CA18 vs. SR20

[Mixmastamunkh]

okay, i hate to ask this qeustion, and i hope i don't get flamed for it, but this chat seemed to be the best place to put it.

-for some time i've been wanting to ge the CA18DET motor to put into my 240. due to the coolness factor for one that after putting that in I would literaly have an exact duplicate of a 180sx (I already have the tailights and turn signals) and i could get a lot more power stock, and i could upgrade the turbo fairly cheap. also because it revved high and was so light. however my friend told me that i'd be infinitly better off with an SR20 because i could tune it much easier even stock, i could lighten the engine much easier, i could get more power overall with the sr20 and i couldn't do half as much as i could do with the CA18. he said that i would also be overall happier if i went with the SR20. for information this would be a s13 red top i'd be getting if i did.

- so what i'm asking for is hopefully an unbiased oppinion on which would really be the better choice for my 240sx 91 Fastback.

[TurboSilvia7587]

yea...u should go with the sr20 over the ca18 because i heard you have to do so much to the ca18 to make it run proper according the a guy at a nissan dealer. He told me this guy with a s13 would come in all the time to get parts for the ca18 beacuse it would always go bad...so i would go with the sr20.

[xyoufailmex]

lol.. wtf.. Ive never heard that about a CA... This thread will be locked... werent you the one who started the KA-T vs SR20 thread that got locked? ANd posted the fake nismo steering wheel?

[Mixmastamunkh]

Ka-t? that DEFINITLY wasn't me, and what is your problem anyways? i'm trying to get help from people to decide what i should do to my car. you don't have to be an a$shole

[Tsukai240]

actualy they do have to be a$$. i think it makes them feel better. (jerks)

i think a built ca has way more cool factor than an sr.

[cheez80]

hi, ca is easier to swap into zenki chassis.

sr is easier to swap into chuki chassis.

sr has more aftermarket support, and the motors are *usually* in better condition. ca is an older motor, plus it has less displacement.

something for you to think over

ask in the appropriate forum for more merits of each

[Tsukai240]

sr is easier to swap into chuki chassis.

u.s. never got the chuki. only zenki and kouki.

[mrflip69]

:cough: S13....

Just depends on your power goals really. CA can make good power reliably, but you'll miss the extra displacement of the SR the higher you go.

Anybody have experience with the Tomei stroker kit for the CA?

[Tsukai240]

:cough: S13....

Just depends on your power goals really. CA can make good power reliably, but you'll miss the extra displacement of the SR the higher you go.

Anybody have experience with the Tomei stroker kit for the CA?

whoa, a Tomei stroker kit for the CA!!!! ca20

[Mixmastamunkh]

I sincerly thank those of you who were nice enough to give me advise instead of unneccesarily flaming me.

[Tsukai240]

i h8 flamersit is still a good idea to search first to save on unneeded wear and tear on nico's hardware.

[masticatingcow]

I give it three posts before Nismo Freak shuts this thread down, LOL.

Anyway, we have engine-specific threads, so try posting there. You'll have better luck getting solid evidence supporting either side of the arguement, but the question about which engine is better will never end. As discussed before, without specifying an application for the engine, you'll have a difficult time getting any helpful advice, so when you do open those threads, be sure to explain what your intent for the engine is, ie. auto-x, drag, drift, or a nice DD.

Good luck and +1 CA18DET.

[SeVa-S13]

u.s. never got the chuki. only zenki and kouki.

*Looks around* Nope, I don't see any 95-98 S13's.

[Nismo_Freak]

Again, we have engine-specific threads concerning these matters.

However, haven driven both SR and CA powered S13's I can elude you to this benefit / cost analysis.

SR20DET- Designed as a driving improvement over the CA- Has more torque, especially in the midrange- Much Much smoother driving engine- More aftermarket than god himself- Rocker arms limit RPM ability- More costly than CA- Finding specific parts can be a pain/costly- Faster boost response

CA18DET- Nice head design (in relation to revability)- Alot of local cheap OEM parts to be had- Relatively cheap small upgrades- Lack of overall mainstream aftermarket support- Drives well once you get it in boost- Lightweight engine- Compact and simplistic- Cheaper than SR

I highly prefer the driving feel of the SR to the CA, but the rawness of the CA definately makes it fun as well.