ca head gasket

[OguraPowerTuning]

what material is a stock ca headgasket made from? im rebuilding a ca right now and it has a silver-metal head gasket(blown). i didnt know if ca's had paper type gaskets like sr's or if it came stock with the metal one i have. [IMG][/IMG]

[themadscientist]

that's aftermarket, bead type from the look of it, CAs aren't metal.You still need to replace it. Those pistons look interesting too, they may be aftermarket as well.

[OguraPowerTuning]

does anyone have a picture like the one i took so i can see stock stuff

[NeedCAforS13]

does anyone have a picture like the one i took so i can see stock stuff

here's mine with a set of high compression pistons and a copper sprayed stock headgasket. Kinda hard to see... your DET pistons should look about the same, but flat in the middle instead of domed





Sean

[boost_boy]

what material is a stock ca headgasket made from? im rebuilding a ca right now and it has a silver-metal head gasket(blown). i didnt know if ca's had paper type gaskets like sr's or if it came stock with the metal one i have. [IMG][/IMG]

I don't think it's blown unless the ring around the circumference of the gasket is burned. If you were missing compression and the gasket haven't been burned, suspect the pistons to have cracked ring lands.

Dee

[OguraPowerTuning]

look at the pick see the oil between the two cylinders on the headgasket. that tells me that pressure can travel between the two cylinders between the head and the block. im checking the head tomarrow to see if it is warped and here is a pic of my piston, i cleaned the carbon off of one for a pic.oh and the compression on the motor before i broke it down was 120,120,60,60

[float_6969]

My vote? Aftermarked HG, stock pistons. On a side note, doesn't the CA look good with those high comp pistons in it? It looks even better with brand new shiny forged ones. Heheheh. I also used that copper spray on my HG and haven't had any problems as yet. The motor still hasn't seen any boost yet. I'm hoping that it will tomorrow...

[boost_boy]

look at the pick see the oil between the two cylinders on the headgasket. that tells me that pressure can travel between the two cylinders between the head and the block. im checking the head tomarrow to see if it is warped and here is a pic of my piston, i cleaned the carbon off of one for a pic.oh and the compression on the motor before i broke it down was 120,120,60,60

Tells me that you may have blown ring lands and/or worn engine/rings and pistons. That compression is pretty low on some othewrwise stock pistons. A real blown headgasket will give you almost no compression on those cylinders, so suspect a warped (like you said) as well. But defintely check the pistons as it won't kill you and you will be surprised at what you find.

Dee

[OguraPowerTuning]

i took the head to the machine shop today. it was absolutly not warped and the head gasket looked pretty good so im going to check the pistons now like you guys said. i need to know where to get the cheapest aftermarket pistons for this motor. im only looking for 300hp max so i dont need to much fancy stuff. and i also need a compleat engine gasket and seal kit, how do i get this. maybe an 85 200sx? or do i need a det gasket kit. i abslolutly have to have valve seals and cam seals.

[OguraPowerTuning]

i took the head to the machine shop today. it was absolutly not warped and the head gasket looked pretty good so im going to check the pistons now like you guys said. i need to know where to get the cheapest aftermarket pistons for this motor. im only looking for 300hp max so i dont need to much fancy stuff. and i also need a compleat engine gasket and seal kit, how do i get this. maybe an 85 200sx? or do i need a det gasket kit. i abslolutly have to have valve seals and cam seals.

come on guys can you help me out with this

[c-rad]

come on guys can you help me out with this

The only place in the US that I know of to get aftermarket pistons for the CA is from Race Engineering. http://www.raceeng.com Item number- XTP-553P835

They are $449 for the set w/rings. Also available in .5mm overbore for the same price.

EDIT: And if you read their description, their XTP series pistons (which is what the CA's are) are made by CP Pistons so you know you are getting a good product.

[biosehnsucht]

I got my pistons from them, but I got mine 1mm overbore

for gaskets almost all of them you can get from a 88 pulsar w/ the CA18DE.

a few turbo related ones won't be available that way of course (mani to turbo and turbo to DP), the rest of the gaskets are identical IIRC.

[Vetal]

Race Engineering sells them for 449$+88$ for the rings I'm also still looking for full gasket set...

[float_6969]

For 300 hp though, he could use the stock pistons if he was tight on Cash. That's if his are OK. I have a spare set I could sell you, but one has some surface marks on the piston skirt. I don't really think it's damaged though. The only reason I went with forged pistons is because I wanted different compression.

[OguraPowerTuning]

this motor was in pretty bad shape i think a japanese woman drove it because the oil wasnt changed properly and the coolent wast changed properly. i took the water pump off and it had a rust mud goo in it i bet it didnt flow at all. if i can get a piston set with rings and pins for under 700 im going with it. how will my stock rods hold up though. this motor needs to be tough because my wife is going to drive it some and she is a japanese woman who is very rough on cars.

[boost_boy]

this motor was in pretty bad shape i think a japanese woman drove it because the oil wasnt changed properly and the coolent wast changed properly. i took the water pump off and it had a rust mud goo in it i bet it didnt flow at all. if i can get a piston set with rings and pins for under 700 im going with it. how will my stock rods hold up though. this motor needs to be tough because my wife is going to drive it some and she is a japanese woman who is very rough on cars.

Bro, you really don't need forged pistons for a mere 300hp. You need to focus on those things that will accomodate you in this quest such as a better turbocharger, better or upgraded engine management system and an open mind to know that things don't always go the way as planned. As for your engine/mechanical/physical, clean up the stockers or replace them with good stockers if applicable (them meaning pistons, rods, rings). But if you absolutely must have forged pistons, be sure and have the fuel system upgraded immediately.

Installing forged goodies, only helps with a little insurance and not the full monty. If your engine is detonating along the way, those forgies are subject to the same abuse as the stock ones. The stock headgasket, stock rods, stock pistons, and stock head is sufficient enough for 300whp+, but your engine management system is garbage in stock form.

Oh yeah, my old lady is oriental as well and her 350+whp sentra with CA have proven that even a woman with much power at her disposal, cannot knock the CA off its track, even in stock form minus the 8 bit ecu and it's supporting cast.

Dee

[float_6969]

Well after this morning, I can safely say that the stock rods and headgasket will hold up to an overbored CA with 9.5:1 forged pistons. I was running the stock ECU with approx 100 octane fuel. I actually hit boost cut on it once (11psi IIRC) as the wastegate line blew off. I need standalone and a BOV...

[biosehnsucht]

the wastegate line blew off.

My patent 5-step solution to pressurized vacuum lines:

1. Go to junkyard.2. Find a turbo DSM.3. Steal many vacuum line clamps.4. Install vacuum line clamps on your car.5. Drive the piss out of it, like you normally do.

[c-rad]

My patent 5-step solution to pressurized vacuum lines:

1. Go to junkyard.2. Find a turbo DSM.3. Steal many vacuum line clamps.4. Install vacuum line clamps on your car.5. Drive the piss out of it, like you normally do.

Or... just get some hairspray and spray it on the fitting before you slide the vacuum hose over it. Works everytime and they will NOT blow off.