The CA18 Stage 0: (Important)

[Swedish Mike]

Don´t know if all of you use this but if not, do it.This is the most important upgrade on this engine, before chip and other hp upgrades.We got the CA18DET as stock in the S13 (200SX) from 89 here, took many years to figure it out.

Mount a real oil cooler, combined with the stock or just remove the stock one.We use a 19 row or bigger Setrab but you probably got domestic good brands.

The CA engine boil the engine oil very easy at freeway or track driving, many guesses about the cause. This is a few: Not enough air intakes in the S13 front bumper, not enough oil in the engine, bad oil cooling and bad oil quality.But one thing is sure, a good front mounted oil cooler will remove this problem.You will also be able to fill more oil (bigger system) and that´s good.

This is also the cause of all these bearing problems, maybe not that common in USA yet but here we´ve got massive problems for years.Most of the times in imported German Autobahn cars, driven for long time at high speeds.

Just wanted you to know, maybe someone this can save some CA from the bearing death!

/Mike

[iliketocrash]

the info is much appreciated. But what if you do a lot of city driving on the side? is that sort of oil cooler really going to do much? is there some sort of fan rig for it?

[DjLiquid]

that is one of my priorities once I get my car on the road is a good oil cooler/relocation kit.

[Bwana]

the info is much appreciated. But what if you do a lot of city driving on the side? is that sort of oil cooler really going to do much? is there some sort of fan rig for it?

Go to summit's website and check out the oil coolers they have. There are a number of them available with a thermostaticly switched fan.

[iliketocrash]

btw, i'm guessing this does a signifcantly better job at cooling the oil so would this have any sort of affect on the the grade/viscosity of the oil that should be used?

[dvd]

hrmmm, i think i should really look into a cooler too. Any kits people reccomend? or its probalby easier to peice one together?

[Swedish Mike]

I never use a fan, the big point is to lead the oil out of the engine for a while and to make room for one more litre.A fan is of course a nice thing but I dont think you need it, the oil temp normally stays perfect.

Use the same type of oil as you normally do, I use Castrol RS 10w60 or Mobil 15w50 at the summer.

/Mike

[biosehnsucht]

if you search on FreshAlloy there is a great thread started by '97 S14 Turbo or whatever he calls himself (Ty is his name IIRC, has a S14 KA-T) that goes into great detail about making a DIY oil cooler kit on par with the likes of HKS etc. If it bolts to the CA it'll bolt to the KA and vice versa, as far as sandwidch / remote filter adapters, and thats all that it takes to interface to the engine.. you can use the rest on either

Yeah, my CA was boiling the oil pretty bad too, helps tho if the e-fans are working better.. right now they only come on at 198F+ (orig. AC temp switch) and I haven't replaced that with a better dual switch and control box yet.. that and I kept killing the relays. I disco'd one of my dual fans and no more relay killing, and so far I haven't fried the oil ..

and this is with the stock oil cooler (heater if your efans ain't workin)

[rico05]

Or, you can just read my write up on a custom oil cooler install and use NICO's bandwidth

zerothread?id=167299

[Swedish Mike]

This is what you need:

* An adaptor/waffle mounted on filter location with two pipes.* Hose.* Oil cooler, can really recommend Setrab but you got many options.

If you want to take this further you can use AN fittings and steel braided hoses.

The adaptor fit many cars and can be bought with or without thermostat.With thermostat the flow will be restricted until the engine is warm, this is all built in, no electrical parts.

Guys, make a group buy. You can probably get a full kit very cheap, just choose a good cooler, pretty big.

/Mike

[rico05]

If you want to cheap out, Sean runs a B&M Import oil cooler kit from Summit. It is like $120 or so. Last I heard, he was very happy with it. I just wanted a porject and to add a little bling to my engine bay. Plus, moving the oil filter makes for much easier changes.

[dvd]

Or, you can just read my write up on a custom oil cooler install and use NICO's bandwidth

zerothread?id=167299

heh i found that link when i searched after i posted my comment up to. good job on the writeup.

[Swedish Mike]

Forgot one thing, there is a really nice cheap hose you can use for this.

Some guys buy high pressure oil hose and that´s overkill, no need for a 200 bar hose. The high pressure one is also heavy, hard to bend and hard to seal cause it´s soo hard.

I found one good for 10 or 20 bar and this one was actually easy to bend, no steel inside.Buy a hose like this or go with the steel braided one but just remember to check that it can handle both oil AND heat.

/Mike

[rico05]

Yep. But like I have said over and over and over, this was a fun project that I wanted to encorporate functionality with looks (every time I pop my hood, I get compliments on the remote mount and oil cooler, amoung other things). The main reason I sprung for the more expensive stuff was my mom got me a Summit gift card as a birthday present, so my budget for the setup almost doubled, so I sprung for the steel braided hose. I mean, what else was I supposed to but from Summit

[Swedish Mike]

Yep. But like I have said over and over and over, this was a fun project that I wanted to encorporate functionality with looks (every time I pop my hood, I get compliments on the remote mount and oil cooler, amoung other things). The main reason I sprung for the more expensive stuff was my mom got me a Summit gift card as a birthday present, so my budget for the setup almost doubled, so I sprung for the steel braided hose. I mean, what else was I supposed to but from Summit

Haha, I didn´t mean to trash talk your post. Just wanted to share some info in general.

/Mike

[float_6969]

Yup, I've been running and oil cooler since the rebulid. I'm very happy with it.

[iliketocrash]

apon some research i've noticed mixed feelings about using a thermostat but nothing really concrete that i can tell. those of you that are running external oil coolers.. thermostat or no?

[Coldspawn]

apon some research i've noticed mixed feelings about using a thermostat but nothing really concrete that i can tell. those of you that are running external oil coolers.. thermostat or no?

Why wouldn't you run a thermostat?

I am curious

[Swedish Mike]

apon some research i've noticed mixed feelings about using a thermostat but nothing really concrete that i can tell. those of you that are running external oil coolers.. thermostat or no?

If you use your car in a warm area and only at summer I think you´ll be fine without thermostat. Many track and drag guys use this adaptor cause it will never fail, no thermostat that will jam at a hot day.And these guys never drive slow and nice, never drives with "cold" engine.

The thermostat will help buliding oil temp faster and the open when it´s up to working temp.It will also help you keep the oil warm when it´s cold outside.

I would buy a thermostat sandwich/adaptor, the price is almost the same and it will cool the engine the same way.

/Mike
Modified by Swedish Mike at 3:10 PM 5/9/2006

[rico05]

If you find one for cheap, go for it. All of them that I found were in the $75+ range, so I skipped it. I also live in Texas, and I let my car warm up before I drive it (almost every time at least) so I opted to skip it.

You live in Ohio, so I would go for one if you ever drive your car in winter. Your bearings will thank you for it.

[iliketocrash]

i never intend to drive it in the winter but in ohio it doesn't have to be winter to snow so i guess i'll go with the thermostat. thanks guys.