Currently i have a 85 auto ca20
planning on purchasing a ca18det complete with 5 spd
Problem with swap... ??? i would like to keep the auto trans so that i dont have to mess with creating a clutch set up or chopping up my shell... what problems would i come across? i need an idea about ecu problems, and trans
It's doable.
There's a couple of CA18DET auto S12s in Australia now. They're using the S13 transmission. One uses a custom wiring setup, using a stand-alone ECU, and an aftermarket computer for the transmission. The other one uses a combination of S13 and S12 wiring, all running off a re-mapped S13 ECU.
seems it was well answered so heres my 2 cents
i think youll regret keeping the auto trans
I agree with Jackalope really, BUT...
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if you use a later Mark II automatic trans, with the S13 bellhousing, you don't have to change squat.
Same thing with manual trans, if you use a later "C" transmission from a mark II, in theory you can swap the bellhousing with an S13 one, and the transmission will still poke out of the stock place in the center console (no cutting) and you can keep an S12 driveshaft setup (no custom driveshaft).
In theory. I'm certain someone on here will either support or refute what I said, so stay tuned tongue.gif
i thought the auto trans didn't have a swapable bellhouse like the standard versions? my vg30 auto trans didn't anyway. and i also thought the ca18et and the ca18det were basicly the same block with the diffrence being in the heads, like the ka24e and the ka24de, ither trans can be used for them there's not diffrence. so could'nt he just use a ca18et auto trans
and yea it's been said, and i'm sure you have your reasons for wanting to keep the automatic, but i wouldn't my left foot would just fall asleep from bordom, but thats your choice i guess
Umai Naa @ Jul 11 2008, 04:22 AM
It's doable.
There's a couple of CA18DET auto S12s in Australia now. They're using the S13 transmission. One uses a custom wiring setup, using a stand-alone ECU, and an aftermarket computer for the transmission. The other one uses a combination of S13 and S12 wiring, all running off a re-mapped S13 ECU.
Arro @ Jul 11 2008, 09:47 AM
I agree with Jackalope really, BUT...
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if you use a later Mark II automatic trans, with the S13 bellhousing, you don't have to change squat.
Same thing with manual trans, if you use a later "C" transmission from a mark II, in theory you can swap the bellhousing with an S13 one, and the transmission will still poke out of the stock place in the center console (no cutting) and you can keep an S12 driveshaft setup (no custom driveshaft).
In theory. I'm certain someone on here will either support or refute what I said, so stay tuned tongue.gif
Dude, if mangling your center console is what you're concerned about, don't be... this weekend I'll be finished with my interior and I can show you how I'm keeping my center console stock-looking.
Arro @ Jul 11 2008, 04:11 PM
Dude, if mangling your center console is what you're concerned about, don't be... this weekend I'll be finished with my interior and I can show you how I'm keeping my center console stock-looking.
I don't believe the tailshaft will need to be changed, with either auto trans. From memory, the length and splines are the same.
lol
Keeping the auto trans is doable. It'll bolt right up to the DET. The problem is the flex plate. The single cam CAs use a 6 bolt crank and the DET uses a 8 bolt crank. You can either source a DET flexplate (there were auto DETs) or you can weld-in and redrill your current 6 bolt flexplate to 8 bolts. Professional machine shop a must and even then they might just laugh at you cuz of the labor and difficulty involved in that.
5 speed swap in case you change ur mind
http://www.club-s12.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=18215
I believe if you wish to retain the auto trans, you will need the CA18DET Auto computer to control torque converter lockup. Even then, there will be some questions as to how the system operates, as in whether the ECU has its own direct converter lockup control, or whether its a seperate unit as it is on the S12. You would need to look at the inputs/outputs of the auto trans computer system for an S13 and the S12 to see if they were similar, and how the two would interface. I doubt the auto trans is much different electronically from S12 to S13, but I've never done research on that one. Its probably quite doable save for you having to figure out the flexplate issue and getting an S13 auto trans ecu.
I'm assuming the torque converter b/n the S12 and S13 is the same, so all you would need to figure out was the flex plate, otherwise you would need to get a torque converter as well.
It may be easier/cheaper at this point to go with the 5-speed, but thats up to you.