CA18DET swap?

[Markate]

Anyone do these? I saw one reference to a swap on a 67, but have no idea how much work they take. Any reason why we don't see more of these swaps?

Thanks in Advance,

[spriso]

Size wise the CA is a great fit in the roadster engine compartment-- you probably don't see very many as the CA is an OLD engine now (last ones being made in the very early 90s), and support on them is no where near as popular as the later SR series engines. CA18DET's were an engineering marvel when they were introduced (virtually the same as a RB20DET with 2-cylinders lopped off), but all that fancy engineering is also a bit of a curse as they can be overly complex (see the variable butterfly valves in the intake plenum), and few people seem to rebuild them correctly.

The SR is a much more popular, and well documented swap.

My .02 yen, spend at will!

Michael

[Markate]

Thanks Michael. The thing I'm noticing is that I can get a JDM CA18DET for 1400 and the SR20DET for 2500 and then the SR would need your kit for easier swap while the CA seems to be a (relative) bolt on. I was looking at doing a KA24DE swap, but those motors aren't easy to find recently in my neck of the woods.

At the end of the day I just need to get a damn motor in my car...

[spriso]

Will you be satisfied with the power that a CA makes? They make ~170hp in stock form-- of course you can do all kinds of fun stuff to make more power, but then you are spending money on that. Be sure to research the coil pack issues with the CA engines (their ignition systems on those engines are antique at this point).

The CA18DET is a nice, small package and probably won't require the frame mods that an SR will, but if I was doing all the work to swap an engine, I would want as much power as possible. I have a couple CA18DET engines in the shop that I was going to play with (for my 521 pickup project), but at this point, I would rather go SR power

As for KA24DE's, they are hard to locate up here too-- most have 250,000 miles on them at this point...

-m

[Markate]

Lol, I've been driving a 67 with an A14 in it, in all of its 65+hp! I live in LA and this will be my daily driver. As appealing as 200hp+ would be, I think I'll be happy with 170. I don't want to need to make too many mods to the car to handle all that extra power. I'm upgrading breaks, but otherwise not planning on too many upgrades.

Out of curiosity, do you know if a CA requires the same mods as SR to frame, etc...? I have read contradictory postings. It does seem that the exhaust is an issue.

If you want to unload either of the CAs feel free to PM me.

Thanks Again!

[spriso]

I don't know what will be required for frame mods-- I would guess you will need to build a trans mount and you definitely will need to modify the X-frame to put a proper exhaust in there (I would recommend 2.5" for a T25 turbo).

A brake upgrade would 100% be on my list-- and we can help you with that too...

I will ponder what I am doing with these CAs...

MIchael

[krismon]

Markate,

I see KA24E / DE 's of various mileage come up for sale on ratsun and other datsun facebook groups all the time, most under $500. Saw a KA24E (unspecified mileage, in socal) with tranny posted today for $300, sold within an hour. Just have to know where to look.

I would have put an SR in mine, but an old friend already had a KA sitting around that he pulled to put an SR20DET in his S14. I also had an A14 in my 69 when I got it (w/automatic!), and like you, considered different options. Had a CA18DET on hold, was looking for an SR20DET, but the KA24DE fell into my lap. Even looked at non-nissan engines.. seriously considered a Miata 1.8 setup.

(maybe this thread moves to Engine Swaps?)

[Gregs672000]

The CA is a cool engine and has been done. I believe Skyman (?) purchased the one that was here in WA, normally aspirated. I don't believe any frame mods were required but I am not sure... it is such a small engine. Won't have the torque of the big KA, but should be a rev happy little bugger, and with a turbo should be more than enough fun!

[Markate]

Thanks! I made the purchase today. I plan on starting a thread with my findings and progress. Thanks again everyone.

[Alvin]

CA18DE

[peter]

Alvin, do you know if this is a original bobin cap? it says datsun, I know it only as nissan.
And what car and year it will be?

[Alvin]

Alvin, do you know if this is a original bobin cap? it says datsun, I know it only as nissan.
And what car and year it will be?

It looks like the rocker cover from an R16 was sacrificed to get that "Datsun" script. This is Guy Selle's 1967.5 SPL. I lost my pics maybe Spriso has more.

[peter]

thanks, I don't want to offer my old rocker cap for that.

[spl310]

There are plenty of broken ones out there to sacrifice

[peter]

But not here in Europe.