Twin Scroll 3071 CA18DET?

[Volks1470]

Hi all,

I thought I should introduce myself and share some plans/ideas.

I'm currently living in Germany. I own a 1988 Nissan Silvia with a stock CA18DET.
Here's the car that's getting the treatment.


My friend has been convincing me to stay with the CA since I got the car. I'm leaning back and forth on what engine to settle on. CA is the cheapest option by far.
I think i'm going to get a local CA18DET block for sale and build it.
I'm wanting to go something along the lines of this.

-Rebuilt bottom end with forged pistons. Check the crank and rods, reuse if possible.
-Eventual full head rebuild with cams
-GT3071R twin scroll
-Full Race backdoor intercooler
-Injectors, fuel pump, etc

Still wondering on engine management though...I'm aiming to start around 275-300hp and have the larger turbo for bigger numbers later on if I decide on it.

[OneBadSX]

I'm also from Germany and my CA is powered by a GT3071R, but no twinscroll. I use a Wolf3D V400 Plugin ECU. It gets the job done, but lacks a bit with E85 fuel.

[float_6969]

Welcome to NICO! Nistune is a popular EMS over here. It uses all the stock equipment, but adds a daughterboard to the stock ECU to allow for full control of the engine. If you're not doing the tuning yourself, make sure you talk to whoever is going to tuning to ask what EMS they're familiar with.

[Volks1470]

I'm also from Germany and my CA is powered by a GT3071R, but no twinscroll. I use a Wolf3D V400 Plugin ECU. It gets the job done, but lacks a bit with E85 fuel.

Cool! What are the odds
Can you post a pic of your 3071 setup?

It seems that the CA is a bit more popular in Europe since it was in the S13 for the entire lifespan (I think). A lot of people have given up on the CA, but it's definitely got the price advantage. I'm interested to see what I can get out of a CA.

[Volks1470]

Welcome to NICO! Nistune is a popular EMS over here. It uses all the stock equipment, but adds a daughterboard to the stock ECU to allow for full control of the engine. If you're not doing the tuning yourself, make sure you talk to whoever is going to tuning to ask what EMS they're familiar with.

I've looked into Nistune a bit. Looks pretty promising and a good price too!
I'll most likely have it tuned by a pro. It'd be neat to learn proper tuning techniques though.

[Volks1470]

I guess I should have expected it but I'm still surprised to not hear the typical, "Go with an SR instead".

[OneBadSX]

These Pics are from this spring:

[tommey]

I guess I should have expected it but I'm still surprised to not hear the typical, "Go with an SR instead".

I don`t think there are many in this section who would recommend an SR over a CA.
GT3071 is capable of killing an SR block, thats another reason why an SR is more expensive to build than a CA.

[themadscientist]

I would recommend an SR, but it would depend on the circumstances. He's in dreamland for the CA, Europe. In his case his best bet would be to stay CA. If he was a guy in the states with a popped KA 240 and had a smoking deal on an SR I would say go SR. The CA in the states and even worse in Japan is a fading design. There are fewer and fewer people who have them or know how to mess with them. For a new fella just starting out I wouldn't recommend a CA unless the car already had a healthy one bolted in it.

[boost_boy]

What you get out of the CA is what you put into it. even if you dump a gang of loot into it, you or someone had better know what they are doing when it comes to tuning or your dreams and money will go up in smoke (burning oil). The CA is easier to build and some room for reassembling error whereas the SR has no room. Don't seal the oil pump cover correctly and it will leak. Like any engine, you tune it correctly and you'll have a blast with either or. I prefer the CA over other nissan 4 cylinder engines because I love it's design, it's ability to make and sustain good power as well as the fact that it is driven by a timing belt and not an overly sensitive timing chain (tensioners, oil pressure, etc). I rebuilt the VQ35DE in my Maxima and that is enough to make me hate timing chains, by itself.

[Volks1470]

I would recommend an SR, but it would depend on the circumstances. He's in dreamland for the CA, Europe. In his case his best bet would be to stay CA. If he was a guy in the states with a popped KA 240 and had a smoking deal on an SR I would say go SR. The CA in the states and even worse in Japan is a fading design. There are fewer and fewer people who have them or know how to mess with them. For a new fella just starting out I wouldn't recommend a CA unless the car already had a healthy one bolted in it.

I am in Europe for the time being. I know i'm here for 2 years but it's very possible i'm headed back to the US after that.
The only real deal i've found on an SR here is $1,800 for engine, harness, and transmission. He might be willing to go lower since I mentioned I might stay with the CA.

What you get out of the CA is what you put into it. even if you dump a gang of loot into it, you or someone had better know what they are doing when it comes to tuning or your dreams and money will go up in smoke (burning oil). The CA is easier to build and some room for reassembling error whereas the SR has no room. Don't seal the oil pump cover correctly and it will leak. Like any engine, you tune it correctly and you'll have a blast with either or. I prefer the CA over other nissan 4 cylinder engines because I love it's design, it's ability to make and sustain good power as well as the fact that it is driven by a timing belt and not a overly sensitive timing chain (tensioners, oil pressure, etc). I rebuilt the VQ35DE in my Maxima and that is enough to make me hate timing chase, by itself.

Well for either engine I choose, I will be taking care of it and putting good parts on it. I don't drift and never intend to, the only real abuse the motor will have is the occasional track day for grip/regular racing. It will also be getting a proper tune no doubt. There a few local places that can do it.
I like the CA as well. It seems to be a very nice design. It's going to be the cheapest option of all my choices and the easiest install, it's almost plug and play since the Silvia is stock with the same motor.
As it stands I have the following choices.
CA18DET - $400
SR20DET, trans, harness - $1,800
RB25DET, trans, harness - $2,500

[themadscientist]

Grab you a couple of spare engines while you are and you are set for wherever you move to.