Ca issues????

[iheartu]

I currently have a s14 and was thinking about swapping a Ca in it because its something different and are cheap motors compared to the sr20.

I looked at the stickies and found some good info but I have a couple questions on things I could not find. 1) What are some common problems I will face due to the engine being old?2) What are some parts that should be changed before I swap the motor in?3) I am looking to get around 250-300hp. What are some things that should be done to achieve the hp goal? 4) Is the swap harder to do on an s14 than s13?

Thanks for the help and looking forward to seeing what you Ca people have to say!!!

[mmm240]

I currently have a s14 and was thinking about swapping a Ca in it because its something different and are cheap motors compared to the sr20.

I looked at the stickies and found some good info but I have a couple questions on things I could not find. 1) What are some common problems I will face due to the engine being old?2) What are some parts that should be changed before I swap the motor in?3) I am looking to get around 250-300hp. What are some things that should be done to achieve the hp goal? 4) Is the swap harder to do on an s14 than s13?

Thanks for the help and looking forward to seeing what you Ca people have to say!!!

Before you swap in the engine I would do a new water pump, t-stat, timing belt, head gasket, and studs. A walbro fuel pump is also a good idea.To meat your power goals. A T28 should get you 300 flywheel easy. Some say you don't need to do injectors (but it is a good idea). Do an ECU tune also. I would think it's easier than SR. The only reason I can think of is the radiator piping is the same (you can use the stock KA radiator).

Welcome to the CA forum! There is a ton of info here!

[themadscientist]

do a complete rebuild. The motor is old, it needs one guaranteed.

[Apex]

Just a few tips:

Have your harness done professionally. Some of the fuses and relays will not be in the same location on the s14 and s13 chassis.

Don't buy the cheapest engine you come to.

Don't buy from Osaka.

[iheartu]

do a complete rebuild. The motor is old, it needs one guaranteed.

What would be a ballpark price on the rebuild? It would just be a stock rebuild. Also what online shop sells Ca's that are in good condition.

Thanks so far, I getting some good info from all of you.

[rovert]

DekanSnowman on Houston240sx.com has an S14 with a CA swap. Damesta, who is on here, did the swap for him. PM Damesta, he may have some good starting tips for your swap or atleast the basics. If you live in the SE Texas area I would say have him do the swap for you.

And as far as ordering a motor goes, you cant really find a shop thats going to sell good motors everytime. Most people will atleast know the ones to stear clear of. The biggest tip I can give you is call and talk the shop and make sure they include the lower harness, resistor box, and a MAF. Most wont have all of that but its worth calling around and finding one that does include it.

[Two-Fortee]

First of all, you dont need to rebuild the engine if its solid and has low km's. Thats a huge waste of money. You could go rb25 for the price thats gonna cost you.

For 250-300whp, you should definately replace the exhuast manifold and turbo from the start. Its much easier to work on it while its on the ground then while its in the engine bay. for 250hp heres what I can recommend.

Walbro 255Intake3" exhuastT28 turboFront mount intercoolerBOVBoost ControllerSAFC 2an ECU tune

Id also go with a new rad to keep it cool, and maybe an oil cooler. Also, things like a Fuel Pressure Regulator might help. Im probobly at 210whp right now, and im fairly new to CA's so hopefully this helps somewhat. I think someone who is between 250-300whp should post there set up.

[iliketocrash]

i'd just like to point out that rebuilding a motor is NOT a huge waste of money. ESPECIALLY with a motor this old. The list of reasons goes on but i'll just stop there.

[float_6969]

As others have said, most of the time it's not going to be a waste to rebuild it. The motor you get in is no less than 18years old and has most likely been sitting in a junkyard, NOT RUN, for 10 years. You're going to be real lucky if get a good motor.

[Chris859]

I agree - at least a basic rebuild - clean, inspect, hone cylinders, have the head rebuild at a machine shop... Replace bearings, rings(moly prefered), use all new oem nissan seals and gaskets, new nissan oil pump, head bolts(or studs), and a water pump - if you can do most of the work yourself that is around $700

[Two-Fortee]

ok, for the average guy on some kind of budget, a rebuild is out of the question. There is no use in spending $1500 on a rebuild when the motor costs you just as much. **** it, you can get an s15 SR or almost an rb26 set up for that much. Find a responsible dealer in your area and try and get a warrenty. Most people swapping a ca18 dont put more than 10 000 kms/miles on there car a year, so im sure its going to hold up. Im not stopping you from a rebuild, but I guess this is just coming from a guy who works very hard just to keep his car on the road and trying to hit some decent numbers. Anyway, good luck with your "build" weather it be a rebuild or not.

[iheartu]

ok, for the average guy on some kind of budget, a rebuild is out of the question. There is no use in spending $1500 on a rebuild when the motor costs you just as much. **** it, you can get an s15 SR or almost an rb26 set up for that much. Find a responsible dealer in your area and try and get a warrenty. Most people swapping a ca18 dont put more than 10 000 kms/miles on there car a year, so im sure its going to hold up. Im not stopping you from a rebuild, but I guess this is just coming from a guy who works very hard just to keep his car on the road and trying to hit some decent numbers. Anyway, good luck with your "build" weather it be a rebuild or not.

where did you find a s15 sr for that much? I cant seem to find them under $2000.

[themadscientist]

ok, for the average guy on some kind of budget, a rebuild is out of the question. There is no use in spending $1500 on a rebuild when the motor costs you just as much. **** it, you can get an s15 SR or almost an rb26 set up for that much. Find a responsible dealer in your area and try and get a warrenty. Most people swapping a ca18 dont put more than 10 000 kms/miles on there car a year, so im sure its going to hold up. Im not stopping you from a rebuild, but I guess this is just coming from a guy who works very hard just to keep his car on the road and trying to hit some decent numbers. Anyway, good luck with your "build" weather it be a rebuild or not.

I can't disagree more. If you cannot afford a rebuild or a failure do not pass go. I am getting so tired of seeing people spend every cent they have scraped together just to get the motor and then when something fails, turbo, head gasket, etc they are tapped out and left with a lawn ornament.

IF YOU CAN"T AFFORD TO DO IT RIGHT LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE!

You are dealing with a 19 year old motor people! Would you pull an engine out of an 89' chevy or ford and expect to drop it in untouched and beat on it with no failure? If you said "no" then why do you think any of these Japanese junkyard engines, let me say it again for emphasis JUNKYARD ENGINES would somehow be different?If you said "yes" you are seriously deluded and I can't help you. Bang your head on the wall until the ringing stops.

Broken cars suck, if you only have $1500.00 bucks and a running KA24 keep the money in the bank and drive your car, save up longer for whatever you are after. It would be better to have a running KA24 and plans for a properly built and installed CA18, SR20, RB whatever or a turbo KA than a half-done ghetto-rigged JDM engine that takes all you cash while still leaving you driving a pair of Nikes.

I know nobody is going to listen but I just wish people would, there would be less heartbreaking part-outs of failed dreams that died due to excess enthusiasm and inadequate skill and/or funding.

[float_6969]

Amen brother

[Red93coupe]

I agree, I bought my motor from Osaka unfortunately, so after I had heard the horror stories, I decided to drive my oil burning KA until I could have my uncle inspect it, turns out I needed a new head gasket,some new lifters, and almost all new gaskets plus some hoses etc.. but all in all I'm glad I didn't just throw it in, granted I bought an OEM replacement HG but it's better than having my car sitting in the garage, and having to drive my nasty 91 buick century. My rebuild or basic rebuild only cost me like $400 that was only like one paycheck in the summer. Now the little guy runs great and I'm not worried about "getting on it" once and awhile. So yeah I woud take them time and budget for some sort of a rebuild, and inspection. If you have a limited budget, just remember you don't have to buy a cometic HG or ARP head studs, OEM held up just fine and they are cheaper. SO moral of this lenghty thread is DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, it will only save you headaches down the road, and not to mention your wallet's sanity!!!

[Red93coupe]

Oh and basic stuff, like w/p etc, luckily I replaced all that stuff too...Stupid OSAKA and there junk motors, my w/p didn't even turn, I got a brand new one for $40, from my work I love the employee disount!! And timing belt probably would have torn if I would have attempted to start it, so check the basics for sure!!

[mmm240]

IF YOU CAN"T AFFORD TO DO IT RIGHT LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE!

You are dealing with a 19 year old motor people! Would you pull an engine out of an 89' chevy or ford and expect to drop it in untouched and beat on it with no failure?

I hear that! I just bought a '93 S10 with almost 200k, but I got it super cheap. Changed all fluids (less diffs) and am planning on running it that way as a backup vehicle. Not beating on it though. I'm sure I still haven't seen any RPM past 2.5k.

I only say that I wouldn't rebuild an engine right away because I have backup cars. I plan on running my CA hard and if it blows after having a new water pump, headgasket, t-stat, and timing belt then I will look into balanced and or knife edged crank, pistons, reworked head, rods, and all those new gaskets!I don't have huge power goals (plan to run on stock boost til next year, then T28 with supporting mods at close to 350crank). But I know what your saying. And I think I know what you are thinking.You are tired of people coming here and ******ng about their blown motors!Yeah, I'm just odd and naturally expecting shiit to happen, thus I have backup plans and am ready for shiit to happen.

[iheartu]

I was going to purchase this motor to rebuild it. I have a Ka in it now with only 98 thousand miles on it. I just want something to work on while I still drive my Ka. I was just worried about the price for a decent rebuild because people are telling me I could get better engines for cheaper because the price to rebuild them is so high.

[Two-Fortee]

Maybe its because I drive a 180sx with 45 000 original kms on it. The last thing I'm worried about is blowing the engine. Yes, extra cash is always good, but why the ****, would you buy a 20 year old engine just to rebuild the thing.

And you asked where you find an S15 SR for that price. 1 500 for the engine set up 1 500 for the rebuild, you have yourself 3 grand, and yes, you can buy an s15 sr for that.

Peace.

[themadscientist]

Maybe its because I drive a 180sx with 45 000 original kms on it. The last thing I'm worried about is blowing the engine. Yes, extra cash is always good, but why the ****, would you buy a 20 year old engine just to rebuild the thing.Peace.

Why buy any engine at all? If you desire to have a CA18 you have to buy a 20 year old engine. If you buy a 20 year old engine 9 times out of 10 it will need a rebuild if you expect it to perform. An S13 with 45000KM on it is not common and even if the kilometers are low if it was improperly maintained it is not in good shape. My 150000KM CA18 was running great up until I pushed the boost past my fueal system's capability and popped the head gasket. This engine was religously maintaned by me for half it's life though. Most of these motors are sourced from junkyards and are in dubious condition. You take a risk with them and to assume the dice are going to roll in your favor when you go all in is a dangerous gamble and odds are you are going to get burned.