CA? vs. SR?

[dreamindrifter]

ok this might sound stupid to some that are out there, but i dont really know what the difference between the CA18DET engine and the SR20DET engine. cant both engines go into the 240sx?

[InlineSix]

Yeah both engines can go into the 240. Sr is more preferred. There are more performance options with the Sr b/c its more well known.

Try to search, there are a lot of topics on this subject.

Jack

[crzycav86]

CA is cheaper but older. Both have about the same potential.

In Japan, the CA went into the 88-90 s13's. After that they they switched to the SR. Europe had the CA's in all of their 200sx's.

[firekirin]

i chose the sr it is a new engine and it responds better to upgrades besides it is bigger 2.0 instead of 1.8 and the sr is a bit more beefier it really is just a choice if you want to be different then go with the ca but if you want a bigger beefier and a bit more exspensive engine then the sr20det.

[TheSil80]

CA is cheaper but older. Both have about the same potential.

In Japan, the CA went into the 88-90 s13's. After that they they switched to the SR. Europe had the CA's in all of their 200sx's.

i'm still finding out info about the s13 hatch, but just to keep a few newbies informed... nissan names their cars after their engines... the s13 hatch in japan is the 180SX, and it had the CA18 (hence the 180), the 240SX didn't exist in Japan, it was just called the Silvia (might be wrong though). The 200SX (JDM of the Sentra) had the fwd bluebird sr20. The USDM 240SX had the KA24, and it continues on with a few of the current models like the 350Z (VG35), but this was only on a few cars... not all of them...

[TheSil80]

and when i'm getting a 240 fastback, i'll be swapping in a CA.. i can fool all my ricer friends thinking it's a RB20

the CA was nissans 4-banger beast... and the SR20 was it's sucessor. There are 3 types of SR20's, you have your S13 Redtop, blacktop, and your S14 whatever they call it.

[masticatingcow]

This info was taken straight off of Unstable Hybrids' General FAQ (http://www.uhrp.com)

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: I was wondering what the main differences are between SR20DET's and a CA18DET?

A: CA - small, iron, good valve train SR - big, aluminum, bad valve train

------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Also could you tell me the specs of both engines?

A: CA - 175-185HP stock SR - 205-210HP stock

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a ton of information about these engines on that site. It's a good place to start your research.

[dreamindrifter]

Are both engines I4's?

[masticatingcow]

Yes. Both the CA and SR are I4 engines.

[dreamindrifter]

so pretty much the only difference between the two engines are the power and the displacement?

[masticatingcow]

No... Valvetrains, block material, weight... these (and many more) are all factors that go into an engine's uniqueness and ultimate usage. While they may seem similar (they did, after all, serve the same purposes) the engines are different enough to warrant entirely separate engine platforms. (CA vs SR)

Remember, the SR superceded the CA... and there are reasons for that.

Research the Web, there's a wealth of information about these engines and each one's strengths and weaknesses.

[xyster]

Ok, first of all, I wouldn't trust everything I read off Unstable's site. The SR20 replaced the CA simply because it was cheaper to make, not because it's a better motor. They're both great motors, and both have strenghts/weaknesses.

Yes, the SR has a weaker drivetrain, but there are ways to beef it up a bit. Yes, the SR has a bit stronger bottom end, but there are ways to beef up the CA bottom end. If you let your oil drop low for too long in a CA, your big end bearings will probably go, but you can avoid that just by keeping a good oil pressure gauge and running good oil, which you'd do with an SR anyways. The CA revs slightly higher, but with mods the SR can safely rev kinda high as well. CA has an iron block, SR has aluminum, but both are exceptionally strong. The CA is slightly cheaper out of the box (about $1500 plus $2200+ or so for an SR). SR aftermarket parts are easier to find, but CA parts are available with a little searching.

It all depends on what your goals are. If you want a 400whp drag racer, buy an SR. If you want a 250-300whp autox car, buy a CA. You need to decide exactly what you want to do with the car, then get a motor setup to fit that goal. Bear in mind, the CA and SR are not your only options.

Personally I bought a CA because1. it's cheaper 2. I can get ANY replacement part at Autozone/Advance/Napa etc. I can do a full engine rebuild with readily available usdm parts.3. it revs higher safely4. I didn't want to have to worry about rocker arms coming apart5. I'm building an autox and track car. I like the improved weight balance with the lighter motor, and at 250-300hp it will make a mean turning car.6. as lame as it sounds, it's different. Everybody and their brother has an SR or Ka-t. Every ricer I talk to asks when I'm getting a "tyte sr20".

That's my $.02, you can take it or leave it.

[masticatingcow]

Great reply from xyster.

True, you should never take information from any one source as truth unless you can verify it. This is a perfect example of how NICO can serve as a sounding board for what you find "out there."

One note I would make is that if you wanted a drag car, seriously consider a KA-T. The KA hits power far before the SR, and therefore makes it ideal for drag launches.

[Universal_Remonster]

I've heard the KA can't create much power on stock internals though... of course I heard this from a guy who makes his living doing sr transplants...

[masticatingcow]

The KA actually CAN make some significant power on stock internals... but because so many of the KAs getting turbo'd are pretty old people build up the internals. A lot of discussions about the KA seem to contradict what your source said.