recommended CA parts

[wangless]

hey,

i hope i dont get flamed... ive searched and couldnt really find anything... so ill ask... these questions came to me while researching both the SR and CA motors for swapping...

first... for SR i hear about RAS (rocker arm stoppers) to prevent damage at high revs... i dont see any for CA engines... or am i just not looking hard enough...

second... SR i also hear about a bigger oil pan... i dont hear the mention of one for the CA... although i see alot of 'oil catcher pan' i dont know what that is... if its something simple... ill just search again...

looking for parts that help prevent the car from doing damage to itself accidently ie. RAS for the SR... or just to fix common problems that come with the CA clip... any other recommendations for the CA ?

[CA19DET]

well i would reccomend rebuilding the engine with new bearings, head and other gaskets, rings and oil & water pumps. if you can afford a new turbo would be a good idea (SR T25/T28 or whatever)

the CA doesnt use rockers, but you could replace the hydraulic lifters & possibly even new valve springs to allow you to rev a little safer to high rpm..

i would reccomend getting a oil cooler, the little stock one by the filter is ok, but an external one will increase engine efficiency by keeping oil temps down, and oil capacity. also upgrading to elec fans and bigger radiator.

all CA18 engines are old and could use a little freshening up..

do a little searcha nd some post reading and you'll find all the answers.

[wangless]

ic... thanks

[deej-79]

'oil catcher pan'

You mean Oil catch can?

I got one so my exhaust would stop smoking

Lots of people over here have problems with the Crank bearings around 80,000 miles so I would suggest replacing those.

[wangless]

yeah... oil catch can... whatever that is...

[float_6969]

The purpose of the oil catch can is to 'catch' the oil that comes out of the PCV system and not allow it to go into the suction side of the turbo. Not a problem unless you sustain high RPMS. I've got one an haven't seen any oil in it yet thought...

[chezina]

The purpose of the oil catch can is to 'catch' the oil that comes out of the PCV system and not allow it to go into the suction side of the turbo. Not a problem unless you sustain high RPMS. I've got one an haven't seen any oil in it yet thought...

Be patient someday it will fill up.

Seriously, when your engine is healthy and your not running mega high booost there isn't so much oil in the blowby gases.

[float_6969]

Well I gues it's a good thing I don't have much oil in the blow by. Ofcourse after I get the S14 turbo on there and turn the boost up to 12psi, I may get some more...

[boost_boy]

I raced a friend in his S2000 for about 80 miles at speeds of over 150mph and then engaged in a race with turbocharged IS300 for about 7 miles and got about 4 ounces of oil in my catch can. Emptied it out and kept going. CA's rule when it comes to taking abuse. And you don't always have to rebuild the engine unless you just want piece of mind. The turbo is 90% of the time done as age has caught up with them, but internally, the majority of them are pretty tight and ready for duty. I've owned 5 of them and have yet to have one with any issues except for the turbos crapping after a week or two of abuse.

[float_6969]

That is exactly what happened to mine. Compression was alright, no valve train noise, doesn't burn any oil, runs like a raped ape. I LOVE this motor. I've ridden in an SR once, but it was too long ago to be able to compare it too the CA. I did ride in a turbo KA just before the swap, and it was alot of fun, but just not like the CA is. It just doesn't rev. It's got an azload of torque, great for street racing, but just feels... sluggish in comparison. I wouldn't give up this motor for anything.

[wangless]

interesting.... what other protective products/items are there

[zeyoner]

How about naming some of the places you can get these part for the CA.

[boost_boy]

What parts are you referring to? If you're referring to maintenance parts, any auto parts store or a nissan dealer carries maintenance parts such all pumps, headgaskets, bearings, seals, bolts and common replacement parts. Just ask for parts for the 1988 nissan pulsar with DOHC 1.8litre engine. As far as performance stuff, you ain't getting over cheap with the CA. Because the engine is not in production anymore, some performance parts are going to cost a chunk, unless you catch an ebay special or got some kind of Japn-based hook-up. The big name companies make performance gear for the CA and most american compnies will make pistons, regrind cams, cranks, make metal headgaskets, ARP has bolts and so forth and so on. It might be a rarety, but the myth that you can't get parts for the CA is totally ludacrist. Since the engine is sold cheaper than an SR, it leaves room to buy the top of the line components for it. And the more money you invest, the more fun the little engine becomes.

[wangless]

i meant performance wise

[boost_boy]

Quote »i meant performance wise[/quote] Whatever is available for any other engine, just some things will have to be custom made. But you can find just about anything for the motor if you really want it.

[quest]

from the questions you're asking, I'm thinkin a stock ca18det (head/block) will keep you more than happy.Problem #1 is connecting rod bearings. Not "if" they'll go, but when.Check the uk forum for example and you'd see its a chronic problem. I'd say not 50, but 80% had the rod bearing failures - see for yourself. Topic "big ends" comes up on about every page. Wise to freshen any "old" motor, but these nissans seem more suceptible than other 4s.For performance parts, not too many CA specific items needed and you should get hi 12s. Don't waste time & money guessing, just copy a combo.z32 afm + 450/550s + ecu prog + hot T28 + 2.5" exhaust + fmic/pipes= one fast car

[wangless]

thanks... got a link to the uk forum... never heard of it before

any other potential problems that come with an old motor ?