Ca18de winter project arising

[Ron240sx]

So i have the ca18de in my 240sx. I need the advice from experts whether this engine is going to be worth the build time, if it can handle boost with a 9.5:1 compression, and overall if it will be worth it in the end.
So with winter coming about i'm debating if my engine is going to be capable of new cams, cam gears, valve spring, valves, im looking into a prefered turbo. The turbo im wanting is something well balanced capable of boost at low rpm's all the way until redline.
So my questions consist of...
Is the ca18de going to be able to handle boost?
What will i be in need of to convert it to a turbo charged engine?
What are some responses on good cam shafts?
If boost is kept under 10 psi or at 10 psi will my stock fuel system be able to handle it?
will i need stand alone engine management or will wideband work for my setup?
Does anyone care to share some of there expert knowledge on building a NA ca?
I still have the orginal ka motor mounts... will they need to be changed?
What would be a good route to start on and go to?
Tire sizes? i was looking into 235 r16 on the rear and 225 r16 on the front? opinions?
im not looking for a Hp number im looking into a quality build capable of keeping up with mostly anything on the street, and getting sideways at the local track ( same track as this past years national nissan convention, to anyone who showed up to the midamerica motor complex)
Any help comments, guides, how-to's, and two cents opinions will be greatly appreciated.
I look forward the hearing from all of you. thanks again+

[float_6969]

Alright, first off, WELCOME! I was a MAMC at the convention this year, it's a great track! Now to answer your questions.

Where did the CA18DE come from? Have you had it apart at all?

IIRC, the JDM CA18DE's only differed from the CA18DET in the pistons. I COULD be wrong in that. Themadscientist would be the best person to consult as he's actually owned a CA18DE. If I'm correct, then yes, the motor can boost.

You'll need the turbo manifold, a turbo (I would recommend an SR20 T25), O2 pipe, down pipe, Coolant lines, oil feed and drain lines, CA18DET oil pan (or have a fitting welded to your pan), intercooler, and PROBABLY injectors, MAFS, and ECU from a CA18DET.

For your power levels, stock cams are alright, or Tomei PON (not the PRO) cams are good. No loss in bottom end, and it wakes the top end up nicely.

I doubt it. Maybe. Better have a wideband and watch it like a hawk at first.

A wide band tells you what your AFR (Air to Fuel Ratio) is. A Standalone is used to tune an engine. If you have a competent tuner in your area that can chip tune, don't bother with a standalone. Get a wideband and have the engine dyno tuned using the stock system.

Only person I know with experience building a NA CA18 is TMS (Themadscientis). He said it was fun, but not all that fast and you had to rev the piss out of it to get it to do anything. Being in the mid west though, I would say that if you were to build the car with the idea of running E85 on it, you could get some intake, head, and exhaust work done, cams, and some crazy high compression (I'm thinking somewhere around 14-16:1) it might make for a decent motor.

Engine mounts should be fine as long as they're not torn or broken.

I'd run the same tire front and back. The CA balances the weight of the car out alot and, unless you're runing A LOT of HP, I think the extra tire in the rear will make the car push.

If you haven't already, check out the FAQ. Lots of good info in there.

[themadscientist]

If it is the same as the JDM DE the pistons are domed, not terribly detrimental. The cams are of a slightly different profile, not worth worrying about. There are not piston oilers, this+the higher compression should dictate less timing advance. There is no return for the turbo oil drain in the pan, but that is easy to fix.

The oil feed for the turbo is there but plugged. BE AWARE! Simply removing the plug and threading in the oil feed line will result in a blown turbo. When CAs were common, many people were boosting DEs but were encountering rapid turbo failure. People blamed everything, but themselves. I don't know if others figured it out but the cause was a plug of sludge that develops at the face of the screwed-in plug over the life of the motor. When you pull the plug, the clot stays in there and oil can't escape to get to the turbo when you get the motor together. Dry bearings=bang! Unscrew the oil filter and blow compressed air into the spring-loaded BB bypass valve and watch a chunk of nasty coked-up oil shoot out the other side of the engine. NOW you can connect the oil feed line.

Beyond these things you should be fine.

I don't recommend an all motor CA unless the car is very light. I would equate my CA18DE S13 like bolting a 250cc 2-stroke dirt bike engine into a formerly 600cc 4-stroke sport bike. No torque, peaky as **** with a power band a ****hair wide. Fun if you knew how to drive it, but only impressive for the oddity.

[boost_boy]

Realistically, it would be wise to either convert your current DE or purchase a complete DET. The CA is sensitive to crappy tuning in the DET form, so imagine how it's going to act with the DE higher compression and domed pistons. The DE's ecu will surely lead your converted lump to a quick death, hence the reason why float quickly recommended some type of upgraded engine management. Go get the real deal or have fun on your aspirated motor because you're going to put in work either way trying to boost your car.

[themadscientist]

Lose the ancient ECU, get a decent engine management system and a set of aftermarket pistons and go for it!