I'm doing a Ca18det Swap in my S13 and just need a little clearing up...

Discuss topics related to the CA18DE and CA18DET series engines.
driftin8ez
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OK so after weighting all the options i've deciding to go with the ca for my s13. Mainly becouse well it weighted the least hehe. No, but seriously i have my reasons for doing the ca swap, i just need to clear up what i actually need to do it. Here is my list so far:

Complete motorset with uncut harness,ignitor,ecu, blah blah blahSome kind of exhaustan intercooler set-up and well after that im stumped

I read somewhere you need to use the ka transmission with ca bell houseing. If i do that what clutch flywheel set-up do i use. Also why not just use the ca transmission? Will the ca transmission fit the ka driveshaft? Both being 5spd. What about the wiring harness?

here is a list of reasons that i like the CA:Not your conventional Swap. Me coming out of the rotary game i dont like convention.I can say i have a mini-RB swapLighter & sits further back balancing the car better. Similar to my FC.With an sr turbo i'm kickin' but.

thanx for the help guys.


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knightrider
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ok, weight is not that much of an issue, its not that much if any lighter, that weight list floating around is not correct. you can use the ca transmission, you have to remember, the CA came in s13's in japan, everything bolts right up. the KA driveshaft will work, as long as its a 5sp driveshaft. the wiring is similar to the Sr wiring, you just need to splice in the knock sensor wiring from the harness to the block. for intercooler you can use s14 fmic with slight modification to the cold pipe.

and the whole conventional swap thing is just dumb, the motor bolts right in, it might not be popular, but by no means is it any harder than a SR, so there is no special members only jacket or anything.
Modified by knightrider at 4:49 PM 7/6/2006

driftin8ez
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knightrider wrote:ok, weight is not that much of an issue, its not that much if any lighter, that weight list floating around is not correct. you can use the ca transmission, you have to remember, the CA came in s13's in japan, everything bolts right up. the KA driveshaft will work, as long as its a 5sp driveshaft. the wiring is similar to the Sr wiring, you just need to splice in the knock sensor wiring from the harness to the block. for intercooler you can use s14 fmic with slight modification to the cold pipe.

and the whole conventional swap thing is just dumb, the motor bolts right in, it might not be popular, but by no means is it any harder than a SR, so there is no special members only jacket or anything.

Modified by knightrider at 4:49 PM 7/6/2006
sounds like the talk of an elitest who doesn't want anyone else to know about the holy grail. LOL. does the engine not sit further back than the sr. I wouldn't feel special riding around on an sr20 becouse than everyone would know what i was talking about. I would love to start telling people about my 3mm apex seals and bridgeport and watch the look on their face. I know a CA is no 13b but atleast it's not an sr20 that would pull a premium before race wars.

so i could use an s14 fmic kit with minor fabbing. Engine mount wise it would be good to go with the nismo mounts made for the ca right?

driftin8ez
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driftin8nez wrote:OK so after weighting all the options i've deciding to go with the ca for my s13. Mainly becouse well it weighted the least hehe. No, but seriously i.....
oh and that comment was me being the pun star that i am.

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davidricardo86
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My first car was an 86 NA Sports model RX7 FC3S. Man i miss the rotary engine! Some day ill get the next gen RX7.

Hey you sound like me. I want this motor for some of the same reasons. For some reason i ended up going from the largest (RB25) to the smallest (CA18).

driftin8ez
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it was fun but back to the topic.

89'ClubK's
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You can use the Nismo mounts for the CA or the Cusco mounts from the SR.The KA mounts will make your engine tilt more than it already does.

driftin8ez
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ok so here is the new list:Complete motor setS14 fmic kitfull turbo back exhaust

Oops still dont know what clutch to use?Would it be better to use the KA transmission with CA bell housing so i could use the cheaper and easier to find KA clutch and flywheels?

Either stock, nismo ca, or cusco sr engine mounts.

Full tune-up timing, ac, ps belts, pugs, etc...

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knightrider
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you can use a KA clutch on the CA flywheel, the CA uses a 225mm disk, just like the KA, all you have to do is remove one of the dowel pins in the flywheel because it wont line up with the KA presure Plate. and i would like to see you get a KA flywheel on a CA crank, the KA uses 6 bolts, where the CA uses 8.

the transmission is the same between the KA, SR, and CA. only the front bellhousing is different. 5th gear is a little different between them, but not in a good way.

things i would replace, timing belt, water pump, belts, spark plugs and any gaskets that are obviously leaking.

driftin8ez
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knightrider wrote:you can use a KA clutch on the CA flywheel, the CA uses a 225mm disk, just like the KA, all you have to do is remove one of the dowel pins in the flywheel because it wont line up with the KA presure Plate. and i would like to see you get a KA flywheel on a CA crank, the KA uses 6 bolts, where the CA uses 8.

the transmission is the same between the KA, SR, and CA. only the front bellhousing is different. 5th gear is a little different between them, but not in a good way.

things i would replace, timing belt, water pump, belts, spark plugs and any gaskets that are obviously leaking.
ok that clears up that.Thanks for the help guys

dj2kat
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Need help! Who can I get to help me with the wiring... I have a 1992 240 sx I put the ca18det in it and I dont know how to do the wiring. I have the harness and a blitzz computer but my plugs dont math up and I dont know how to get a hold of a ca18det wiring diagram.Can anyone help me?

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float_6969
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The wiring is the same for the SR. I'm hoping to have a link for the FSM soon as the one in the stickies doesn't work anymore.

Get the car wired up w/out the blitz computer first, then install it. It will save you a lot of trouble later on down the road.

Sil40sK
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driftin8ez wrote:I know a CA is no 13b but atleast it's not an sr20 that would pull a premium before race wars.
Classic!

SmokeNtires
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can you run the ca18det on low boost with out the intercooler?

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rico05
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WOW. Way to fail at the internet and bring back a 3 year old thread that has nothing to do with your question.

And you "could". The CA18ET came non intercooled. Considering a stock SMIC can be had for under $100 with piping, and a knock off FMIC from eBay for under $250, I vote you save your milk money and get an intercooler of some flavor.

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float_6969
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At least they're searching I guess!

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ca18detgabby
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float_6969 wrote:At least they're searching I guess!


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