SR20/RB20/CA18 Who has owned 1 or more..

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Hey, im trying to get a honest opinion from people who have done 1 or more of the swaps.. to see which motor you enjoyed the most..

which one lastest the longest / least maintenence required / funest to drive.

Id like real world answers before i finalize my motor choice.

Post by **Nismo_Freak** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Website · Post by **SoCalS14** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

S14SR...just got it though!!!

Post by **Hijacker** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

the SR and CA will be the easiest to install. And if you land an S13 SR and put it in a 91-92, you'll have the easiest time with the wiring. You can retain the stock harness and all you need to do is add the wiring for the ignitor, IIRC.

CA will require the harness to be wapped over, as will an RB, and an RB requires more time than the others because of fitment issues.

Since you haven't done a swap, prepare to have your car down for at least 2 weeks. The troubleshooting section is always the worst, and can become tiresome.

As for how fun each engine is is entirely up to you. What I consider fun may not be what the next person considers fun. I enjoy a car that will take a corner like a pro over a car that will haul *** down the strip.

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

understandable.. Well, i have a ford ranger for my down time :0p.. I want to make it a clean *** install, irriguardless which motor i do... which means intercooler piping/cleaning(re painting) engine bay. as well as a RHD conversion...im considering doing both at the same time, to save time/ make it easier when you have the engine out. im guessing it will take me 3 months before i can afford all the parts (300z brakes/ skyline front clip / S13 RHD parts / exhaust) but before all that, i have to get me some nice tools (arc welder/air compressor).

I got plenty of time to think about which engine id like to have. and plenty of time to research what can go wrong. I know the forums will be here by my side though..

EDIT: I noticed you said the RB had fitment issues.. Ive read now on several occasions the R32 Crossmember bolts right on to the S13 frame, and the motor fits perfectly.. so i dont see how it would take anymore than 4 mintes to remove the old one, and install the new one

Post by **Hijacker** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

The RB20 should fit fine, but an RB25 will need new engine mounts to work fine. Are you sure it was an R32 crossmember, or was it a cefiro crossmember? the cefiro shares much of its front end makeup with the S13, but has the RB tucked into it.

My .02 on an RB swap is that while it may look cheaper outright, the hidden costs will add up quickly. Engine mounts, driveshaft, wiring.

Also, why do you want to doa RHD conversion? To me, it sounds like a silly waste of money. You can't use drivethroughs, ATMs, and passing becomes a pain. The steering column nor the brake booster really interfere with any of the engines in the LHD configuration. I would save the money from the RHD conversion and put it towards making the car handle better.

Post by **[Zero-S]** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

RB Swap = PITMFA. Don't do it.

Yeah sure the r32 x-member will bolt right in, and the engine will go in (rb20) nice and smoothly, but wiring is a *****, and so is sourcing alot of the parts needed to get it running correctly. BTW, there's like 4 inches of clearance between the core support and the engine...

RHD is a waste of time and money really. (Caz, take no offense, your car is sweet). For the amount of time and money invested into that conversion, you could have yourself a pretty damn fast car.

Post by **nab911** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

I have a ca and the swap is alright but regardless of motor, make sure you have EVERYTHING you need before hand. Do as much research as you can. The Ca may be small, but it leaves room for stuff and cleanliness and packs one hell of a punch

.

http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....adies

There are some pics from a while ago. Ill get more soon.

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Hmm... more factors to take.. keep them coming guys.

Post by **xatracing** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

We have done them all... S13 SR is the best bang for the buck/most available parts/ easiest to install and upgrade.

As far as stock turbo set-up, I like the S14 SR the best.

Our lead tech, Martin had a stand-alone CA back in 98, and still swears by their potential, but is now putting an SR into his own project car.

We primarily build drift/auto-X/street cars, not drag, so the RB25/RB20's are at the bottom of the list. WAAAY too much weight up front in a 240, and the stock turbo sucks. You gotta do a big turbo and injectors to even make it a viable straight line car. ...but with a T3/to4e + injectors and tuning it can be a straight line monster.

Post by **rico05** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

SR is not the most bang for the buck.

SR = $2500+ shipping for motorset (+ all of the other stuff you will need for a basic swap) Expect to spend about $3k to get it in your car STOCK.

CA = $1280 shipped to my door, about $300 for SMIC, and all of the other stuff needed to do swap (fluids, plugs, etc). And the 20hp difference is made up easily with catback and intake.

I have a CA. Took me ~20 hours to do the install with a friend (I was a n00b, he had done a SR). The SR is a great engine, but as far as cost per grin, the CA rules all. Also, parts are not that hard to find (call SPL, they can get you what you need.) And all stock OEM replacements are available from your local Nissan dealership. Tell them you own a 1988 Pulsar NX SE w/ CA18DE for motor parts (except pistons), and a CA18ET from 200SX for turbo parts.

Post by **yellow_jacket** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

I paid $2400 for a complete front clip with a 3" downpipe. I did not need to purchase anything to complete the swap(with the exception of fluids of course). I think I spend a whopping extra $50 for fluids, plugs, and a 3" test pipe. With all that done I put 190 to the ground.

I will be the first to admit though, I don't know a whole lot about the CA's potential or what kind of numbers it puts down stock. I just remember it is supposed to have a good head.

Post by **rico05** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Anything that an SR can do, a CA can do. It responds to mods just as well, and many performance parts are interchangeable (like turbos, exhuasts, downpipes, turbo extensions, magic boxes, etc) Intake, FMIC, injectors, 3" turbo back, S15 T28, and tuning should see over 270rwhp.

Post by **[Zero-S]** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

CA=1.8L of turbo fury. You'd be hard pressed to find a better engine that can make you smile from ear to ear in stock form.

Post by **rico05** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Mine has open downpipe and a cone filter (K&N baby!) and it is seriously quick at 9psi. I can't wait for my T28 and 14 psi!

The biggest plus of the SR is the fact that it has torque.

Here are 2 GREAT Aussie links that have a lot of info and a comparison between SR and CAhttp://www.geocities.com/speed...r.htmhttp://w ... ed...8.htm

Here is a nice one on chosing turbo size (has more good info)http://www.geocities.com/speed...o.htm

Post by **[Zero-S]** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

FIPK?

Post by **rico05** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Heh no. Universal 3" cone filter.

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Just curious, What is the gearing like on the CA/SR's?... I cannot stand how my KA is at like 3100rpms at a meer 70mph... in 5th GEAR... seems like the CA might be the best option so far...

Post by **Vkoslak** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

70mph sr20de (g20) 3500 rpm.From gran turismo, the gearing for a sr20det(s13-s14) appears to be exactly the same.

However, I believe the JDM diff has different gearing, so with a USDM diff it shouldnt be as high. You could always get a j30 diff and the rpm would be even lower, but it will cost you some torque at the wheels.

My fiancee wants an automagic sr20det in the 98 240sx. I am trying to talk her into a 5 speed, but I think I'm losing the battle. It is supposed to be her daily driver.

Post by **rico05** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

CA 70mph ~3800RPM (I also have 50 sidewall ties, so that will effect the RPM)

Website · Post by **SoCalS14** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

70mph ~ 3-3200rpm...S14 SR though, with S15 turbo...

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Hmm.. interesting.. ive been reading the 180sx comes with like a 4.8...something er other final drive, in comparisson to the 4.083 US final drive.. i wonder if this is how they compensate RPM's... I do a good 100 or so miles of freeway a week, so i dont want to be half way to the rev limiter just hitting 70.. hence why i hate my KA-E

Post by **Vkoslak** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

Even in my 300zx Twin Turbo with the lower gearing in the diff, it sits right under 3k rpm at 70. Maybe 2700 or 2800.

A j30 diff will make your rpms go down a couple of hundred rpms most likely. Someone with more tech knowledge than me could probably get you the exact number for rpms with a ka at 70mph with the different gear ratios that can be had by swapping the rear diff.

I don't know of anyplace that makes taller gears for the ka, ca, rb or sr transmission. I've only seen close-ratio gear sets.

Post by **f s t caz** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

whatever you do, i highly recommend rebuilding before installing. hindsights 20-20, and i can clearly see now that i should have rebuilt my CA (and my GTiR turbo) before i installed them. 5000km on the odometer, and the motor's making noise and the turbo is consuming oil, so it has to come back out and be refreshed

I like the CA though. My only gripe w/ it is how slow it revs. if i had the money for a lightweight flywheel and could source out an underdrive pulley, i'd be content.

RHD is a waste of time and a waste of money, but i can't help but want to do it all over again when i get tired of my S13 and move on to something else (read s14). If you're going to pay someone to do it, then theres no way its worth it and you'd be much happier spending the money on other modifications. If you're going to spend little and do it yourself, then there's a shot it'll be worth it.

Post by **f s t caz** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

tenkawa_akito wrote: You can't use drivethroughs,

thats what passangers and reverse are for.

Quote »ATMs,[/quote]reverse in or just drive in the exit when no one is in line

Quote » and passing becomes a pain. [/quote]only on 2 lane, 2 way roads. for regular driving, mirrors work the exact same.

Quote »I would save the money from the RHD conversion and put it towards making the car handle better. [/quote] can't argue with you there. that is the intelligent thing to do.

Post by **slw240sx** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

f s t caz wrote:whatever you do, i highly recommend rebuilding before installing. hindsights 20-20, and i can clearly see now that i should have rebuilt my CA (and my GTiR turbo) before i installed them. 5000km on the odometer, and the motor's making noise and the turbo is consuming oil, so it has to come back out and be refreshed I like the CA though. My only gripe w/ it is how slow it revs. if i had the money for a lightweight flywheel and could source out an underdrive pulley, i'd be content.

RHD is a waste of time and a waste of money, but i can't help but want to do it all over again when i get tired of my S13 and move on to something else (read s14). If you're going to pay someone to do it, then theres no way its worth it and you'd be much happier spending the money on other modifications. If you're going to spend little and do it yourself, then there's a shot it'll be worth it.

revs to slow, man get that thing rebuilt , mine was anything but slow to rev, if anything i was bouncing off the limiter before i got the pedal all the way to the ground

Post by **IlIkEmYz** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

but the good thing about the sr is that it's aluminum, that makes cooling faster compared to CA iron block.

Post by **SeVa-S13** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

The bad thing about the SR is that it's aluminum. Oh, and the valvetrain.

Post by **StrangeLove** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

I say the CA is the best... afterall the SR DEvolved from the CA

Post by **S13ChucKAT** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 3:57 pm

The only reason i was considering RHD, is i didnt know if the LHD would have any rubbing/confrontation with any JDM engine... but.. after reading.. ill probably stay LHD.. unless i can find everything for dirt cheap, right around the time that i pull the engine out.. But then again.. im considering just buying a 240sx shell... in good condition..so i can do my work on that.. it would be alot easier..

SR20/RB20/CA18 Who has owned 1 or more..

SR20/RB20/CA18 Who has owned 1 or more..

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