Looking for a bit more power on a smaller budget.

[SkinnyKibbles]

Okay, so I have a 1990 240sx with a KA24E in it (engine sucks I know). I've been looking at engine swaps recently because I'm not really satisfied with the power this engine produces. Seeing as I can't really afford an SR20DET I figured I go with a CA18DET. A good buddy of mine (lives down the street....) Liquid_Neon has a CA in his Pulsar, and seeing as I don't know anyone in the area with a SR I figured a person with a CA would be able to help with a swap. I've read through the stickies and am still unclear on a few things.

*Can I use the KA24E harness for the swap?*If Yes what plugs would I have to swap/lengthen/re-pin etc....*Can I use the radiator/hoses from the KA?

I plan on keeping the engine mostly stock with the exception of a FMIC/intake etc. Obviously I'd rebuild the engine after inspecting it inside and out.

So with that being said, the motor I've been looking at is on http://www.jdmtigerjapanese.co...=4783

If anyone has any past dealings with this company please let me hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading~

[sjbsuperman1425]

i had a good experience with http://www.japanesestarmotors.com with my motorset. I also refered them to someone else who also had good experience with them.

but its a no on the KA24E harness. use the CA18DET harness. The wiring for the swap is almost spot on with the SR20DET swap.

yes u can use the stock radiator/hoses.

as for wiring http://web.archive.org/web/200...oveka

thats what i used, but idk if the link is working anymore..

[SkinnyKibbles]

neither of those links work for me, but thanks for answering most of my questions. Guess I still need to dig around some more.

[sjbsuperman1425]

yea the SR swap guide link didn't work when i tried it either..sorry. http://www.frsport.com has a decent write-up on swap wiring as well, so u might wanna check that out.

as for the engine, http://www.japanesestarmotor.com is the correct URL. i accidentally added an "S" to the other link

[ca18detgabby]

you really need to check out the FAQ. lots of good links.

Ps if you are doing this to be cheap........... your headed down a road filled w/ issues and going to cost you alot.....

[SkinnyKibbles]

you really need to check out the FAQ. lots of good links.

Ps if you are doing this to be cheap........... your headed down a road filled w/ issues and going to cost you alot.....

Not doing it so much to be cheap, I see a lot of SR's but not many CA's. Seeing as I have a 1990, a CA would seem more appropirate

[mbmbmb23]

So with that being said, the motor I've been looking at is on http://www.jdmtigerjapanese.co...=4783

If anyone has any past dealings with this company please let me hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading~

Have them send you pictures of them compression testing the cylinders (photos of the pressure gauge). These days getting a used motorset is a crapshoot as most of these are junkyard motors. I would google "jdmtigerjapanese" and see what pops up.

[sjbsuperman1425]

Have them send you pictures of them compression testing the cylinders (photos of the pressure gauge). These days getting a used motorset is a crapshoot as most of these are junkyard motors. I would google "jdmtigerjapanese" and see what pops up.

yea i agree. I'd also try and stay within the US when getting the motorset..

[SkinnyKibbles]

I've dug around that website a bit, I'm kind bummed they don't provide a harness or ecu for the CA.

[CakeEater]

I know of a few complete engine sets being sold by personal owners locally. They are pulled from their 180's, Silvia's so they haven't been bashed around.

[sjbsuperman1425]

Japanese Star Motor is less than 4hrs away from your location. Why not just drive there, and pick out which engine you want and make sure you get everything you need. even compression test it. Thats the BEST thing IMO, that you can do.

[SkinnyKibbles]

Good call.

[mbmbmb23]

Japanese Star Motor is less than 4hrs away from your location. Why not just drive there, and pick out which engine you want and make sure you get everything you need. even compression test it. Thats the BEST thing IMO, that you can do.

Yes, this is your best bet. Call first and see how many they have on hand. Drive there with a mechanic friend.....have cash in hand and look over all available CA's. With cash in hand and a list of all parts you will need you can probably talk them into robbing missing parts on your motor off the other motors to make yours complete. Also you can have you pick of wire harnesses.....skipping the ragged out hacked up ones. If the turbo is seized up, you might get them to throw in a SR20 stock unit that spins freely. Basically you'll get more for your money if you go in person and you're less likely to get screwed over.

[KEMP]

if you plan to swap it and be fast, think again, it'll be fun, but your still gonna need an exhaust, an intercooler of some sort and a bov, and thats the bare minimum, i think everyone on here can vouch for me when i say, that i know just as well as anyone, that making power on a budget is the wrong path to go down.