CA18DET 180sx

[HIPSI]

Looking at a few cheap 180sx for drifting,

Looked at a certain CA18DET 180sx the other day, minimal mods exhaust, pod filter, boost controller, etc.

Just wondering if there are any major problems with these engines or componants in the car that I should look out for.

[omp]

Blowing the headgasket, passenger side between cylinders 1 and 2.....

[Razor]

Hey Dude,

I have a CA18DET in my Onevia. There is no real downfall for the engines apart form the age. They have a cast iron block.

The stadard turbo is alittle small but with a few simple upgrades the engine is good.

I've reco'd mine with forged pistons and have things like FMIC, GT28, 3" and other basic stuff, I'm about to upgrade AFM and injectors and am expecting 200 rwkw. They are a good engine and react well to boost!

[gtst25]

I had a ca18 det in a silvia and can't say anything bad about them - in fact I reckon it was faster than my r33 after a few basic mods. Light cars shouldn't be overlooked!

[scottman]

there a got cheap first Turbo car i still like a Sr20DET more i want my Sr20de moded so it faster then some light Moded Ca18dets

[HIPSI]

I had a ca18 det in a silvia and can't say anything bad about them - in fact I reckon it was faster than my r33 after a few basic mods. Light cars shouldn't be overlooked!

My old R33 was a beast compared to the 180. Have to say that the CA18DET isn't driving to bad at the moment though.

[Elithrar]

Sydneykid had a post going on a while ago about some of the upgrades you can give a CA18DET; they're a tough engine, having an iron block (like RB's).

With a strong crankshaft (~$1800), and probably some nicer valve springs, you could easily wind the rev-limit up a bit more. Or get a stroker crank, and make it a CA'20'DET. Now we'd be torquing.

[funkymonkey]

my old strawberry face 180 had a CA18DET that put out 174-178rwkw... its basically the same as an RB20DET engine with 2 less pistons very responsive in the lower end. Don't get stupid on the engine trying to poke power out of it (if you need a drift pig you don't really need that much power as you do response, which the CA18DET has when tuned properly) and you should be fine.

[HIPSI]

So far car is drifting very nicely!!!

Down low up to around 5000rpm has quite a bit of power for a four cylinder 1.8.

Had it dynoed the other day before i add a new turbo, made 160rwhp, aiming for around the 250rwhp mark.

[Elithrar]

250rwhp from a CA18 would be pretty nice; certainly doable. By the way, anyone got a rough estimate on how much a CA18DET (mid-high kms, good condition) would fetch if I was to sell one (complete)?

[HIPSI]

I have seen a few CA18DET's sell for quite cheap on silviawa.com lately, I dont think many get higher than $800 these days.

[MACHINE!]

ca18 is a tuff bit of gear and the only bad thing against this motor is that its a little older now. short stroke desighn (CA18) is a good thing to have in a drift car if you like bouncing your car off the rev limiter as aposed to a SR20 which doesnt like the revs so much but also doesnt need to either.

its a catch 22 but id go the lil CA anyday its a baby 26 in my eyes!

ME:inlove:GTR

[Craved]

The CA18DET has got a downfall!

When revved high for extended periods the pressure builds and forces the oil to build up in the head and cannot run down into the sump quick enough! This can be blocked off like in a stock rb26 since the RB25 can have to same issue.. when this happens look out number 4 cylinder!

fixes can be to bore out the return lines from the head, and block one of the supplies!

[hayes_666]

A mate of mine here in the uk is looking to tune one of thease for a track day tool, whats the basics that should be done? and what sort of power with what mods??,

Sorry to jump in on this, but i am personally intreasted as to what the old girl is capable of.

thanks

Nathan

[Craved]

i was wondering if anyone has removed the butterfly from the second inlet valve for each cylinder?

removing that and the shaft that holds them..and bit of a port job... would increase the flow dramatically!!!

oh and could you add a second injector into that valve to run 8 injectors, piggy backed off the same cylinder? seems strange separating them like that!

[DRFT_ceffy]

i have a CA180 and the only problem ive had with it is a couple of leaking gaskets but nothing over the top

[ookami]

they have problems with main bearings going from over reving, this is mainly due to the way it likes to rev so people seem to wanna let it sit on the limiter ... pretty strong little engine though.

[superclarkey]

I have a 1990 Nissan 200sx (uk) with CA18DET they are good little engine but they have massive problems with big end failure no so much the mains.

Turbo is there second biggest problem little T25 don't last long, cheap upgrade to a S14 T28 normaly does the trick.

Rubbish standard WMIC

(just sold my 48k mile CA and bought a RB20DET (32k miles) much better )

[adam_lateshift]

I have a CA with only a few bolt on mods and it beats stock SR 20s. I have had it for over a year and havnt had any troubles at all.

Does anyone know where I can get a Apexi Power FC for my CA 18det. Im in Tassie and just wondering if they come pre tuned for the engine? R they hard to install does anyone know. Thanx

[Craved]

Apexi Power FC's are easy to install and come with a basic tune.. but for best performance you would need to get them tuned!

you can get em online or from a performance shop.. autobahn have some but ridiculously overpriced..

checkout greenline or Nengun!