CA18DET reliability

[Matej]

Hello gentlemen,
It is my intention to obtain a CA18 within the next few months, however, I have a few questions.
My main question is, how reliable are these motors, in stock form? Obviously the main factor would be what condition the specific motor I purchase will be in, but I am curious in general.

My plan is to keep it internally stock, and even run it at stock boost forever. As long as the motor is in good shape, may I expect it to last a while if maintained properly, and combined with improved cooling?

On the other hand, I am also tempted to put a T28 on it, either right away or if the T25 goes bad. Can this be safely accomplished on stock tune, injectors, and boost, and would it still be reliable enough, or would I be pushing it? Are there any other plug-and-play turbos that are somewhere in between the two?

Cheers!

[boost_boy]

The answer is "Yes" to all of your questions. It is a reliable motor, but if you get the bigger T28 with bigger backhousing and plan on running stock boost, you will not be happy. If you plan on running stock boost forever, then stick to the stock T25 and enjoy.

[Matej]

Thank you for the information.

...if you get the bigger T28 with bigger backhousing and plan on running stock boost, you will not be happy.

Do you mean because of the lag? If I were to get a T28, it would definitely be whichever one has the smallest housing. An S14 T28, I presume?

[themadscientist]

An S14 turbo on a bone stock CA18 doesn't leg. The first time I nailed mine I almost went through a fence because the response was so much better than stock.

If you think you will get far without rebuilding that 23 year old motor you must like shooting craps with dice that have one dot on 5 sides. Good luck, next shooter!

[float_6969]

Yea, these motors are too old to not rebuild them anymore. Most of them needed rebuilt 10 years ago. You're setting yourself up for failure if you think you're gonna drop it in without a rebuild.

[Matej]

Whoever said it will not be rebuilt?

[nickhebert]

well if it was rebuild I would hope it was not put back stock, while you have it apart is a great time to put some new parts onto it.

[float_6969]

The way you worded your post led me to assume that you were asking about an un-rebuilt motor. If you're going to rebuild it, you shouldn't have any reliability problems, but I will tell you that if you need to bore it and put in oversized pistons you will have some trouble trying to stay stock. The 8.5:1 compression ratio pistons aren't available in the US in stock form, and you'll have to get forged, or try and source some from oversea's, which could cost more than a set of forged pistons.

[nickhebert]

I have four 8.5:1 stock pistons if anyone needs a set.

[s13drifter88]

If properly rebuilt its as reliable as it was from the factory. Plain and simple. With the T28 youll enjoy it more and at wastegate pressure will be just as reliable as it was all stock IMO. The stock ca makes as much whp as a high comp ka but will yeild more power availability with something as simple a boost controller. An s14 t28 at wastegate (7-8psi) will be a blast to drive and at 12psi will rape mustangs and camaros and give you some good laughs. Id go with the 28 personally just for the increased response and pleasure of drivability. Rebuild it with an OE gasket set and some rings and bearings and enjoy. Youll love it, trust me

[Matej]

A few more questions that come to mind at the moment, if I may.
Are SR elbows and downpipes a direct fit? I want a one-piece downpipe with the elbow built in, either the MAX Cobra or the D-Max/Circuit Sports oval one.
Also, I assume the driveshaft is interchangeable with an SR/KA one? I would like to re-use the aluminum driveshaft off my KA.

Other than that, the plans are a lightweight flywheel, some sort of a 'Stage 2' clutch, Ross harmonic balancer, aftermarket intake and turbo manifolds, accessory pulleys, and whatever other silly bolt-on mod I can think of.

As for the pistons, I will either order a set from Japan or go with whatever I can find closest to stock. If I have to pay a bit more, so be it. When I meant I plan to keep the motor internally stock, I meant no crazy cams or compression or bores or whatever. I just want small and simple.

[float_6969]

You can use the SR elbow and down pipe, as long as you use both. If you try to mix them, it doesn't work.

Driveshaft is the same.

Why intake manifold and turbo manifold? The stock intake manifold is fine for at least 300whp before it even begins to think about starting to wanting to feel like being a restriction. And the stock turbo manifold is a divided manifold and will be very hard to improve upon unless you're going to a larger frame turbo and can't use a T2 flange anymore, but you said you were wanting this to be basically stock. I really want to reiterate this. THE STOCK TURBO MANIFOLD IS GOOD!!! Rebuild the motor,put a T28 on it with supporting mods (intercooler, injectors, fuel pump, tune) and you'll love it and it will be super reliable.

Also, if you're wanting to stay basically stock, I'd plan on replacing all 3 idle control valves, unless you don't have A/C, then you don't need that valve.

[Matej]

Why intake manifold and turbo manifold?

Just for fun, when I have nothing more important to waste money on. Plus it will look better. The motor will be 'tucked' just as my KA is currently. I am excited to see how tiny the CA will appear in an empty S13 bay.

[float_6969]

It's your car, if you want to make it slower, it's no skin off my back

[ganma_ca]

As everyone said it's luck of the draw when you purchase your CA. I STRONGLY recommend a rebuild before dropping one in. I put my pretty much bone stock one in back in 2008 and have never had any issues with it until now so I mean I got a good 4 years out of a bone stock non rebuilt unit before running into troubles. And more then likely it was my fault my CA ran into issues. They are @$@$!%# tuff little motors too. I swear when I had all my coolant lines bursting(because they were old) I over heated it like 5 times not to an extreme, but enough to where another engine would have epically failed. One thing to be cautionary of mind your fuel or something may let go at some point. Without any sort of management system I have been over fueling mine since I put it in and I'm sure thats play a part in the break down of some things. And also as much as these engines love to rev they don't like coming from at full boost going from third (to what should have been 4th) and ending up in second. Then again that may destroy most other engines, and this one is no exception(but it is much more forgiving). You will find everyone on here has a love for these engines and it's a great platform to have. You won't find anyone on any of these other forums that are as much help as some of the guys on here and trust me when you do ever run into issues they will have you covered! Good luck

[CA18_nut]

And also as much as these engines love to rev they don't like coming from at full boost going from third (to what should have been 4th) and ending up in second.

this has happend to me sevral times , wonder if a short shift would help solve the issue or maybe the nismo shifter.

[s13drifter88]

yeah mine saw prob 12k once when I was hammered and like a dumb arse tried to drive home and decided to flex beside 2 riced out civics (5th was supposed to come back to 4th and some how found 2ed, did I mention I had been drinking?). Engine made some SCARRY sounds that night. Idk how it didnt frag but it sould me on the little guy even more

[float_6969]

Hmm, I've had a B&M almost since I first got the CA and I've NEVER missed a gear. Maybe the short shifter does help.

Now that I think about it, it must, because I HAVE missed a gear a few times on my civic (it's my bone stock gas-sipper).

[s13drifter88]

I got my Megan V2 for free and it helped a shat ton!

[CA18_nut]

Then I know what my next upgrade gonna be , might aswell get one now that I have pulled the engine and trans

[Matej]

float_6969, where did you procure your CA from, if I may ask? I live in Kansas City, so I am curious if you picked it up from someplace within reasonable driving distance, or just ordered it off the internet.
I believe my friend Derek may actually know you, unless there is another CA18 enthusiast in Topeka.

[float_6969]

I got mine from Venus Auto, but I wouldn't recommend them. They're out of California. When I got my CA, nearly 10 years ago, there weren't many places to get a motor from. I do know Derek, I was just out at his place last night, trying to help him fix is truck.