Why go CA?

[capblueberry]

I've been looking around and I notice a lot of people that go CA-T and I'm just curious as to what is it about this motor that is appealing.

I looked and saw with the turbo it gets about 185 whp. Just seems like a lot of time and effort to swap the motor for that increase.

I'm not posting saying its a dumb idea I'm asking what makes it appealing? Is it just cause its cheaper than going KA-T or SR?

I'm trying to decide what type of motor for my car so convince me.

[boost_boy]

I've been looking around and I notice a lot of people that go CA-T and I'm just curious as to what is it about this motor that is appealing.

I looked and saw with the turbo it gets about 185 whp. Just seems like a lot of time and effort to swap the motor for that increase.

I'm not posting saying its a dumb idea I'm asking what makes it appealing? Is it just cause its cheaper than going KA-T or SR?

I'm trying to decide what type of motor for my car so convince me.

Have to do your own homework, my friend. Some of us are biased or at least semi-biased in this forum towards the CA. It's a good engine with major potential. Spend a few extra bucks and you have a venerable work-horse. If you be cheap and don't pay attention to the info that's available, then you'll have a problem child. Some buy them because they are a cheap boost source for their 240s and they are sick of the problematic KAs spinning bearings and whatever they do. So form your opinion about the CA by doing your homework (ie google, this forum, etc, etc). Good luck on whatever decision you make.

Dee

[zmannz]

People have many reasons, from the idea that the ca is a smaller rb series, that the ca has a better head design than the sr20, that the ca is lighter than the sr20, that it isn't an sr20.... My reasons for using this motor of the sr, ka, or any other number of motors is mainly the weight savings and the reliability of it. I hate the sr20's head design, and I have worked on several of them that were about at the top of their performance range with a stock bottom end that sounded like they were about blow at any time. Also, I am a big fan of iron block/aluminum head motors. If something happens and you blow a piece in the bottom of an sr, the block is usually a paperweight after that. The ca has better chances of survival. Plus, the ca just looks cooler.

When it comes down to it, it's all nothing more than personal preference. Some people like sr20, some ka's, and some, many other choices. They will all have justified reasons for liking what they do. And, they will all argue it to death! The most important thing for you to figure out is what you want your car to do. If you want it to be drivable and reliable for everyday use, stick to the milder side of things, try tuning your ka and getting it running great. If you can save up a lump sum of cash, wait a while and go in on everything you need to do a swap all at once and get the work done quickly to avoid down time. If you want a hobby car, then by all means, go for a swap right now and just enjoy working on it until its ready. In the end, any number of things can determine how the motor you pick will work for you. It seems the ca is great for people on a lower budget, and really want good mid level performnce and reliability. The swap is easy as pie, and the parts for ca's in America are relatively easy to come by.

[DALAZ_68]

the ca just looks cooler.

thats the only reason i got it...LOL

on the real thought th eiron block alum head combo is what got me aswell

i cant tell u how many paperweights,,err i mean SRblocks ive seen just desimated...

and ive seen CA's take major beating and ask for more...

[themadscientist]

Well if they were decimated that would be one in ten. I think most people pick engines based on emotion and opinion rather that cold hard analysis. My car is original with a CA and it has been a faithful motor so I retain it.

[jt15833]

there was a very good thread/info off nico that compared the CA to the SR. Talked about how the SR, while turbo, was manufactured with cost as a major concern. this is bad.

The CA is a mini RB and the RB is godly.

for me i am not a big fan of timing chains.

[articzap]

No rocker arms in the head. Cam over bucket is the way to go. A non-factory boosted engine (KA) just wasn't worth the risk. The RB just kills weight distribution. So for me the CA was the only way to go. Not to mention its cheap! lol I haven't even finished my swap yet and I'm already planning to buy another turbo for an upgrade.

If you do enough research in to engine design and theories, you'll see why the CA/RB are popular motor.

[themadscientist]

Please quit calling the CA a "mini RB"; it isn't. And that "weight distribution" BS is just that.Two myths in as many posts, cmon guys you are better than that.

[articzap]

How is weight distribution BS? Granted the mounts you use play a huge role, we all know the closer to 50/50 the better it will handle.

[boost_boy]

Please quit calling the CA a "mini RB"

Sorry boys, but I'd have to agree as well. The CA doesn't need any engine code borrowing from the RB series to make it look like a hot engine. If anything, one should be referring to the RB as a bigger CA . The RB is hot, but the CA is hot as well and I will soon prove just how hot it really is .

Dee

[meminto]

Finally someone that understands that although both motors share similar design concepts, the are inherently different in skirt design and bore x stroke.

I have seen the ca->sr debate in many forums over the years, each to there own, both motors have there good points and bad points.

There are two things that always spring to mind:

1. SR20's still need sleeves, people tend to forget this... (most aluminium blocks do)

2. Both SR and CA enthuiasts I talk to, and read posts, agree that the RB26 is still the king of nissan motors. I ask them this:

If the SR20 is the superior motor to the CA, why then did nissan still continue to produce the RB26 right up until 2002 with the similar cast block, aluminium head design?

Food for thought

[themadscientist]

Well, hold on there. With full tilt FJ20s still cranking out close to 700hp on a design about 30 years old and major engine components with over 20 years of use under their belt and L28s laying down similar numbers with much older designs and parts and just two valves in a wedge head the RB26 doesn't muster the nuts to be called the king.

Think this car fears RB26s? Top left, Rising LS Sunnyhttp://www.rising-web.jp/08mac....htmlIt clicks off high 8s, watch the vid http://www.rising-web.jp/08mac...y.avisee the rankinghttp://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~dy....html350hp all motor L with full tubs just moppin up boosted 4WD RB26s.

This FJ similarly refuses to lay down for the motor that would be king.http://www.g-saurus.jp/04884me....html10s through a set of 255s and an independent rear suspension, 2.4 liters a T88 and 700hp on a 20+ year old block, head and crank and you think the RB26 is king?

As far as I am concerned the twin titans still lord over any of the new motors in pound for pound balls and battle streamers.

[mbmbmb23]

I loved the exhaust note.....uniqueness.......the fact that its NOT the Nissan fanboy 4cyl motor.

[CA18-510]

its 20 years newer and 20 years better than the stock engine.

[themadscientist]

than why does it still lose?

Never seen an L or FJ or for that matter a CA or even "ick" an SR grenade it's oil pump. Newer doesn't equal better, want to buy a QR? Cmon, it's "new".

[meminto]

heheh another case of people not reading posts correctly... but thats cool I am not having a go

I never said I agreed it was the king of motors, I said "enthusiasts I talk to and read posts, agree the RB26 is the king of motors"... I was playing the devil's advocate... But you would have to think they rank highly, considering "full tilt" RB's have pushed 1500hp+

I see that there are plenty of monster powered L series motors out there and FJ series... in sub 1000kg cars... which is why there times are so awesome...

I think the power out of those motors is unbeleivable, however, put those motors into a 1500 odd kilo chassis and see what times they come up with.. even a 1300kg chassis.. they will be slower guarunteed..

Have you seen an L series or FJ put 1200+hp to the rear wheels? Or even all four (impossible but an example). If so can you show me a link or something cause that would be thrilling to see...

[themadscientist]

The RB26 requires a $1500 oil pump and a full counter crank to do that though and still has an active aftermarket and ongoing R&D. The RB26's weaknesses make me want a 2JZ anyway, sorry bout that.

[float_6969]

I picked the CA mostly for weight distribution, lack of rocker arms, and lack of timing chain. And when I say weight distribution, I'm not speaking purely of curb weight, but density. The CA DOES weigh slightly less than the SR (about 50lbs by my measure), but also occupies less physical space, which places more of the weight behind the front wheels.

I got my base model S13 w/a CA and a silvia conversion down to about 2600lbs with me and a 1/8 of a tank of gas. (full interior)

[themadscientist]

I do really like how compact the CA is. Put it in an S14 and you could climb in the engine bay with it.

[Two-Fortee]

KA T is balls unless done very well, and SR is a waste of cash when you can do a minor turbo upgrade and hit the same numbers. Plus everyone does SR's, and they are boring, the CA loves to rev and confuses people when you open the hood

Plus its lighter than the SR, even with an iron block.

[D3stro]

I get remark about this engine in my S13 like:''Hey Dave, when are you gonna drop that engine for a SR20?''

''euh...why asking this, it just run perfectly, still in very good shape''

''Yeah but the SR is better...'' blah blah blah

''No. The CA shall remain in there.''

End always like this.

When I bought that car, I didn't wanted a SR20 like everyone else in my Silvia.I wanted to be different,I'm glade to show my friends, that even that 20years old engine well I can still find parts easily and suprise them. Even if it's underpower in stock form compared to a SR,It rev higher and it's great to see the needle get to 8000rpm compared to my SpecV at 6300 rpm cut off revving the CA is fawking fun.The debate CA vs SR never get old, both engine got their goods points and bad points at each his own will to choose that's what I say.

[NUT-CSE]

One of my reasons......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0NSpbaxiE

[CA18-510]

than why does it still lose?

Never seen an L or FJ or for that matter a CA or even "ick" an SR grenade it's oil pump. Newer doesn't equal better, want to buy a QR? Cmon, it's "new".

lose? how so. the L16 is a dog in comparison, i have better gas millage now and can spin the tires on the highway. If i want more power I'm just a turbo swap and re-tune away.

[DALAZ_68]

see the whole no timing chain comment is to borderline...im not a big fan of the chain either...but in a sense its better, the chain atleast tells u its about to go when u hear th ehorrible rattle rattle... as appose to the CA...

both are a pain to change,since ive dont it on both,

and ive herd that RB's have a kit being developed to change them from belt to chain aswell?

nonetheless i got my CA for these reasonsstrength,price,weight,originality...

im the only CA that i know of that is DD in Los Angeles...and god only knows how big the import seen is here...it always confuses people when i pop my hood...and i actually like having a nice exhaust tone...i always liek to say that the CA is more basic and not as tamed as an SR...just remember its my opinion...

[themadscientist]

I am not enthusiastic about the single row chain on the SR, the older motors used a double row chain. I have never heard of an SR chain failing though, the rockers on the other hand

lose? how so. the L16 is a dog in comparison, i have better gas millage now and can spin the tires on the highway. If i want more power I'm just a turbo swap and re-tune away.

L28 not L16. We were discussing RB26 as the best motor, the CA wasn't even involved in that. For a 4 banger L I wouldn't mess with anything less than the L18, preferably the L20B

[r34 gtr]

I like the smoothness of the belt driven DOHC setup, the cam-on-bucket design, how easy it is to work on, and the fact that I got mine for $1000 still in its front clip.

The king of all nissan motors? Thats easy, its the VRH35L. 0-100 in 6.8? Hell yes it does.

[DALAZ_68]

I like the smoothness of the belt driven DOHC setup, the cam-on-bucket design, how easy it is to work on, and the fact that I got mine for $1000 still in its front clip.

The king of all nissan motors? Thats easy, its the VRH35L. 0-100 in 6.8? Hell yes it does.

yeah i got mine for roughly 800 w/o the clip just motor set with everything...and thats including picked up...the swap over and FMIC it all came out to roughly2k... if i didnt have work i could have done the swap myself...but working 12-14 hours a day with a 2 hour commute... i didnt have time...but dammit i did have the money to pay for someone to do it lol

[ca18detgabby]

L I wouldn't mess with anything less than the L18, preferably the L20B

its ok send me the rest......

still want an FJ in the worst way.

as one of the only CAs(other than Ive heard a rumor of one other) being daily driven and one of the few not nuked in orlando...... I can honestly say that the best part of the WHY I did it, was just for the

at the time when we put the motor in, sean was still daily driving his, god only knows how many times that one girl tried to beat the piss out of hers(not to mention killed like 4 clutchs), and was one of a few swapping CAs into their cars.

now it is rather unknown in town again. 2-3 people maybe still have their CAs. Its a dying breed.

I liked the potential and must admit that it reminded me a bit of the GNX dad had. dont ask me why, but it did.

I got the words SR jammed down my throat all day and then when I purchased the CA told that I only did it because of money.... I love how many of those same SR guys are now driving KAs and selling shells.

maybe I just drive like a girl?

[r34 gtr]

Gabby, you do drive like a girl.

[dash]

with all the inexpensive KA+T options, really no need for a motor swap.Considerably torquier and more pleasant daily driver imo

My CA18 s13 is my 1st. Been my 'run-a-bout' almost 8 years. Automatic & AC is all I need for traffic jams... with a little sprint on demand.I believe this CA/s13 has been my most reliable car owned, mainly because I never stomp it and rarely stress the motor.... so no complaints this end.Was the quickest path to boost at the time.Must mention, my '92 KA24 never missed a beat either. Rock solid.

When looking for other rwd corolla powerplant options, I got deeper into the CA. They're a perfect fit/match, very similar to the toyota 4AG, except nissan made ALL the right moves upgrading it. Made too much sense for me.Compact and easier to work on than SR or KA too

CA does have its share of issues. Chronic rod bearing failure. Worst I've seen of any motor tbh. Stick around long enough, you'll see