simple qeustions on CA18 swap

[Mixmastamunkh]

I've come to my almost final conclusion that the CA18 is what i want/what i need. it seems to be a very solid engine, that can easily make my car (91 hatch 240sx) an amazingly fun ride. it's going to be my daily driver, and i'm not looking to make it a track car like, super drag tuned, or takumi-esque drifting style. i'd just like a lot more "oomph" to the car. so what i'm looking to do is swap the engine, and bolt on stuff to get it lying around 250hp. my qeustion being, is it possible to take off the stock turbo and put in like a t28 or something that will give me more power just to get it up to 230-250hp. i want to know if i can do that without any other parts to replace, just change out the turbo for a bigger one and get a boost control. is that something possible or is it more complicated than that? just looking to get around 230hp without much more than i need on the ca, and how much do you think it will cost altogether, if i do everything myself.thanks for the help.

[iliketocrash]

read the stickies first. please. pretttty please.

[Mixmastamunkh]

I did, and i appologize for asking such straightforward qeustions. i've been on the forums for about 4-5 months now and i realize it's impolite, but searching through the stickies gives me generalized answers to some of the things that apply to all situations. i would really feel confortable if i could get a straightforward response and answer that i personally ask, by another member personally-but again i understand the frustrations, and appologize.

[DjLiquid]

230hp isnt much of a jump from 180. Here's a few things that you can do:

Exhaust System (2.5" w/ high flow cat)Z32 MafAftermarket Air filterif you get a T28, it will fit but then if you want to boost high you'd need to get in deeper with a better fuel system which would include bigger injectors, a better fuel pump, a fuel pressure regulator (variable), a safc 2 converter and all that stuff. Just stick with the stock T25 and get a boost controller =)

[Mixmastamunkh]

so, if i bolt on the a new turbo (such as the t28) then im pretty much going to NEED to upgrade the internals? and if i get an sr s13/s14 turbo will i still need to upgrade the internals? -but the main qeustion, with a boost control can how high can i safely get the t25 you mentioned up horsepower wise. i set the goal at 250 but if higher that'd be nice. *and what boost would it be with stock internals

-once again thankyou for answering my impolite n00b qeustions.

[c-rad]

so, if i bolt on the a new turbo (such as the t28) then im pretty much going to NEED to upgrade the internals? and if i get an sr s13/s14 turbo will i still need to upgrade the internals? -but the main qeustion, with a boost control can how high can i safely get the t25 you mentioned up horsepower wise. i set the goal at 250 but if higher that'd be nice. *and what boost would it be with stock internals

-once again thankyou for answering my impolite n00b qeustions.

Internals??? Who mentioned anything about internals? You CAN run a T28 with the stock fueling, but what's the point? The injectors and stock MAF are your weakest points in your HP potential. In order to take advantage of the T28 you need injectors that are rated no less than 450cc, a fuel pump, a MAF (preferably 300ZX) and a SAFC or tuned EPROM to control them.

[teddy]

1. s13 turbo is a t25, s14 turbo is a t28, s15 turbo is a t28 bb2. you wont need to upgrade the internals for any, stock is more than enough for what you want. 3. s13 turbo maxes out efficiency around 14psi/235ish iirc, and the t28's are around 17-18..someone correct me if im wrong on that one.4. boosting anything past 10psi and you will need an safc2 or some kind of management to correct fuel.

buy a fuel pump, exhaust, t25, fmic/bigger smic(whatever you prefer), intake and see where that gets you.

[NeedCAforS13]

s14 and s15 turbo = almost the same damn thing. I don't know why everyone thinks they're so different...

s15 has a **tiny** wall dividing the wastegate flow from the turbine flow, but honestly they're 99% the same. BOTH ARE BALLBEARING TURBOS. You (and everyone else who says there is a difference) are confusing the pulsar GTiR t28 (NonBB) with the s14 and s15 BB turbos

Sean

[teddy]

my bad...i've always read contradicting things about them...but they're all just t28's to me at this point.
Modified by teddy at 11:35 AM 6/8/2005

[slownslurious]

The s15 came with two different turbos. The early s15 is the same as the s14 one, but I believe it was the late model S15 spec R's that have the desireable turbo. Thats just what I've heard anyway, I don't really know or care, but thats probably what the misconception is, if there is one. T28 is just a bull**** name for a T25 with a larger compressor wheel anyway, they are all technically T25's. You can boost safely past 10 psi without fuel being an issue too, btw, I've been up to 15 on a completely stock motor and nothing happened except a lot more power.

[Mixmastamunkh]

okay, so new fuel injectors, z32 maf, (i already have the exhaust) with boost control i'd be able to get that to 250 easily right?

-oh and what kind of 450cc injectors do i need? does it matter what kind, or are there car specific injectors. not many 180sx or CA18 peices being sold around here or on ebay, so where do i find them?

[Mixmastamunkh]

bump for qeustion above

[DjLiquid]

okay, so new fuel injectors, z32 maf, (i already have the exhaust) with boost control i'd be able to get that to 250 easily right?

-oh and what kind of 450cc injectors do i need? does it matter what kind, or are there car specific injectors. not many 180sx or CA18 peices being sold around here or on ebay, so where do i find them?

The new injectors (depending on their size), the z32 maf, a boost controller, ALONG with a Super AFC 2 unit and fuel pressure variable regulator you can get those numbers. The SAFC-II allows you to control the ratio of air to fuel in your engine, thus, if youre adding more boost then you need the fuel in there to compensate for the air.... more boost = more air. more air and less fuel will cause your engine to run lean and that is BBAADDDddddddd... How much psi's do you plan to be boosting on your T25?

[DjLiquid]

also, eBay is a GREAT place to find used and new parts for the CA.. Make sure you are searching up the full name of the engine (CA18DET) otherwise you won't get anything.

[DjLiquid]

on a sidenote, I would recommend you learn a bit more about these engines as it seems you have little or no knowledge as to how they truly work. Ive had my engine in my hands since March and I still have yet to put it in my car. It's a learning process and before you get the engine, learn EVERYTHING you can about otherwise you'll run into problems and do nothing but harm either yourself, your car, or your engine =/.

[slownslurious]

try skyline GTR injectors, I'm told they will work, they appear to be the choice of many ca18det enthusiasts...

[Mixmastamunkh]

but do i really need "CA18DET" parts for all of the things im getting. such as the fuel injectors and primarily im wondering now about that and the fuel pressure regulator.

[NeedCAforS13]

no, you don't need "CA18" specific parts. most aftermarket performance parts (unless its a kit for something) are universal. hell, pretty much anything could be used on a CA with some custom work

Sean

[float_6969]

My recommendation:-S13 T25 or an S14/5 T28 turbo-DSM injectors. (Very easy to find and are plug-n-play)-SAFCII or Tuned Rom-Boost Controller of some sort-Recirc/Blow Off ValveOptional, but recommended;-Air filter-Z32 MAFS-02 pipe-Downpipe-Highflow cat/Test pipe-Cat-Back Exhaust-FMIC/Improved SMIC (You might stick this up with the nessicary as I don't have a lot of confidence in the stock SMIC)

[Mixmastamunkh]

pretty much what i've got put down is getting first the CA18det-450cc+fuel injectors-better fuel pump-z32 maf-super air fuel control-II (SAFC-II)-boost control

running at 13 psi i should be able to get 230+hp out of the CA. do i have all of this correct?P.S. this is all just research, i wont make any moves soon, but i want to get everything in order, intel wise.

[float_6969]

I would seriously re-consider running 13psi on the stock CA sidemount. Even upgrading to the SR sidemount (not much of an upgrade) I will wouldn't recommend going past 10/11. I know of at least 2 people who blew headgaskets on SR's with the stock sidemount at 12psi.

[slownslurious]

I'd put a front mount before injectors, and I'd upgrade the injectors and mafs at the same time. And as far as the other optional stuff... I think you should get a new o2/downpipe for when you swap, so you can use the sr20 stuff. A catback/filter should be the first mods, when you can afford them. Next would be the bov, then FMIC, then race pipe, and then (and only then) would I do the turbo, and I'd probably do it, the injectors, and mafs at the same time, along with an ECU tune, although thats one expensive step... lol. But get it running with the stock setup first, trust me on that one. If you do all that, then 230 hp should be easily within reach...I'd say up to 250... but above that and then the stock shortblock is probably going to be stressed. Not sayin it will blowup, but you'd be pushing its limits, and it will shorten its life.

[float_6969]

I disagree with the last part of your recomendations. One of our moderators put out over/close to 300hp on the stock bottom end and didn't have a problem till he messed up his crank. It had nothing to do with the power levels he was running, but with his aftermarket clutch. The stock CA is a pretty stout little guy....

[Mixmastamunkh]

yeah, i already got a full exhuast setup, cold air intake w/ aftermarket filter. and i got a high compression BOV that my friend didnt need for his RX-7.not using it, just have it. so im set in that category im gonna go with the stock turbo at first, boost control, with new maf, 450+injecotrs,safc and a fuel pump, and ill run a reasonable psi, until i can get like a t28bb turbo from an s14 or s15, just so i CAN run at psi's like 14-16. but i will see what happens. i don't want to hurt it.

[slownslurious]

One of our moderators put out over/close to 300hp on the stock bottom end.

Yeah I know, a lot of people are able to, but its going to depend on the health of the engine, and of course its going to affect longevity. I'm talking about going 100,000 miles instead of 20-50k... But the big thing is that if your driving on the street and running pump gas like most of us, over 250 hp or so at the wheels... one bad tank of gas and you could be risking engine damage.

Also, mixmasta, keep in mind 13 psi on a T28 is a good bit more power than 13psi on the stock turbo will be.

[Mixmastamunkh]

yeah, i figure i'm going to get a nice t28 (in fact was from the start if you see the first post) but i'm mostly broke like most the other folks round these parts, so i figure the 800$ or so it'll cost for the MAF, the S-afc2, the boost control, and the injectors will be enough as is. and as i said before. 230 some horses on a daily driver (especially a lightweight 240) is good enough for me. so once i start getting more money after that stuff, ill definitly go with the t28, and do all the rest of the goodies (new seats, new wheels,etc).

[slownslurious]

People talk about a 300 hp car or a 350 hp car like its nothing, but until you drive a car putting down some power its really unbelievable how quick even 250-280 hp can be in an s13. I talked about making 350-400 hp like it was nothing, then drove my friend's sr20 with front mount, bov, catback, intake, and running around 15psi, so it couldn't have been making more than 270 whp... and that thing was so fast I was thinking "****... if my car could be even half this quick, I'd be happy."And now I have my pretty much stock ca18, and I have to admit it keeps me pretty well entertained.

[float_6969]

I completely agree. 250hp is nothing to scoff at in a car like the 240. It's definatly enough power to have some fun with.

[Mixmastamunkh]

exactly why im looking in the area of 230-250 hp. i know it's not as much as cars like the "GTO" but in the s13, i know how b-itchin that can be.