My 240SX's CA18DET Build

Started by Sil240sxrwd · Jul 14, 2008 · 16postsSMF 2010–26

Sil240sxrwdJul 14, 2008, 2:15 am · #1

Hi guys.. my name is JJ and I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I dont own an s12 but I do use this forum alot to research the ca18det. I do own a s13 and I am currently building a CA to throw in. This is my 6th s13 build but my first build with the CA18. I have had 1 KA-T, 2 n/a KA's , and 2 Sr's. I just hope you guys dont mind me posting in here. I just thought I would share my build with you. Hope you find it interesting.

Plans Are as followed:

Tomei head gasket 1.5mm
GT28RS .64 a/r
555 cc injectors
Ram Garage tune (based in Japan)
Head cleaned, port and polished.
stock bottom end.
Z32 Maf.
Jun Flywheel
ACT 4 puck clutch
1 Piece Alum. driveshaft

Now after this is all done and running I am going to use the spare CA block I picked up and build the bottom end. That will be later on (probably '09).

Going to start ripping in the new motorset I picked up tonight. Will post pics later =)

Sil240sxrwdJul 14, 2008, 3:09 am · #2

Ok so got that part over with.. Compression tested and did a leak down.. all is good.. didnt take long with a friend to rip it apart. Tomorrow morning taking the stock cast Iron turbo manifold to get bead blasted then painting it. Going to pressure wash and clean the hell out of the block.
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Sil240sxrwdJul 17, 2008, 3:55 pm · #3

ok so I picked up the manifold.. looks really good! Cleaned up the all the rust and resurfaced the flanges.

I also noticed my starter took a couple good clicks to get it to turn when i did the compression test so I bought a new one. While I was at it I decided to slurge a little hehe. I went ahead and ordered my Tomei Headgasket 1.5mm, ARP headstuds, new oil pump, new water pump. The studs and oil pump and waterpump were already sent out to me but I think there is a little wait on the headgasket. Once they arrive ill post more pics of the head removal.

Shiny exhaust manifold!!
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ArroJul 18, 2008, 3:34 pm · #4

didn't want to use a tubular stainless turbo manifold?

Sil240sxrwdJul 18, 2008, 10:18 pm · #5

Arrodidn't want to use a tubular stainless turbo manifold?

Its always hit and miss with those things. I've ran em before (cheap ones and expensive) and the cheap ones 60-75% of the time crack at some point (especially the way I drive on em). I just figure I would go the cheap route and get the stock one cleaned up. I would S*** a brick if this one cracked lol. Plus the cast iron manifold look kind of grew on me..

seishukuJul 18, 2008, 11:01 pm · #6

Smooth out that sucker and get it extrude honed and jet coated!

I've seen some stock manifolds flow some CRAZY numbers after being honed. Kinda expensive though.

I like my stock iron mani, though I still kinda want to go top-mount...

IggyEGuanaJul 18, 2008, 11:07 pm · #7

NICE man! I'm in vegas too and my CA is also on the stand.

Keep it rollin. Love a CA powered S13. Hatch or coupe?

Sil240sxrwdJul 19, 2008, 7:00 am · #8

IggyEGuanaNICE man! I'm in vegas too and my CA is also on the stand.

Keep it rollin. Love a CA powered S13. Hatch or coupe?

Its a hatch. So many CA haters here in Vegas though man. "Why didnt you get an SR again?" is all people ask. All I hear when I tell people I have a CA is that no replacement for displacement crap!.. I have a replacement for displacement... its called more BOOST!!

Got my Tomei Headgasket in today.. ARP headstuds and Oil pump came in too but I was at work when they tried delivering em. Ill post pics tomorrow.

seishukuSmooth out that sucker and get it extrude honed and jet coated!

I've seen some stock manifolds flow some CRAZY numbers after being honed. Kinda expensive though.

I like my stock iron mani, though I still kinda want to go top-mount...

Ya i might do that later. I got the manifold coated today.. looks blingin! lol

ArroJul 19, 2008, 1:22 pm · #9

Yeah CA18DET is definitely stronger than an SR.

jeffwins24Jul 19, 2008, 4:40 pm · #10

ArroYeah CA18DET is definitely stronger than an SR.

And lighter not by much but it's still some weight off.

SR = junk

i don't trust aluminum made motors.

BTW tell them that the KA24DE has more displacement then the SR so that must mean the SR is junk sompared to a KA.

Sil240sxrwdJul 19, 2008, 8:43 pm · #11

jeffwins24BTW tell them that the KA24DE has more displacement then the SR so that must mean the SR is junk sompared to a KA.

oh they wont like that lol

IggyEGuanaJul 19, 2008, 11:05 pm · #12

I know what you mean man. Damn near every 240 I see is SR swapped. I saw one with a RB and that I can dig but the rest are all SRs. Its a status thing with these kids. Even the broke drifters with their stock KAs in beat up shells just drool over the SRs all the time. I keep sayin KA-T to em but they're like "naw I wanna SR". Whatev I say.
Anyway, ur mani looks good but IMO it still just a cast stocker. I got a ghey XS Power one but if it cracks I can just weld it and make it better. Can't beat the price. Its their new design thats a knockoff of the new ones from that one good company that I can't remember right now, lol. I'm a RPM addict. Can't get enough redline so tubular is for me.

Sil240sxrwdJul 20, 2008, 1:19 am · #13

ok so update.. I was looking for a set of pulleys here in the states and I could not find anything... "There is no interest for this product here in the U.S. so we do not carry it" is what I was being told... My friend Tommy is sponsored by a company called Non Stop Tuning (NST) who makes and sells pulleys for SR,RB etc.. Got into contact with them and on Monday I am sending My stock pulleys to them to have a custom set made =). I'll post pics when they come in. Could be a couple weeks though =( Well worth the wait.

IggyEGuanaJul 20, 2008, 7:35 pm · #14

No interest my ass! Lots of CAs bein pimped in the US. Cool ur gettin a set made.

sideways_s12Jul 21, 2008, 2:50 am · #15

man this makes me wanna forget the single cam build go dohc

seb.racingJul 25, 2008, 7:21 pm · #16

good job