I'm trying to put a CA18DET into my 1987 200sx. I'm running into wiring problems. Also, the speed sensor on the CA18DET is digital, but my 200sx's is mechanical. Is it possible to do this swap and have a car that has working gauges and functions properly?
Thanks
Been covered many times on these forums do a search in this section and you'll find all the answers you need to wiring the engine up and getting all the factory guages working including your tacho and speedo, (oh and it will run okay without the signal from the ca18det speedo sensor, just use your s12 speedo cable setup).
Seeing as how your a 1 poster I'll point you to it,just click on the ca18det tech section to get all the threads up, the information you need is in threads stickied at the top of the section, (read through these for you answers).
pimpin_ride47 @ Sep 5 2007, 09:18 PM
I'm trying to put a CA18DET into my 1987 200sx. I'm running into wiring problems. Also, the speed sensor on the CA18DET is digital, but my 200sx's is mechanical. Is it possible to do this swap and have a car that has working gauges and functions properly?
Thanks
Thank you very much
there is alot of good info on this forum about swaps...just look around..keep us updated on your progress too
Trevor
I'm only a low level tinkerer. I really like this engine and want to make it work with my 1987 200sx. My friend who is a mechanic is actually the one doing the swap and his main beefs are with the wiring problems and the speed sensor on the tranny. He also doesn't like the idea of cutting the floor to make the tranny/stick shift fit in case I get stuck with a vehicle inspection or something. He suggested maybe I get a 240sx, but I can't afford to fork over a bunch of money for one of those. I'm also a really tall guy (6'5") and I love the amount of room in the 200sx, I don't know if a 240sx has as much room in it.
Anyways thanks for the support.
The s13/s14 have a lot of advantages over the s12. While they are initially more money to purchase they come with better stock engines (the ka24de anyway, ka24e is ok too but I would try and get the dohc if you can), are quite a bit lighter than the SE s12's even with the ka24de, and you can actually buy aftermarket suspension for an s13/s14. On the other hand s12's are super cheap, basically never get stolen (can't say that for s13's and s14's), and are great sleepers if you build them properly.
These are just a few examples of the pros and cons. Overall the s13/s14 is a better car hands down. Multilink rear suspension combined with a motor that has a lot of potential stock are huge advantages the s12 cannot really compete with. The biggest thing that really holds the s12 down is the suspension department. Semi trailing rear arm suspension design combined with basically no suspension aftermarket whatsoever = no fun.
Anyone know a good place to find a 240sx in B.C.???
pimpin_ride47 @ Sep 6 2007, 02:31 PM
I'm only a low level tinkerer. I really like this engine and want to make it work with my 1987 200sx. My friend who is a mechanic is actually the one doing the swap and his main beefs are with the wiring problems and the speed sensor on the tranny. He also doesn't like the idea of cutting the floor to make the tranny/stick shift fit in case I get stuck with a vehicle inspection or something. He suggested maybe I get a 240sx, but I can't afford to fork over a bunch of money for one of those. I'm also a really tall guy (6'5") and I love the amount of room in the 200sx, I don't know if a 240sx has as much room in it.
Anyways thanks for the support.
If I use the transmission with the mechanical speed sensor will that screw anything up? I'm wondering if the speed sensor on the CA18DET transmission sends any information to the computer, or does it just run the spedometer? I don't want the engine to be compensating for a problem that isn't there because it's not getting the right information. Anyone know the answer to this?
Thanks
if you use the transmission and mechanical speed sensor, everything will be gravy. Take a look at the wiring diagram. It only sends info to the speedometer.
I've got that setup in my car man. No worries.
1987 turbo. If you use the S12 transmission, everything is bolt up...it's such an easy swap. The thing that's super annoying is the wiring...if you have to figure it out yourself. Keith, Sam and I worked out the wiring, and that information is pinned in this forum.
as for finding an S13 in BC...all you have to do is open your eyes man. They're everywhere.
Lemme know if you need a hand...Where are you in BC and what engine do you have in that S12 right now? ca18et or ca20e?
That's good news about the speed sensor. However I believe there's also the issue of machining a drive shaft, so I might just go with an S13 and have a more valuable car in the long run with a little less hassle. I'm in the abbotsford area of BC. Just looking for a cheap shell of a S13 since I don't need the engine. I had the CA20E engine in my S12, but it's been pulled out already, which kinda sucks since now I might be putting my CA18DET into an S13 instead of my S12. Anyone want an S12 shell or a CA20E???
Thanks
actually, if you still have the transmission, then you just use the S12 driveshaft.
Oh, ok, that sounds much easier overall then.
Sweet.