don't worry, I won't miss Bathurst this year! kicking myself for not going last year.

its a det motor with the oil squirters in the block. I think this was the non-intercooled version.

I'm going to use the internals out of my stumpy skyline box, which has closer ratios from a 240Z. Those gears suit Mt Cotton really well, and gearing is very important there.

Dean is definitely one of the people I'll be chatting to. I've always had my cams done there, but they don't list anything for the CA... And I might go and see old Ivan too - see what he thinks about the valves. I reckon they could use a little reshaping on the back of the inlet valves' heads, but will see what he says.

is ivan still officially with the business,or did he
retire.a couple of years ago he was joking about buying another business in coffs & running that.i'm sure dean will find a grind from another engine to use,too.

Ivan left Tighe Engineering and now just makes valves, mainly for motorsport applications.

I take it this project has met a dead end?

Yea i think so...oh well less competition I spose

twin carbed CA18... that's what I've been thinking of for ages. Dig up those old posts, we talked about the possibility of using some ditributor or other, Mitsi Sigma I think it may have been? Feral knew of a setup like that I think.
If I ever get around to repalcing my A15 I'm going to build a twin carbed CA16 or 18, tsillays one sounded pretty impressive...
Can't wait to see how you get on! Keep us informed!

CA18de on Carbs.... finally someone on this forum will have this rare combination weve only dreamed about in a race setup.
To think that this engine is simpler in design and cheaper than the complicated, often unreliable and expensive LZ race versions.

Reading on Autospeed magazine the ca18 was considered for the next engine beyond the cast alloy SR20 in alloy but the diecast ca18 prototypes where 3-4 decibels noisier than the cast iron block ones, so a new design was made instead to combat noise.
What a poor excuse!

Harry make sure you get a look at steve newings U2ltr championship stanza coupe in one of last years Zoom and performance cars magazines. Otherwise ask Feral he knows a bit about this 240hp CA.

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I am in the same boat right now, looking to do a carb'd SR20DE. Or should it be SR20DS?

I was thinking a computer controlled stand alone ignition like Electromtive? Not too expensive for a spark only set-up.

Fortunately for me, HKS was kind enough to offer an intake to make the carbs fit straight on...

If you want to see it, click here!

in a convaluted set of wheelings and dealing, I inherited my old CA16 back. It's installed in the engine bay of the coupe, but needs to be stripped. I cant even get the pulgs out it's been sitting for so long...
I'll haul the camera out, and get photo's of the manifolds, porting, solid lifters etc. The Cam specs didnt come home to rest with it sadly....

thanks tsillay, some pics would be really good. At this stage the more info I can get from people who've modified these things the better.

Hey Harry - does this mean you have seen the error of your ways and are heading out of the forest and back to tarmac or are you going to race both disciplines?! My guess for the CA is that you are going to run carbs. If so it'll be great to follow the progress.

you got it mate! Does that make it a CA18dcoe unbolt the inlet manifold and they're just begging for twin carbs...


I've had it in the back of my mind since Feral, Stirlingmac etc talked about their twin carbed CA16/18 engines here ages ago. Which reminds me - I've gotta find those threads...

and yes, the Bluebird rally car is sold. No more rallying, I'll be focusing on the 1200 again now.

Absolutely Brilliant as Viv from the Young Ones would say. Your car is too good to sit engineless while you bounced off trees in the Bluie. I think the biggest fan of the CA16 on carbs was tsillay - I know I've kept his comments in the back of my mind This will be a very interesting exercise... especially the comparison to your last well-sorted L motor.

Great choice of engine Harry I cant wait to see it going Ca18 on webbers will sound soo good.
The standard manifold sandwich plate looks close to being able to fit webbers up. Whats planed for camshafts?? custom grind setup?? Maybe Steve Newwing or Errol can send you in the rigth direction.
Ill be wacthing this closely as NA ca18 in a 1200 would make a great under 2 ltr clubcar. Not too much weight strong little engine should be good for around 180-200 hp without to much money being spent

ah, yes it was tsillay... the old grey matter failled me there.

The goal is to make at least as much power as we had last year with that awesome Stewart Wilkins L18. After weighing the options up, I think the CA will be the most cost effective way of achieving that. But part of me feels guilty for going to a modern twin cam 16v engine. I used to love running against these high tech engines with the old L series dinosaur...

As far as porting goes, the Inlets look pretty good to me straight out of the box. Bigger isn't always better (for aspirated motors), and they already have two 31mm Inlet ports per cyl, which is a significant increase in cross section area compared to the hot L series I had. I think we will get away with just some detail work to the Inlet side of things. Exhaust ports could do with a bit of work though. The butterflies will be removed from the manifold. I think devcon will be OK to blank off the holes - they're probably a bit far in to be TIGed.

Anyway, I've got a digital camera now so I'll detail the build up here with pics as I go. Hopefully 6-8 weeks and we'll be back in business. There will have to be other changes to the car too - like moving clutch and probably brakes master cylinders. A pedal box will probably be the easiest way to sort that out. Kev Rowley has already taken car of the crossmeber for me.

Andrew, you won't have to wait too long to see and hear it... I should never have missed Bathurst Speed Weekend last year to do that rally. I'm real keen to come back this year... and there's a certain other 1200 coupe that might be making the trip with me...

Good choice Harry. It will be good to hear no doubt.

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CA18DE with a pod filter already sounds like a worked L series with Webers. My family used to mistake me for the local hoon with L20B and twin 45s.

I got more police attention in that than anything else I've driven...even with a 2.25 exhaust with 2 straight-through mufflers and a cat, it still was very loud.

I love turbos...more power, less police attention.