Thoughts On CA

[rico05]

Ok, bored in Into to Psych. Got to thinking. Ok, so the S13 chassis was "born" in 1988. Powered by the CA. We all know this. But what got me thinking was that the actual chassis was designed for the CA, the SR is the later "upgrade". So is my logic flawed in the thought process that the CA is the better engine for the car? I mean the chassis and engine were designed for each other. Mabye just on a very negligible level, is the CA the engine that is better weighted and powered and geared for our cars? Or is it possible that the mighty Nissan engineers actually earned their paychecks and desgined the SR just as fluidly with the chassis? Ok, just some random warblings from my bored *** mind, so feel free to rip them apart.

[CA19DET]

man you are too bored.

[NeedCAforS13]

man you are too bored.

:withstup

you won't EVER notice the difference... ever

Sean

[boost_boy]

Quote »Ok, bored in Into to Psych. Got to thinking. Ok, so the S13 chassis was "born" in 1988. Powered by the CA. We all know this. But what got me thinking was that the actual chassis was designed for the CA, the SR is the later "upgrade". So is my logic flawed in the thought process that the CA is the better engine for the car? I mean the chassis and engine were designed for each other. Mabye just on a very negligible level, is the CA the engine that is better weighted and powered and geared for our cars? Or is it possible that the mighty Nissan engineers actually earned their paychecks and desgined the SR just as fluidly with the chassis? Ok, just some random warblings from my bored *** mind, so feel free to rip them apart.[/quote] The model change to the SR20 wasn't because of a need for a more technologically advanced motor, but due to the simple fact that the CA18DE and CA18DET engines were very expensive to produce. And since Nissan's budget was nearly wiped-out, they had to produce cheaper and more maintenance-effective power plants hence the reason for the chains in the KA24 as well as the SR20 engines.

They eventually did away with the VG30E, VG30ET, VG30DET, VG30DETT and concentrated on their flagship engines which were the infamous RB series which borrows the technology of the CA16DE which was produced as early as 1985. The SR, KA, QG, and QR motors all are bigger in terms of displacement and stroke than the CA18, which also produce better torque and are supposedly cheaper on the pocket in the long run(Not so).

The SR is cheap, but powerful in it's own reicht. The KA is a work horse that was mainly bestowed into the body of the pickup truck, nissan axxess, nissan stanza wagons, and 240sx vehicles. The QR25 is a 2.5 litre joke and recall nightmare and the QG18 is practical, yet still a scrub (IMHO).

So weight-wise, the CA18 is the logical and ideal motor, but the SR stole the show and still is hogging the spotlight till this day. Most people will immediately opt for the displacement 2.0 vs 1.8 vs 2.4, but me being an engine man and having dealt with both the SR and the KA on a regular basis, the CA is built waaaaay better than both these puppies. Here's a secret, the SR and the KA both have a million screws to undo before you start gaining any progress.

And PS, timing chains suck:pface

[Notchbackca]

the RB series engines are basicly Ca's with two cylinder's added destroked for performance and reliability at higher power levels, the combustion chamber design and pistons are damn near identicle.

I think the reason the SR makes 30 more hp stock is the variable intake system being a huge restriction on the top end where the engine makes all its power anyways, and the exhaust manifold is HORRID, the turbo ain't so hot either, everything else tho is pretty superior to the SR

[boost_boy]

Quote »I think the reason the SR makes 30 more hp stock is the variable intake system being a huge restriction on the top end where the engine makes all its power anyways, and the exhaust manifold is HORRID, the turbo ain't so hot either, everything else tho is pretty superior to the SR[/quote] It's more of a bore and stroke thing! Compare the CA18DE=125hp to the SR20DE=140hp(U.S. comparison). Compare the CA18DET=175hp to the SR20DET=205hp! This difference has a lot to do with turbocharger=15hp and sheer displacement x stroke=15hp. The KA24DE=155hp compared to the SR20DE=140. I always compared the 3, but never sneezed at the two chained variants.

Dee

[r34 gtr]

yeah, the ca18det just seems so much more solidly built than the sr. i had the opportunity to see a sr in many pieces and wasnt really impressed with it. the ca is just beefy. its like a pug or small bulldog, beefy but fits in most overhead compartments.

- tim

[ca18det_boy]

the ca is just beefy. its like a pug or small bulldog, beefy but fits in most overhead compartments.

- tim

that is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said.....

[xxtrizz]

I think the ca looks like a mini skyline engine that is why Im so attracted to it hehe its beautiful I jsut want to hug it to death. yum yum doodle dum.

[boost_boy]

Quote »yum yum doodle dum.[/quote] What in the hell is a yum yum doodle dum:D ? That's a new one on me, but sounds pretty snazzy!

Dee

[quest]

sr has a way better t25 also

[rico05]

Good info guys!

[Notchbackca]

Ca actually has a better R/S than the SR so stroke has nothing to do with it having less power

[xxtrizz]

yeah couldnt helpmyself with the yum yum doodle dum hahaha something ive said since i was like 5 haha.

[Universal_Remonster]

yum yum doodle dum..... thats hot, I'm changing that to my MSN name

[CA18Fastback]

rico05- you call it being bored, i call it being stoned, lol. put that stuff down before you go thinkin thoughts like that, lol. jp man

-Ian

[rico05]

You caught me;)

[paul_s13]

If the CA's bottom end was as tough as the SR's then it would be perfect, but sadly its not and the conrod bearings take a hammering.

Apart from that its a good engine with a very good head, and if it was supplied with a T28 as standard then the power would have been in the 200's in stock form.

[float_6969]

Ca actually has a better R/S than the SR so stroke has nothing to do with it having less power

Ok, I feel like a noob here (yea, a mod asking noob questions, isn't that comforting), but what the heck do you mean by R/S? I'm real tired so maybe thats it.

[biosehnsucht]

rod / stroke ratio

longer rods = better (to a point)

[NeedCAforS13]

*edit*

damn I didn't know that either... CA mods aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer eh :pface

Sean

[float_6969]

Sean, thank you for chiming in there. Now I don't have to feel stupid alone!

[ca18det_boy]

ryan....wheres my turbo?

[float_6969]

Dude, MC Racing is slow as fucra. I called last week and this week and they keep telling me they're going to call the place they sent it to and they'll give me a call back. I'll try and remember to harass them tomorrow. If you don't hear from me by 4pm, call and remind me. Sorry dude!

[ca18det_boy]

Yeah yeah, sure......Nah just playin!! When are you gettin your car back man?? Oh yeah, and by the way I'm not allowed to drive for 30 days now man....got another ticket and my license is suspended.......don't say anything or I'll kick you in your junk!