SJBsuperman1425's Upgrade Thread

Discuss topics related to the CA18DE and CA18DET series engines.
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sjbsuperman1425
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I was going to buy that set, but I ran out of funds for this years "upgrades". Putting power steering on really drained the bank lol I'm also ditching the catch cans this year as well! Talk about blasphemy.


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sjbsuperman1425
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Definitely lost the "T" in the lower radiator hose...Anybody have one?

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Cams
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Nope, sorry, let me know if you find a suitable replacement. Mine is leaking slightly and would like to replace it eventually.

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sjbsuperman1425
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http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/01992643

I'm thinking of buying this, but I'm going to search locally at some hardware stores. I've been using similar things in the cooling system with no problems so it should be alright.

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float_6969
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Should be fine. A lot of OEM's use plastic fittings like that today on new cars.

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float_6969
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Should be fine. A lot of OEM's use plastic fittings like that today on new cars.

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sjbsuperman1425
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I still feel like a dumb bass lol. All these years of blowing coolant hoses and having weird pressure issues in the cooling system could have been caused by this..

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float_6969
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Not your fault man, you were a victim of mis-information. What I wonder is how many other countless people did the same thing.

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sjbsuperman1425
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That's exactly my thought. I'm just struggle now to find the OEM parts. The plumbing stuff from the hardware store doesn't look very good and went together weird...

Red_CA_Silvia
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For the big T, I used a replacement from a VW... It was a Dorman part number, but I can't find where I wrote it down.

All of the rest of my heater/radiator plumbing Ts are Dorman plastic ones, too. I want to clean it up some, as it makes some odd bends, but it works great and doesn't leak.

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sjbsuperman1425
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http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-54243-6 ... in=keyword

I'm guessing this is the one? I just ordered it so I will test it out. Thanks Red!

Red_CA_Silvia
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That's it! Sorry, it took so long to get back to you, I've been pretty busy.

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sjbsuperman1425
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No problem. I actually was able to buy all the OEM hardlines underneath the intake manifold from a gentlemen in Canada. So I'll have OEM stuff now lol But I did buy the VW Tee just in case I ever need it.

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Great info guys! Ordered one of those Dorman's T too.

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sjbsuperman1425
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Well I bought a used coolant tube and Tee for the lower hose from a guy in Canada. Really cool dude and everything bolt up and fits perfect. After installing it I'm not sure even why people (or myself) are worried about simplifying it. It's not all that complex...lesson learned for me!

I did get the engine back in and started doing things. I had to assemble the -AN lines for the power steering cooler setup and wire in the actuator for the butterfly valves. I think I probably re-did maybe 30 wires by soldering them and making everything look nice. I'll let the pictures do the talking ;)

Power Steering Cooler
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The Power Steering pressure line is I bought from Whalen Tuned in Michigan (support local). Fits very well.
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Better way to do a battery relocation.
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Fan relay/controller wiring with nice MSD connector
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Love it!

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sjbsuperman1425
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Thanks Ryan :dblthumb:

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sjbsuperman1425
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Well I fired it up last night. Didn't have any leaks and pulled good vacuum for the most part. The NIStune change MAF and resize injector functions basically let the engine start right up. Just make sure you have gas in the car because I kind of forgot about that haha! The only thing is on startup I was getting a Code 34. Ordering a new Knock sensor today and to hopefully be able to time this thing and start driving it shortly. Thanks for all the help I've ever needed!

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float_6969
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Vid's or ban!

Red_CA_Silvia
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Hey, I gotta ask, because mine is a cobbled together pile of...stuff. Where did you get your intercooler and piping kit from?

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sjbsuperman1425
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the intercooler and piping is a CXRacing S14 SR20DET intercooler kit. The only thing I had to do was use a 3" piece of heater hose that I bought from Carquest to connect the two cold pipes together in the fender well since they were a little to short. I'm also using the Greddy S13 to S15 SR20DET Z32 intake kit and it fits quite well.

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sjbsuperman1425
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Oh, and just a side note. The hose that I purchased to replace the hose from the air regulator to the intake manifold does NOT work. Heater hose will definitely collapse under vacuum...lol

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sjbsuperman1425
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I have the car running damn near perfect. Runs like stock with the 550cc injectors and Z32 MAF. Had sticking AAC so had to switch out the IACV to get my idle down from 1500rpm to 950rpm. I have a small power steering leak but I'll deal with that later. Trying to get this clutch broken in ASAP as I basically have access to a free dyno trial run. Gotta see what this things puts down! Feels good to be driving it again and power steering makes it a whole different car to drive. Good choice by me.

For the NIStune users on here that are curious:
Deatschwerks 550cc Injectors - Latency 850 with 3bar (44psi) fuel pressure.
K constant with the injectors and the Z32 MAF - 383

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DeXteR
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This is a long thread.

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float_6969
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I'm totally gonna ban you if you don't post a video. :poke:

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sjbsuperman1425
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Dex - I started this when I was like 18 yrs old. You can almost watch me grow up and become less of an idiot in this thread.

Ryan - I'll have to get something together soon, I just never think about it haha

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sjbsuperman1425 wrote:Dex - I started this when I was like 18 yrs old. You can almost watch me grow up and become less of an idiot in this thread.

I intend to start at the beginning and read it all the way through one of these days. I wish some of my other build threads for cars I have built in the past were still around. It's interesting to go back and see. My old convertible is the oldest one that's still around and I've gone back and read it a few times. Would like to get back on that project some day.

Anyway, keep up the good work. Get a hold off me if you ever need some help.


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