CA18det is finally here!

[Jiggyfry]

Just wanted to spread my happiness. I picked up my CA yesterday here in Montreal from JDMRacingMotors. Couldnt be happier. Compression on all four cylinders was 142-148psi. Ill try and get some pictures up today after work. Gonna be doing the swap myself here in my driveway as soon as it warms up outside, should be around the end of march. I do have a few questions though: 1st is which company sells that "hot pipe" that I see everyone has with a blow off valve on it? Ive found a few on ebay with blitz blow off valves on 'em, just wanna make sure, id rather buy it new. Secondly, how much of a performance gain can I expect in doing the KA TB swap? Is it worth it since I have one lying around? Third, is there any advantage to switching to a top mount manifold with my CA t25? Lastly (for now!), anyone have an FSM (CA) or a good diagram of the vacuum hoses and where they should go? Im 99% sure ive got the butterfly system figured out, there just a few missing links. For now im just gonna do some simple things such as elbow, downpipe, new exhaust, gasket kit. Later on ill switch to an SRt25. Thanks in advance folks!

[float_6969]

Congrats on the CA, you're gonna love it!

Those compression #'s are a little low, but the motor was cold and that makes a difference. You might plan on throwing a set of rings and bearings in it just to freshen it up.

It doesn't really matter about the pipe, but it's always best to help support our advertisers. I've done business with FR Sports, Enjuku, and Phase 2. They're all GREAT businesses.

IDK that the KA TB increases HP, but it does increase throttle response.

The only advatage to a top mount is that there is more space for a larger turbo and it looks good. A top mount T25 would look silly IMHO.

Please take a look at our FAQ at the top of the forum. It has so much info in there that it will take you DAYS to get through all of it.

zerothread/136061

[Jiggyfry]

Thanks for the fast response float6969. I am planning on doing a rebuild, including all gaskets and bearings. As for the "hot pipe" i am planning on purchasing everything from Nico sponsors as ive read lots of positive feedback about them. I have been reading through the sticky and you're right, it been a day and I still have more to go! Im going to continue reading the sticky and ill post back if I still have questions.

Am I overlooking something though? I am getting the walbro fuel pump and an adjustable FPR. My other plan is to have a front mount, turbo elbow, downpipe and new exhaust ready for when I do the swap. Any suggestions as to my money being spent elsewhere?

[Jiggyfry]

Everything looks okay here:3 disc clutch? Is this stock? Couple mm (aboot 3mm) left. Enough? The money shot:

Overall the engine looks good, no leaks nothing really bad. I did notice on the rear of the crank pulley some grooves as though it had been hit. Hopefully its nothing major.

[Bwana]

Looks good man!

Definitely not a stock clutch. Looks like it has a few more miles left on it. Crank pulleys commonly have small divots missing out of the rear edge from puller jaws, probably not a problem.

[Jiggyfry]

I wasnt sure if that was a stock clutch or not since this is my first time working on a CA. I just dont know of stock clutches coming OEM like that. Well that just made my night. Flywheel looks recently machined too. Now to take the head off and check out the internals.

Am I overlooking something though? I am getting the walbro fuel pump and an adjustable FPR. My other plan is to have a front mount, turbo elbow, downpipe and new exhaust ready for when I do the swap. Any suggestions as to my money being spent elsewhere?

[davidricardo86]

Congratulations! Hope you have lots of fun with it! Check out my buildup thread whenever you get a chance, maybe it'll give you some ideas.

[Jiggyfry]

Congratulations! Hope you have lots of fun with it! Check out my buildup thread whenever you get a chance, maybe it'll give you some ideas.

Ive been following (quietly) your thread for a while now. Awsome work you're doing by the way. Im just not sure where im going yet in terms of bolt ons. Im going to switch to a SR T25 later on, maybe end of this summer or next year. Im still thinking fuel pump, FPR, elbow/downpipe and exhuast. Anyone have comments or input as to my choices? Oh, I forgot to mention that Ill be changing all the gaskets, bearings and piston rings also.

[davidricardo86]

Ive been following (quietly) your thread for a while now. Awsome work you're doing by the way. Im just not sure where im going yet in terms of bolt ons. Im going to switch to a SR T25 later on, maybe end of this summer or next year. Im still thinking fuel pump, FPR, elbow/downpipe and exhuast. Anyone have comments or input as to my choices? Oh, I forgot to mention that Ill be changing all the gaskets, bearings and piston rings also.

Thanks dude. Its going to be a slow and steady process but it'll be worth it in the end! As for the CA turbo, i guess as long as there arent any signs of obvious wear and tear it would be more than ok to use it. If theres more than normal shaft play, oil leaking, etc, id consider having the turbo rebuilt or going for a rebuilt SR t25 like im planning right now. I would change the fuel pump and fpr. Why? Well take my s13 for example. Its a 1992 model & gots 107K miles and its most than likely my original pump. Ive spent lots of money on this turbocharged engine and im not going to take the chance on an old pump. No way! If you do get a chance, change as many seals, gaskets, hoses, oil pump, water pump, belts, parts, as you can! Think of it as kinda like preventative maintenance.

[50-50]

I'm new here but congrats. Ditto on the faq everything was in there for the swap and got me up and running with zero issues 3 days ago. There was even a FSM there i was supprised!

[burntricer]

im jealous...whered you get it?

[r34 gtr]

money! my clutch has the same part #s! let me tell you it pwns. bites hard and never slips but it is very easy to drive after a little learning curve. 3 puck metal clutch ftw!

[Jiggyfry]

im jealous...whered you get it?

I purchased it from JdmRacingMotors here in Montreal. Very good shop, clean, and the guys are REALLY helpful. I visit their shop at least once a month. Id recommend them to anyone, and I will definetly be returning to them for anything I might need in the future. Im very anxious to get crackin on this project as its been a while since ive rebuilt an engine (last one was my KA24DE). My main questions I still have concern the upgrade path. Ive read here that the fuel pump and FPR should be done. I already have an SAFCII. Im thinking of a new exhaust and downpipe but am unsure of whether or not there are higher HP producing bolt ons readily available. Thanks for all the support so far, I know im gonna learn tons in this forum. Everyone one here knows sooo much that its unbelievable!

[Jiggyfry]

Little update on my progress. Its taking time but im in no rush. Almost completely stripped block. Wish I had a proper work area for everything!Block will be sent out to the machine shop for a good internal cleaning. Lots of jell-o in there.Journals look uber clean, no scoring at all. If I ever find the guy who designed this gear im gonna hurt him bad. This gear was stuck on the crankshaft for three days. Finally today my patience wore out and i was victorious!

[Jiggyfry]

I noticed that the cams have some pitting on them. Heres a pic of the pitting. Is this good? I called an engine rebuilding shop and they told me they would leave it like that. Im very curious to know if I have to replace them.

[ser20det]

Happy to know i'm not alone to have that ca18det in montreal area ! Your surely know robin. The man who can tune your car like a pro on a dyno! YOur surely hear about a 14k jdm silvia ca18det in montreal too ! Yup that's my car ! WIll be happy to meet you at meet like julep... etc

Have a good week !

thx

[Jiggyfry]

Happy to know i'm not alone to have that ca18det in montreal area ! Your surely know robin. The man who can tune your car like a pro on a dyno! YOur surely hear about a 14k jdm silvia ca18det in montreal too ! Yup that's my car ! WIll be happy to meet you at meet like julep... etc

Have a good week !

thx

I do know robin, met him once or twice, nice guy. And yeah, not many CA18's around this area, not many 240's either. I do go to the Julep once in a while on thursdays, hopefully see you guys there starting late spring early summer!

[Jiggyfry]

I noticed that the cams have some pitting on them. Heres a pic of the pitting. Is this good? I called an engine rebuilding shop and they told me they would leave it like that. Im very curious to know if I have to replace them.

Anyone? Id like to know what causes this and if its safe to keep the cams in their current state or if they must be replace. The pics arent the best because of the poor lighting in my garage. Thanks in advance!

[float_6969]

As long as it's not on the ramp or nose, I would think you would be fine. Regardless it doesn't look too bad, and as long as you're using the stock hydralic lifters, the cams should get enough oil that it shouldn't be a problem.

[Jiggyfry]

A little update for my CA. Rebuilt it over the winter and bought some parts for it. Waiting on swapping it in now. The KA is ready to be pulled and the CA is 90% finished. Was a pretty easy rebuild, no surprises really. I have a Walbro fuel pump waiting to go in this weekend, a Nismo FPR already on the fuel rail and a Circuit sports O2/Downpipe on the way. Waiting on a MAF from Boost Boy and am still in need of a BOV and FMIC. Pics!

Thats it for now, didnt take too many pics. Ill try and take a few more once im in the process of easin 'er in the engine bay.

[boost_boy]

Congrats on getting the engine done and it's looking rather nice as well. Your AFM is on the way, so be patient and it should get there very soon. Thanks again and good luck with the CA.............

Dee

[Jiggyfry]

Congrats on getting the engine done and it's looking rather nice as well. Your AFM is on the way, so be patient and it should get there very soon. Thanks again and good luck with the CA.............

Dee

Thanks again for the AFM. Im in no rush for it, as the engine isnt even in the car. My staement did sound impatient now that I read it again! Did some more work last night, timing belt on upper and lower covers in place. Today I pick up the belts. Maybe a pic or 2 tonight. I cant wait to actually drive it, never driven a turbo car before, should be a blast. Now if I could just win the lotto to be able to afford coilovers and new rims Id be set!

[Jiggyfry]

Been a long time since I updated this so here's a couple pics.

Just got the FMIC in the other day. Paid for it Tuesday night and it was here Friday morning. SSAC S14 FMIC kit. Looks really good but was missing some silicone connectors and proper brackets for mounting. No big deal ill make my own. Also have to install the Walbro 255lph pump thats sitting in my room. Nismo FPR is in the engine. Im still waiting on my SARD R2D2 BOV to come in along with my Circuit Sports O2 and downpipe, which has been on backorder for a month now.

Future plans are to swap to a t28 soon and buy a wideband O2. For now ill stick with the stock CA T25. Ill get some engine pics up later, Im gonna go and extend my MAF and O2 wires now.

[ragenasian]

Those pics of that super clean CA are money!!!!!! Nice work. I am so glad that my CA was stock there is no way I could do what you guys do. Great job.

[Jiggyfry]

Actually if I can do it anyone can. This is my first venture into turbo cars, first time having a FMIC and first time doing an engine swap. Thanks to good info and good people its comin together! And thanks for the compliments too!

[JNM240]

Hey Jason, how hard was it to install that FMIC? I have the EXACT same one. Did you need to relocate the battery or move the windshield washer resevoir at all?

BTW, lookin good. Hopefully i'll have a digi cam here in a week or so, so i can snap some pics of my progress.

[Jiggyfry]

Hey Jason, how hard was it to install that FMIC? I have the EXACT same one. Did you need to relocate the battery or move the windshield washer resevoir at all?

BTW, lookin good. Hopefully i'll have a digi cam here in a week or so, so i can snap some pics of my progress.

Wasnt too hard, take parts out of box, figure out where they go. The windshield washer bottle is still in place, just a little "nudged" over . The battery wont fit now so im gonna look into a Miata battery as the owner of my dealership owns a Mazda too! The brackets they sent me for the top of the FMIC were useless and I had to make my own. No biggie. Also, the hot pipe doesnt quite fit so it'll require some cutting. I was quite surprised with the quality. For the price im giving it a . P.S- Please call me Jay, I REALLY cant stand Jason. How did you know my name was Jason anyways?

[nvrplzd240]

Lookin great man

I'm getting ready to install my i/c piping tomorrow when i have some time. Ebay s14 i/c kits ftw!

[JNM240]

P.S- Please call me Jay, I REALLY cant stand Jason. How did you know my name was Jason anyways?

Um, you told me in another thread. And cause my name is Jason too (but i cant stand being called Jay!! LOL).

Ok, to sum up:

jiggy180 = JayJNM240 = Jason

kool

I wont be gettin around to installing my FMIC for a while. Definately have to at least get the current motor out of the car. The CA is going into my coupe, which currently has a built SOHC KA that will be moving over into my recently acquired fastnback. So even tho im putting the motor back together, its still going to be a while (and a lot of parts collecting in my computer room) until i get it in.

[Jiggyfry]

Um, you told me in another thread. And cause my name is Jason too (but i cant stand being called Jay!! LOL).

^Im still Loling!

Forgot I had told you earlier. Well, good luck with the swap. I'd like to say you're gonna love the CA but im still waiting to drive mine, hahahahahahha.

Don't know if you saw the old thread, but someone had said the FMIC kit was missing 2 certain silicone couplers. Mine is missing 2 but not the sizes mentioned here. Wait until you get your kit and measure what size couplers you need.