RB20DET or CA18DET

[hsoj_v]

I'm a bit in a little debate weather to get a RB20DET or the CA18DET. Reason for the RB20DET is... obviously it's a Skyline Motor... (Yey Skyline Motor!) but all I'm hearing about that motor isn't quite decent. Some people say puts out the same as the SR20DET. I really don't know though. The CA18DET would be a good drop too plus it's almost a direct drop for the 12.

anyways... what does anyone else recommend?

[biosehnsucht]

RB20DET is hard to fit in anything that had a 4cyl originally.. I don't know how much space there is in a S12, but if its not at least as long an engine bay as a S13, you're probably not going to fit it.

Sure, its only 2 litre, blah blah blah.. but if money were no object I might go for a custom built RB20DET just for 6 cylinder smoothness.. OTOH, if money were no object I'd do a RB30DET(T?)

Keep in mind while CA parts can be had from a Pulsar you're SOL on the Skyline motors, hard to get parts sometimes even from Japan cause they're all old motors now and nobody cares.

[Ca18det240sxchk]

well i have a ca18det swap and its def more reliable and you have the potential to put out just as much as the rb20 but parts are a ***** to findfor the ca! i spent over 6k just getting my swap completed! Front mount intercooler, Hks boost gauge, apexi cat n1 exhaust system, apexi BOV, spec stage 2 clutch kit, new water pump and pulley, and performace chip to remap fuel, air, ect but yeah i put alot of money into it

[Ca18det240sxchk]

but if your gunna go big than get the RB26DETT... that is the baddest motor ever and thats my next swap next year.. im rebuilding it.. so yeh

[themadscientist]

You are not fitting an RB in a 12. Go CA.

[hsoj_v]

Ahem...

[davidricardo86]

Cool drag car!

[themadscientist]

I stand corrected. I am reasonably confident my theory about naked chicks being fun to play with will stand up to scrutiny though. Can you put up a sideshot? I am curious how much space is left between the radiator and motor.

[DriftingisLame]

well i have a ca18det swap and its def more reliable and you have the potential to put out just as much as the rb20

Oh really.. I wonder why my rb20, and my roommates rb20, have held up so damn well. In fact, it seems as though we replaced more worn out gaskets and cracked hoses on my friends CA than on our RB's (basically all that breaks on these nissan motors, haha).

I love my rb20, and it walks the sh*t out of my friends ca18 with about equal mods. You wont be dissapointed with the rb's powerband, or smoothness. If I were to start over I'd have probably gone with a CA18, seems like an easier swap, simpler motor, and a lot of potential. I vote for the CA18.

[hsoj_v]

I stand corrected. I am reasonably confident my theory about naked chicks being fun to play with will stand up to scrutiny though. Can you put up a sideshot? I am curious how much space is left between the radiator and motor.

[Club-S12.org/tS]

btw. this isn't my car. This is the best pic I could find of it.

[float_6969]

I think the answer to your question is in what you want to do with the car. Is this a daily that you want to have fun spanking other people with? Is this a drag car? AutoX? Road Racing?

If it's the first two, then you've got my vote for the RB. It's got more displacement, more cylnders, more power, and more torque. But it's also got more weight and is longer, which is going to make the weight balance of the car off.

If it's the last two, then I'd say go for the CA. This is why I picked the CA for my S13 as well. It's the shortest drop in motor available for the S13, and it weighs the least. I would be hard pressed to believe that my car doesn't have pretty darn close to 50/50 weight distribution. With the KA it's 52/48, I know I'm at least at 51/49. Plus the overall weight of the car dropped as well. BUT it's gonna be down on power compared to the RB and it's infamous for not having any low end grunt. Even in stock form, it's pretty worthless below 3K.

[Kouks]

Well said float, i hate to just post, but ehh, here goes.

I agree, the Ca is a short motor way shorter than the Ka. I can stand comfortably in between my Ca and the radiator so theres alotta room.

One thing I tried to imitate is putting the weight as close to the center of the car as possible.(think Corvette,FD3s) they both have their motors wedged back towards the center of the car as possible, and as low as possible. This isnt a concern if you want sheer grunt just for drag racing, but handling is great on a 50/50 weight distribution car. Youd have to drive both to see the difference, but my vote goes to the CA.

Balance is your friend.

[themadscientist]

Dam! it must have electric fans mounted on the front of the radiator!

[OverBoosted180]

Well said float, i hate to just post, but ehh, here goes.

I agree, the Ca is a short motor way shorter than the Ka. I can stand comfortably in between my Ca and the radiator so theres alotta room.

One thing I tried to imitate is putting the weight as close to the center of the car as possible.(think Corvette,FD3s) they both have their motors wedged back towards the center of the car as possible, and as low as possible. This isnt a concern if you want sheer grunt just for drag racing, but handling is great on a 50/50 weight distribution car. Youd have to drive both to see the difference, but my vote goes to the CA.

Balance is your friend.

Yes! I would have to agree with Kouks! All the CA is..is just a 4 cylinder RB. Revs to 8 all day with stock internals. For all that have doubts, put it this way..u don't know the half of wat a CA can do with 600+ WHP, especially in an street S13. which is wat I am chasing for. KA who????

[float_6969]

Nope, my fans are mounted in the puller position, and before I recirulated my BOV, I had room to stand in there.