Engine possibilitys

Started by Gopher, 09:24:05 AM / 22-Jun-05

Previous topic - Next topic

Gopher

Ok guys I really need to get my S12 up and running so here\'s my questions what would I need to do in order to use a CA18DET engine in my car the guy doesnt have the wiring harness or ECU only has the complete engine.  Or can I use the DET bottom end ie girdle, rods, pistons in a CA20e engine.  Ive got quite a few spare ET parts so I think i can make it happen its just a matter of what would be most cost effective.  Both engines would need a complete rebuild.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Fashion can be bought, style you must possess.

Joel07

Well, you can actually bolt the ET head on the DET bottom end, that way you can use the ET wiring harness and ecu.  So assuming that your car is a CA20 car, here\'s what you could do:

Bolt the CA20 head and intake on the DET bottom end
Get an ET manifold, wiring harness, ecu, MAFs, and other bits and pieces
Use the turbo from the DET
Bolt it in and GO BABY GO!!!

Be an awesome bullet-proof ET.  Of course, it would always be advantageous if you could use the DET head, but you could always save that for later if you come across a DET harness and ECU.

Gopher

my car\'s actually a ET i just happen to have the CA20E in it right now it was going to be my CA20E(T) but thats not going to happen now so i can bolt on my head onto the DET block what kind of fitment issues would there be? anything major or just some little stuff? Right now all ive got for a turbo is a cleaned up in good condtion T2 so.  Ok so if i use the ET head what could i do to that to compliment the DET i know port and polish but springs cams etc i got no clue on.  What about a HG should i spend the money on something like a tomei one or is there a cheaper one?
Fashion can be bought, style you must possess.

Joel07

Can\'t remember everything specifically, but I\'m pretty sure there\'s a thread about it in the CA18ET section.  It was one of our UK members that did it.  If you can\'t find it on this website, try searching through s12oc.com.  That\'s the UK S12 Owner\'s Club.  Porting and Polishing would always be a good thing, but it\'s not absolutely neccessary.  I would recommend getting in touch with Colt Cams for a cam, they\'ve done a few CA\'s before, so they should know what would be good for you.  I don\'t know of anyone having head gasket issues currently on the CA18, so I would just stick with a factory Nissan one for now...

Gopher

Hey what about using a UK spec DET?  Ive been searching a few of the uk sites and they seem to be selling complete engines for like 75 something unless shipping is in the 500 range id say thats a deal anyone know what the differences would be from a ukdm vs a jdm ca18det? or if there ecu and wiring harness would work with a jdm engine?
Fashion can be bought, style you must possess.

Joel07

AFAIK, they are the same as the JDM models, but better ask one of the UK guys to know for sure.  pukkaSilvia or Honest Jim are two that pop into my mind first, but there\'s several UK and Europe members...

Gopher

Ok now ive been reading up on KA-T setups sounds like it would be more involved than a ca18det swap but alot cheaper so heres a few more questions.  How much more would a KAT setup weigh compared to a CA18DET setup (rough figure would work)  any idea which would work better KA24E or KA24DE the KA24E seems like it would be easier do to the intake manifold.  Anyone ever done a KAT swap in a S12 would it be a really tight fit or would it be ok?  Can you guys think of any reason why i should(nt) pick the ca18det vs the kat swap?  Something needs to happen soon id like to figure out which road to turbo bliss im taking.
Fashion can be bought, style you must possess.

Joel07

I would guess the KA-T (assuming the same FMIC setup for both) at about 50-75 lbs heavier than the CA.  Only thing heavier on the KA\'s is the block and crank.  Not really a tight fit at all, probably have more room than the SR\'s.  As far as pickine an E vs a DE, both are very capable motors, and I would just go with whatever you can find for a good price.  Right now the E\'s are much cheaper, but they\'re starting to become the hot ticket because of their low price, so I\'m guessing the prices will start to rise in the next 6 months or so.

Also, as of now no one makes a complete \"kit\" for the E, although several people make manifolds and all the other components you need, it\'s not like a DE, where you can go buy an SSA kit for $1500 or whatever it is on ebay now.

Oh, and if you want a quick spooling motor, definetly go for the KA.  It doesn\'t rev as high as the CA, but it\'s got gobs of torque, and spools big turbos really quick...

Gopher

hmmmm 50-75 heavier???  Would there be anyway to counter act the weight issue?  I really like the idea of having gobs of torque it would be like driving my celica but with mass more power :)  So far i havent found a KA for sale locally grr :( I havent found a complete turbo kit for sale but I have found complete list of parts you need so that would give me a pretty good basis for building my own kit.  Ill probably end up running with the KA for a little while before I have enough cash to put my turbo kit together.  Another thing ive been working on is trying to figure out what exactly it takes to get our rear camber issues under control so far all i know if i have to raise it 17mm?  Hopefully ill get some pics or something and ill be able to write up a how too.  One more question before i forget when doing the KA swap do you need a manual bellhousing and ecu?  or will the auto ecu, and bellhousing work?
Fashion can be bought, style you must possess.

Simon

I wouldn\'t worry about an extra 50-75 lbs (22-35 kg)

I have just put an RB25DET in my s13 adding an estimated 100kg

This is just a street car so I dont really notice, however I got coilovers to help.

When deciding on what conversion to do I decided to go with this engine as I knew that I probably wouldnt notice the handling differences myself as I\'m not that skilled ;-)