I just got my CA18DET!!!!!

[jrturbo909]

I just got a Silvia CA18DET motor, ecu, and transmission for dirt cheap form a friend of mine. I picked it up yesterday. I just had a few questions that hopefully some of you experts at NICO can help me (I have done a search...I practically went back and read every thread in the CA18 forum since as far back as went).

Unfortunately, the car comes with a cut harness. This is something that I am actively looking for right now. If anyone knows of someone selling a engine harness for a RWD CA18DET, just let me know. I am willing to pay generously for any help with this. What other things can I do if this ends up being to hard to find? I posted on SXOC.com to see if any one w a 200sx could help me out, but have had no luck.

One other thing I noticed was that the oil pan had a dent in it. I was wondering what kind of options I had for an oil pan. I called Greddy cuz I know they make one for the SR20, but unfortunately they dont make a CA18 one. Would the oil pan off the CA18ET or the CA18DE work? Any fairly inexpensive aftermarket options out there and somewhat available in SoCal?

I also plan on upgrading the turbo right away. I will most likely get a S15 Turbo, but I was wondering what other turbos (around the same price) would be a good upgrade for this motor. I want to get around 300-320rwhp out of it initially (I know what else I need to get there) and wanted to know the best turbo to get around that point. One of my friends that is really into DSMs has a big 16G turbo that he would let go for cheap and I was thinking bout maybe making a custom manifold for it. What do you guys think? Any opinions?

Well, thanks in advance for the help. My email is [email protected] if anyone can help me or knows where I can get a harness. Come on guys, lemme know what you think!!

Shah

[jrturbo909]

Also, what kind of headgasket do you guys recommend? Should I try for a 1.6mm or something? Just to help with boost later.

Thanks

Shah

[Xero]

HKS has a 1.2mm that keeps the compression at 8.5:1, I saw it on Takakaira.com for $220, you can probably find it cheaper somewhere else.

I also want to know who has a nice aftermarket oil pan,

[jrturbo909]

I remember seeing a post on freshalloy or something (im not sure) bout a Greddy Grex head gasket that you could choose from 1.2mm to 2.0mm and it was around $150 or so. Does anyone wanna verify that for me?

Also, are the blocks the same between a CA18DET and a CA18DE or CA18ET? Cuz then couldnt I used that oil pan?

Do you guys know any better place to get an S15 Turbo from other than phase2motortend? Anywhere cheaper than $895?

Thanks

Shah

[nomore_mr2]

i have a hks 1.6mm that i picked up from eurostreetgraphics.com. ralph is a great guy. call him and see what he can do. i'm still looking for that harness for you

[jrturbo909]

Hey cool, thanks. Oh yeah, what do you guys think of the Greddy Profec B? Its a real simple design and supposedly a lot of guy w high hp levels use it without problems.

Also, what is the best prices you guys had found on 550cc injectors?

[ca18silvia]

Profec B kicks butt... Easy to use and effective... :-)

[JDM_1990_S13]

I have atwo spare harness' email me at [email protected]

i am supposed to be getting my haltech very soon and i guess i can part with the spare i have here.. dunno bout price though but we'll work that out, make me an offer.

I am serious so work fast.

[jrturbo909]

You got mail.

Anyways guys, what do you think that I should do bout the oil pan?

Also, do you know of any relatively cheap intercoolers (not kits, I can do the piping). How are Spearco? I want one that holds up to 400hp. Thanks

Shah

[paul_s13]

For an intercooler - http://www.apexperformance.co.uk/

I'm running a Grex 2mm gasket without problem.

[jrturbo909]

What have you guys heard bout Griffin Intercoolers? I heard that they are as good as Spearco but a lot cheaper.

[Team503]

I had a Spearco on my FD, never had a problem with charge temp, and I was running 12.8s on street tires. (http://team503.nivenhuh.net/fd)

I'd also like to know about the oil pan. Anyone? Daunt?

[themadscientist]

There is no aftermarket pan for the CA, I don't think the FWD pan is the same(stateside guys please confirm). Whack it out with a hammer and repaint it or take it to a competent welder and have him cut the side out and weld up a kickout to increase the capacity. The stock pan does great as it is.

[jrturbo909]

Yeah, I was thinking about just banging it out with a mallet or something. Thanks for the advice. What size do you guys think is good for the intercooler. I was thinking about just following the sizing on some popular aftermarket kit. I dont think that I will have over 400hp for a while so I dont wanna go to rediculously big. So what do you recommend? Thanks.

Shah

[themadscientist]

most of the prepackaged kits will support 400hp.

[jrturbo909]

I know that the kits do, however I was planning on just buying a core and endtanks and doing the pipes myself to save a little cash. It isnt that hard and I thought maybe I could get as good of a result from something a lot cheaper because it doesnt have the big japanese name behind it. Has anyone measured out the front of the car to see whats the biggest that can fit? I dont want it to be too tall or anything. Thanks.

Shah

[slw240sx]

hey is that dent on your pan in the front ??? it may have been factory molded in there for a reason? , i looked at mine this weekend when i pulled the motor to swap an it had a dent up front and one i think in the back ... the paint wasnt disturbed or distressed so i just assumed they were put there when molded... also any one know how many courts of oils a CA18det takes??? i dont think i ever thought to find that out !!! and when i goto put oil in her sunday id like to get it right !

oh an also what are the torque specs for the driveshaft rear bolts,transmission crossmember,enginemount bolts??? and what the timing suposed to be at when i hit it witha light??? course i have no clue how to use one to begin with ! , one last thing will the Ca18de rocker cover gaskets work on the DET i already bought them i guess ill know soon enough, also should i use any gasket sealer ?ok i lied one more, the oils seals in the block, like say the rear main seal would the DE work as an oem replacement !

sorry about all the questions, but these thingsi didnt think about before i started this, this weekend all came to pass as im thinking to my self "WTF am i doing, ?"

Jon

[Movingviolation240]

DE valvecover seals work

DE front and rear main seals fit

torque spec is F'n tight

the FSM says 3.5 quarts of oil but people seem to get less bearing wear when they run 4 quarts so that's what I recomend

timing is supose to be set at 15 but I think they run a HELL of a lot better at 20 (just like the SR and KA)

There you go (abit a bit backwards)

PaulOrlando, FL

[jrturbo909]

The dent in the pan is kinda in the middle. You can tell the engine was set on something. Oh well. Does anyone know bout the intercooler? Moving Violation, what are the size specs on your intercooler?

Shah

[slw240sx]

thanks paul !! id be nowhere with out your wisdom!! i may have to ask you a few wiring questions if all doesnt go very good today and my car wont start!!! i had it running in the old chasis, this one i just bought has had a Ca18det in it, but he was running haltec, i think its been wired for the stock Ca ECU either that or my Ca18det harness is wired for the 91 and up 240sx, so im not sure how much im going to have to reconfigure when i hook it all up in the 90!

well thanks for the help! Jon

[Ryan of Velocity]

ARC (Abbey Road Company) makes an aftermarket oil pan for the CA18DET. I can't remember off the top of my head who is importing their stuff though. I'll let you know if it comes to me.

[Xero]

What abou tus all getting Moroso to make one up, a baffled one, we don't really need that much more oil, just baffles,