Rebuilding your CA18 101 [need info]

[mazikowski]

I'm starting this thread at the potential risk of getting very odd looks and maybe some flameage... but the stupidest question is the one never asked...

So with all the head honchos of the CA world emphasizing doing a rebuild before throwing your motor in the car, I figured that it would probably be best to have a decent list of what should be done. That and I need a guide on what I should do with my CA :P So here's the question:

What should be done when rebuilding your CA? More specifically, what parts need to be replaced or reconditioned, what machine work should be done, things like that. Also, any basic tips/tricks would be great. Please assume nothing is common sense.

I know it depends greatly on what kind of power you're looking for, so let's base this off the assumption that we're rebuilding our newly purchased legal drinking age CA for a reliable 250 horses at the crank. oWe're only worried about the mechanical aspects of the engine, not personal power choices like the tune, turbo, standalone/piggyback, etc.

So guys, please enlighten us CA toddlers on the ways of the tribe.

[float_6969]

I'd just do a stock rebuild to Nissan specs. Gasket kit, and new main bearings, rod bearings, and rings.

If the cylinders are worn, you'll have to bore it out, will present a bit of a problem as getting stock Nissan CA18DET pistons in the US can present a bit of a challenge. If this is the case, you might need to save your money and get some forged pistons unless you can find someone to get you the Nissan pistons in an oversize.

Hope that helps.

[mazikowski]

I found this a wihle back... It says you can substitute manufacturers, since Wiseco pistons don't have the notch (I thihk?) for the oil squirter clearance.

Kit #3http://www.importperformancepa....html

[r34 gtr]

Just go to Auto Zone on south parkway man, I have them trained. Just ask for bearings and a gasket kit for the '88 pulsar.

AZ doesn't carry rings though, so go to the Advance on south pkwy (across from Lowes) and ask them for rings for the same thing. They were $96 last I got them, and they were some slick rings.

[ca18detgabby]

if you are going to make something like this......

having tim or whoever list part numbers would probably be a good idea.

I went mostly by the book of float when I did my swap..... in retro spec I wish I had done a new WP since they are pretty damn cheap, belts and probably would have had the injectors flow tested and cleaned.

things like a solid radiator and FMIC are pretty good ideas as well.

I would say the worst part for me......... was the harness and it seems ALOT of people are having trouble getting a decent ECU, maf, or both.

PS it is sad to say, but for the most part...... are there any companies who still can even find CAs for sale?

[iliketocrash]

I found this a wihle back... It says you can substitute manufacturers, since Wiseco pistons don't have the notch (I thihk?) for the oil squirter clearance.

Kit #3http://www.importperformancepa....html

that's the exact kit i got a couple years back. it came with wiseco's and a full gasket set for a >>ca18et<<. Oh and a copper head gasket for the ca18det that i have no use for.

[mazikowski]

Are you sure they actually sent you the right kit? Kit #3 is listed as being for the 88-93 (s13, yea?) 200sx (EUDM silvia, yea?) with the CA18DET...

[KEMP]

Im not sure if i would ever rebuild with oem parts, specially if there is any possibility you want to mod it and make power.

My current set up(which is still in the process) is ARP head studs, cometic head gasket, ACL Race main/rod bearings, Wiseco 8.5:1 forged piston, 83.5mm bore, full block clean, deck, crank turned, rods shot peened, new freeze plugs, hot tanke and all that fun stuff, i dont have it back from the machine shop yet, but the setup is almost failproof for my power, the only weak point left is the rods, which is not very much of a week point.

all of these parts costs are not taht bad, my bearing set was $100, cometic $80, arp's $110, pistons $430, then machine work is kinda a decent amount, but worth it. i would definetly check thos pistons, the ring lands love to break, my cylinder 4 pistons ringlands were broken BAD.

[r34 gtr]

Breaking ring lands is fun as hell! We just did it on my buddy's '02 WRX with a 11:1 AFR. No bad tune or anything, they just couldn't handle 20psi from a 20g for 40k miles. Oh well, that's why they sell ej257s, right?

[SxMachine]

Soo I assume when replacing stock pistons with forged a machine shop is required? A friend of mine is INSISTING on throwing in his forged CP 83mm pistons (stock spec forged) without sending it off for machining
Modified by SxMachine at 12:54 AM 4/23/2009

[boost_boy]

Soo I assume when replacing stock pistons with forged a machine shop is required? A friend of mine is INSISTING on throwing in his forged CP 83mm pistons (stock spec forged) without sending it off for machining

Modified by SxMachine at 12:54 AM 4/23/2009

Make sure the bore is within spec. If it is not, then boring to the next size will be needed. if the bore is within spec, a nice honing job should suffice.

dee

[SxMachine]

Make sure the bore is within spec. If it is not, then boring to the next size will be needed. if the bore is within spec, a nice honing job should suffice. dee

Good to know. Just curious tho, would that also be the case with the sr (having aluminum sleeves). I myself am considering a ca but worried i'll have to do to much "refreshing" of the motor itself before im confident about its reliability, being that the ca is a older motor. I mean either way a rebuild is the only way to be certain but $$ wise it makes more sense to drop a sr with a "sketchy" history than a ca with a "sketchier" history and risking a forced rebuild more sooner than later. Just trying to get a ca owners perspective before I make my final choice.
Modified by SxMachine at 7:43 PM 4/23/2009

[float_6969]

The SR has iron sleeves. The block is aluminum.

[mmm240]

good thread. I'm subscribing.

[cawatts13]

i was curious about this kit also.. id like to know more about it before ordering since the kit cost is right around 1k$