Well, prevoiusly I was considering the KA vs sr20 for the powerhouse of my Sileighty... now, I've kinda stumbled across you guys, and I dont know why I never considered it before. My question is, what is the best route on buying a CA18DET? Clip? Engine? or what? If I just buy a Engine+transmission+turbo setup, is there anything else I can need? Anything I can use from my 1990 240 KA24E? I've searched, and read the stickies, and perhaps Im stupid, but I haven't found a topic discussing this thoroughly. I do know I'll have to have a ECU and harness, right? How extensive is the wiring? From what I DID gather, this swap is easier than a SR20 or RB20 swap. How much am I considering paying, in the end, if I do the labor myself?
On a side note, which engine is quicker/higher revving? I really miss my old 4AGE, and thus the reason for considering the 1.8L powerhouse... It seems that little work is required to obtain to 200HP, which is absolutely fine with me. I want something to keep up with the RX-7s on the straightaways.
Best Route on purchasing a CA18DET?
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xyoufailmex
- Posts: 646
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:56 am
- Car: 1990 240 FB
right now i think i have payed around 1200 bucks or so, and i still need a water pump, spark plugs, exhuast, intercooler piping, pay for my bov,
so if you keep it stock about 2 grand to play it safe if you dont come across too many poblems.
you could cut corners and do it for 1300 but that would be shady.
so if you keep it stock about 2 grand to play it safe if you dont come across too many poblems.
you could cut corners and do it for 1300 but that would be shady.
Re: Best Route on purchasing a CA18DET? (xyoufailmex)
go with one of the seller's listed in the "CA18DET motors to buy, sell, and or trade!" thread.
a clip is a hassle: Shipping sucks, they never show up with a drop gate and blah. then you have to find space to keep it and dismantle it, then you have the front half of a car to dispose of. But, you're almost guaranteed to not have a dented oil pan or broken sensors on the intake manifold b/c the motor will have been relatively concealed durning shipping. You also get all the intercooler piping, the intercooler, free radiator, extra power steering lines, uncut harness, maybe a gauge cluster and a bunch of extra RHD parts
A clip is straight business. Everything you need, nothing you don't. But you'll probably have to pull the oil pan and bang out the dent (these aren't SR's, a dent won't kill your motor) and there's a good chance there's been other motors sitting ontop of yours, so somethings probably broke - IACV usually, or the MAF or the coil pack cover or whatever. Nothing major usually. Like i said above, you're going to need intercooler piping and an intercooler still, but maybe with the money you save buying the CA over the SR, you can get an intercooler. <shrug>
Wiring conversion i hear is the same as the SR(i dunno, i never had to do any of that wiring. mine was all in the back)
as for cost, don't expect to save money over the SR. you may come up a few dollars short, or you might buy a few more aftermarket parts causing it to cost the same as an SR swap. Budget a little over $2000 and i think you'll be ok, if you do the labor yourself.
a clip is a hassle: Shipping sucks, they never show up with a drop gate and blah. then you have to find space to keep it and dismantle it, then you have the front half of a car to dispose of. But, you're almost guaranteed to not have a dented oil pan or broken sensors on the intake manifold b/c the motor will have been relatively concealed durning shipping. You also get all the intercooler piping, the intercooler, free radiator, extra power steering lines, uncut harness, maybe a gauge cluster and a bunch of extra RHD parts
A clip is straight business. Everything you need, nothing you don't. But you'll probably have to pull the oil pan and bang out the dent (these aren't SR's, a dent won't kill your motor) and there's a good chance there's been other motors sitting ontop of yours, so somethings probably broke - IACV usually, or the MAF or the coil pack cover or whatever. Nothing major usually. Like i said above, you're going to need intercooler piping and an intercooler still, but maybe with the money you save buying the CA over the SR, you can get an intercooler. <shrug>
Wiring conversion i hear is the same as the SR(i dunno, i never had to do any of that wiring. mine was all in the back)
as for cost, don't expect to save money over the SR. you may come up a few dollars short, or you might buy a few more aftermarket parts causing it to cost the same as an SR swap. Budget a little over $2000 and i think you'll be ok, if you do the labor yourself.
Re: Best Route on purchasing a CA18DET? (f s t caz)
Motorset all the way unless you want to convert to RHD, which I think is cool for some reason. The swap isn't easier than a SR20 swap. The only thing I can think of that's better is the 240 radiator bolts up to the CA w/o new hoses.
The CA is definitely higher revving than the SR; I don't know about quicker, they're about the same I guess.
The CA is definitely higher revving than the SR; I don't know about quicker, they're about the same I guess.
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xyoufailmex
- Posts: 646
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2005 6:56 am
- Car: 1990 240 FB
Well, I have a full 3" exhaust already done... just would have to connect it to the down pipe.
Good point though, I didnt think about the Intercooler piping.
I understand atleast 2 grand would be sage, but I believe that IS cheaper than a SR20... considering most SR20s will cost you that and still leave you paying for the small things.
Im still a little iffy about the Iron block, but I love the 1.8L... I know, 1.8L is the part most people don't like about it, but displacement isnt everything. Thanks for the info, keep it coming.
Good point though, I didnt think about the Intercooler piping.
I understand atleast 2 grand would be sage, but I believe that IS cheaper than a SR20... considering most SR20s will cost you that and still leave you paying for the small things.
Im still a little iffy about the Iron block, but I love the 1.8L... I know, 1.8L is the part most people don't like about it, but displacement isnt everything. Thanks for the info, keep it coming.