Roll Call! What's up with higher powered CA guys' cars?

[boost_boy]

Alright boys and girs here's the deal: This is definitely a FAQ forum now and it's all good if folks are using the info to help them with their projects, but I've seen more failures than successes and I'm wondering why when the answers to most of your questions are on this forum. Anyways, back to the title. This is calling-out all the standalone, emanage, ROM tuned, SAFC tuned, and stockly tuned guys who are into bettering their projects to come forward and share your disposition at this time.

There haven't been many hard-hitting CAs running around here (at least) for quite some time that are running at drag racing events across the country or just doing something performance relatedand I guess inquiring enthusiasts want to know what the deal is. So I guess I'll get this started since I am the thread starter and am a firm believer that the CA forum needs fresh directions, ideas, hopes and less maintenance woes.

First Car: 1990 4dr (B12) Nissan Sentra with CA18DET.Mods:CA18DET engine custom gearbox (awaiting last of the custom axles) and a bunch of other go fast stuff. In early Dec. in Georgia, was demonstrating the power of the sentra to a guy with an SR20DET powered S13. I wound the boost to 25 psi on pump fuel, tried to power shift the car from 2nd to 3rd and broke the selector fork. This was the first true transmission failure for me in 10 years and it was long overdue. I towed the car from GA. to Miami, Fl., had another transmission assembled, put the car in action for one day, and broke the short side axle.

The car has just been jacked-up in front of my garage until the axles get done right. Got the axles came back nearly two weeks ago and the short side axle was too long, so I had to send them back out. When I refer to the axles in plural form, it refers to both short side axles becaue I have a fun sentra and a drag sentra. The fun sentra is a test bed for what to do and not to do on the drag sentra.

My daily job keeps busy and being in Law Enforcement, there's no end to the work, so the cars definitely take a back-seat to my daily grind. As soon as I get the axles back, I'll get the car on a dyno and aim towards the 500whp mark as well as trying to achieve the best time possible on a drag strip (possible 10secs). I don't see a problem at tuning to this point, but I'll know for sure when I cross that bridge. My drag sentra has a goal of 700whp, but that's tentative and could change to something higher or lower depending on the turn-out of the sentra with the A/C and P/S in it.

My 1995 hyundai elantra is my daily car that keeps me in touch with turbocharged performance as I'm currently building a 4G63 for it or I may just sell it as is (I don't know). It's been reliable and fast for what it is, but it's got nothing on my sentra. So float, nismo, Bwana, and the majority of you guys with the upgraded engine management stuff, let these people know your performance status because that seems to be inoperative word around here nowadays. Teambuiltnissan, we never saw a video of your car in action at the track or a dyno, do you care to share these accomplishments with the CA gang? Would be nice........

And for the rest of you guys that's having trouble with your projects, I can only ask you to keep reading and slow-down with what you're doing. Don't be in such a rush to feel the boost from the CA18DET, it ain't all that! I've seen more busted projects sold and it's disheartening to see this. Total abuse, failure to read, rushing, not following the rules you read, and entrusting in someone who doesn't understand the characteristics of the physical CA engine in general would normally result in failure. When in doubt "ASK".

Dee

[BACARDI_DWB]

Hey Dee,Glad to see you are still alive. well my project is just that. its a project. Not only do i have to build up an engine but i have to redo the entire car. (1970 Datsun 510)

There is still alot of work to be done. Currently my head is at ferrara getting specs on custom valves done. my block is at the machinist working on an overbore. along with my crank that is going to get knife edged. when i get my stuff back its time to put it in the car so i can fabricate up an intake and exhaust header. A GT3076 turbo has been purchased and i am about to get the SDS system next. I still have ALOT of work to be done. the car still needs to be taken down to bare metal with fabrication work to be done. roll cage installed, fuel system mocked.

The list keeps on going. But the CA is still definately in the works. I have alot of road blocks to over come and right now I am deployed in the western pacific sea's so its kinda hard for me to progress on this project. But i will get to it for sure.

Glad to see you are still around and kicking. i was just reading up on the SDS system again and thinking about you. hope all is well with your new job

~Ryan

[float_6969]

Things are a bit slow for me right now as well. We're buying a house right now so the car stuff has been put on the back burner for the last few weeks. I have a KA that I'm rebuilding to sell, but that's about it.

For those who don't know about my car already, it's a base model S13 with a Silvia conversion. Very little suspension work, which sucks and I hope to remedy soon. As for the motor, it's of course a CA18DET. It's was completely rebuilt a couple of years ago and is still running strong. I'm having a minor problem with the HG, but that's my fault for using the HG that came with the kit, and not a quality OEM/Felpro. I DO have a felpro to put on there, but haven't had time. The motor has forged CP pistons at 83.5mm over bore and 9.5:1 compression. Stock rods, stock crank. The entire reciprocating mass has been balanced to 10K RPM. It has a JUN 13lb flywheel and a SPEC Stage III clutch. The head has been port matched and polished. Stock cams, stock intake. SSAC equal length bottom mount turbo mani. I'm currently running a stock CA T25 turbo (which SUCKS, but still makes almost 200rwhp @15psi) I have a fly'n Dump pipe (O2 and down pipe all one piece) out of Australia, 3" test pipe, and an Apex N1 Single exhaust. The intercooler is a custom setup with the intercooler setting inside the core support, RIGHT in front of the radiator. I've built my own air ducting to force as much air through the intercooler as possible. I have a total of about 5ft of intercooler piping, which is considerably better than the 14 ft that comes with a normal FMIC setup. Controlling all of these mods is an SDS EM4-F that I installed and have tuned myself.

For the near future I plan on fixing my HG problem, and installing an SR T25 and dyno-ing the car again to help the CA community out in seeing the difference in power the various bolt-on turbo's make on the CA. I also plan on installing a water injection system and doing something with the suspension so it doesn't drive like crap.

For the not-so-distant future, I'm going to rebuild the 4 port head I have and see how the power-band compares to that of the 8 port head. A bigger turbo is a must. I may pick up another GT28R, or a custom twin-turbo setup, or a nice T3/T4 hybrid setup. I'm also thinking about selling the S13 and getting an S14 and doing an ethanol conversion (I would be making my own ethanol).

[r34 gtr]

My project is going, sowly but surely. I'm having to pay for rent and gas and whatnot and my job doesnt pay d!ck right now. I'm only making about $100 extra every two weeks to buy up the parts i need to get her running. Ive got the megasquirt II, wiring harness, edis4, base map, ngk wideband, and o2 sensor housing ready to go on. Unfortunately I still need a ssac manifold, oil catch can, braided lines for the turbo, downpipe, test pipe, egt gauge, oil cooler, some longer wheel studs, 20mm worth of spacers for each side, and 240sx to z32 brake lines. currently the head is ready to go to the machine shop for a resurfacing. gotta stop all those oil leaks while you are in there.

As for the project for those who dont know, its an ugly black '89 240sx hatch. The engine has been completely gone through several times. its got a stock bottom end with some new bearings and rings, arp head studs, nismo 1.2mm HG, higher lift/duration intake cam, the head has a mild DIY smoothing out and port matching job, butterfly valves removed, gt28r turbo on a stock mani, custom fmic job, 510cc injectors, etc. It looks stock, and I like to think its the way nissan should have released it.

While the head is in the shop I am thinking about having some extra work done. A race grind and some serious massaging would be nice. I am also considering JUN valve springs and retainers, just so I can rev the balls off of it and not worry. some better rod bolts will be needed too.

down the road I need a limited slip rear end and some coilovers. If I can pull in some money, I might have them come the end of this summer. The car is already pretty built up, as ive had it for about five years and have poured an unholy amount of money into it. I bought the car for $1300 back in the day, and I am getting close to having spent twenty-times the amount i got it for on parts. Before you cry, a lot of it has been on basic maintenance parts.... and a new engine.

one last thing, float. a twin turbo setup on a 1.8l engine sounds a little bit pointless. especially when you are comparing it to a gt28r. there is no need. that is all.

EDIT: I need to mention that this car will be raced regularly when it is put back together. It will also be driven every day and make many long trips. it has to be bullet proof.

[Liquid_Neon]

Rushing my biggest problem. trying to skip steps to 'get it drivable' and cutting corners. all it led me to was blowing up the stock CA turbo, doing a headgasktet and needless other work.

I went to school for technician work too... so I feel even more like an idiot when I look back at all the things I ignored and pursued other problems. Like my HG was never actully in bad shape, it was my safc dumping to much fuel and my turbo blowing oil. I HATE to admit that, but it cost me 2 or 3 months and a lot of extra money. I dont want anyone to do something that dumb.

But all in all, after all i figured it out because i stuck to my guns and got help from lots of ppl, local and forum!

My pulsar is deff the most fun car ive owned yet, and i plan to drive it for a long time to come! Now that all my bugs are worked out... car runs mint, smokes most cars ive come across too. Only place to go it up!I want to improve the suspension even more, urethyne bushings, new sway bars and the like. I want to get my ECU reflashed sometime in the next couple months with 444cc's and runs around 12psi. Maybe get the 270 cams eventuly as well.

So theres a good rags to boost story for ya dee

[kahlistrophic]

I wouldnt know if I fit in here but Im gonna post anyway.My project has been on the backburner for a while, but Im trying to pick up steam again as it pains me to see my engine on the stand everyday.Ive got a 92 s13 hatch with a silvia front end, dual halogen headlights, tein HE coilovers in the rear, and KYB AGX's in the front with Megan springs, Ive got a full, cat deleted 3' diameter RSR SS exhaust. My KA is ont the way out, basically drinking oil and making my gas mileage almost non existent.

I have on the stand waiting to go in the CA18det, freshly rebuilt to stock with a new head by Dee. Using a rebuilt t25G .80 Ar turbo, ssautocrap SS SR dumppipe, SR SS 3' downpipe, 444cc GTI-r injectors (I picked up yesterday), nismo adj. fpr, N60 Mafs, Impul tuned ECU, for the forementioned air and fuel parameters. Also have a stock parts laying about just in case, stock injectors, mafs, slightly tuned ecu. Since my engine was an auto, its been kinda slow in getting drivetrain parts, first a transmission, then a couple weeks ago a flywheel, and now Im looking for a good clutch, for a good enough price, work sucks ***, and Im about to start school again this tomorrow, so it looks like its alot of Ramen for me..lol.. Just ordered a radiator, and am waiting to for an MBC and a fpg, after that, just a place to do the swap...I cant even wash my car where I live

plans for the futre: trying to eventually pick up an SDS system to run my engine, also, in the FAAAr futre..lol..well Ive already sort of started, Im an EE major, and ive started creating my own engine management system...hopefully Ill finish one day.

Oh yeah, also, gimme a call Dee..

[boost_boy]

Rushing my biggest problem. trying to skip steps to 'get it drivable' and cutting corners. all it led me to was blowing up the stock CA turbo, doing a headgasktet and needless other work.

I went to school for technician work too... so I feel even more like an idiot when I look back at all the things I ignored and pursued other problems. Like my HG was never actully in bad shape, it was my safc dumping to much fuel and my turbo blowing oil. I HATE to admit that, but it cost me 2 or 3 months and a lot of extra money. I dont want anyone to do something that dumb.

But all in all, after all i figured it out because i stuck to my guns and got help from lots of ppl, local and forum!

My pulsar is deff the most fun car ive owned yet, and i plan to drive it for a long time to come! Now that all my bugs are worked out... car runs mint, smokes most cars ive come across too. Only place to go it up!I want to improve the suspension even more, urethyne bushings, new sway bars and the like. I want to get my ECU reflashed sometime in the next couple months with 444cc's and runs around 12psi. Maybe get the 270 cams eventuly as well.

So theres a good rags to boost story for ya dee

Thanks for chiming in guys! Our forum is going to shiz-nit and we need to step-up the game to justify the fact that the CA is not just a budget engine, but one of Nissan's best engines ever produced. Some if not most of you newbies need to really pay attention to what this quote is saying because I know most of what was said pertains to most of you. In the very near future, I will unleash our everyday sentra (though we don't use it much) to see just where it stands. The car sounds wicked, cranks-up with no problems and dry revs to 8400rpm like lightning. But all that means nothing sitting on jack stands. When the axles return, the car is heading for some rollers and attempt to max-out the flow of the 60-1 turbocharger as well as tune the car in excess of 30psi of boost. Oughta be interesting , but it's time as well as I have indeed been more behind the scenes than on the scenes doing what I like to do.

Dee

[kapower06]

Whats been up Dee?

Any news on that big turbo?

Or the cam group buy?

For everyone else who doesn't know my project:

So as some of you know I blew the head between 3rd and 4th cylinder... Actually blew a piece out of the head. And then I decided to build the ca18det that I've always envisioned. A bad-*** 500+whp street/strip toy. Which is what It will be when done. I just bought a 2000 Sonoma 3/4 drop, american racing wheels, and tinted windows for my daily driver. And have been saving every possible penny to spend on the ca build.

So far i've got:-sds em3-f (wired for all tps, h20 temp, and already have mounting bracket, hall magnets installed on crank pulley)

-Tomei valve springs, 3 angle valve job, some port work, and Group buy stage 2 cams.

-MSD DIS II

-Nismo metal headgasket

In the hopefully not-to-distant future:

-cp pistons-crower rods-1000cc injectors-Gt35r turbo -ssac top mount mani-Tial 38mm wastegate-Custom clutch

Iam shooting for no less then 325whp on low boost (15-18psi) and NOOOO less then 500whp on high boost (26-28psi), and hopefully low11/high 10 second on some drag radials. We'll see.

[float_6969]

...one last thing, float. a twin turbo setup on a 1.8l engine sounds a little bit pointless. especially when you are comparing it to a gt28r. there is no need. that is all...

The TT setup would be for a 450HP+ setup. It's purely speculative at the moment...

[boost_boy]

The TT setup would be for a 450HP+ setup. It's purely speculative at the moment...

TT is crazy, but I would love to see it.

Dee

[float_6969]

I've considered a twin charge as well. That would probably be more work though.

[Nunook]

So eventhough Im not one of the big power boys, I feel like posting up my progress. Mainly because:

I finally fixed a fueling issue that I had for a long time, and can actually rev all the way through at full throttle. I hate N60 mafs. Replaced mine with a s14 sr maf and alittle tuning makes a very happy ca18.

I plan on doing some more tuning tomorrow morning. and possibly goin to the dyno this weekend. Motor is weak but should still put out decent numbers. Then I will build the turbo lines I need for my s14 t28 goin on my stock mani(maybe alittle port matching) and back to the dyno. Stock boost right now cause stock injectors. I have my fuel pressure upped alittle to stop leaning out up top.

By June 2nd (Drift event at Moroso Motorsports in Jupiter, FL)I should have this setup90 s13 hatchca18det ofcourses14 t28 with hks adj wastegates14 sr20 AFM w/ K&N filtersard fprJohnnyRaceCar FMIchipped ecuss-**** dp, downpipeBee-R catback exhaust (no cat)greddy catch canautozone oil cooler(used for powersteering)RSR springs w/ agx and other suspension...VLSDbillet lightweight flywheel, clutchnet 6puck, exedy pressure platestock manis, stock injectors

AFTER this event, NEED TO REBUILD ENGINE, oil cooler, 550cc inj, 256 cams and valve springs, wideband gauge Just looking for a reliable driftable 260whp.

[ceniack]

here is my car, base model '92 hatch. still working out a stumbling issue, fixed some leaks in my IC piping but i am sure i have another boost leak that i just can't track down

the car was purchased after i totaled an armadillo (played chicken with an armadillo and i flinched first) was KA-t for awhile and got tired of it (motor had a TON of miles on it before i turboed it and drank oil like a marathon runner drinks water) so i decided to go CA18 (what i originally wanted to do instead of the KA-t) so now i am in the process of working out all the little bugs. here are my mods. hoping to upgrade the injectors to 550cc injectors and try and squeeze 300 out of the turbo.

CA18DETdual autozone electric fansKoyo Aluminum RadiatorHKS GT-SS TurboTaka oil and coolant linesARC BOVz32 MAFSMetal Head GasketSARD 450cc InjectorsWalboro 255lph fuel pumpZeitronix Wideband O2 sensorAutometer Boost GaugeAutometer Oil Pressure GaugeCustom Rom TuneGreddy Turbo TimerHybrid IntercoolerACT 6 Puck Unspring Clutch w/ Extreme pressue plateSPL Stainless Clutch lineMegan Racing Turbo ElbowGreddy 3in DownpipeMegan Racing 3in test pipeInvidia 3in N1 exhaust30mm Z32 front Brakes w/ spl stainless conversion linesz32 brake master cylinderR33 GTS-T VLSD (4.11 gear ratio)KYB AGX shocks w/ RS*R Race springsVolk Racing AV 16x7 +37 and 16x8 +37SPL Subframe CollarsBattery relocated to the trunkNismo titanium shift knobS14 SeatsHICAS front steering rackEnergy Suspension Steering rack bushingsApex'I SAFC-IICircuit Sports mini-catchcan

[nismoplsr]

Well i suppose i can reply.

I wrecked my camo pulsar last summer. In the fall i bought a Canadian model sportbak and have been working on it since.

The engine is almost put back together. I finished painting the valve covers today.

TRUST head gasketARP head studsHKS 256 8.8 IN/EX camsLucas 550cc injectorsUnorthodox crank pulleyGT2860RS turbo

Spearco intercoolerClutchnet sprung 6 puck

Haltech E6KGreddy Profec-B Spec II boost controlGreddy turbo timerTurboXS KnockLiteProsport water temp, oil pressure gaugesPLX wideband

[nismoplsr]

Forgot to say...

before i totaled the last car i was running 22Psi daily and had estimated 310-320 FWHP stock bottom end. I had challenged and beat countless not so stock cars including... Turbo LS integra, turbo Cavalier Z24, turbo JDM si swapped ex civic, and many more. My favorite had to be my friends twin turbo 5.0 foxbody mustang who had run a 12.7 ET naturally aspirated, meaning before the addition of two T3 turbos.

[mikesim]

my setup has been a real pain this year.

after having random stalling issues, and not even throwing codes (except for code 11 / water temp sensor), i've replaced the CAS, WTS, power transistor, spark plugs, and O2 sensor. i drove the car out normally yesterday, and today i get 5 blocks from home and she stalls on me again.

usually, i manage to get it started back up immediately, but i've had a couple times where i had to wait till it's cool to start it again. i'm not even sure if it's running too rich or if i'm over-heating my coilpacks, or both. nobody seems to have the same problem, and the weird thing is i've searched these boards and the nissan exa boards, and gone threw the ringer with replacing parts at what seems like a random guess now.

when i started my project, i thought i had it all planned out. after all, i started purchasing parts a year before i had the car imported here. i researched what i wanted, and i liked the GT28R and people's 250-280 whp goals. i tried to follow the simplest plan, and that's get everything together and to a dyno ASAP.

but i left out a few key things.AFPR - some people were getting away with a walbro, but on the dyno, it showed that it was clearly overrunning it at high boost.

clutch - i didn't know how much tq the stocker could handle, and learned it's about 180wtq.

better intercooler piping - after 4 runs on the dyno, i was heatsoaking, even with my koyo oem replacement rad and altima fans on a thermoswitch.

oem MAFS - BAD. when you switch MAFS, reset your ecu and try to get it to the dyno if you're on an S-AFC and not a ROM tune.

S-AFC - poor tuning tool. a chipped ECU is a much better solution, and the S-AFC should only manage fine points of tuning AFR's, and not as your entire tuning mechanism.

I'll bring my car back to the dyno shortly after the FMIC piping is done. i firmly believe people should take their time with their projects, research the hell out of it, and DON'T TAKE SHORTCUTS! afterwards, some decent tuning is in order, and you'll never have to worry about your project.

Aeromotive A1000-6 FPRNismo fuel rail adapterNismo Big operating cylinder (clutch slave cylinder)Nismo clutch fork pivotZoom Stage 3 clutch and pressure plate (6 puck sprung)JUN 5.4kg lightweight flywheelBillet aluminum waterpump, alternator and power steering pullies 3" Turbo back exhaustBlitz BOV Custom Turbo Intake (chopped AEM Cold air )Apexi S-AFC 2Walbro 255LPH fuel pumpRB26DETT MAFS (80mm)NGK spark plugs (1 heat range colder-BKR7E)440cc DSM injectorsGreddy R-SPL Type 6 FMIC kit(10"X10"X4")Greddy VVC boost controllerHKS GT2530R turbo .64 A/RKoyo OEM radDual Altima fans and ajdustable fan controllerHKS Step 1 256IN/264EX camsKA24E Throttle body

[good morning]

My set-up:

Engine:1.9L CAGT4294R turboCustom headWiseco pistonsCustom rodsCustom intakeTop mount manifoldCustom cams

Engine management:Motec M48 with Motec ADL2 Data/LoggerM&W ignition

Misc:1600cc set x23.5" charge pipes4" downpipe

It will be tuned on meth.

Everything that is "custom" is designed by me.

[dattodude]

Mine is going ok.

o-ringed/ported headstd valves.in/ex 270/9.25 TomeiCam wheels Tomei (+7int, +2 ex)Jun retainers and valve springsKameari Motor Works Solid lifters and shims.20thou over, Apep Custom Forged pistonsSard adjustable Fuel Reg550cc Denso injectors (at 40psi base)Walbro 255L pumpAutronic CDI Ignition4x Bosch HEI External CoilsAutronic SMC ECU450x300mm front mount.

3 inch exhaust

I'm current swapping out a Garrett GT28-76R for a HKS GT2530. with the GT28-76R, running the required 30+ psi on the street causes pipes to blow off, petrol lines to get stressed at 70+psi and makes the engine become generally less reliable. So I'm going for earlier power, and boost at around 20psi. The new turbo will be in it's "happy zone" at 20psi, and I'll have power across the board.

So I'm also reducing some of my intercooler piping from 2.5 inch back to 2 inch to suit the much smaller turbo. Hoping to have full boost from 2500rpm :-)

Previous best dyno was 188rwkW@7500 18psi boost (not in turbo efficiency range). I've since driven 1800miles, so it'll be ready for a dyno thrashing shortly.

Hopefully have some more fun in the next week or so. Damn rear springs can't cope with the torque, so the back of the car squats to the bump stops and the car tries to wheelstand. Little Datsuns get sensitive sometimes. So I need to get heavier rear springs.

Hope this inspires any of you die hards to get out there and work harder on your CA18!

[boost_boy]

I am definitely inspired and am glad to hear that there are some people who care about the performance of the CA. This motivates me to get back into the swing of things and go for the gusto. Big things to come in upcoming days and will be happy to provide you guys some footage to brag about. I enjoy this engine and enjoy those who attempt to do the things I would like to do with it as well. Good job to all of you............

Dee

[OverBoosted180]

Good Day to all the BIG CA18 fans and to all the future CA18 owners. I know its been awhile since I actually posted something , besides trying to get rid of a little this and a little that. I've been low key working my *** off and trying to get things squared off. BUT just to give u guys an insight on whats been going on while i've been working...Iam currently building another CA18 but for drag/very little street purposes. Dee U KNOW THE DEAL! We've always been on the same band-wagon. I will be using the same S13 chassis but changes will be made for drag purposes.... Heavy Head Work, Little Bottom end upgrades BIG manifold upgrades and more space! Stay Tuned Guys... I will keep u updated and should deliver some footage of The Beast!

Be Safe!