how to til the difference btw a fwd or rwd ca18det

[chanster924]

i was just wandering, ive bought a ca18det from a kid 3yrs ago, and it has been in my garage since than. long story short. i am finally going to swap it into my 92 240, but i just realized that it might a fwd, is there a way to find out whether it is a fwd or rwd, or is there a difference. meaning can i just swap it in and just hook everything that is necessary for the swap?

[float_6969]

Yes. Post pictures. If the engine is on a stand, turn it over, remove the pan, and post a picture. That will tell us for sure.

[themadscientist]

They taste different.

Or...

If the throttlebody aims at the rear of the engine it's a FWD, if not, well, yeah, there ya go.

[chanster924]

thanks, im gonna try sometime tonite to take a picture.

[chanster924]

haha! they probably do taste different, ill take a look at it when i get home.

[niswiz]

can a fwd ca work for a rwd application?what's the difference?

[boost_boy]

can a fwd ca work for a rwd application?what's the difference?

Yes! Oil pan drain bung is in a different position between the engines in question. And there's actually four versions of the CA18DET from Japan to which are: FWD version which has the older model intake manifold with the throttle body facing the valve covers. The AWD which can be used as a FWD or AWD unit has the newer intake manifold and a different turbo manifold as well as having the throttle body faces towards the transmission/rear side of the engine. The older S12 CA18DET is similar to the older fwd CA18DET, but with a different turbo manifold as well. There's a few other differences, but I wouldn't be so apt to snatch-up the old CA18DET unless you are prepared to get a more modern head. Hope this clears some things up about these motors.

Dee