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Swapping a Nissan CA engineᵂ into a Datsun 1200 is perhaps the most common high-power swap. It provides abundant horsepower (up to 400 hp) in a small, lightweight package. The CA18DE is a dual overhead cam engine, while the CA18DET is the factory turbo version. It will fit into the 1200 without cutting the firewall or body. You will additionally need a stronger rear axle assembly to cope with the extra torque that the CA-series puts out. On the down side, POST quote: "It does unbalance the car...lets not try to lie to ourselves."
Contents |
Overview
Internally stock CA18DET
Perfect fit for a 1200
CA16DE DOHC (Only available in FWD format)
CA18ET SOHC Turbo (Single Overhead Cam)
CA18DET DOHC Turbo (Double Overhead Cam)
CA20E SOHC - See main article: CA20
Which is better - SR or CA?
- CA18DET = street legal in all States
- SR20DET = not street legal in a 1200 in Australia. A bit newer, a bit more power, heaps more parts globally, many more of these engines, so more parts for a long time
SR20 has more CCs -- and there's no replacement for displacement. On the other hand, SR20DET is too big for legal street use in some countries.
POWER CA18DET 167 hp stock SR20DET 205+ hp stock
modded stock block (stock rods, pistons, head) CA 400 hp SR 400 hp Cams, turbo, intake and exhaust are the mods To go over 400 hp internal upgrades are needed
Naturally aspirated, bone stock CA18DE 131 hp SR20DE 140-169 hp
- There are more racing parts for SR engines. On the other hand, there are the same type of racing parts for CA engines (just not as many brands of them). There are even stroker kits for CA. It is easier to get parts like winged sumps etc for an SR. That doesn't mean the same parts are not available for the CA, it just means you need to look a bit harder.
- SR engine fits in a an unmodified 1200 engine bay. So does CA engine. Tie.
LOOKS - do you prefer the CA look or the SR look? Bulging muscles, or muscular athetic build?
- CA is lighter than SR. On the other hand, both are far heavier than A-series engines. Yes, the SR has an alloy block, but it's still heavier than CA.
- SR is more expensive than CA in many countries. In USA, CA18DET is less expensive then SR20DET -- RWD versions of both are imported as used engines (both were sold in USA in FWD form only). In USA the KA24DE from S14 trumps both CA or SR non-turbo engines. Cheaper and more powerful.
- More 1200 fans are experienced at CA swaps, so there is a larger body of knowledge and know-how for the CA swap. On the other hand there are plenty of SR swaps too.
- SOUND: SR has a different engine note, which some may prefer. Others like the sound of the CA.
- SR has timing chain, which requires less maintenance than the CA's timing belt. CA coils on the other hand often go bad.
CA18ET - SOHC turbo
Cost
- Good used CA engines cost $400+ USD
- S13/S14 Front-cut cost $1500-$2500 USD
- Entire package with CA18DET and intercooler, fitted by a professional shop cost $20,000 AUD
See: * POST CA18 Aftermath cost * POST CA18's
CA18DE in Datsun 1200 wagon
Parts Needed
* Engineer Certificate * Labor: 40 hours * S13 or S14 Silvia front cut (includes engine, 5-spd, and wiring harness) * Hydraulic clutch conversion parts * Custom Engine & Gearbox Mounts * New Timing Belt * S13 Radiator * Bigger Diff (ute diff for stock CA18DET) * Custom tailshaft * Custom hosing for radiator and intercooler * Custom Exhaust * Wiring * Fuel pump hosing filters, return line, surge tank * Engine Oil & filter, Gearbox Oil, Coolant
OPTIONAL * Stumpy gearbox * Auto tunnel * S13 Brakes
Step-by-step
- Consult with Engineer (for AUS street-legal use)
- Purchase S13/S14 front car cut
- Test CA engine (compression test) & install new timing belt
- Inspect CA clutch
- Convert your 1200 to S13 Brakes
- Convert your 1200 to Hydraulic clutch
- Take 1200 out of service
- Convert your 1200 to stronger diff (ute diff for stock CA18DET)
- Remove engine & gearbox
- Cut hole in tunnel so large CA gearbox will fit
- Remove front suspension & crossmember
- Install new fuel system
- Jack up car, slide CA engine/gearbox assembly under
- Raise engine/gearbox assembly into place, fit crossmembers
- Reattach front suspension
- Install custom hydraulic clutch line to gearbox
- Install & plumb intercooler
- Install S13 radiator
- Add new fluids, oil & oil filter
- Measure transmission-to-diff, and order custom tailshaft
- Tow the car to exhaust shoppe for custom exhaust fitment
- wire up the engine
- Get final engineering certificate
2-valve vs 4-valve
The 4-valve CA is a very special engine. The extra valves make it breathe very, very well which mean a lot more HP. All CA Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) engines have 4 valves per cylinder -- it's worth seeking out over the older SOHC versions.
* 2-valve CA18E 113 hp * 4-valve CA18DE 131 hp
4-valve: * CA16DE 122 hp * CA18DE 131 hp * CA18DET 167 hp turbo
2-valve * CA16S 80 hp * CA16I * CA18S 90hp (Single carb) * CA18I 91 hp (single point EFI) * CA18P (LPG) * CA18E 113 hp (EGI/port injection) 113 hp * CA18ET 135 hp * CA20S 102 hp * CA20E 105 hp
CA20 and CA18 SOHC
CA18S/CA18E, CA18ET, and CA20S/CA20E are 2-valves per cylinder (8 valve head), so not as complicated as the DE models. However a CA20E turbo'd with stock rods will suffice for 300 HP if not taken beyond 6500rpm with 12psi. CA20 have around 9:1 compression. The USA CAs have better made-in-Japan casted alloy heads; the made-in-Australia castings are reportedly not as good. Also CA20 twin sparks are so economical for a 2 liter they really are underrated -- the CA20-powered Stanza got 43 mpg with NAPS-X.
CA20 with turbo added
Inexpensive factory Mitsubishi 4G63 conrods are easy to mod and fit for 300-450hp.
11041-D0202 HEAD ASSY-CYLINDER * GC22.CA20S, C22.CA20 * C32.CA18I * C33.CA18I * M10.(CA18S+CA20S) * R30.CA18S * R31.CA18S * R32.CA18I * S12.CA18S * T11.CA18
GC22 JAPAN TRANSISTOR IGNITION UNIT 22020-D0210 MITSUBISHI * E24.Z20/WE24.Z20 * C22/GC22.CA20 * U12.CA16S * 910.CA18 * M10.CA18S * R30.CA18 * R31.CA18S * S12.CA18 * T11/T12.CA16S * U11.CA16+CA18S/CA18E 22020-V5400 HITACHI <> 22020-V5401 Hitachi D4N
CAP ASSY-DISTRIBUTOR 22612-D0110 <> 22162-D0113 MITSUBISHI * GC22.CA20S 8605- 22162-D3302 <> 22162-D3303 HITACHI * GC22.CA20S 8605-8906
8-Plug Distributor Cap interchange CA16/CA18/CA20 SOHC Bosch 03183 Standard Motor Products JH186 * 22162-03E00/22162-03E01 * 22162-11C00/22162-11C01 * 22162-21R00 * 22162-D0200/22162-D2200/22162-D2201/22162-D2202 * 22162-11001 * 22162-21800 * 22162-D3300/22162-D3302/22162-D3303/22162-D3304 * 22162-D3501/22162-D3502
4-valve CA20
It is possible to put a DE/DET head on a on CA20. See http://club-s12.org/v3/index.php?topic=23985.0
269 HP 85.55 mm cast pistons stock CA20 rods, shot-peened drill out the head bolt holes, re-tap for the larger CA18DE bolts Turbo: Lancer EVO III TD05H-16G timing belt: extensive mods
8-port
USA and JDM CA16DE/CA18DE/CA18DET uses 8-port heads:
There are two kinds of these heads:
4-port
Global right-hand drive market (Europe and Australia) use siamesed intake port (4-port) heads:
Inlet Butterflies
The butterflies are important for torque below 4500rpms:
- If you are running after market ECU, and not programming the butterfly function in, then you may as well remove them.
- If you are running a light flywheel and are only interested in power between 5000-8000rpm, then pulling out the butterflies is a good idea.
Carburetors
CA fitted with Bike Carbs
CA16DE retro-fitted with carburetors
Donor Vehicles
Japan
CA16
B12 CA16D B12L CA16D KN13 CA16D N13 CA16D N13P CA16D 910 CA16S T11 CA16S T12 CA16S T12Y CA16S U11 CA16S U12 CA16S
CA18DE
S13 CA18D T12 CA18D T12Y CA18D U12 CA18D
CA18DET
RWD S12 SILVIA 8308-8805 CA18DT 8602-8805 S13 SILVIA 8805-9310 CA18DT 8805-9101 RS13 180SX 8903-9812 CA18DT 9803-9101
FWD/AWD T12 AUSTER 8510-8911 CA18DT 8510- T12Y STANZA 8608-8911 CA18DT 8608- U11 BLUEBIRD 8310-9005 CA18DT 8508- U12 BLUEBIRD 8709-9108 CA18DT -8910
ALL S13/RS13 use Coil On Plug ignition * CA18DE and CA18DT (turbo) 13287-51E00 ORNAMENT-ROCKER COVER CA18DT RS13 22433-5960 COIL ASSY-IGNITION MITSUBISHI <> 22433-59S10/22433-59S11/22433-59S12 HANJIN MCP-210
S12 & U11 CA18DET is distributorless * uses 2-piece cover ornament * 4 plug wires * 4-terminal coil * 22020-D4200 TRANSISTOR IGNITION UNIT Hitachi
Distributorless w/coil pack (not Coil on Plug)
CA18 SOHC
910 CA18E R30 CA18E S12 CA18E T11 CA18E U11 CA18E C33 CA18I R32 CA18I T12 CA18I T12Y CA18I U12 CA18I C32 CA18P 910 CA18S C31 CA18S C32 CA18S M10 CA18S R30 CA18S R31 CA18S S12 CA18S T11 CA18S U11 CA18S
CA18 SOHC Turbo
GC22 CA18T S12 CA18T T12 CA18T T12Y CA18T U11 CA18T
CA20
C22 8509-9403 CA20S Vanette GC22 8605-9303 CA20S Vanette Largo M10 Prairie 8208-8809 CA20S M11 Prairie 8809-9811 CA20S U11 Bluebird 8310-9005 CA20S
North America
Vehicles * 1982-1986 T11 Stanza CA20S, CA20E * 1985-1989 T12 Stanza CA20E * 1985-1988 M10 Stanza Wagon CA20E * 1984-1988 S12 Nissan 200SX SE CA20E 104 hp * 1984-1986 S12 200SX XE CA18ET 116 hp * 1987-1988 S12 200SX XE CA18ET Canada * 1986-1987 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA16DE 113 hp * 1988-1989 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA18DE 125 hp
American CA18DE - 1988-1989 Pulsar NX SE (N13)
Engines * CA16DE - 1986-1987 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE * CA18DE - 1988-1989 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE * CA18ET - 1984-1988 S12 200SX * CA20S - 1982-1986 T11 Stanza * CA20E * 1982-1986 T11 Stanza * 1985-1989 T12 Stanza * 1985-1988 M10 Stanza Wagon * 1984-1988 Nissan 200SX XE
T11 Stanza 43mpg USA (FWD) * NAPS-X dual-plug engine (TwinSpark/Eight Plug) * CA20S (carbureted) 2-valve dual-plug * CA20E EFI 2-valve dual-plug
T11 Stanza USA (FWD & 4WD) * CA20E EFI 2-valve dual-plug (8 spark plugs)
M10 Stanza USA (FWD) * CA20E EFI 2-valve dual-plug (8 spark plugs)
S12 USA 200SX SOHC 8-valve, Twin Plug
* FS5W71B transmission 5-speed 1083-0186 (31.5" length)
* FS5W71C transmission 5-speed 0186- (33.9" length)
* CA20E (Coupe & Hatchback)
102 hp @ 5200 rpm, 116 ft.lb. @ 3200 rpm
* CA18ET (Hatchback 3-dr only)
120 hp @ 5200 rpm, 134 ft.lb. @ 3200 rpm
KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE - DOHC * 1986-1987 CA16DE (FWD) 16-valve, single plug * 1988-1989 CA18DE (FWD) 16-valve, single plug
Intake Gasket
- 14035-D5710 GASKET-MANIFOLD
- 14035-D5711 GASKET-MANIFOLD [JDM/USA 8-port CA16DE/CA18DE/CA18DET]
- 14035-D5720 GASKET-MANIFOLD [Europe 4-port siamesed ports, CA18DE/CA18DET]
Engine Fitting
Choose a Transmission, gearbox crossmembers, speedo drive Engine Fitting, Flywheel & Engine Plate Sump & Crossmember Fuel Line, Pumps and Tank Wiring, Alternator & Ignitor MAF Sensor Preparing the Engine before Installation Piping/Hose Connections, Heater Hoses & Crankcase Ventilation Upgrading the CA engine 17.1 Injectors Turbo Choice Camshafts & Lifters B210 Swap Notes Differential Clutch & Flywheel
Feature Cars
1200U Gold Coast charger
Bezman sedan
Demojob coupe
elrich11 ute
MAD60Y
Mrbarista ute
NYS
Photo Index
See Main Article: CA18 Photo Index