

I started the CA18 faq almost 5 years ago when i believe there were only a few registered tuners here on zilvia. Parts are scarce and if you want quality be prepared to A) wait weeks for parts arrival or B) Pay out the ass for the parts.

There are tons of companies now offering parts for the ca18, REPUTABLE... Probably not but that is whats available here stateside. You can contact Jap Parts Specialist. He Lives In japan and will ship you Ca18 parts for a resonable price. I picked up an HKS Gt2510 Ball Bearing turbo, Z32 Maf & Mines VX Rom ecu for the ca18 off of him 4 years ago for about 1100.00 USD. Also there are tons of companies that offer FMIC kits, Mistubishi Purple top 440c injectors work with the ca18det and also the ka24E MAFS will work with a re-wire.

Do a bit of research before you make this decision, since the ca18 is aging every year most of the ones that are readily available are CRAP. make sure you get a first hand pick at your clip before purchase, ask for leak down and compression test. also start up if they can!. good luck with your decision and project!

babyjesus · 03-01-2010, 03:19 PM

ive always dreamed of getting one, and always get hype when people talk about the CA,i love the way they look and how they're known to be able to rev for days, cast iron block (if i remember correctly)
-personally i'd love to see more of them, or own one for that matter, but since i have an s14, CA just wouldn't be right

*DALAZ_68* · 03-01-2010, 03:58 PM

a guy in nico (one of the mods actually) is doing a CA18 into a 14...might wanna chat it up with him...

sLiDewAys · 03-01-2010, 04:00 PM

yeah. my olc ca18 would see 8.5 grand all the time. never any problems

high reving and great mid range. Though the low end sucks MAJOR!

NeedCAforS13 · 03-01-2010, 04:03 PM

Check Nico's CA forum. I helped get it started back in the day... As much as I hate to direct traffic from zilvia to Nico (because outside the CA forum, Nico pretty much sucks), it's a really good section. Go read all the stickies. sLiDewAys and I (and many other guys) contributed a lot to those stickies

Here's my old CA18 in my coupe... fun motor.

Wouldn't do it again though. SR is just so much easier to make power. Aftermarket SR20 parts are EVERYWHERE. Stock CA18 parts can pretty much all be purchased at Nissan/autozone from an 88 Puslar SE with the CA18DE engine.

*DALAZ_68* · 03-01-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedCAforS13

Check Nico's CA forum. I helped get it started back in the day... As much as I hate to direct traffic from zilvia to Nico (because outside the CA forum, Nico pretty much sucks), it's a really good section. Go read all the stickies. sLiDewAys and I (and many other guys) contributed a lot to those stickies

Here's my old CA18 in my coupe... fun motor.

Wouldn't do it again though. SR is just so much easier to make power. Aftermarket SR20 parts are EVERYWHERE. Stock CA18 parts can pretty much all be purchased at Nissan/autozone from an 88 Puslar SE with the CA18DE engine.

hey hey, dont forget the young buck here who already did a write up on timing belt and W/P replacement...

lol

nice looking motor...i hope mine comes out looking half as nice...

superJoy · 03-01-2010, 06:05 PM

My shiz

Got it running early '08, been daily driving ever since. OEM rebuild, SR turbo, ARC intercooler, other junk. Reliability > performance for this fella.

NICO has and always will be a great source of info for the CA18DET. I've learned almost everything I know about this engine from that board.

P.S. If you know what you're doing you can find parts all over. Like I was able to get 4 replacement coil packs from a pick and pull for $12. (Hint: 88 Pulsar NX SE) Or like, a $25 water pump from RockAuto (85 200SX Turbo) Just gotta know where to look.

Now performance parts are a different story. Haha.

sLiDewAys · 03-01-2010, 04:09 PM

^Owe a lot to you NeedCaforS13. You made a lot of things possible for us. Always confirming parts for us dummies back then haha.

Antihero983 · 03-01-2010, 05:59 PM

I <3 this thread. Even though I just tore my meniscus tendon in my left knee, I'm still hoping to have mine running by late spring.

There's a dope AE86 with a CA in it kicking around youtube as well.....check it out.

I'm just not sure what colors I want for the valve and timing covers.

sr20detconv · 03-01-2010, 07:42 PM

Loved this engine the 2 years I had it. But no low end and no top end.......midrange is great atleast. Had sr20 t25 @ 12psi with catback and fmic wich aws a lil better then stock. Great engine but I love my sr20 more.

Xbroke_kidX · 03-01-2010, 07:48 PM

I love CA's!! I just drove my friends Ca18 powered s12 at buttonwillow last weekend. Such a great motor. If I still had an S chassis it would for sure get a Ca. And Steve is right. Parts are not that hard to find.

*DALAZ_68* · 03-01-2010, 08:05 PM

just took this for you guys...lol

messy i know...its not gonna get better till i pull it...

kriss · 03-01-2010, 10:57 PM

heres my old CA18DE+t haha

03-01-2010, 11:55 AM	#2
DALAZ_68 not giving a fuck Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los angeles Age: 38 Posts: 15,077 Trader Rating: (104) Feedback Score: 104 reviews	you want a place were info is abundant for this motor...u need Nico's CA18 section... this forum is SR dominated and a lot of sand baggers here who think its a waste of money...just a thought __________________ LOL 240... whats better than 1? 5 1's ...lol PSN & XBL GT : Wh0pp3r68 CLUB LEXUS : Wh0pp3r

03-01-2010, 02:58 PM	#7
sLiDewAys Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Age: 39 Posts: 1,787 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	I started the CA18 faq almost 5 years ago when i believe there were only a few registered tuners here on zilvia. Parts are scarce and if you want quality be prepared to A) wait weeks for parts arrival or B) Pay out the ass for the parts. There are tons of companies now offering parts for the ca18, REPUTABLE... Probably not but that is whats available here stateside. You can contact Jap Parts Specialist. He Lives In japan and will ship you Ca18 parts for a resonable price. I picked up an HKS Gt2510 Ball Bearing turbo, Z32 Maf & Mines VX Rom ecu for the ca18 off of him 4 years ago for about 1100.00 USD. Also there are tons of companies that offer FMIC kits, Mistubishi Purple top 440c injectors work with the ca18det and also the ka24E MAFS will work with a re-wire. Do a bit of research before you make this decision, since the ca18 is aging every year most of the ones that are readily available are CRAP. make sure you get a first hand pick at your clip before purchase, ask for leak down and compression test. also start up if they can!. good luck with your decision and project! __________________

03-01-2010, 03:19 PM	#8
babyjesus Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: moreno valley Posts: 716 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	ive always dreamed of getting one, and always get hype when people talk about the CA,i love the way they look and how they're known to be able to rev for days, cast iron block (if i remember correctly) -personally i'd love to see more of them, or own one for that matter, but since i have an s14, CA just wouldn't be right __________________ thelittlebigblock.blogspot.com

03-01-2010, 03:58 PM	#9
DALAZ_68 not giving a fuck Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los angeles Age: 38 Posts: 15,077 Trader Rating: (104) Feedback Score: 104 reviews	a guy in nico (one of the mods actually) is doing a CA18 into a 14...might wanna chat it up with him... __________________ LOL 240... whats better than 1? 5 1's ...lol PSN & XBL GT : Wh0pp3r68 CLUB LEXUS : Wh0pp3r

03-01-2010, 04:00 PM	#10
sLiDewAys Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Age: 39 Posts: 1,787 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	yeah. my olc ca18 would see 8.5 grand all the time. never any problems high reving and great mid range. Though the low end sucks MAJOR! __________________

03-01-2010, 11:51 AM	#1
deadghost Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: az Posts: 1,230 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	ca18det apprecition thread Was chatting with a buddy all last weekend about the motor. My curiosity is running through the roof on the engine, and I wanted to see if anyone out there has any decent pics, builds, and opinions to share. granted I would prefer a SR any day over that motor, but being the Nissan enthusiast I am, I wanted to see what it could offer and do. Please post pics, reference material of any kind to the ca18det motor, and any opinions are welcome to the engine characteristics. __________________ IG Holy_khal

03-01-2010, 12:40 PM	#4
Taniguchi_Is_#1 Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Arkansas Prefecture Posts: 3,141 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	RS feast silvia. you can read the Nov. 2002 issue of sport compact car for a feature, if you like. that was probably the coolest thing i had ever seen when that article came out. i think i wanted a ca18 for the 2 years after i read that. it is a nice engine, but lacking on parts availability. an interesting note is that it has a square bore and stroke, so you can rev the shit out of it, which you'll need to do, since it is only 1.8. go to nico for more ca18 stuff.

03-01-2010, 02:27 PM	#6
BlitzRPS13 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 244 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Very underrated engine.. i've been beating on mine for 3 years and haven't had any major issues.

03-01-2010, 04:03 PM	#11
NeedCAforS13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Age: 40 Posts: 628 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Check Nico's CA forum. I helped get it started back in the day... As much as I hate to direct traffic from zilvia to Nico (because outside the CA forum, Nico pretty much sucks), it's a really good section. Go read all the stickies. sLiDewAys and I (and many other guys) contributed a lot to those stickies Here's my old CA18 in my coupe... fun motor. Wouldn't do it again though. SR is just so much easier to make power. Aftermarket SR20 parts are EVERYWHERE. Stock CA18 parts can pretty much all be purchased at Nissan/autozone from an 88 Puslar SE with the CA18DE engine. __________________

03-01-2010, 06:05 PM	#13
superJoy Leaky Injector Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 142 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My shiz Got it running early '08, been daily driving ever since. OEM rebuild, SR turbo, ARC intercooler, other junk. Reliability > performance for this fella. NICO has and always will be a great source of info for the CA18DET. I've learned almost everything I know about this engine from that board. P.S. If you know what you're doing you can find parts all over. Like I was able to get 4 replacement coil packs from a pick and pull for $12. (Hint: 88 Pulsar NX SE) Or like, a $25 water pump from RockAuto (85 200SX Turbo) Just gotta know where to look. Now performance parts are a different story. Haha.

03-01-2010, 04:09 PM	#14
sLiDewAys Nissanaholic! Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco, Ca Age: 39 Posts: 1,787 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	^Owe a lot to you NeedCaforS13. You made a lot of things possible for us. Always confirming parts for us dummies back then haha. __________________

03-01-2010, 05:59 PM	#15
Antihero983 Post Whore! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilmanton, NH Age: 40 Posts: 4,409 Trader Rating: (2) Rides Gallery: Antihero983 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I <3 this thread. Even though I just tore my meniscus tendon in my left knee, I'm still hoping to have mine running by late spring. There's a dope AE86 with a CA in it kicking around youtube as well.....check it out. I'm just not sure what colors I want for the valve and timing covers. __________________ "So here I am, right back at it again, just like I've always been"

03-01-2010, 07:42 PM	#16
sr20detconv Zilvia Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Quebec Age: 36 Posts: 176 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Loved this engine the 2 years I had it. But no low end and no top end.......midrange is great atleast. Had sr20 t25 @ 12psi with catback and fmic wich aws a lil better then stock. Great engine but I love my sr20 more.

03-01-2010, 07:48 PM	#17
Xbroke_kidX Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mordor Posts: 1,113 Trader Rating: (8) Feedback Score: 8 reviews	I love CA's!! I just drove my friends Ca18 powered s12 at buttonwillow last weekend. Such a great motor. If I still had an S chassis it would for sure get a Ca. And Steve is right. Parts are not that hard to find.

03-01-2010, 08:05 PM	#18
DALAZ_68 not giving a fuck Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los angeles Age: 38 Posts: 15,077 Trader Rating: (104) Feedback Score: 104 reviews	just took this for you guys...lol messy i know...its not gonna get better till i pull it... __________________ LOL 240... whats better than 1? 5 1's ...lol PSN & XBL GT : Wh0pp3r68 CLUB LEXUS : Wh0pp3r

03-01-2010, 10:57 PM	#19
kriss Leaky Injector Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Age: 37 Posts: 120 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	heres my old CA18DE+t haha