My CA19DET build

[240Clarke]

So, Ive been tinkering with my CA for quite a while now. Started with a basic setup, stock CA block with ARP head studs and Cometic hg and SR T25, and slowly progressed.
Thought I had reached a point to where I was happy a couple months ago with Nistune, a GT2860RS, and DSM 450cc injectors, but then the inevitable happened... broke ring lands on 2 pistons. So instead of being like the majority of CA owners and ditching the power plant, I decided to upgrade and take my misfortune as an excuse to go fully built.

Which brings me where I am currently.
Im using the same necessities as I had before, CXRacing radiator, e-fans, FMIC, Nismo mounts, and my Nistune, just adding some goodies.
I went with 84mm Wiseco pistons, which Im just deleting the oil squirters (I know there is mixed reviews about that on here.)
K1 Rods
ARP head studs
ARP main bolts and rod bolts
The crank has been weighted and polished.
Clevite bearings
FIC 1650cc injectors (to run ethanol)
Custom intake manifold (FabW3rks)
Custom top mount turbo manifold (FabW3rks)
And the turbo I chose to go with is a dual ball bearing Precision 6262 with a .68a/r exhaust.
Tomei 270 cams with a 8.8mm lift (in & ex)
Supertech springs and retainers
Tomei cam gears
The head is being ported by Brandon Bonnewell (owner of FabW3rks)

My power goal is lofty, but again, its just a goal. I would like to settle right in the arena of 500whp. Though I will be happy with anything above 450whp.

Everything has been purchased with the exception of the cams/springs & retainers/ gears. I will also need to upgrade my ACT street/strip clutch which I purchased for my last setup not even 200 miles ago...

Eventually I will purchase the Mazworx Z32 trans adapter kit and a Z32 trans, but I simply can not afford that at the moment.

The engine is being machined and the short block assembled at CNC Engine Dynamics in Winchester, VA.

Hoping to have the complete build done right around tax time, so February/March, as funds allow.

**If anyone wants the stock cams from the CA or the ACT Street/Strip clutch, PM me**


Here are a few pictures from my last setup to where I am now:


My old setup


My 240


84mm Wiseco pistons


90mm billet throttle body for the new intake mani


K1 rods


FIC 1650cc injectors (not the fuel rail)


dbb Precision 6262


Just dropped the block off at CNC Engine Dynamics to be machined/assembled

Feel free to leave any feedback. Im not an avid poster on the forums, and usually stick to the S-Chassis Owners group on Facebook, but Im open to suggestions and feedback.

Tyler

[float_6969]

I love a pic of a bare CA18 block. They look so little... But anyone that own one knows the power they posses!

[240Clarke]

Haha I know! Tiny little thing. I broke ringlands on 2 pistons and the scoring on Cylinder 2 was pretty bad, so I bored it .040" over. And Im actually in the process of trading my 6262 to a guy for a GT2871r 52trim, the inlet/outlet pipes, and enough cash to buy a cheap bottom mount manifold for it. So obviously the aforementioned power goal will drop but the streetability should go way up. ~350whp is a good, fun number for a street driven S chassis in my opinion.

[Sideways s12]

Nice set-up lol don't get me started on broken ringlands...

[float_6969]

must be a stock piston thing. What were you guys tuning with?

[Sideways s12]

I was stock completely so there was no need to tune, I was making a uturn and boom it happened lol it's currently awaiting a rebuild i need to stop being lazy and pull the motor so i can get it done...

[float_6969]

damn, that sucks!

[240Clarke]

Im tuning with Nistune. I had just bought the engine, had the head rebuilt, installed ARP head studs and Cometic gasket, etc. Drove pretty crappy, just not as strong as it should have been and way rich, so I bought Nistune hoping to tune out the issues. Threw on a Godspeed 18g at the same time, 450cc injectors, and a few other things. First test drive was less than a mile, it ran like complete s***, exactly as if the knock sensor was inoperable. WAAAY to rich and throwing way to much timing. Back at the shop, I followed the write up on how to wire the knock sensor in with shielded wire directly to the sensor. Restarted it, and within minutes developed a miss. Compression test revealed 30psi on cyl 2, and like 120psi on 4. 0% on a leakdown test on cyl 2. Teardown began.

This time around, Im having John Kerr of J-K-Tuning, creator of Nismotronic, tune it. Just hoping to have a relatively safe platform around 350whp with a GT2871r.


Anybody interested in trading a set of FIC 1650cc DSM injectors (direct drop in for the CA with the correct o-rings) for a set of 750-1000cc injectors?

[boost_boy]

High or low impedance on the 1650cc injectors? ANd are you looking for high or low impedance injectors?

[Sideways s12]

damn, that sucks!

Yeah I'm more pissed because I was doing anything stupid atleast if i was I could justify it, but nope no fun was being had and now I'm sad lol just gives me a chance to build it stronger...

[float_6969]

well if you're not looking for crazy power, I suggest CP pistons (the Wiesco's don't clear the oil squirters), stock rods, and ARP rod bolta. Running that in mine and I'm very happy with it.

[boost_boy]

Install Wiseco pistons in engine, rotate engine to put in other two pistons and (a) engine gets stuck and you force it to rotate (b) when you get it to rotate, two little pieces of aluminum falls on the ground. What is this, the rookie asks? It is the squirter portion of your oil jets. Have a good day "Buddy"

[float_6969]

LOL, I hope that's not one of your personal stories of an epic fail! I was fortunate enough to have heard of the issue back when I was in the market for forged pistons.

To Wiesco's defense, maybe they've fixed the problem since that was at least 7 years ago.

[boost_boy]

LOL, I hope that's not one of your personal stories of an epic fail! I was fortunate enough to have heard of the issue back when I was in the market for forged pistons.

To Wiesco's defense, maybe they've fixed the problem since that was at least 7 years ago.

I can only speak from my experiences, brother. Even though this happened 13 years ago, that same machinist who claimed he can handle the solid lifter project, installed what possibly was the first set of custom Wiseco pistons ever made in the U.S. for the CA18DET on to my stock rods and because of my inexperience, I installed them the way he gave them to me. Yes, it was a complete failure and I had to pay a professional welder to attempt to weld those broken oil squirters. That's why I tell these guys that some of the crap they do or go through, I've been there and done that, so it would be wise if some of them pay attention to the advice that is given from those of us who have endured the headaches, fails, mechanical robberies as well as the happiness when dealing with the CA18 engines. And honestly, I've had my share of them

[Sideways s12]

well if you're not looking for crazy power, I suggest CP pistons (the Wiesco's don't clear the oil squirters), stock rods, and ARP rod bolta. Running that in mine and I'm very happy with it.

I'm looking for somewhere in the range of 350hp and I have a deal working with a spare motor I might be getting which I will be sending to Dee to be built for alot more....2013 is my year to go H.A.M on the streets of vegas, I'm Tired of Being slow!

[Luchitosan]

LOL, I hope that's not one of your personal stories of an epic fail! I was fortunate enough to have heard of the issue back when I was in the market for forged pistons.

To Wiesco's defense, maybe they've fixed the problem since that was at least 7 years ago.

I can only speak from my experiences, brother. Even though this happened 13 years ago, that same machinist who claimed he can handle the solid lifter project, installed what possibly was the first set of custom Wiseco pistons ever made in the U.S. for the CA18DET on to my stock rods and because of my inexperience, I installed them the way he gave them to me. Yes, it was a complete failure and I had to pay a professional welder to attempt to weld those broken oil squirters. That's why I tell these guys that some of the crap they do or go through, I've been there and done that, so it would be wise if some of them pay attention to the advice that is given from those of us who have endured the headaches, fails, mechanical robberies as well as the happiness when dealing with the CA18 engines. And honestly, I've had my share of them

What Boost boy said is so true, if you don't listen/read carefully you probably sorry in the future, but...
is human nature right ?

[240Clarke]

Wow, been a while since Ive been back here. Never even saw these replies.
As for the oil squirters, I read obsessively before I drop large amounts of money on parts.. was well aware they would need to be either modified or I would have to delete the squirters. I went with the latter. A lot of ppl on here have their negative opinions on that, Ive read all of the threads, I dont feel it as much as a sin as the majority though.
I dont have any pictures to update this time, but there will be tons very soon.
In the meantime, Ive traded those 1650's for a set of Precision 650's that have been flow matched by FIC. Much more at par with what I need.
I also traded the 6262 for a GT2871r. It is a .86ar turbine, which will cause it to be a little laggy, but I can live with 4100-4300 rpm full boost.
I also got my tax refunds finally and ordered all of the basic essentials, including:
-OEM Nissan oil pump
-OEM Nissan water pump
-OEM Nissan timing belt
-OEM Nissan Crank sprocket
-OEM Nissan Crank sprocket shield
-OEM Nissan woodruff key
-OEM Nissan thermostat
-Gates PowerGrip timing belt tensioner pulley
-Gates PowerGrip timing belt idler pulley
-Cometic 84mm top end gasket kit
-Cometic bottom end gasket kit

There are a few more parts on my need to buy list, but for the most part I think I have it pretty well covered.
Have been deeply considering the Wiring Specialties CA full harness. I went off The handle last night with the spending though and it looks like it will have to be delayed

Last thing, John Kerr of JK Tuning (Nismotronic) will be the one tuning my car. I'm sticking with my Nistune. Hoping for a RELIABLE 350whp.

Thoughts?

[float_6969]

That should be enough to get you were you are wanting to go!

[240Clarke]

Ahh... I got power hungry again.
I sold my GT2871r and picked up a Holset H1C. It has a 12cm2 exhaust house with a welded on vband. Freshly rebuilt and powder coated.
Also picked up a top mount mani and downpipe from a guy on Zilvia. Nothing to write home about, but they shall suffice. Downpipe flange will have to be cut and a vband welded on.

Pic of the turbo:



I also went ahead and ordered a complete harness from Wiring Specialties. The engine harness, trans harness, coilpack subharness, and Z32 MAF adapter subharness.

Also, my Cometic top end and bottom end gasket kits came in today. I specifically ordered an 84mm x1.2mm hg, but an 85mm hg came. Can I still use this without issue, seeing that I have an 84mm bore?

[240Clarke]

So finally an update. Fired CNC Engine Dynamics due to them dragging their feet for months and had Middletown Performance out of Middletown, Virginia take over the build. They have high quality facilities and constantly turn out huge number builds on everything from Hondas to exotics.
Anyways, I stopped being hard headed and took the advice from the OG's in this group, and kept my oil squirters. Had to modify them, but they have a few thousands clearance at BDC and are good to go.
I used a thread on here to source the ARP part numbers to source my main stud kit, and I don't remember the poster but thank you, they were perfect.
The flywheel was balanced, ended up being 30 grams out of balance, crank was polished and balanced, everything was cleaned and coated. Went ahead and bought a new ARP head stud kit, ARP flywheel bolts, and of course the K1 rods came with ARP rod bolts.
Anyways, I think my block is pretty stout, now on to the pictures!

[float_6969]

Sorry the other machine shop didn't work out for you, but I'm glad you found one that did. Can't wait for more build pics!

[Izento]

Never seen so detailed pics of the bottom end on a CA. Nice!