CA18DET Emissions

[Riceless]

I am considering a CA swap because I need a new engine and I want more power than another KA can give. This car will be my daily driver (again, someday), and I am curious about the street legality of the engine in the USA. I live in Texas; will I have any problems passing inspections? Does the initial hp difference make it easier to pass than an SR20DET? Thanks in advance.

[pulsar gtr]

I highly doubt the ca18det will pass emission in The USA or Canada, I only heard of one person a while back that claimed his ca18det passed emission with some serious tunning.

It might be possible to add another temporary Cat, and some tuning to get the CA to pass.

Keep us updated if it passes as I am curious what kind of work you need to get done on the engine/car to have it pass emission.

Good luck,RafiPULSAR GTR

[xyster]

My CA passed GA emissions with flying colors at stock boost and a carsound hi-flow cat. FMIC was the only engine-related mod.

edit: Now that I think about it, my friend's SR, with FP bigt25, FMIC, and hks BOV passed too.

[BCSil-80]

I just passed Aircare today here in Vancouver BC with flying colors....

My car has a stock CA (no mods other than HKS catback)

[ca18detizzle]

bc Sil-80? your car for sale on NWN? man that is SOOOOO SWEEET!!! anyways, im pretty sure it can pass emissions. if SR can CA can too

[redamnavit]

I hope I get this right.

Insofar as I understand, emissions tests comprise checking for elevated levels of unburnt hydrocarbons and sulfur compounds. The former can be fixed by leaning out the fuel mixture, which is great but increases cylinder temps which raises the sulfur compound levels. Retarding timing will lower cylinder temps to a degree to compensate.

I've heard the super-ghetto way to do this is to introduce a small vacuum leak (lean out) and retard the timing across the board by adjusting the CAS. You'd be far better off actually tuning the car via some tool to be a bit leaner for the emissions test though, so you don't run like crap.

[81na ZX]

Technically a CA18DET can never pass federal emmissions cause it was never federalized by Nissan for sale in the US. State to state is different. Just register your car in Michigan - we don't have emmissions test and probally never will...

[originalsin]

it should pass in most places, just dont tell them its a jdm motor, for all they know its the motor that came in the car with a few bolt ons

[Riceless]

it should pass in most places, just dont tell them its a jdm motor, for all they know its the motor that came in the car with a few bolt ons

That makes sense. I figure if I can get away with it anywhere it would be in Texas; there are countless old V8 ford trucks screwing up the environment anyway. I bet I can find a hic somewhere to inspect it Thanks for all the replies.

[float_6969]

Screw all that, put like 12 catylitic converters on it. BAM, clean air!

[Riceless]

Sweet idea! I wonder if you can get those by the dozen at wal-mart. lol

[Dattebayo]

Well, no more than 3 cats, at least. Thats is how many they put on the STi, and this motor has to be less pollutive than that huge motor...