Ok so i'll probably run the a-series for another year or two but i'll soon be looking for a more modern twin cam alternative. I want to stay in the class i'm in now so i need a nissan engine that will bolt up to a rear wheel drive gearbox of some description that is below 1600 cc.

Is the CA from the exa my only option? I heard these were getting a bit rare from someone. Is this really the case? I'm guessing a stock one of these will punch out better numbers than my current A15 once the throttle bodies and such go on. Any advice will be welcome.

no reason why it wouldn't work, but (dare I say it?!) a motor like a 4age would prolly be lighter.

It has to be from nissan to allow me to stay in improved production. How much does a ca weigh? I wouldn't think a great deal more than a 4age.

Not sure on the exact figures but I'd say the CA is a bit heavier than 4AGE.
There is also teh SR16VE, good HP but heavier again. Pity the 4AGE doesn't have a nissan badge on it!

I dont think there is a rear gearbox for the sr16's?

how bout an L16?

Maybe use the cg13de out of a micra lots of parts for them and lighter than the a series only problem is the east to west thing but its been done in new zealand put into a 1200 but dont know what gear box was used.

I'm not too keen on the L-series since it's not really a huge step forward from the A-series. I've also heard the SR16 is as rare as rocking horse sh!t. I could go CA18de and go up a class, and I know they're easier to come by than CA16's. Anyone got a CA16de or CA18de lying around?

yes sorry I forgot that SR16 will not bolt to a RWD gearbox without any modification but I can't think of any engine swap that doesn't require some sort of modification. I guess you just have to weigh up how much work is justified for any given conversion. RWD SR16VE has been done and CG13DE as mentioned. Anything is possible, just have to decide whether it is worth the hassle! Yes an L16 would be easier to fit but to get it to the HP level of an SR16 would take much more work and expense. SR16VE not that rare in NZ? could you not just ask an importer to get you one if that's the way you decided to go? Not saying there's anything wrong with CA engines though!

The ca16/18 are actually lighter than the 4age due to having no skirt on the base of the block.

I would suggest the bigger bore ca18de 83mm vs 78mm for the ca16de.
Then destroke 10mm using the crankpins so the rod mains will be 38mm
(like sportbikes) and 83.9mm will end up 73.6mm getting you 1593cc.

The custom conrods would cost around $1200
but ca18de are found everywhere cheaply in junkyards.

Steve Newing made 230-240hp from his worked ca18de so if you can get
him to work on your ca18de head Im sure hed find a way to make close
to those numbers at higer rpm.

Keep in mind that you have a\ 2% leeway on capacities, meaning you have a max capacity of 1632cc.

Cheers