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[roe_wedge]

Im becoming very interested in this engine... i have just a couple questions.

1) Is it as easy to install as the SR20DET would be? it looks to be just about the same.. probably would have to get new powersteering lines since i own a 90 2402) I seen that one of you said it doesnt take much in upgrades to get up to SR20 specifics.. there is only a 30 HP difference. If i got this motor i would get it with a FMIC. After that what would it take to get it up to around to 205 HP or better yet 250 HP? If someone could give me just a rough estimate i would greatly appreciate it.

Once again i am really loving this engine and most people tell me to be a purist and just put it in. I heard theres a death rattle or some sort that happens when its mileage gets high. I figure that would be from not taking care of it.. who knows. Plus the fact that its a cast iron block and can take the stress is a relief. If you guys can answer my noob questions id appreciate it ... money is my big factor.

[8ggalant]

id start w/ a sr t25 if yer tryin to come close to sr specs....then of course the basic turbo bolt ons...intake and exhaust...this will have u hanging w/ the avg stock sr swap w/ maybe an exhaust.....(ive kept up w/ an sr swapped 240 w/ equal mods to me including 255 fuel pump, dp/testpipe/catback-only diff was i had a front mount and he was on a smic...i was @10psi he was at stock 8/9 cuz of exhaust....and he pulled maybe a fender on me and she (my ca) held on strong...those mods should put u around 180-200hpnow for 250, u'd have to upgrade the maf and the srt25 turbo will be adeqyat but by 250 the injectors are pretty much @ 90-100% duty cycle as well

good luck...i love this motor if u choose it im sure u will too

as far as ps..i have no idea...u'd have to search around the ca forum..i dont have ps so i couldt tell ya

[roe_wedge]

hey man thanks for the quick reply and the help! Hows it like to drive without PS? seems like it would be hard.

Im sure i would love the motor too and take care of it very much... it seems like it has great bang for the buck value.

[NeedCAforS13]

I made 180whp on a freshly rebuilt motor with an SR t25 turbo on stock boost and an ARC sidemount intercooler (a stock SR swap makes ~180whp). Other mods at the time were Trust metal intercooler piping, 2.75 inch downpipe and exhaust, and a Blitz intake filter. Pretty simple stuff really... I'm now running an s14 gt28 on 10psi, and it feels FAAAAST

As far as swapping, exactly the same as an SR. Follow an SR swap guide and you'll be fine. p/s lines are the same as an SR. twin cam KA lines fit fine. A/C isn't really swappable without custom work. I brazed a set of silvia lines to my KA lines, but haven't got it working yet.

Sean

[jjwilks240]

well really you dont need power steering lines for any sr swap, its just cleaner to get dohc ones, you can bend them and run them backwards and run them under the engine.

[8ggalant]

not bad at all ..my previous car was a 67 cougar no ps or pb(power brakes)so this is a step up in drivability lol...but i dont mind it at all...now if yer into drifting it makes that a little more interesting lol...ALOT more armwork than w/ ps..but im used to it now

[slownslurious]

my friend's 240 doesn't have PS and I hate to drive it (though its got an sr20 and its really fast... which, come to think about it, makes it even scarier).

but anyway, "how much" to keep up with an SR?well, with your usual intake/exhaust/intercooler you'll be on the right track. For another $500 you could blow them away though:zerothread?id=130143

[sdtouge]

i bent my sohc power steering lines. it looks weird but it works. im going to be switching to dohc son though.

also, my ps belt came off one day. i thoguth it sucked driving with out it, its fine at speed but under 5 mph sucks. also, on the way back from a local mountaint giwth my friend with a sr20 we kinda just both flored it lol startede int hird gear. i had srt25. 2.5 dp 3 inch exuast, random filter, sr sidemount, he had fmic, intake, and exhuast as well stock turbine. i pulled on him hard lol. i dont know how. he both had a passenger. he openly admits it lol. then like a week later he busted a rocker arm lol.

[slownslurious]

yeah I reused my sohc PS lines too, its so simple I don't know why everyone rushes out to buy the dohc ones... they are a pain to change.

[roe_wedge]

First off you guys are the biggest help on any of these forums. Seems like the CA guys are a tight group . It doesnt seem that much to get the CA beating the SR... how about the torque though? is it good at the low end side of things? Right now my big noob decision is between the RB or the CA. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Some people tell me that the CA is basically the same as a RB20 just with two less cylinders.. (you know what i mean!) Is that true?

I already have an upgraded exhaust... it seems that everyone replaces the turbo on their CA right away. How much is the SR turbo? And i never knew you could bend your lines.. isnt that dangerous though? like wouldnt they break?

Once again thank you all for the valuable info. Quick question..

How much does the CA18DET weigh?

and if you know... how much does the RB20DET weigh? i heard it was just 10 lbs more then the KA. Just for quick comparison.

Currently i have a working budget of around $1800... seems like i could get the CA plus a FMIC and already be on my way for success.. or.. something like that haha ( i saw CA's going for $950). A lot of people tell me that its a really good drifting motor just for its low cost, weight, and capability. I also heard the problems of a "death rattle" at about 80k miles... have any of you heard of this.

I know it seems like im talking to myself but.. i blabber a lot. The whole engine thing has been on my mind for about 6 months now! I miss driving my s13! (my SOHC KA24E crapped out.... all i think about is driving.. its not fair! haha)

[slownslurious]

read the stickies, you'll get most of your answers. and its prolly not a good idea to bring "motor vs motor" wars into the forum, just do your own research on each motor and decide which one best suits your needs. HINT: look at the cost and availability of replacement parts, and the availability of aftermarket upgrades.If your budget is $1800 I'd just swap if I were you, don't be surprised if thats enough to get your ca swap going and not much more.

[81na ZX]

First off you guys are the biggest help on any of these forums. Seems like the CA guys are a tight group . It doesnt seem that much to get the CA beating the SR... how about the torque though? is it good at the low end side of things?

Mod for mod, the SR will make more torque. Theres no replacement for displacement. Also, the displacement is mostly upped in stroke (main torque maker) 86mm vs. 83.6mm.

Quote »Right now my big noob decision is between the RB or the CA. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Some people tell me that the CA is basically the same as a RB20 just with two less cylinders.. (you know what i mean!) Is that true?[/quote]A CA18DET is more like a RB26 (or 27) with two less cylinders, displacement wise . A RB20 as a 4cyl would be only 1.33L . Architecturally/Design wise they are very similar. Except all that the CA has a longer stroke than every RB but the aussie-only RB30. Quote »How much does the CA18DET weigh?

and if you know... how much does the RB20DET weigh? i heard it was just 10 lbs more then the KA. Just for quick comparison. [/quote]CA18DET: w/ 5 speed - 390lbs or soRB20DET: Can't tell ya, but..RB25DET w/ trans, so should weigh similar: 700lbs or so.

And for comparison, a SR20DET weights about 490 w/ 5 speed.

Now I've also heard the RB20DET is atleast 100lbs more than a SR20DET, so safely we can say its 650lbs +- 50lbs

[slownslurious]

those weights differ significantly from any I have seen posted.