SOME CA questions

[DriftSpecS14]

so i have read and searched alot of topics about the CA i have had my share of engines ka's sr' and my current R33 skyline with the nice RB im looking at picking up a ca here soon and i have noticed that alot of people say the rod bearings are a main concern when first getting a motor or atleast they are easy destroyed.

just seeing what other people see as concerns thank you for your time.

-Riley

[r34 gtr]

im sure this is stickied somewhere, but since i never bother to read ill just rattle some stuff off. the turbo is usually shot, and its a good idea to replace the gaskets because these engines are old enough to buy tobacco and firearms. i would replace the thermostat, vacuum lines, etc. as well. check out the clutch because as with many of these jap mills they have been abused and it could be rough. just give it a good looking over before you drop it in. who knows, maybe its in really good shape! i know mine was (minus the turbo. anything that spins at 100k rpm and has been sitting in a junk yard for many years is pretty much shady as hell).

[DriftSpecS14]

thanks man. anyone else?!

[float_6969]

The UK guys seem to have problems with them, but their driving habits are quite different from ours here in the US. They do a lot of sustained high speed runs.

The theory is that the rod bolts are too small and so when the motor is revved out, they tend to stretch and cause problems with the bearings.

As Tim said, getting a good condition CA is hit or miss. They are quite old and have been sitting for quite some time. Unless you know what kind of shape the motor is in before you buy it, I would plan on freshening it up with bearings, rings, and gaskets. Some people have just swapped theirs in with out any problems and have been driving them for years. Others (such as myself) haven't been as lucky and had to rebuild it shortly after installing it.

It's a good motor, but it is what it is. And that's old.

[r34 gtr]

not to thread jack, but does arp make rod bolts for the ca? sounds like a cheap way to allow me to ravage my engine at constant high speeds and sleep well at night. or i guess i could not be a pussbag and buy some new rods.

[float_6969]

Nothing CA specific that I'm aware of, but much like the ARP head bolts for the CA (They're SR main studs), I'm sure there is some other application that can be made to work.

[DriftSpecS14]

ok one last question i have heard of SR rods being used in a Ca? any ideason this?

[float_6969]

Not w/out some custom pistons. The SR rod is 3.3mm longer. IDK if it's wider on the big end or not either, but it could be.

[davidricardo86]

Back a few weeks when i was in the process of ordering arp head studs, i asked if it would be possible to have my bolt replicated in stronger metal. The guy told me it would cost so much that it wouldnt be worth it? Im not sure what he meant by that but obviously i didnt have that kind or money. Recently i found stronger oem rod bolts. Ill see if i can find the site.