[B12] Swapping a CA18DET into a Nissan Sunny B12 Coupè '89

[jaccovdzaag]

Hello everyone,

I will do a short introduction before I start my story.
I'm Jacco van der Zaag, 19 years old, and I live in The Netherlands.

I just bought myself a Nissan Sunny B12 1.6 SLX from 1989 for myself, about 6 months ago.

Now I grew up in an automotive enviroment, my dad has a great collection of oldskool cars, like a Lancia Delta HF Integrale, a Fiat X1/9 and a few Fiat Ritmo(Strada) 130TC Abarths, one with NOS and a tickled engine^^

Thanks to him, I've been brought to an idea:)
I was Googleing, and saw some crazy builds, with B12's fitted with SR20DET's and CA18DET engines.

Now I know that here in Holland, there are some complete engines which I can buy, to swap it into my Sunny. Before I want to do that, I would like to ask a couple of questions.

Here they come!

- What gearbox should I use when I swap the CA18 into an B12, just for FWD.
- Is the engine electronics hard to switch? Or can I use the same ECU, or should I swap the entire system?
- How 'bout the suspension and axles? Is there something fo figure that out?

When I conclude all the questions, there is 1 main question:
- What do I need to swap a CA18DET into a B12?

Best regards,

Jacco

[Liquid_Neon]

Personally... i would say dont do it. you are gonna have to shell out big bucks to get all the goodies needed to get it ready for a ca18det me thinks. dee would know for sure.. but that guy eats, breathes, and dreams ca18det's :P

[leadpaw]

i cant recall which model b12s came with a CA18DE in your country. You will need the whole drivetrain (RS5F50A transaxle, c.v axles, brakes, and spindles) and all the engine mounts from the ca18de powered B12/N13. Finally a complete Fwd/awd ca18det with ecu. You can use a ca18det from a rwd car but beware there are subtle differences in the coolant lines among other things, and know that you may need to do something with those. As for wiring, it is not too difficult just find the complete wiring diagram for both the donor vehicle and incoming motor.

As far as i know the sunny B12 Gti 1.8 are the only b12s to come out with a ca18de in europe. If there are any N13 pulsars with a ca18de in them those are fair game also as the two share a common platform.

[themadscientist]

1.6 engine, CA16DE? If so you can use the existing drive train. If not, you would save yourself a bunch of headache if you started with a car that had a CA in it already. Piecing it together would be a real pain in the a** and expensive.

As far as the electronics, ditch the factory stuff and go aftermarket. You will work so hard and spend so much money trying to put together an OEM system just to have all the limitations it provides.
Here is a dealer in the Netherlands for Haltech and other EMSes, it's money well spent!
http://www.proimport.nl/products/electronics/

Some motivation.



[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OmbPGzAy6g&feature=plcp[/youtube]

Succes! Veel Geluk!

[jaccovdzaag]

Hi guys!

Thanks for the input, so as I see, I'm starting bad with my Sunny? This one has a GA16i engine, the SOHC version.

So if I get you guys correct, it is a pain in the a@@ to build this? But it is manageble?
My problem, how rude and selfloving it sounds, is not money or time to be honest. I would build it as an project, and projects take time ofcourse! Everything should be done good and with no flaws ofcourse!

So does anyone what would be exactly compatible like trasmission, axle stuff and all the little pieces? Any suggestions?

I've added a photo, so you guys can see about what we're talking! A bit of visual support!:)

Best regards,

Jacco

[themadscientist]

Ah, the mighty GA16...

[float_6969]

It's like a FWD S12 with fixed headlights! It's do-able, but you've got quite a road ahead of you, and I'm of little to no help.

[Sentrastic]

It's alot of s*** dude....I'm in the process of completing my B12 CA18DET Sentra, with LOTS of help from Dee, he's supplied me all of the parts pretty much. Some of the parts were really hard to find, finding any 1.8L Pulsar is a pain. Basically if you can get your hands on a 1.8L Pulsar with a CA18DE, half your problems are solved. And I'm using an SDS Standalone ECU to complete this project. So as you know, this is not cheap whatsoever.

After over a year and a half I'm in completion of getting my custom axles made.

Search my first posting that I made here, Dee replied with alot of helpful information when I stepped upon this as well. All of the information will fit your build as well.

But your really lucky to get that Sunny, I'm dying to get a bunch of exterior parts from that car.

[jaccovdzaag]

Ah, the mighty GA16...

Mighty GA16? Are you being sarcastic, or does the engine has it good sides?

It's like a FWD S12 with fixed headlights! It's do-able, but you've got quite a road ahead of you, and I'm of little to no help.

Haha I know! It's a nice car, even no rust, and it's still the first paintjob!:)

It's alot of bullsh*t dude....I'm in the process of completing my B12 CA18DET Sentra, with LOTS of help from Dee, he's supplied me all of the parts pretty much. Some of the parts were really hard to find, finding any 1.8L Pulsar is a pain. Basically if you can get your hands on a 1.8L Pulsar with a CA18DE, half your problems are solved. And I'm using an SDS Standalone ECU to complete this project. So as you know, this is not cheap whatsoever.

After over a year and a half I'm in completion of getting my custom axles made.

Search my first posting that I made here, Dee replied with alot of helpful information when I stepped upon this as well. All of the information will fit your build as well.

But your really lucky to get that Sunny, I'm dying to get a bunch of exterior parts from that car.

So you've done about exactly the same, what I want to do? I will look into your posts, I'm curious!:)

I'm just so excited to do it, it would really be a nice project to work on I guess, even if it's hard to find some parts!

Does it really needs custom axles, or was that a personal choice of yours?

Jacco

[Liquid_Neon]

I am horrified that you would sacrifice an N13 to swap your ca into a B12!! horrified i SAY! /sarcasm

unless the car is already wrecked I can think of a few ppl that would need/want those cars to merge with out exsisting N13s (or jsut to have another one!!)

[jaccovdzaag]

I am horrified that you would sacrifice an N13 to swap your ca into a B12!! horrified i SAY! /sarcasm

unless the car is already wrecked I can think of a few ppl that would need/want those cars to merge with out exsisting N13s (or jsut to have another one!!)

Haha so not even close right? Are you suggesting to take an N13 and use parts of it?

I dunno what parts i exactly can use from it?

[Liquid_Neon]

Well much as i hate to see a rare bird like my beloved N13 get used as parts... it is prolly the easiest way to get everything you would need to mount a ca18det in a fwd nissan. seeing as over here, the SE model came with a 125hp ca18de.
So if u were to use one, you would have nearly everything u need for a det in your B12. would be time consuming i'm sure, plenty to weld and make fit.

Also parts are gettign harder to find for stock pulsars let alone modified stuff

[Sentrastic]

Yes sir! Not exactly "done" but I'm in completion. Very excited, I'll post pics and videos soon as I get this thing running and bring to life my old toic I posted here a year ago.

It is very exciting but patience is a must when sourcing parts. I'm actually working on my wiring right now (getting all the gauges and wiring nice and clean), as far as the custom axles I did it because I'm using a Bluebird transmission. I'm sure you can use the Pulsar transmission and axles as well as I would think its the same fitting as the sentras. I didn't cross that road so Dee would obviously know MUCH more about this.

It really depends at the end how much your willing to put in to your project as opposed to horsepower, LSD, ecu, and so on.

[jaccovdzaag]

Well much as i hate to see a rare bird like my beloved N13 get used as parts... it is prolly the easiest way to get everything you would need to mount a ca18det in a fwd nissan. seeing as over here, the SE model came with a 125hp ca18de.
So if u were to use one, you would have nearly everything u need for a det in your B12. would be time consuming i'm sure, plenty to weld and make fit.

Also parts are gettign harder to find for stock pulsars let alone modified stuff

Ah right! Maybe I will go and look for an N13 then, I think they are for sale here for cheap prices, or otherwise a partscar:)

Yes sir! Not exactly "done" but I'm in completion. Very excited, I'll post pics and videos soon as I get this thing running and bring to life my old toic I posted here a year ago.

It is very exciting but patience is a must when sourcing parts. I'm actually working on my wiring right now (getting all the gauges and wiring nice and clean), as far as the custom axles I did it because I'm using a Bluebird transmission. I'm sure you can use the Pulsar transmission and axles as well as I would think its the same fitting as the sentras. I didn't cross that road so Dee would obviously know MUCH more about this.

It really depends at the end how much your willing to put in to your project as opposed to horsepower, LSD, ecu, and so on.

Nice, i'm interested how the project of you will continue!

So I've would need an transmission from a Pulsar, Bluebird or every car with and CA18DE(T).. And should I take the axle stuff, and the whole front end with it?

Maybe, someone can make a partslist, or a list, which cars can supply what?

[s13drifter88]

I have a buddy that is a B chassis guru. Ill see if I can get him on here to help you some. Dee is also very familiar with the chassis as well so he would be of great help as well

[Sentrastic]

Take a look at my first posting.

I'm sure the front end of your Chassis is identical with the Sentra.

Here is what Dee first told me:

Basically, you will need to find an 88 or 89 Pulsar SE and rape it . Yes, you must take all the pedals, shifter and linkage, 5spd transmission and bracket, bracket that the transmission mount bolts to, clutch master and slave, passenger side bracket that connect the engine to the mount, bracket that's bolted to the block and has the a/c compressor and alternator attached to it, bracket that the P/S pump attaches, radiator and hoses if they are good and most importantly, don't forget to keep all bolts you removed assigned to the areas you removed them from. Hope this jump starts your project.

Be ready cause your car will be TORN apart, in the mean time you can also Paint or make your interior nicer as well.

[jaccovdzaag]

I have a buddy that is a B chassis guru. Ill see if I can get him on here to help you some. Dee is also very familiar with the chassis as well so he would be of great help as well

Nice! I'm curious!

Take a look at my first posting.

I'm sure the front end of your Chassis is identical with the Sentra.

Here is what Dee first told me:

Basically, you will need to find an 88 or 89 Pulsar SE and rape it . Yes, you must take all the pedals, shifter and linkage, 5spd transmission and bracket, bracket that the transmission mount bolts to, clutch master and slave, passenger side bracket that connect the engine to the mount, bracket that's bolted to the block and has the a/c compressor and alternator attached to it, bracket that the P/S pump attaches, radiator and hoses if they are good and most importantly, don't forget to keep all bolts you removed assigned to the areas you removed them from. Hope this jump starts your project.

Be ready cause your car will be TORN apart, in the mean time you can also Paint or make your interior nicer as well.

Does it matter which Pulsar? 1.6, 1.8? Ah, raping a car ain't a problem!

Well, my interior or painting is quite good, so I can fix on the engine swap!:D

[float_6969]

I would stick with the 1.8.

[jaccovdzaag]

I will see if they sell some stuff here in Holland!

[Liquid_Neon]

most 1.6L pulsars will be the E16i (87-88)or the GA16i(89-90)... the one '87 SE with a ca16de is avoided simply because the transmission is smaller and will not take the beating a det can offer. the fwd ca18de is visually larger and built much stronger on the inside.

[jaccovdzaag]

Yeah I get the idea, I found some here, a N13 GTI just for parts.. Wonder what's left of it.. Otherwise, I guess I have to get a car from Germany.. Not if that's a problem, but the offer here in Holland is low

[jaccovdzaag]

I found two cars, in my radius!
Both are for sale in Germany, but I can arrange that:)

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/ni ... res=EXPORT

http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat/ni ... res=EXPORT

[Liquid_Neon]

That blue car looks totally badass... turbo it now!

[jaccovdzaag]

Yeah I know!

Plus a low milagecount! But the thing is, I know the exact location of the black Sunny.. But the blue one, it's located in Neuhausen, but there are different Neuhausen in Germany

Will look into that!:)

But when I get that type of Sunny, I do have all the materials to build a CA18DET?