Project agenda for CA18DET swap

[dtcoelho]

I am a brand new member of NICO forums, yay! Anyway, I've looked around this site a bunch and there is tons of great info. I am about to buy a 240 from a friend (I am almost sure...) and have made a list of modifications to support the planned CA18DET engine set. I plan to do all labor myself, and between myself and some friends, there is quite a bit of expertise in most involved categories. I would just like to run my plans by some people with some more experience. It would be great if anyone could give me some comments/critique about the list I've made. I probably will only go to stage 1 (stage 2 was just for fun) and just slowly, as money allows. If I am doing something wrong or doing something stupid, please say so.

A few other questions before I start:

1. With the s15 t28 and fmic, what boost, if any could I run with 87 octane? 89? 92?

2. How much would i benefit from ecu tuning and how much would it (or an alternative) be?

3. What kind of fuel economy could i expect at low boost street conditions?

THE PLAN

1991 240sx non-hicas 5-speed hatch - $2500

Looking to run hopefully ~230-250 flywheel hp @ 13-14 psi boost on stock internals

Stage 1Ca18det - $1500Walbro Fuel Pump (Do I need new injectors?) - $125Battery Relocation - A few bucksexhaust cut-out AND homemade manual boost controller- a few bucksSwap in KA24DE MAF sensor - FREEElectric Fan - $100t28 Turbo (Rebuilt)- $300Vlsd - $200Clutch Plate - $150Boost Gauge/Turbo Timer - $100FMIC - $250Strut Brace - $10New Suspension (Cheap Coilovers?) - $600

~$3500

Stage 2Aluminium Driveshaft - $400BOV - $100300zx Brake Upgrade - $300CAI - $10016" Rims - $600Aluminium Bushings - $200New Ignition - $300Megasquirt - $400

~$2400

Once again, thank you very much, I'll appreciate any responses I can get.

[Masterdebater]

1- only run 91 octane or higher2-dont need to tune the ecu really unless ur doing bigger injectors3-i get dam good economy on mine!!! 440 injectors and a gt28r at stock 6 psi

that hp can easily be achieved with this motor. just get bigger injectors and floe more boost and get a GOOD tune. injectors~300$tuning~300$ IIRC what i payed. and yes get a 255 lph pump for ur fuel and a z32 fuel filter

[ca240sxcoupe]

well i guess someone has to start off.....

1. your getting a performance motor....stay with the highest octane possible...mine is 93.....

2. depending on certain mods alot of benefit....

3.again performance if your that worried about fuel economy buy a prius

with a walbro you wont NEED new injectors but without new injectors you can run the stock pump....

do not use a ka24de maf it will not work trust me i know....you can use a ka24e maf but only with tuning as some members suggest that it may lean out the motor in high rpms

where are you getting a t28 rebuilt for 300....cause let me know and ill get one too....

you dont need coilovers...most people want them because drifting made them really popular you could just stick with some shocks and springs and still be good to go....go with some type of springs like rsr and some kyb shocks and youll be good for street use....

well thats all for now i got to go to work...

[dtcoelho]

Ok, thanks, that answers a lot of my questions. For the record, the octane curiosity was just that, curiosity. If I could have run low octane, why not save some cash for other parts? And no, I will never by a toyota pious or the like, ever. I understand I am not building this car to average 40mpg, but its not a purpose-built race car either. I'd expect with the 1.8 liter and light weight that I would get impressive fuel economy, given the performance.

Anyway, if I shouldnt use the KA maf, what should I use instead, and how much could i get one for? Also, I saw $300 somewhere for an estimated price of a rebuilt t28, but if that is way too low, its probably completely wrong.

What tuning would need to be done, and would it be worth it to do it myself? (My time is not worth much for this project, because its a learning experience anyway.)

I assumed that about the coilovers, all you really get for lots more $ is adjustable ride height, right?

Thanks again, I've already learned a lot more

[Masterdebater]

coilovers on the street=very uncomfortable. i have eibach springs and some lo pro 17s and its perfect. if ur not rich enough for an ecu tune then go for an apexi safc and have someone tune it. mine does fine but i recommend an ecu tune. i get about a rough 25-30 mpg i think is what it was

[dtcoelho]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I appreciate it.

[Nunook]

**** 1 - something that ppl didn't notice. BOV should be right along side FMIC.if u go and drive without a BOV of some sort for anyamount of time ur just killing that turbo, etc..

2 if u plan on getting some rsr and agx's then just get coilovers. The amount of money that I spent on my rsr/agx/tein camber plates. I could've gotten coilovers and had longer shock stroke, better dampening for the spring rate, stronger, and ride height adjustment. my 2 cents. but then again if u just want to lower the car alittle get some tein s-techs for like $125 or something and call it a day.