more reliable SR or CA?

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

hello all, Im new to nico, just like to say hello and thanks for all your input. I post at 240forum, but not too many guys with ca18. Thinkin bout swappin for a ca or maybe sr but I'm tryen to figure out wich one is more reliable. It's my only car so I gosta be careful, Thanks:)

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

BTW why does it say driving moms car above my anime head?

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

First of all WELCOME TO NICO!!! We're glad to have you. Please check the stickys at the head of all forums as there is a plethora of information there. We also have a gigantic archive so please use the search button. In answer to your questions they both are very well built motors and neither is repair prone. Do remember that with forced induction the more power the motor puts out, the shorter the lifespan of the motor and that is true for any application. Neither motor is better than the other, they are just different and both have thier pro's and con's. As for as the "driving mom's car" that is your current status. It is basically a way of saying how long and how much input you've provided to our little community. As you spend more time with us and your post count increases, as will your status. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask, and remember, ALWAYS USE THE SEARCH BUTTON FIRST! (This will save you a lot of flaming from the less patient members)

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

I know that there both good in there own right but like wich one gonna last longer. All japanese cars are great but toyota still the longest lasting undisputed king of quality. J/k. I have read bout sr guys havin lots of trouble, but not too much info at all about ca's. What are some of the common problems wit ca's, and the frequency of them. I plan on 300 whp no more no less, and I also plan to scrap the turbo for a screw type supercharger. Reason I like the ca is its so small I could put the SC any where, but I'm a little turned away by the lack of info on the 240 forum

Post by **tougeking** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Feel..... The...... Urge....... Can`t.........Stop.......... It...........blah (puts lighter back in pocket)

Someone will help you out on here.... I don`t have the info you need. Sorry

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

leave me alone, I like super chargers.

Post by **tougeking** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Yeah I did leave you alone??? I can understand supercharging a car that`s n/a... But all the work is done for you by Nissan.... Just can`t understand why you want to change it.

Post by **Nathan** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

turbocharger is so much more efficient anyway

Post by **tougeking** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

yeah but boost at idle is good for.... spinning the tires leaving red lights.....

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

whas your take tougeking, sr or ca more reliable. I always want SC and figure it cheaper to buy one of these motors since there already boost friendly and strap a blower to it.

Post by **tougeking** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

14.5, My opinion is really not worth anything. I own 2 S13`s, one with a dead KA24E and one with an SR20DET. I`ve never driven a CA18DET vehicle so I have no clue. I`m going to send a CA18DET back stateside for my dead crapbox but that`s just because it`s cheaper. My knowledge is pretty much nil about Nissan`s. I was a Honda dealer technician for 7 years but I don`t know nearly as much about Nissan`s as these guys do. I`m just the parts whore of the CA section- tell me what you want and I`ll go dig for it

and when I find it I`ll stand on the corner with my skirt pulled up high

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

lol, good luck with your ca tell me how it goes.

I hope I can bring you some business in the future

BTW, quit high jacking my thread........J/K

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

As I stated before, nobody is really having any problem with them that I'm aware of. They both seem to be good motors and will last you a long time. If anything the Sr's are NEWER motors and that may lead to a longer life, but that would be more age related than quality related.

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

I'd choose the CA18DET because of design and simplicity of maintenance. I'd chose the SR if I wanted something in the range of 200+hp to the crank. Break the SR and you got a lot of work to do. Break the CA (god forbid) and your labor and down time will be severely reduced compared to the SR. The SR makes good power out the box, whereas the CA will need some assistance to bridge the very small gap between the two. I've built and driven SR powered front and rearwheel drive cars and as I compare them to my own CA18DET powered cars, I'd say the SR is better in stock form. But when it comes to upgrading, the CA18 doesn't need a whole lot of this and that to get going and going reliably. If I can get 300+whp out of a stock CA18DET, 550cc injectors, t3/t04b stage I and standalone, then anything is possible. The question is, how far are you willing to go. CA wins IMHO!

Post by **Guffed** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Well the Ca has a stronger bottom end and I know that it's a cast iron block with forged internals...Don't know too much about the Sr20 (Im sure its probably the same, might be an aluminum block though...) but like someone else said before, Im sure the Sr20 would be in better shape due to age. But lets say you have a hella nice ca with like 10k on it (Like mine, haha), it's going to last you a long time if you dont take it to 8k rpm's every time. Pretty much, just keep the boost down unless you have big enough injectors and a bigger fuel pump and check your fluids often. Clean and updated fluids, clean oil and clean air is all you need for a long lasting engine.

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

thanks guffed, I was under the impression the botton end was only good for bout 300hp, after that stronger rods, and pistons. Thats okay though cause all I needs is 300hp, but it still risky to be right on the edge.

Any non mechanics rebuilt there ca's? How difficult was dat? thanks

Post by **Mikie** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Just to throw in my 2 cents, finding parts for the CA is easier and cheaper. I'm not sure how the crossover parts work for the SR, jut that a well informed CA owner seems to have to do less work AND spend less money to maintain or fix their (our) Engine... And someone correct me if I am wrong but the CA is an iron block, while SR is aluminum. Making internal upgrades less...risky.

Post by **14.5drift** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

I put this same post up n SR forum but nobody sayin any thing, So ca guys say reliable, sr guys say nothin. Actually one guy told me to search. He posted some links but after reading them reliability reports seemed to favor the ca. Thanks guys

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

I'm just retarded...:fruit weeeeee!!!

Post by **alfred183** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

FJ20!!

lol

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

If you want to chase down civics, get an SR. If you want to smile at Z06 vettes, supras and the likes while watching them in your rearview mirror, get a CA18 and spend about 2k in upgrades. And I'm saying this from personal experience! Even got the chance to watch/laugh at my friends' SR powered cars in my rearview and I wasn't surprised, either.

Post by **alfred183** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Boostboy, you're my hero...

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Quote »Boostboy, you're my hero...[/quote] You must have saw the big "B" on my cape, huh?:D And to those who love the softer motor, well, my friend with S14, SR redtop and SDS system in which I installed and tuned, kissed a pole at say 35-40mph; totalled his car, cracked his hip and cracked his shiny SR (Eggshell) block. I hit a pole at over xxx mph, destroyed everything except the CA which is probably what saved my life. And to think that this engine is in another car and performing like as if it were new simply amazes me! Once again, less the talk , but more from personal experience. Here's a picture of the S14 with SR that just wasn't up for the task http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....24003 scroll to the bottom.

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Here's a picture of a CA18 powered nissan sentra that crashed while on a mission...Long live the CA18 http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....14167

Post by **jdmfreak** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Hey boost boy, are you the guy that raced a Ferrari or something and was clocked at 173mph?

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Both have been done!

Post by **jdmfreak** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Haha! Good ****

Post by **boost_boy** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Don't try this crap at home guys or you may not be as fortunate as I was in both instances. But nissan sentra 1 and ferarri 0, but he got a good fire show;) and he can take that to the fast and the furious producer.

Post by **float_6969** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Sean, I'm not retarted. I'm just not like other people. So I chase my tail, my dog does it all the time! So I like to fly into windows, birds do it all the time! But retarded? Thats totally different. Hehehe

Post by **Nismo1182** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 pm

Dee, im looking to get another CA in a few months. (Id say by March) Have another nice one ready

j/k I let you know before hand ofcourse.

I cant decide wether to get the engine with ecu and harness or just the motor and transmission and nothing else.

I do want SDS but you will probably need the car down there, which is what causes the problem if I get just the motor and transmission.

I guess the problem I have is this, since you had said in another thread you can get a motor and transmission for like 800 or so and a complete motor set for about 1500 (?) I really dont want to spend the extra 700 on a wireharness and ecu I wont be using for long.

But on the other hand I want to make sure the motor runs straight and be able to bring the car to you.

I dont trust my car or motor to any shop around here, I rather you work you "magic" on my car since you have more knowledge on the motor than anyone and any shop ive been to up here.

Just want your opinion on this before I choose a path.

*Edit*

How about this option. I buy the motor and transmission and a few aftermarket goodies and have you rebuild the motor and install the goodies. Get the SDS stuff ready to go, then I can bring the car down with the stock motor and do the swap down there. Is that at all possible?

Like I said, its not going to be anytime soon and ill definately let you know ahead of time.

more reliable SR or CA?

more reliable SR or CA?

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