Dee's CA18 History and experiences

[boost_boy]

I'll get right to the point:

I purchased my first car in 1990 which happened to be a 1987 Nissan Sentra GXE. I loved the car and wanted it to go faster, so I was searching for ways to get the carbureted thing to go a bit faster. During Desert Storm, my unit went to the mid-east and left me behind pending orders to Okinawa, Japan.

Once in Japan, I walked to a used car lot and discovered a 1986 B12 Nissan Sunny which is equivalent to the 1987 U.S. Nissan Sentra loaded with a twin cam engine. I licked my lips and said that I must have this car and immediately questioned a salesman as to how much this car would cost me. The price of the car $2400 U.S. and it looked way better than my gxe because it had pw/ pl, split 60/40 rear seats and a really powerful looking engine. I also had been seeing those Nissan Silvias that looked like U.S. spec 240s, but had really cool headlights, instead of the dull pop-up lights on the cars in the U.S. So I went back to that same dealer to find out about shipping and saw one of those Silvia cars on the lot. I walked over and saw an engine that looked nearly identical to the engine that was in the sunny, but was turbocharged, and it had me thinking. Unfortunately for me, my time in Okinawa was cut short (6 months) because of a problem with my leg that required me to be transferred to Hawaii for surgery. Now staioned in Hawaii, I would buy an Hyundai Excel that needed a transmission and while visiting a junkyard in search of functioning transmission, I discovered a 1988 pulsar SE with one of those red engines like the ones I had seen in the cars from Japan, so I really got to thinking. Even though my sentra was back in Miami, I started plotting since I found out the pulsar and the sentra shared the same chasis.

In 1996, the engine in my sentra started knocking, so I went to junkyard friends to see what they had. Well what do you know, they had a wrecked 1987 pulsar SE and I had to have it, so I traded them two hyundai excels for that one pulsar. They would later tow the car to my mothers house and the action began, though I didn't know what in the hell I was doing. I managed to pull-off the manual part of the swap, but the electricals had me stumped for about a month or so. In April of 1997, I would tear this harness open, discover a cut ground wire, repair and voila, the sentra lives with it's new twin cam engine.

I would soon get into the import racing thing by going to a place where imports hang out. The civics dominated and the SE-Rs were pretty thick in population as well and I seemed like the only odd ball because my car was older than most and definitely had an engine that no one was used to seeing. I got called out by a guy with a white 1993 SE-R and just knew I was going to get smoked, right? Wrong! I would end up beating-up all the SE-R boys that night and the honda bunch got a kick out of watching them all get smoked by an older sentra. They all wanted to know what was under the hood and I told them it was a CA16DE out of a pulsar and they was like, oh!

I would later that year dump the CA16 for a CA18 using the CA16's transmission and was waxing imports all over Miami. In 1999, I would break the CA16's transmission and throw in a CA18DE's transmission and now I was set (I hope). I can recall the big hype of the 2000 civic Si cars coming out, so I couldn't wait to get me some. I caught an electric blue one on the highway one Saturday weaving in and out of traffic, so I caught up to him to see if he wanted to run his 160hp pretty boy car and he did. We took off in a straight line and he flat-out lost because we raced for over 2 miles and could never catch-up.

Later in 1999 coming into 2000, I would order my 1st CA18DET from an AWD bluebird and it only had 10k miles on it. I wired it up to my pulsar ecu and it lasted me 10 days before I melted the #4 piston. I would order my 1st set of Wiseco pistons from race engineering which had to be custom made because they didn't exist over here. I installed those pistons and using a JWT reprogrammed ecu which was also the 1st USDM pulsar ecu that they had ever done, blew the engine again in less than 1k miles.

In mid 2000, I would build a second CA18DET powered sentra for my girlfriend and it too had an ecu, injectors from JWT. This car would last a little bit and ran pretty well, but it had no power. I was using a T25/T3 hybrid turbo that I spent good money on only to be heading to work one morning, got tried by a Ford Lightning and blew the #4 piston on this car. I would leave the car at my job, come back later and rebuild the engine in the parking lot of my job and drove the car home that same day.

I dismantled the red nissan sentra (mine) which was the fastest of the 2 and took the ecu and placed in the silver sentra (hers). It helped, but I wasn't impressed, so I ditched the reprogrammed ecus and I found my first standalone (SDS em-2) on ebay and gave it a swing. I had some help tuning it, but my friend couldn't get it to rev cleanly and gave up so I was on my own. I would eventually get it right, take the car to a Moroso import event and clean-up a bucket P.O.S. bracket racing escort called "The under dog" and a 2002 subaru WRX which you guys can view http://videos.streetfire.net/v...6.htm. I ran a best 13.9@103mph and was pretty content with the car since it didn't have a LSD, the car had never been on a dyno to be tuned and I have never drag raced at an organized event before.

I would later smoke a few fancier cars on the way back to Miami including an AudiTT, my friend's honda S2000 which you can also catch on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIxnt6ZdJGY, and a Lexus IS300 on boost. I don't have that video anymore, but it was a thing of beauty because it was a top end race and the camera-kid was perfect with his footage. That video would get me on the map and would earn the CA18DET some respect in which it deserved. I would later wreck that car in 2k2 racing a Ferarri Modena 360 and it nearly cost me my life. I would come back with a white sentra with better parts and stuff and producing more power, but never really did good at the track with it. My best time with that car was 14.2@111mph. The car was fast, but the suspension was old (7 yrs) and needed revamping.

Unfortunately, that car got wrecked August of 2007 and here I am to this day, trying to come back on the scene with yet another white sentra (which won't be white for long) with more upgrades. I also have another red sentra that just sits in my backyard with a very expensive suspension attached awaiting me to dispatch the built CA18DET into it's engine bay as well as all of the go-fast accessories I have stocked-up on over the years (Keep waiting).

My Cars:

1993 240sx coupe with CA18DET, cams, standalone, and some other goodies= Fast, but untested.

1992 240sx vert awaiting auto CA swap that's really awaiting me to do it.

1993 240sx vert awaiting auto CA swap as well, but will have Silvia conversion to boot.

1989 240sx to sell (Shell only)

1989 Nissan Sentra (Drag Car)

1988 Nissan Sentra (You guys will get to see this soon)

1991 Nissan Sentra (only B13 w/CA instead of an SR)

My fastest CA powered cars:

My g/f's old silver 1990 sentra

My most powerful CA powered car:

The silver sentra's predecessor which was wrecked "07 which put out just over 400whp on pump gas daily.

The most powerful CA I've ever built and tuned:

Overboosted180's S13 which produced better than 400whp in daily trim, but was capable of so much more. His car is a continuation like my own and I'm sure it will be a very competitive unit when I'm done with it. His goals are 600+whp, but he can share his own visions with you guys.

<IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... badboy.gif" BORDER="0"> NO MORE TYPING <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... s/bash.gif" BORDER="0">

Dee

[themadscientist]

Who are you again?

Good read. We missed each other by a few years on the rock. Ever get down to AJA or Jagaru?

[ca18detgabby]

I demand more

glad to see you around. good read Ive heard some of that story before and look forward to finally seeing this project you are working on.

Ps how are your 4G toys doing?

[davidricardo86]

Dee's kickin it old school! Wow early nineties... i was still in Guatemala back then and like 5 years old...

[mazikowski]

I love you.

...

Seriously, great read!

[boost_boy]

Who are you again?

Good read. We missed each other by a few years on the rock. Ever get down to AJA or Jagaru?

Never had the opportunity to venture around like I wanted to because of some medical screw-ups that happened to me, so I stayed close to Camp Foster. I went out a couple of times, but can't remember where those fools took me, but I did enjoy my time there. Now, I travel all around the world per my occupation, so no telling where I'll end up next.

Dee

[boost_boy]

I demand more

glad to see you around. good read Ive heard some of that story before and look forward to finally seeing this project you are working on.

Ps how are your 4G toys doing?

I'll try and edit some pics in to make it more interesting or at least link you guys to some. As for the projects I speak of, time is my enemy as I don't have much of it due to work, but I promised a 700+whp CA and will deliver on my promise .

Dee

[boost_boy]

Dee's kickin it old school! Wow early nineties... i was still in Guatemala back then and like 5 years old...

I'm ol' school "Big Dog"...I believe there still a place in the present for the past as you all do hence the reason why you guys are also still using whips from the past.

Dee

[boost_boy]

I love you.

...

Seriously, great read!

Thanks man . And though some of you guys are cheap and hard-headed and just don'tlisten, I still love all of you and that is from the bottom of "Deez Nuts"

Dee

[zero_gripS13]

Dee you've always provided countless hours of useful information and **** proven from your experience and research you are a true ca enthusiast and i can say on behalf of the whole ca community we appreciate everything u have contributed to this site and the community. thank you

[Logan76]

thanks for answering my question Dee, Like said above i was a young pup when you were racing cars lol, I cant wait to see a 700hp CA, that would be tits.

[r34 gtr]

So, pictures?

[boost_boy]

So, pictures?

Pictures with some narration:

Wrecked 1990 Nissan sentra which was destroyed after hitting a pole after sliding 128ft on pavement;

Speed: More than your speedometers register

Event: Got called-out by a Ferarri Modena 360 and couldn't resist.

Cause: Lady in purple Ford Aspire

Result: Cracked transmission, killed A/C compressor, P/S pump, and alternator, broke turbocharger in half (see pics) split intercooler in two, split face open, bent steering wheel back, bent steering column to the right, blew the brake system (pedal stuck to the floor), burst heater core, tool box flew from trunk, tore through the back seat and hit my headrest barely missing my head.

Lesson learned:Keep knocking on death's door and someone will soon let you in.



Here's some shots of the drag car and it's accessories. Though the car looks like crap, the mods have already begun:





















Enough of that one for now. That has been modified so many times and costing me so much money, it had better be prepared to take some serious boost because my 700+whp goal is not negotiable (Kick arse or be killed trying).

Okay, some photos of the new street sentra and it's accessories. The car is currently white, but it is willbe black before it's all said and done





















Okay, that's it for that one...for now.

Here's some pics of a 1991 B13 sentra with a CA18DET stuffed into it. This engine has a custom manifold, GT35R turbocharger, SDS standalone, 1000cc injectors and a bunch of other stuff I can't explain. Sorry SR20 boys, we needed to borrow the shell for this project.







That car is sick <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... yesnod.gif" BORDER="0"> .

My Old sentra and it's components:









And my 240. I'll display what's under the hood later.....





How in the hell do you guys sit at your pcs and post-up so many pictures. This crap takes up a bunch of time, but you guys are worth it for me to share, since I barely do show and tells.

Later.........

Dee

Dee

[ca18detgabby]

those pictures make baby jesus cry

[r34 gtr]

There is a totally pristine mid 80s b12 sentra coupe for sale down the street from me. It looks immaculate, and its dirt cheap. If only I had any money. One of you b12 guys should buy it.

[DALAZ_68]

those pictures make baby jesus cry

seriously...

Dee, much respect, taking hits like that, and still truckin, great read...in the 90's i was still just wet behind the ears...but im happy to say im not as wet, just damp

[themadscientist]

Damned Nissan magnetic bumpers!Doesn't it seem as if Nissans almost never strike poles off center? The majority seem to hit perfectly center. This is the genesis of my unified theory of Nissan bumper magnetism.

[mazikowski]

Damned Nissan magnetic bumpers!Doesn't it seem as if Nissans almost never strike poles off center? The majority seem to hit perfectly center. This is the genesis of my unified theory of Nissan bumper magnetism.

somebody should paint an X on the middle of their bumper with two big arrows pointing from the sides to the X that say "pole goes here" or "insert pole here" or similar...

HEY GABBY! I've got a project for you...

[themadscientist]

Today on fun with quotes taken out of context we are going to trick Gabby into smacking the crap out of Maz. Shhh Shhh, let's watch.

"pole goes here" "insert pole here"

HEY GABBY! I've got a project for you...

[r34 gtr]

Bwahaha!

[mazikowski]

Today on fun with quotes taken out of context we are going to trick Gabby into smacking the crap out of Maz. Shhh Shhh, let's watch.

You don't need to get her to hurt me... I can achieve that on my own!

[RM12577]

dont tell me about this nissan bumper magnetism, I'm always worried that I will wreck my car then the insurance company will say that its not worth anything even though I have a thousand dollar engine in it.... I am pretty good at avoiding obstacles at least so far... then again if they said it wasnt worth anything I could just buy it back if the motor is still in one piece. definitely a good read dee, You have been through a lot and you really do some awesome work with these things, plus you tell us exactly how to fix all of our stupid mistakes.... we are all noobs compared to you

[boost_boy]

seriously...

Dee, much respect, taking hits like that, and still truckin, great read...in the 90's i was still just wet behind the ears...but im happy to say im not as wet, just damp

Thanks bro! That one cost me 26 stitches in my face and some pain that reminds me of what I went through. I've gotten away with alot, but karma was bound to catch-up with me and she did (dirty tramp). I'm trying to be a come-back kid, but it hasn't been the same.

Dee

[r34 gtr]

26 stitches? that is pretty rad man, I mean, if you are going to total out a car you might as well go all the way, which you did.

When I first saw the pictures I was thinking, "man, I'll bet that was fun as hell, wish I could have been there!" Now I am having second thoughts.

[boost_boy]

26 stitches? that is pretty rad man, I mean, if you are going to total out a car you might as well go all the way, which you did.

When I first saw the pictures I was thinking, "man, I'll bet that was fun as hell, wish I could have been there!" Now I am having second thoughts.

The attending physician at the ER said the only reasn I'm not dead is because I'm light in the @ss and the fact that I had my seat belt on. They knew I had my seatbelt on because my winshield wasn't cracked and my face just had a perfect split from the horn cover, not mushed-in from smashing into a windshield. But that night, that car was riding as fast as it had it had ever ridden.

Why don't I break it down like this, 7400rpm in 5th gear and this one is nothing like the RWD ratio. 5th gear's ratio is in the ballpark 0.795 and the final ratio is 3.823 on 15in rims and a 2300lb car with the driver weighing 150ish lbs. Mathmeticians have at it.

Dee

[r34 gtr]

You need some new tires on the front of your 240 man. They look a little bit tired.

And no excessive porting of the head (like, 8port --> 4 port) on the really nasty motor? I would have thought you removed all the material humanly possible.

[boost_boy]

You need some new tires on the front of your 240 man. They look a little bit tired.

And no excessive porting of the head (like, 8port --> 4 port) on the really nasty motor? I would have thought you removed all the material humanly possible.

Those pics of the 240 are old and dusty. And the car actually has a decent suspension, 300zx brakes front and rear, short shifter, cams, a pretty good clutch, MSD DIS-2 with 2 step activation, 750cc injectors, SDS standalone, blitz dual sbc boost controller, and a few other things I didn't mention to include some S14 rims with chunky tires. Oh yeah, this one set at 14psi and it's not one to sleep on, either.

As for the head, it's ported and polished nicely. Believe it or not it has been opened-up, but not to excessive as I want to try something different. My street sentra is opened-up alot, so that's where I'll do my comparison.

Dee

[MeanGreenS13]

dee, is that the same 240 i saw when i rode down to see you? if so its come a long way! and that race engine looks just as good in pictures as it does in person.

Once i get the rest of my bugs worked out im heading down to japtrix with the CA... ill have to get your number again since i lost it when i changed phones, and ill have you come up or ill just ride down to see ya afterwards

Phil

[ca18detgabby]

Today on fun with quotes taken out of context we are going to trick Gabby into smacking the crap out of Maz. Shhh Shhh, let's watch.

before I got down to your post I had already laughed about him saying that..........

Dee, that intake mani is hot as shizit, could work on the welds a bit, but a little clean up is nothing. looks like shear awesomeness. cant wait to see that S13.......

[r34 gtr]

sheer, Gabby, not shear. Just thought you should know.

Dee, you love huge fuel injectors don't you!