new guy with alot of questions about the CA18DET.

[Daemos]

Alright so here's my story.

In canada we have a 15 year import law. This means as long as a car is 15 years or older we can import it into Canada.

So I was saving up for an R32 GTR...Still wanting to get one, but various things are preventing me, engine parts, maintance, and having a HARD time sticking to my budget. But I spent alot of time researching the RB26DETT and the ATTESSA-ETS system (and I still know almost nothing compared to some people on the GTR board I frequent, but I know more about it than the CA18DET)

So I'm also looking into 1988-1990 JDM 180SXs with the CA18DETs in them.

Now from what I've read by searching and reading, alot of parts can be interchanged from the 1988 Nissan Pulsar in north america. so I could go to a dealership and they can order parts for me right?

Okay, so I also want to do a complete engine rebuild. What parts are needed? What parts need to be kept? Where can I get these parts from.

My target goal is around 350rwhp with a 8000-9000 rpm redline. I also want to have low turbo lag, what parts am I looking to upgrade? Is this possible? I want a nice clean powerband that'll send me into the low-mid 11 second range for 1/4 mile while still being a good road race/auto x car I will NOT be drifting.

As well, once I get the engine rebuilt, I'll be selling my current car (a 2003 Spec V) and using that to upgrade the 180sx and the CA18DET even more.

Ps I know alot of you guys arn't gonna like this, but this WILL be an ALL SEASON car, with seprate summer/winter tires and rims. Just like I wanted the GTR to be...

I was also thinking of an SR20DET drop (which I know more about than the CA18, but not as much as the RB26DETT, which I still know almost nothing about) But that costs as much as buying a R32GTR on it's own

Any thoughts comments? Yes I've already searched, but none of the searches I did got specific enough answers, maybe I didn't search hard enough, but I'm gonna go search some more again

[SeVa-S13]

Quick question, why not just swap a CA18 into a 240SX? Is right hand drive that cool?

As far as the rebuild, I believe many parts are interchangeable with the CA18DE we have here, there's a list with parts at the top of this forum.

350whp with "low lag" is a pretty lofty goal, but not completely unattainable I think. You'll need a real nice (read:expensive) ball-bearing turbo probabaly. But even then, a 1.8 liter 4 banger is not the engine to look for tons of low end delivery out of. Want a fat power band and low end? Turbo KA is probabaly a good choice there...

I'm sure others who know way more than I will chime in so good luck.

[Daemos]

Quick question, why not just swap a CA18 into a 240SX? Is right hand drive that cool?

As far as the rebuild, I believe many parts are interchangeable with the CA18DE we have here, there's a list with parts at the top of this forum.

350whp with "low lag" is a pretty lofty goal, but not completely unattainable I think. You'll need a real nice (read:expensive) ball-bearing turbo probabaly. But even then, a 1.8 liter 4 banger is not the engine to look for tons of low end delivery out of. Want a fat power band and low end? Turbo KA is probabaly a good choice there...

I'm sure others who know way more than I will chime in so good luck.

is RHD cool? Yes

Why not swap a CA18DET into a USDM 240SX? Because the price of 240SXs in North America is MORE expensive than buying a JDM 180SX WITH a CA18DET already in it + to have it shipped to my door is convient. and the JDM cars of the same era are in BETTER condition.

a 1989-1990 JDM 180SX with around 100,000Km on the engine will cost me ~$7000 CND delivered right to my door, all that is left to be done is to have it insured. Buying a USED USDM 240SX that's atleast $6000-$8000 to have one in Good condition, then I gotta DO the swap, and it's gonna have rust have 200xxxkm on it and in generaly worse condition. Which ends up costing more.

I could also get a S14 but that costs as much as buying and importing an R32 GTR into Canada

[Tweaky_Tom]

The VQ35DE (T) isn't a bad engine either. Inline 6, dohc, lots of torque for low end and endless capabilities with the right turbo. Only con is not many people are doing this swap so info is somewhat limited on adaptations and mods. Even naturaly asperated, 280 to 300hp is easily attainable. As far as an 8-9k redline. That's quite a strain for even a tuned engine. I'd say OVERBUILD and under power to be safe. This will be my next swap.

[Daemos]

See I'm not LOOKING to do a swap I'm buying a car with the engine already in it :p

[PacManVR4]

Yep, You can buy everything at napa for a CA.

[ca18datsun510]

The VQ35DE (T) isn't a bad engine either. Inline 6, dohc, lots of torque for low end and endless capabilities with the right turbo. Only con is not many people are doing this swap so info is somewhat limited on adaptations and mods. Even naturaly asperated, 280 to 300hp is easily attainable. As far as an 8-9k redline. That's quite a strain for even a tuned engine. I'd say OVERBUILD and under power to be safe. This will be my next swap.

the vq is not an inline 6, hence the "v"

[Tweaky_Tom]

See I'm not LOOKING to do a swap I'm buying a car with the engine already in it :p

Just an idea. Also make sure you get good insurance on whatever you buy or you'll end up like my avatar.

[Tweaky_Tom]

the vq is not an inline 6, hence the "v"

Crap im out of it today. I've been looking for a 4.0 cherokee all morning (inline six). My bad. Sorry for the misinformation.

[s13240sxdrifter]

is RHD cool? Yes

Why not swap a CA18DET into a USDM 240SX? Because the price of 240SXs in North America is MORE expensive than buying a JDM 180SX WITH a CA18DET already in it + to have it shipped to my door is convient. and the JDM cars of the same era are in BETTER condition.

a 1989-1990 JDM 180SX with around 100,000Km on the engine will cost me ~$7000 CND delivered right to my door, all that is left to be done is to have it insured. Buying a USED USDM 240SX that's atleast $6000-$8000 to have one in Good condition, then I gotta DO the swap, and it's gonna have rust have 200xxxkm on it and in generaly worse condition. Which ends up costing more.

I could also get a S14 but that costs as much as buying and importing an R32 GTR into Canada

you're wrong on this one man. i have about 2grand USD into my 1989 240sx. that includes the price of a rust free, perfectly clean interior car, plus body work, and a paint job i did myself, and two more engines. now i have a CA18DET on hold for me going into my car in a couple weeks for another 2grand USD. so i'm at a grand total of 4grand. not bad for buying a car, and two stock engines, and a JDM CA18DET and getting it installed.

[ca18datsun510]

hes also in canada. different dollars at work. and more snow/salt means less 240s which means higher prices.

[Axlerod]

He lives in Manitoba. It is hard to find *any* car there with no rust, let alone a low km S13. He is completely right that importing a 180SX is the cheapest route. Insurance is the only hurdle, and his being in Manitoba makes it a small one. We dont have the luxury of year round summer (you lucky southerners...), or a large supply of used S13s in good shape - in fact if you find one with no rust, expect to pay close to $10K.

Feel free to contact me on AIM or MSN Daemos, I can answer most of your questions without bugging these guys here Yes, this is the same Axlerod from GTRC and NEO.

[r34 gtr]

dude, dont buy a cherokee...from what ive seen they are horrible cars. my friends who have them have all had to have at least one new engine put in them. the first generation ford explorers own!! took one mudding/trail riding/etc. last weekend and it took it like a man. but whatever.

daemos, just ask and ill probably be able to help ya out with your questions.

oh, axlerod, year-round summer does have its downfalls..its hot as hell, humid as hell, nasty, hot, scorching, balmy, hot, etc. and my car is black/black with no a/c.

- tim

[s13240sxdrifter]

i live in buffalo, new york area. i know all about the not having rust-free cars thing. you gotta learn how to search if you want to find a good deal. i found one.

[Daemos]

Well cars made after ~1992 in Winnipeg are generally all rust free if they were taken care of, and bought and driven in Winnipeg winters. Just because our snow removal compound is only 5% salt and that salt doesn't cause rust on cars Winnipeg the CITY it self has the largest budget for snow removal in the country. So our cars don't rust because of snow.

However, those net close to $10K and they're high milage. Insurance, that's the easiest part of my troubles.