Tell me what driving a CA18 powered car is like!

[mmm240]

I'm looking at having a motor swap done and am wondering what it's like driving a CA18 powered car. I would be daily driving, autocrossing, road racing, and possibly drifting the car. I am used to having lots of low end power. (I have never owned a turboed car). Is there enough power down low to not be annoyed? The guy whom I plan on having do the swap just loves the CA, I just need to hear more from those who have experience. He tells me I should have him install a new head gasket, water pump, FMIC, fuel pump, and clutch. Anything else I'm missing?I have been doing some searching and see that I can use my KA clutch and flywheel, trans mount, and TB. I also have motor mounts and cat-back exhaust, but haven't heard if I can use them or not (I don't know why I wouldn't be able to use the exhaust and he fabricates his own motor mounts so selling mine would be okay). I would be happy with 250hp from the crank (probably a little less with the things listed) Oh, I forgot about the FPR too. I fear being annoyed by the loss of low end power, I don't want to go to a bigger turbo right away. Would a rebuild on the T25 be worth it. And no I won't be going past 14psi on it. I probably won't get past 12psi with the setup I speak of anyway. That was a lot of questions and I apologize. Point is: DO IT OR NOT!

[Ca_Silvia]

All depends what you are used to driving. I went from a Buick 350 to a VW 1.8 to the Ca powered Silvia. After driving the Golf the Ca was amazing but nothing comapred to the torque of a 350 v8.

Its all relative man, if you drive a 300hp mustang then you might be disapointed with the lack of response. But if your an ex Honda guy i think you will fall in love.

I daily drive my Silvia in the summer and drift it every chance i get. Its ****in bullet proof. There is a ton of info on this forum use it wisely, proper tuning is the key no matter which way you do it (chip, stand alone, whatever)

I say do it, the sound these motors make with 3" exhaust is what did it for me. I hope this helps man

[mmm240]

I am daily driving a BMW 328i, and it's great, but I miss my 240 with the KA and a few bolt ons. It feels more connected to the road. (and it's 400lbs less than the BMW which makes it more tossable. I haven't even driven it in months and I remember that it's more fun than the BMW. The BMW is just to quiet and smooth for me, good performance, but the luxury takes away from the drivers feel. So I plan on selling the BMW and putting some cash into the 240.

[ttvines]

I like the CA, its fun. People say its not a torquey engine, but once the boost builds, it goes. If your not used to turbos the lack of low rpm response may be annoying. But overall this engine has good potential.

[mbmbmb23]

He tells me I should have him install a new head gasket, water pump, FMIC, fuel pump, and clutch. Anything else I'm missing?

I have been doing some searching and see that I can use my KA clutch and flywheel, trans mount, and TB. I also have motor mounts and cat-back exhaust, but haven't heard if I can use them or not

You are missing an SAFC, BOV, boost gauge, fuel pressure gauge, new belts. Also, the KA flywheel has 6 bolt holes, CA has 8...so you cant use the KA's peice. You can use all the mounts and exhaust.

-m

[mmm240]

You can also use any KA clutch that you would like by simply removing the alignment pins from the flywheel. This is from float6969s official upgrade thread.

Anyways: How do you like driving your CA18?

[Liquid_Neon]

Ya know where the CA is the most fun? The highway, even in fifth gear my car has good pull. Gotta love 55mph being 3000rpm for me, I always have hill climbing power and passing power.

[mmm240]

Ya know where the CA is the most fun? The highway, even in fifth gear my car has good pull. Gotta love 55mph being 3000rpm for me, I always have hill climbing power and passing power.

That sounds good. Do you have the stock differential gearing?

[bentvalves]

I always have tire blistering power @ 21 psi, and once it hooks in 3rd it's a ride alright.

[Liquid_Neon]

That sounds good. Do you have the stock differential gearing?

I cant change my gearing, i got the fwd thing going. Im not 100% certain but im pretty sure my gearing is slightly shorter then the rwd version, but im not sure.

Either way it is still loads of fun. My CA18DE was pretty good on the highway for a 125hp car, but once i got my det running... boy was the differance amazing! I accidently got to a buck twenty the first time driving to my sister's house. I went to pass two cars and didnt look down till i relized i was coming up on the next set of cars rather quickly

[boost_boy]

I cant change my gearing, i got the fwd thing going. Im not 100% certain but im pretty sure my gearing is slightly shorter then the rwd version, but im not sure.

Either way it is still loads of fun. My CA18DE was pretty good on the highway for a 125hp car, but once i got my det running... boy was the differance amazing! I accidently got to a buck twenty the first time driving to my sister's house. I went to pass two cars and didnt look down till i relized i was coming up on the next set of cars rather quickly

The fwd's gearing can be changed, but unfortunately, you're going to have to open-up the pocket book or break-out the mad scientist skills. THe CA18DET did have a FWD gearbox with a LSD, but finding that thing was never easy and probably still is difficult to find. Oh yeah, your stock gearbox should be better than good enough to shoot you past the RWD CA18DET powered cars.

BTW, I got the FWD as well and my paticular gearing is longer than the RWD.

Dee

[Jiggyfry]

The CA is an awesome little engine. Fun to drive, and simple to work on. Parts are not as hard to find as they are made out to be, just takes some crafty searching.

Slap a bigger turbo on and watch for the huge smile.

[new200guy]

I am daily driving a BMW 328i, and it's great, but I miss my 240 with the KA and a few bolt ons. It feels more connected to the road. (and it's 400lbs less than the BMW which makes it more tossable. I haven't even driven it in months and I remember that it's more fun than the BMW. The BMW is just to quiet and smooth for me, good performance, but the luxury takes away from the drivers feel. So I plan on selling the BMW and putting some cash into the 240.

I had an E36 328i at one time. its amazing how much torque that I6 makes. VANOS helped a lot. i am running a gt2554r turbo on my CA at 16psi and its great. much more fun when the boost comes on. under 3000rpm nothing a downshift won't solve if you really need to move out. The motor itself is solid except for the rod bearings (big ends as the brits call them) which take a piss at around 100k miles. overall everything else is solid with this motor.

[mmm240]

Slap a bigger turbo on and watch for the huge smile.

How much bigger of a turbo did you go with? I don't want to take to long to spool up.

[Jiggyfry]

I drove the stock CA turbo for about 2 months before the oil seals shat on me. It was fun. I swapped that one out for an SR redtop turbo, which I believe is the T25G. This turbo pulls all the way to the redline and boosts around 3200rpm. The stock CA turbo kicked in faster (lower RPM) but fell flat on its face around 5000rpm- 5500rpm.

Smiles all around.

[mmm240]

Awesome! I'll be happy with boost around low 3k. I'm gonna find one of them.