Project POS13: A New Beginning (Finally)

[ajones1229]

So I Finally Insured my s13 today. I have to replace my spark plugs and fuel filter, not to mention change the oil, basic general maintenance. Well, she's rolling on stock teardrops, the original ka-e, and on top of it all... its gold. Well technically champaign. Please give me some words of encouragement since I will be doing nearly all upgrades myself or with friends help.

Lets see.. ahh yes. Future plans:Megan coilovers

a new engine Debating over 3CA18RB20ka24detnot sure which one

New master bushing kitlsdMaybe silvia aero conv.I don't know, lately I haven't thought real hard about anything more than getting it on the road.

Please feel free to make any suggestions or recommendations, I appreciate all input. What a long road ahead.

[LordInfamous]

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes, And any of those engines you choose.

If the body isn't bad don't mess with it.

Try if you can to stay away from interior/bodykit until after you drop the engine of your choice... Looks mean little to nothing when you lookin at the back end of your opposer.

[sommmatt]

Well there's a few things you can do. When the S13 goes off the road for the engine swap, if it's going to take a couple of weeks, you can do the interior up at the same time. Even simple things like taking the tweed off of the doors and getting S14 seats go a long way.

Don't count out the SR just because everyone has one, either. It would be way easier to get parts for than a CA or RB. It will also be cheaper in the long rong. KA24DET is cool too, but if you've never done something like that, make sure you get lots of help.

[duffman1278]

Post pics of the project when you start it

[ajones1229]

I hadn't planned on doing any conversion any time soon anyways. Thats for a much later date. The body is in great condition other than paint and a wing Hello Rust, the only spot. The unibody has no rust on the underside or anywhere on the quarter panels. OHH!! forgot to mention. I just picked up some brakes for her the other day. There used s13 calipers with a slightly bigger piston and new pads. The rotors are brembos, slotted and drilled, also some new braided brake lines. Thanks for the input.

[ajones1229]

I plan on posting pics when ever I fix my retarded camera. I thought about an SR but, still skeptical. I know its easy to get parts for, hell everybody has one. It looks like a big plus. Thanks for the input, guys.

[Reno]

Go with the ca18det with a holset hx35 @ 15 psi, best bang for buck combo :P

thats the route I'm going to be @ would be a sil-fourty with a Silvia front.

tiny little engine with a great package cant go wrong with 250rw kw's

enjuku tells me to consider the SR but i know what i want. No reason to dump money on overpriced parts. and i can wait for parts I'm in no hurry, i wouldn't do the sr t25 route or t28... if Dee said the gt35r is a perfect turbo for the ca18 then the holset Hx35 must be as well "similar turbos" $1200 vs $350 why not :P it you people are going to flame me about my opinion thats fine but remember were a family discussing opinions and suggestions. its not red vs blue.. well but yea man many flavors to choose :P good luck with the hunt

[Didderson]

If your car is rust free, no matter how many mods it has it's not a POS

For an s13 thats hard to come by, least north of the Mason Dixon line... So it's a great start IMO.

I had to remove all my surface rust and recoat my underbody and wheel wells just to have peace of mind here in PA. It was a Jersey car starting to get cancer :O

[Reno]

[ajones1229]

I'm really happy that I came across it. I traded a 90 ef9 civic hatch and a b20 for this. I've wanted a nissan for forever and couldn't find it. But like I said, virtually rust free other than my hatch, under the wing (which I plan to replace anyway). But onto other news. Last night i changed out the spark plugs to some ngk's and tried to replace the fuel filter but ran into problems. First off, I was working by myself with a flash light in the 20 degree weather. I loosened the clamp on the fuel filter and it came loose but i couldn't get it to slide up. I opened the gas cap and since the battery is basically dead, I didn't pull the fuse. I couldn't get the top line to come off at all. I didn't want to use pliers to pull the line off for fear of tearing it. I'm not have very much fun so far.. gen. mat. sucks.
Modified by ajones1229 at 4:55 PM 11/27/2007

[r34 gtr]

Heart of DIXIE FTW!!!!!! I hardly know the meaning of rust.

The ca18det is a hoss, no matter what anyone says. Its like a timex watch, "takes a licking and keeps on ticking" except without the ticking part... maybe that was a bad analogy.

Doing any work on the fuel system while it is cold sucks. Last time I had to replace my lines and filter it was 20 degrees and I ended up taking all of the skin off the top of my hand. Watch out for the throttle cable bracket, its mean.

[Jiggyfry]

Search all your engine choices and research what is actually required for the respective swaps and compare all that to what you wanna do with the car.

Id recommend the CA18DET but I have one so im Biased. Im in love.

[redtop91]

Doing any work on the fuel system while it is cold sucks. Last time I had to replace my lines and filter it was 20 degrees and I ended up taking all of the skin off the top of my hand. Watch out for the throttle cable bracket, its mean.

Hahaha true story. I was with a friend pulling my engine for a rebuild and we got up to the point where the fuel lines were next and I didn't have the chance to release the pressure in it.

Me: "Ok, what's next"

Him: "Fuel Lines"

Me: "ewww it's getting cold and it's still pressurized"

Him: "Let's stop here"

Me: "Ok"

Looks like it will be a fun build. For engine go ESSSARRR.

[CRyan]

Heart of DIXIE FTW!!!!!! I hardly know the meaning of rust.

The ca18det is a hoss, no matter what anyone says. Its like a timex watch, "takes a licking and keeps on ticking" except without the ticking part... maybe that was a bad analogy.

Doing any work on the fuel system while it is cold sucks. Last time I had to replace my lines and filter it was 20 degrees and I ended up taking all of the skin off the top of my hand. Watch out for the throttle cable bracket, its mean.

Ha - your from huntsville? Wow - I used to drag boat race out that way - end threadjack

Sounds like you've got a great deal - I have yet to own a S13, but finding one rust free from what I understand is a champion in its own sense.

I'd go ballistic on it, with the LS1 LOL - But really, go with the SR. Realize the engine was suited (somewhat) for the chassis. KA-T has always been a good way also. More displacement. But as stated above - make sure you take in every bit of information you can.

Good luck with however she goes - I'm sure she'll turn out to be a beauty!

[idahotuner]

have fun,

[iwantans13]

I hear those KA24DETs are pretty rare.

[Reno]

Search all your engine choices and research what is actually required for the respective swaps and compare all that to what you wanna do with the car.

Id recommend the CA18DET but I have one so im Biased. Im in love.

[ajones1229]

Well the ca with little mods to the harness will go straight in. I may go rb, but I'm still not sure. Lets take a poll, Who thinks I should put a RB20, CA18, SR20 or KA24DET. I refuse to use my POS kae for turbo. It's too old and I don't know the true condition of it. PLEASE VOTE.

[idahotuner]

sr20 casuei have one. and we need more people o nthat thread. plus it is the cheapest ot upgrade

[CMG]

Well the ca with little mods to the harness will go straight in. I may go rb, but I'm still not sure. Lets take a poll, Who thinks I should put a RB20, CA18, SR20 or KA24DET. I refuse to use my POS kae for turbo. It's too old and I don't know the true condition of it. PLEASE VOTE.

If you plan on pulling the ka24e then you might as well SR. Seriously, there's no reason to do a swap and only do a ca18.

[redtop91]

Some people might take offense to the use of "only CA18." It's really every bit as capable as an SR. I'd go SR simply because you will have to do wiring in whatever swap you do and an SR swap is as easy as they come. I'd say it'll be as easy as a DOHC swap.

[idahotuner]

that is my reaso ntoo.

[ajones1229]

Alright so that 2 vote for sr. Would I have to buy a new harness or would it be easier to rewire it. I have to be honest. I suck at wiring.

[heartofaskyline]

make that 3 for the sr. the ca18 suck, and the rb20's are heavy and awkward, not to mention that parts are impossible to find here in the states

[Didderson]

Ca18det's really aren't that bad. They rev nice and high. If you want a rev happy 4 banger, it's easier to make a ca do it. I learned last night that a CA18det is actually the predecessor to the RB20/25/26det(t). It's in every bit the same and when Nissan wanted to make a 6 cylinder rb they basically just added 2 more cylinders onto the current CA design. CA's are also lighter than SR blocks

I'm a fan of the SR though, but do your research, each engine is good for something, no engine is good for nothing. It's all about what YOU plan to do with it.

KA-t's are nice and cheap but keep in mind with a stroke like that on your KA, you'll never be able to safely (and as cheaply) increase the rev limit significantly. (by significant i mean like 8 or 9 grand safely.

IMO the only thing that sucks about SR is that it's got rocker arms

I'm torn when thinking of motor swaps, so i built a slight NA KA lol.

Does anyone know if the SR block is forged alluminum? the new gtr's block is cast

[idahotuner]

the sr block is aluminum that is why is is quiet a bit litgher then the KA

[ajones1229]

Although everyone saying SR I'm still leaning more toward a CA.First off, high rev. Second, some-what cheap. Third, about the power I'mlooking for. I forgot to mention, This will be a daily driver and I'm not reallylooking for anything over 250 hp.. I like that the CA's bore/stroke ratio is prettysquare. But then again, speaking of some-what cheap, my buddy got his RB20shipped to his door for $1250, but it wasn't in the most perfect condition. I'mreally not wanting to spend a whole lot of money, but don't want to cheap outlike he did and buy a pile. And on to the SR. You can find parts for these things anywhere, for a fairly good price. So if any thing happens you can fix it without burning holes in your wallet. I'm still not sure. Somebody help!

[Reno]

CA18DET All the way... im going the same route

[ajones1229]

*Update!

So I got her running... around the block, then across town.. then she died. I burnt up the fuel pump. Damn my bad luck. Jesus hates me.. (prolly cause I'm agnostic) but oh well. You can't rain on my parade forever 240 devil!

So I have decided. Sorry reno not going with the ca. I'm going with the rb. $1000 from jdmsource.ca

Yay! but got to wait for a while and save up enough for it all.

[redtop91]

This statement:

I suck at wiring.

Disagrees with your choice.