CA18DET S14 swap Questions...

[shally2186]

Heyo guys.. Ive never really dealt with a CA18DET and am currently open to a GREAT DEAL on one, SOOO i might take it...

So far i heard they are like mini RB's, Which means they are very strong.. A friend of mine has one in his S13 w a SR turbo and it Pulls very nice..

Anyway im looking to buy a S13 With a CA18DET in it and my plans were to Swap that CA into my S14.5.. Is there anything needed to fit my S14, or is everything compatible between the S13 to S14??? (BESIDES THE WIRING)

i was planning on going KA-T but figured the Stock Turbo CA would be more reliable and less headache

Appreciate any input guys, and feel free to inform me alil about these 1.8 RB's ...

Thanks,Shally

[boost_boy]

If you want to put the CA into an S14, do some research as well as researching this forum. You won't be the first, but it's good to get an idea as to what you're about to get yourself in. The wiring will be your trickiest part, but the engine drops right in with no issues. Others will chime in whenever they feel like it, so I suggest you start researching your interest. Good luck.........

Dee

[shally2186]

Thanks ALOT Dee.. appreciate you not Flaming me for not using the search button.. i figured it would be easier to ask you guys then we can chat about it alil Also i can see how you all like your CA's..

Thanks!

[ca18detgabby]

what are emission laws like in PA?

call me crazy, but if their is a CA in a S13 already that you are purchasing........ why not keep the S14.5 as a daily and the CA as a track whore? jw the reasoning...

def fun and great motor. I dont like the comparo to an RB, as it isnt an RB, whether it was used in an R chassis or not. It is its own animal and has its own beauty and demons.

its shocking to me, what can be done with such a small displacement(my step dad compared it to his old GNX) and it is far and away one of the most simple Fuel injector motors I have ever worked w/.

gl w/ your build. everyone is pretty helpful around here. there isnt too much flaming going on here......... well expect tim.....

[shally2186]

what are emission laws like in PA?

call me crazy, but if their is a CA in a S13 already that you are purchasing........ why not keep the S14.5 as a daily and the CA as a track whore? jw the reasoning...

Thats another thing i have been thinking about BUT i DEF want Boost in the S14.5.. i Feel like sh1t every time some one looks at it and asks what swap i have.. Then i cry alil inside and say its a Stock KA .. my plans were goin KA-T But i would like a more reliable Turbo engine and to be honest i really dislike the KA to be begin with.

BTW i dont have to worry bout inspection and emissions cause i got ppl ....

ALSO i was maybe planning on taking My 150k mile KA and boosting it to Run in the S13 TRACK CAR so if it blows Who gives a Sh1t.. i have a DD integra so i dont really need Alot of cars..

[ca18detgabby]

Thats another thing i have been thinking about BUT i DEF want Boost in the S14.5.. i Feel like sh1t every time some one looks at it and asks what swap i have.. Then i cry alil inside and say its a Stock KA .. my plans were goin KA-T But i would like a more reliable Turbo engine and to be honest i really dislike the KA to be begin with.

BTW i dont have to worry bout inspection and emissions cause i got ppl ....

ALSO i was maybe planning on taking My 150k mile KA and boosting it to Run in the S13 TRACK CAR so if it blows Who gives a Sh1t.. i have a DD integra so i dont really need Alot of cars..

makes sense, just wondering the reasoning.

Def want to get on reading the FAQ and download you a FSM...... beyond that a working knowledge of the Search button and a bit of patients(between the quality of search button and the limited number of views this forum gets when you do ask a question)...... you should have everything you need

[float_6969]

Be aware of this. The CA is an old motor. It's VERY common now for the rings to be worn and for the motor to have poor compression and a lot of blowby. I tell you this because if you really want to do this, I would make sure the CA is in GOOD condition. If it's not, plan on a rebuild. Also, a lot of the electrical components on this motor are quite old. They're all still available, but are often in need of replacing.

As for the motor physically fitting in the S14, it' fits just as an SR would.

As for the wiring, it's a pain. I have a standalone, so I didn't have to mess with it, but just doing the wiring for my standalone was a completely different ballgame than my S13, and there's not a whole lot of info out there. Regardless, it's basically the same as an S13 SR into an S14.

[Ca_Silvia]

It all depends on how the motor was treated, doesn't matter if it's a CA, SR, LSx. If it's in a running car, compression test that b**** properly before actually paying for it. CA's are old as hell now and eventually all old motors pop.

Furthermore if you plan on swapping the motor, plan on throwing some rebuild money at it. It will be worth it while it's out.

Goodluck man, these motors are fun as hell and sound crazy with a straight pipe!

EDIT: Damn Float beat me to it

[float_6969]

[southernsteel]

I hate you all. Just saying

[mazikowski]

there isnt too much flaming going on here......... well expect tim.....

[shally2186]

Thanks ALOT guys! yea i have been reading up on the FAQ on this Ca forum here and like how much information there is!

GREAT JOB ON PUTTING THAT ALL TOGETHER GUYS!

I DEF will be checking the compression and all that jazz when i get it.. the Deal is i get a S13 hatch W Bodykit and CA in it For CHEAP So even if the motor is bad i think i STILL have my moneys worth.. So i think i will give it a try and if the motor is goods which the kid Says it Def should be then ill use it...

Ill start looking up wiring today then..SO glads it will fit in just like a SR (Thank God)

BTW sorry bout the Flaming thing..Thought Every Forum on this site had its Flame heads in it, just was used to it from when i first got on this site and didnt know there was a Search button
Modified by shally2186 at 12:19 PM 1/6/2010

[southernsteel]

If you're going to do factory wiring, I would suggest sending it to Taylor Durdan. I got my wiring done by Carl H and uhhh.... I've got an RB TPS and an injector plug missing.... If you absolutely have to wire it yourself, be sure to wire it correctly. The guy I bought my car off of tried to do the wiring himself and this was the result:

I figure you can wire standalone yourself, which is what I should have done in the first place, seeing as how mine still is not running. Well, for long anyways. I got my fuel pump in yesterday and I'm going to try to start on Friday.

[shally2186]

Very NICE!!! Thank You SO MUCH for posting that pic, ive been searching for engine bay pics of a CA in a S14 and came up empty.. Nice birds nest going on there... BTW i was looking @ ur build/intro.. What'd u end up doing w ur harness in ur wheel wale? i had problems with mine even after i tucked it higher SO one day after my speedo syop'd working and my car wouldnt run; i rerouted it through the engine bay so i have NO CHANCE of cutting anymore wires

The wiring is a concern for me. i have 2 friends that did and do swaps all the time so i am going to ask for their assistance with this one.

The plans i have for this CA is basically keeping it stock.. i wanna maybe just put a T25 off a SR on it and run 9PSI Boost.

What do you guys think about that? a friend of mine has a S13 CA w the SR turbo with the rest stock and it runs good...
Modified by shally2186 at 10:16 AM 1/6/2010

[southernsteel]

I haven't fixed it yet, but I know how I'm going to do it. I just want to be sure that everything works before I do the final assembly (dash back in, etc etc).

To fix it, I'm going to take some old trim pieces that my fiance's dad has lying around and plastic weld it to the wheel well plastic cover, slide the wires in between the two pieces and I figure I'll put some black duct tape on the open side so I can get to the wires if I do a tuck and to keep the wires from falling out. Then put the wheel well plastic piece in and the wires will be held in.

Oh and it doesn't look like that anymore. It looks like this:



which isn't much better, but most everything works. I have to get the ignitor screwed down and get my fuel pump wired. Once it starts I'll clean it up and smooth it out. I just have to get the inside straightened out...

[shally2186]

ohh..well my car doesnt have the plastic wheel wale plastics cause its LOW and im running 17x9 in the front which would all together rip that out anyways..

Engine bay looks good to me! Any tips on the wiring? from what i can see u did a pretty damn good job

[southernsteel]

If you're going to do factory wiring, I would suggest sending it to Taylor Durdan. I got my wiring done by Carl H and uhhh.... I've got an RB TPS and an injector plug missing....

Already posted.

If you'd like, I can take pictures of specific plugs and e-mail them to you or post them up for others or whatever. I'm already upset enough about my wiring, just from having to pull the dash and replace those wires and trying to make an automatic main harness work with a manual car, so I decided to send my wires to someone who offers wiring as a service.

[shally2186]

oh ic..yea any pix should help.. just found out it has Rear over fenders molded in already too.. i just may wanna keep it for DRIFT

here is the package im getting..

and a Before pic

[ca18detgabby]

good god that thing is pwnd..........

did he get robbed or something? what the heck happen to the engine bay?

[float_6969]

southersteel, ditch the clutch fan. It does nothing but waste horsepower without the fan shroud.

[southernsteel]

southersteel, ditch the clutch fan. It does nothing but waste horsepower without the fan shroud.

I'm working on it. You guys act like I'm made of money.

The DQ doesn't exactly pay me the big bucks, nawmeen?

I just want the damn thing to start. I'm hoping that I can this Friday. I just have to get off my duff and get some work done. The lady wanted to spend today together, so I had to oblige her, seeing as how yesterday I went down to Auburn to APR's shop with a friend of mine. It was pretty damn cool seeing v-dub race cars. Oh and an audi set off the fire alarm. The best part was when we left the shop, our instructions were to "goose the throttle in the parking lot to really feel the throttle response"

We loved following those instructions.

[shally2186]

good god that thing is pwnd..........

did he get robbed or something? what the heck happen to the engine bay?

Thats how the car ended up as it sits..has other parts but they are in the hatch.. my plans are to sell the shell to make back the money i spent on everything..

O yeah and yea you need the shroud to really get the fan to work.. i took the clutch fan and shroud off of my KA in my S14 and it ran good and cool. Sept when i was Drifting @ the track without long breaks in between tuns, then it would start to over heat.. i got a fan shroud for it and now it Runs HELLACOLD..Cruising on the highways my needle goes below the "C" and @ the track it stays where it should no matter how bad i beat it..

[shally2186]

So guys, Ive been getting parts together for my CA..

I ended up getting a S15 SR Turbo for it... Just wondering if the Injectors will be needing an upgrade?

again, my plans are like 12PSI of boost and I do not want ALOT of power...

[float_6969]

12psi on an SR T28 is probably pushing it. I'd guess 10psi would be safe. No way to tell for sure till you get it on a dyno and hook up a wideband.

Also, I have found out since I last posted that the heater hoses aren't the same size between the S14 and CA18. You'll have to buy a couple of reducers from O'Reilly Auto Parts. PN is 28611 I Paid $4.49 each, you'll need 2, plus some hose and clamps.

[shally2186]

12psi on an SR T28 is probably pushing it. I'd guess 10psi would be safe. No way to tell for sure till you get it on a dyno and hook up a wideband.

Also, I have found out since I last posted that the heater hoses aren't the same size between the S14 and CA18. You'll have to buy a couple of reducers from O'Reilly Auto Parts. PN is 28611 I Paid $4.49 each, you'll need 2, plus some hose and clamps.

THANKS ALOT!!!! Appreciate the heads up!

BTW how is 12 PSI too much for a DBB S15 T28?

[float_6969]

It's not the turbo that's the problem. It's the stock fuel injectors and MAFS that I'm worried about. You might be fine, IDK for sure.

[shally2186]

It's not the turbo that's the problem. It's the stock fuel injectors and MAFS that I'm worried about. You might be fine, IDK for sure.

Yea thats what i was wondering about.. do i need to upgrade or can i leave the fuel and MAF alone?

[ca18detgabby]

Yea thats what i was wondering about.. do i need to upgrade or can i leave the fuel and MAF alone?

I would upgrade to 555s and run an eprom or get a tune.

should keep you good.

[float_6969]

and Z32 or N60 MAFS. That injector and MAFS combo plus a tune will get you to darn near 300whp with that turbo at about 18psi.

[shally2186]

and Z32 or N60 MAFS. That injector and MAFS combo plus a tune will get you to darn near 300whp with that turbo about about 18psi.

ok thats kool and everything but Like i said many times, I DONT WANT ANY MORE POWER.. Want it to run good and be close to stock.. got the S15 DBB Turbo mainly because i think it will hold up ALOT longer..