SR VS CA

[mmm240]

I like.

oops

http://www.nicoclub.com/sr20de....html

That's funny, it won't link properly. I think it's because is was too old (from nissanforums). Point was though SR owners got owned by some guy that actually knew the advantages with the CA.
Modified by mmm240 at 11:46 PM 1/17/2008

[xckid]

que

[Reno]

[themadscientist]

that link owned you!

[jt15833]

fix the link i wanna see!

right now i have no idea whats going on

[mmm240]

OK this is as close as I can get you. I dunno why it won't like properly.

http://www.google.com/search?q...&sa=N

Then click on this one:

ca18det parts ?????? - nicoclub.com

SR bandwaggoners got owned

[themadscientist]

The link, if it is to a Nico tread should look like the link I just posted to this thread. zerothread/306908

All the extra stuff in the first link you tried to post is all wrong. The six digit number is the radical that tags the specific thread. If all else fails copy the thread url above and paste in the six digit code for the thread you are trying to link to. The one on the google page is only four posts long.

[jt15833]

here you go!

lol i tried to post it too and it messed up just like OP's. nico automatically changes nicoclub.com to nicoclub.com and it does work

[type in 'nissan forums' here without a space].com/sr20de-det-engines/104063-ca18det-parts.html

sigh, use www. too, it was adding url tags made it look horrible.this is as close as we will get

[Reno]

im with U abused. especially on the power part. and who needs a high rpm. if you have mad power.

Some Points of Interest ? the CA18DET ?vs- SR20DET

Certainly there appears to be a great deal of interest out there in which one of Nissan?s ?hot-4?s is the hottest of the bunch.

Nissan have made some very formidable hot 4?s in the past, but this note is aimed directly at S13 owners who may be looking at either the CA18DET or SR20DET engines.

Firstly let me say that the SR was never designed to technically supersede the CA in any way other that cost. As with natural evolution and development the SR became more powerful. How much of that power is directly attributed to the fact that it is a 2 litre rather than only 1800cc?

Many of the famed benefits of the SR20DET were in the CA18DET too. Piston oil squirters and crank stud girdle for starters.

Externally, The 2 engines look completely different, and they should. The first obvious difference is the SR?s shiny alloy block, Next you notice the different inlet manifolds. The list goes on. Don?t mistake that alloy bloke as being lightweight either ? there is that much alloy in the thing to keep it strong that they weigh no less than the CA.

A lot of people refer to the CA as ?the plastic motor? ? why I don?t know, when the SR has exactly the same item made from plastic right on top too. Obviously the CA looks a bit boxy and I guess plasticcy (?), but?.

Lets take a quick look at the intake design of the 2 engines. The SR uses a 4 runner manifold and a 4 port head. Standard garden variety manifold design. The CA on the other hand starts with a 4 runner manifold and then splits into 8, entering the head as an 8 runner manifold. Every second runner is only flowing air under certain circumstances (high air flow). Much more sophisticated design, and much more expensive to produce. I think the theory of this manifold design was to regain some low-down torque missing as a result of the comparatively lumpy camshafts used in the engine.

Some feel that the combustion chamber design of the SR20 is also better than the CA, however I am yet to hear that report from anyone who has actually seen both types of engine in S13 RWD trim for a valid comparison.

There?s more to the head than that too. Looking above the valves, the first thing that grabs you with the SR is that is only has 4 cam lobes per cam, not 8. Doesn?t it have 8 valves per side? Yep, and to get around that Nissan decided to use a rocker arm arrangement to actuate paired valves simultaneously from the single lobe. Not a bad way to do it actually. Certainly cheap to make, but at the cost of increased valve train losses and noise. The CA on the other hand has true 8 lobe cams which act directly on the top of the valves. Minimal components. Maximum revs, and no noise.

The SR has also gone back to the classic timing chain idea, and dropped the tooth belt. My theory here is it has something to do with reduced maintenance costs and less damage when the belts fly from lack of maintenance.

Obviously, the SR is a bigger engine in capacity, it has a relatively long stroke and is ?over-square? in design, meaning that the stroke is longer than the width of the bore. Fortunately the stroke to rod length ratio is at such a point that the engine can still rev, but it suffers classically from excess stroke. Sure, they rev out, but not anywhere near as willingly as the little CA with it?s square design (stroke=bore).

Many hi-po USA engines are using oversized pistons from the 300ZX, bringing the stroke/bore relationship back a bit, and providing a cheap source for forged pistons and further increased capacity.

Sure they rev out OK, but not anywhere near the same as a CA. I'm talking stock engines here too, not comparing an SR with aftermarket cams on modified lobe centres, which wouldn?t be a fair comparison now would it!

In retaliation to the plastic tag for the CA, I would now like to refer to the SR as Nissan?s 4 cyl domestic truck engine. The TRUCK MOTOR !!!

So, in conclusion, there is no real winner in this debate - they are not predecessor and successor that is for sure.

The CA will have to remain the unsung hero.

[themadscientist]

I own an FJ20, both engines are inferior to mine.

I am not sure what annoys me more, SR owners regurgitating self-actualized forum-created catchphrases or CA owners doing the exact same thing. Here's the all bull**** aside straight scoop with no spin.

The CA is a great motor but so is the SR. Each has it's strengths and weaknesses and if you go into it knowing what they are and accept that you won't be dissatisfied with either engine. Somebody chime in if you have a thought but I don't think Nissan ever built a "bad" engine. Most of what flies around on forums is all opinion and bias passed of as fact and logic.

I steer more people towards the SR than the CA simply because there is more aftermarket support for it, and it is larger in displacement. I rock a CA yes but I have worked with mine for 10 years and I know what it likes and I have a ****load of parts that you can't get anymore, same with my FJ; something 99% of you staeside guys don't have. Were I starting fresh stateside I would stick with the KA24 and ignore all this JDM fanboyism. Whenever you visit the engine-specific forums the JDM guys are always looking for parts and trying to find workarounds for inspections, fighting fix-it tickets etc. I don't have time or tolerance for that bull****.

Research your options, think about and be honest with yourself about what you want and what you can support (they are never in balance I assure you) and go with the engine that best satisfies your desires. If people were selecting engines based on fact and suitability for their chosen applications there would be not arguments. The fact that every forum of any kind of hobby is rife with pissing contests about hardware suggests most people are being fashionable not practical when selecting equipment. That is fine, I am guilty of it as well sometimes. Just don't try to pass off the previous as the latter.

[Liquid_Neon]

Fix it tickets cant really happen on pulsar's... then come with ca18de's. just dont make a point to bring attention to the turbo and ud be good

secondly, this kinda debate is tiring. I read a ton and made my choice to get a SE pulsar instead of an NX2K (sr20de). leave it be.

[MeanGreenS13]

if i see another ****ing SR vs CA vs YOUR MOM WAS GOOD IN BED LAST NIGHT thread, im going to shoot the person who started it! im so sick of seeing these comparisons

ive owned both, i love both, id own both again. hell i even had an RB for a while... JUST PICK ONE BUY IT AND SHUT THE HELL UP!

[boost_boy]

Yum-Yum ! This crap is something for us old-school fools to get a kick out of. Alright mad, you've got your groove on now I want to add to this crap. Pay attention kids as I don't want you guys to miss this and start this thread all over again and again and again.

CA18DET: Is a great engine and nissan has every right to be proud of it for, it would be the product that open the door for the development of your beloved RB and VG DOHC series. The CA16DE, though not as popular as the CA18, is the product that started this design (period) and was a pretty good engine in itself as well.

Getting back to the CA18DET, it has its good and bad points in which I will immediately point out. The bad will include, but is not limited to:

1. Sheer displacement (rather small)2. Expensive to build3. Low torque output below 3500rpm (typical of small displacement motors)4. Crank not counter-weighted (I never paid it any mind as my engines always revved happily).5. Scrub-@ss turbocharger (oh well).6. It's just getting old by today's standards.7. Aftermarket support is drying-up and the parts you can find are ridiculously priced.

My knowledge and experience with the CA18DET reveals that it really doesn't have many faults. When the CA18DET malfunctions, most times it the user's errors that causes those malfunctions. Now as for the good of the CA18DET, I'll get right to the point:

1. Way more easier to work on than most nissan engines.2. Timing belt driven which ensures quiet operation and ease of serviceability (If needed).3. Awesome head and valvetrain design and operation.4. Near bullet proof iron block.5. Not cheaply built.6. Responds well to add-ons.7. Can support big power in stock form (pyhsical engine of course).8. Rather cheap to purchase second hand.9. Just a pretty good motor all around, but not worth bowing down to .

On to the SR20DET which is good motor in itself, but nothing worth bowing down to as well. I'll get right to the bad:

1. It's head design and valve train actuation suck donkey balls.2. It's a much more difficult engine to service.3. The alloy block is not that light in terms of weight savings.4. The possibilty of things flying apart in the head under stressful driving conditions is scary.5. The extended lower end sucks.6. Doesn't feel all that powerful on stock turbo and stock eccs.7. Timing chain and keeper gets noisy once worn.8. More similarities to the KA24DE9. There's other faults, this stuff is getting old fast.

The good:

1. Reponds well to modifications.2. Has plenty of aftermarket support.3. Has a fast and the furious honorable mention (Even though it was for a honda?).4. Sheer displacement over the CA.5. A better stock turbo.6. Can also take abuse in it's stock form.

As you all can see, there's not much difference in them in my opinion. I chose the CA because I love it's design and I just love timing belts. The SR has its own merits and can hold its own when put to the test. So please, no more debates about these two motors.

Thanks,

Dee

[themadscientist]

Now lets talk about the A series! Pushrods anyone?

[float_6969]

Wow, that's not a cross-flow head.

OG!

[themadscientist]

Nope, same era as the L series but unlike the L with it's overhead cam the A had the cam down in the block off to the side with lifters and pushrods that worked rockers in the head. V8 guys would feel right at home.Looks like half a small block don't it?

[MeanGreenS13]

dee.... you are (CA) GOD!

quick, someone make that man a title! haha

we will see what the CA can handle once mines back on the road =) 8k launch anyone?

[sideways danny]

Somebody chime in if you have a thought but I don't think Nissan ever built a "bad" engine.

QR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_QR_engine

[sideways danny]

Now lets talk about the A series! Pushrods anyone?

funny you should post that, did you know it's the roots of the CA?

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpo...nt=15

[float_6969]

Nope, same era as the L series but unlike the L with it's overhead cam the A had the cam down in the block off to the side with lifters and pushrods that worked rockers in the head. V8 guys would feel right at home.Looks like half a small block don't it?

LOL, more like the 2.4L I-4 in my old Ford Tempo

[themadscientist]

QR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_QR_engine

I was going to conveniently forget that one but you said it!

funny you should post that, did you know it's the roots of the CA?

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showpo...nt=15

no it wasn't, they share nothing other than 4 cylinders in a row. That is like saying the 3k led to the 3G

[boost_boy]

QR= Quality Resistant. Those engines are garbage, but they are pretty big in displacement which makes them "Over-sized junk".....

Dee

[Liquid_Neon]

QR= Quality Resistant. Those engines are garbage, but they are pretty big in displacement which makes them "Over-sized junk".....

Dee

hahaha, have i told you that i love you dee? purely platonic i assure you I recall a guy i know had one in his shop, i forget what went bad, i think the head. $25 for what was left of it if i wanted it

But i would LOVE to get one of those 6spds in my pulsar!