Starting the rebuild soon, any tips or tricks?

[DEEPfrom1]

This winter, I will be rebuilding the good old ca18det. I will probably start the build in a week or 2 since the car is currently parked in the garage for the rest of the year with a blown headgasket. Originally I was thinking of just using OE rings and bearings for the bottom end, with stock pistons. Now I am thinking towards, supertech pistons and possibly having the stock rods shot peened with arp hardware. Input here would be good, I am trying to get this built on the cheap, I am still sticking with my 450cc's and gt28r. Will be getting it dyno tuned.

Can anyone refer me to a gasket kit? Felpro or OEM?

One of my biggest questions is: Cometic head gasket or Felpro?


Thanks guys.

[bimeur]

Hi mate,

well,if you can take all OEM gaskets,it will be great,its quality is very good.

For the rods,if you change bolts,the price of ARP bolts+put them on rods+check if rods are still round,etc...it will be the same price than taking forged ones,don't you think?

another thing >>clean as much as you can all the oil lubricating holes.

Use plastigauge for bearings,check or change your water pump/oil pump.

[sjbsuperman1425]

1988 Nissan Pulsar NX SE head gasket (or gasket kit) for Felpro.

If you are on a budget, leave the bottom end alone, although I would do the ARP bottom end hardware (thats just me though). The pistons, rods, and head gasket can handle quite a bit of power (weak point being the rod bolts). As long as you have a good tune, you shouldn't have to worry about the pistons and such for a while. I would only do pistons/rods if you need to bore out the block or something of that nature.

Focus on reliability and tuning, thats my opinion. Do all the gaskets, water pump, timing belt, etc., get a good tune, and go from there. I'm guessing you already have a tune using those injectors/turbo. Have fun I have to redo my head gasket this winter also so I'll be right there with ya! lol

[DEEPfrom1]

Thanks for the replies guys, I wish I could leave the bottom end alone, but my rings aren't so good! So I figured while I am down there. Will the rings and bearings from a ca18de (88 pulsar nx) work in the det? I assume that they will, I can order them through work for very cheap. The bearings we carry are a tri-metal bearing, so they should be okay.

I am running a emance tune, that is pretty good says my wideband, I blew the head gasket during a 3rd gear pull when my crappy boost controller decided it would like to run 23 psi, haha whoops, sure was fun tho!

[sjbsuperman1425]

time for a new boost controller haha

if the block needs boring, get aftermarket pistons, if not, just replace the rings. I THINK the DE rings work but im not 100%.

[DEEPfrom1]

Yes, a new boost controller will be installed! If anyone has clarity on the rings let me know!

[DEEPfrom1]

I need clutch recommendations! I want a clutch that will last when i upgrade the turbo at some point, I don't care about how easy it is to drive. It can grab as hard as it wants. I will drive this car, to work and school but, a hard clutch isnt any worse than daily'n a welded diff! Anyway, I will beat the crap out of this clutch at the track. So lets hear some opinions.

Also, I should skit the MLS head gasket and go stock with arp bolts?

[boost_boy]

Check clearances, clean engine and components good, get head machined, new bearings, rings, re-use stock pistons, composite headgasket, ARP head bolts is okay, but what make you think the rod bolts are a problem? Change them if you must as it shouldn't be too expensive, but I wouldn't spend money where it's not needed. Good luck with that rebuild.

[DEEPfrom1]

I just assumed that the rod bolts where stretch bolts and couldn't be reused.

[sjbsuperman1425]

I always thought the CA rod bolts were the "weak spot" and should be replaced with ARP's...or am i missing something haha

[grasshopperps13]

hi guys....im new to the forum...in fact this is the first forum iv joined so im new to the whole world of forums!!!!!though iv read plenty its now time to starting asking questions......i would like to get a furmula for building a ca18det to handle 350kw atw reliably....i know it can be done i chose the ca over the sr for block strength mainly amongst other things....so would like to know what will need to be done to achieve this.....
things on the list already are as follows:

godspeed rods with acl bearings and arp bolts
cp or weisco or wassner? pistons 8:5:1 or 9:0:1 ratio @ 83.5 bore
cometic head gasket
arp main studs
block cleand bored and honed
head shaved if needed
crank bearing journals ground if needed
new oil/water pump
560 cc denso or sard injectors?
bosh 040 feul pump
..................................................................................................
i would like to know what turbo to use that will give nice linear curve from as low in the rev range as poss and keep pushing through to 8500 rpm also what else should be done to acheive as much torque as poss at 350 kw @ 6400rpm.....thanks guys and keep the ca alive

[DEEPfrom1]

Well for the 350kw, you will need bigger injectors than 560's.

[DEEPfrom1]

thread jack yo

[Sideways s12]

time for a new boost controller haha

if the block needs boring, get aftermarket pistons, if not, just replace the rings. I THINK the DE rings work but im not 100%.

DE rings will in fact work I used them on mine for my rebuild and I just got everything running and broken in and they are fine don't forget to hone the block for the new rings so they can seat properly you can get a hone tool from autozone.

[DEEPfrom1]

Thanks for the input! I want a clutch that can take a beating, any suggestions?!

[DEEPfrom1]

I think Ill go with exedy stage 2 for the ka, using my stock flywheel.

-Rings, Idk what brand should I go with? oem nissan only?
-Bearings- i am leaning towards acl tri-metal
-HEAD Gasket- I would like the security of the mls, but Ill probably go with the felpro. Anyone think I should go metal? Ill be running around 18psi and driving the car HARD.

Thanks

[grasshopperps13]

thread jack yo

sorry mate didnt know how to start a thread or that i had to i will p o q

[DEEPfrom1]

No worries dude.

[DEEPfrom1]

Update:

I will be upgrading the pistons, still debating on if I need to upgrade rods.

Here is a good question. What will I need done at the machine shop besides bore and hone? Will they need to balance the assembly? Any info on this subject would be great, thanks guys.

[Izento]

Get an ACT clutch. I recently installed a Spec Stage 2 and I am sorely disappointed in it. Doesn't grab much harder than stock(as in, very barely noticeable). Feel my friends ACT (unsprung, which I would never go with) and it grabs very hard. I am definitely going to get a beast clutch next time since I don't daily drive this.

[DEEPfrom1]

Well a spec stage 2 is not comparable to an exedy stage 2.

[Izento]

Around the same price though, which makes me regret my decision even more, lol.

[DEEPfrom1]

Very true. What turbo are you running?