Help me plan my budget (for 180SX parts!) + noobish questions.

[Daemos]

Mods feel free to move this if it's in the wrong forum...

So against all that stands against me I've decided to get a JDM 180SX vs buying an R32 Skyline GTR...for these following reasons:

it's 1/2 the priceI can get a block heater for the CA18 (The car HAS to start in -50C temperatures)Parts are easier to findIt can look sexy (s15 front headlightI like Autoxing, the GTR is too heavy and big for that.

Then I've decided to go this route instead of buying a 240SX and dropping a CA/SR into it because:It's JDM Yo (jk)Because for the price of a *good* used 240 here costs the same as importing a 180SX from japan.The only people I would trust with an engine swap of this nature, wants to charge $12K (canadian) and 3 weeks of time...*cough* All the 240SXs here arn't modded, are rusty, and no one has done anything more than springs intake, headers exhaust.

So I've kinda layed out my goals, tell me if you think they're reasonable (as of now I currently have no budget) I also have my 2003 Spec V, fully owned by me, which will be sold sometime in the middle of the 180SX project to fund the 180SX even more

My goals: 350wrhp with a low 12 sec 1/4mile time on normal STREET tires. And something that handles well. (I'll probally want some advice on parts and soforth) Instead of making 20 billion posts on every question here, I just decided to make one HUGE post. Questions will be marked by Italics and will be restated at the end of the post

My goal is to have the car by the end of april 2005, when I can start on everything, but everything requires a budget, and I want to get on that early This project will probally take roughly 2.5 years to complete, but I wanna atleast complete something fully.

So this is kinda my project overview in the order I kinda wanna do everything:

Suspension:Zeal B6 Coilovers (if you know something better, tell me, but I like these because the spring rates will be nice for the streets of my city)Front/Rear Cusco Strut Tower BarsFront/Rear Whiteline Anti-Sway BarsNismo Power Brace17" Rims of some kind, Khumo MX tiresQuliafe Limited Slip Diff

Engine: (I'll probally need some questions answered here)CA18DET engine rebuildDisco Potato Turbo (hopefully this will be good enough)Camshafts (I'll need to know how these work in order to help turbos obtain the most power)Metal Head GasketT28 Wastegate of somekindRecirculating BOV (if it's needed)HKS FMIC kit3" ExhaustGreddy DownpipeZ32 MAF550-600cc injectors (Is this enough fuel?)New Fuel PumpStand Alone ECU. (Which one do you guys recommend for dyno tuning?)Lightened flywheelValvespringsManual Boost controller (before I get the standalone)Aftermaket oil cooler(Am I missing anything else?)

Misc PerformanceShort Shift KitLarger BreaksZ32 Master Cylinder

Exterior

S15 Front headlight conversionS13-->S15 conversion fenders (Does anyone know where I can get metal ones or urethane ones, unlike the ones sold on import fan.comCarbon Fiber Hood180SX K style Tail lightsSome sort of red paint

So what do you guys think? It's quite a bit of coin...but if I just aimed for the performance stuff, I should beable to do it after I sell the spec v.

Well obviously there are some things I'll be doing first, but I'd like to put them in that piroirty, but an alarm, immobilizer system, and a Mp3 player will come first

But My Main Questions:1) How do Cams help with the powerband with a turbo? Like What effects to the duration and lift effects of cams have in respect to turbos?2) What parts should I have shipped over for the CA18DET engine rebuild, since I can have them put the parts in my car, and just have those shipped over3) I'm pretty new to the CA engine, before this I was studying up on the RB (which I'm still a n00b at) and the QR (less of a n00b). 4) What do you guys recommend in terms of a simple to use tunable stand alone, I was leaning towards the Power FC.5) Trouble Parts of the engine6) I'd like to know a reasonable redline I should set the engine at...7) Is the Disco Potato Turbo good enough or should I be moving to GT2530/GT2535s? I was recommended the Disco Potato Turbo over the otherones because aparently it has VERY good spool up time, and can handle alot of boost.8) Where are some good places for Urethane Conversion fenders to S13-->S15? Or are the importfan.com ones good enough?9) What else should I know about the engine?10) Any recommended parts that I should remove/add to my list?

Thanks for your time

Daemos

[Daemos]

No one?

So far my budget consists of buying the car which is like 6-7K Canadian which I can easily save up by next year...but I want some "extra" things.

[240SXedUp]

Talk to one of the CA mods. I bet they an help you with the engine mods alot better than most of us, since the majority of us dont have CAs.

[BoyWonder]

Sounds like you have this well thought out, which is a good plan going into something like this. Just as long as you make sure you have money for those unforseen "little" expenses here and there that can add up.Also, by posting this you are now bound by a little known NICO useage clause that mandates you post pictures as you make progress Sorry, rules are rules..

[Daemos]

Hehe, I will be taking pictures as I make progress, but gotta get the car first :p

Now it all depends on me sticking to my budget, and finding the right car for me (in japan )

Oh yea Progress...hmm I've never rebuilt an engine before, the most I've ever done is shocks/springs, intake, exhaust, and speaker/head unit wiring, here's to new experiences

[240SXedUp]

I'll drink to that! :bearchugRotor/pad install coming on Saturday

[EazyBreazy]

will canadian laws allow you to import a 180...i was under the impression your importation laws were even more stringent than ours....also what year 180 because i also thought they put the sr in some of them....maybe im completely wrong and babling nonsense....who knows

on a different note you got quite a project planned..good luck and keep us informed

[Daemos]

As per Canadian law, yes it is more stingy up to a certain extent.

Basically as long as the car is 15 years old (from the build month/year of the car) it can be imported in "easily" I put that in quotations, because it just has to pass our saftey standards...which isn't all too bad, and the paperwork is a hassle, and finding a car is a hassle

Yes it's a project, a HUGE project that I expect to take atleast 2 years to finish, but I think it'll be worth it.

[240marcuSX]

very thorough.

I dont know specifically about the CA, but in general im thinking you wont need new cams for 350whp, or new valve springs but hey, cant hurt as long as you do find the correct cam for the job. cant help there, got a KA.

[AkiraSkyEighty]

350rwhp you may need new head bolts and gasket... CAs have been known to rip the bolts out at higher hp. I applaud you for choosing the CA18 as an engine instead of an SR20, it's lightweight and most of the time takes well to mods. Get a compression test on it though, these engines are a little dated by now. As for S13 to S15 fenders, go to http://www.jspec.com, they have Masa fenders, which are supposed to be the best... they also have S13 to S14A fenders... which I'm considering :pface

[Daemos]

I didn't exactly "choose" the CA, that's the engine that WILL come with the car So I'm just using whatever engine is already in the car.

But soon, once I can't find all the answers, I'll be posting in the CA forum .

jspec for the Masa fenders, sounds good