dunno why you rule out the CA. is it coz it "looks" plastic? they're a mega tuff little unit and can rev better and produce the same amount of power - unopened - as an unopened boosted SR20.

they're also lighter.

still, why not build up a turbo Z18 like you said?

if you want to make it a mega power maker, swap in an L16 crank and rods and make it rev like all hell with a big turbo and lotas boost. you'll need to use Z18 pistons though, they're 2mm oversize from the L16s.

or you could try swapping in a Z24 and de-stroke it with a Z20 crank and rods and then turbo that.

well mate. i dont like the ca really. plus it has been done a lot in the utes.
the z18 i was thinking of using sr20 arias pistons in it and crank to help it rev. i know a dude making 220rwks on a z18, and im making bout 130 in my 16 and it hammers.

z18 pisonts are 86mm just like sr's are.
(can get them cheap aswell)
and thay lower the comp .5 usiong stock rods

how hard is it to do a l16 crank in it. and how much better will it rev?

looks like it will going to be a z18.

do you mind sharing why you don't like the CA? if you wanna be different, then that's fine. it's just hard to pass up such a good engine.

SR20 crank won't fit the Z18 block - different bearing/journal spacing i think. i guess you could MAKE it fit, but the cost would outweigh any useable (for the money) benefit - there are cheaper ways of getting more power.

the L16 crank and rods have a "perfect" 1.8:1 rod/stroke ratio - good for prepped 8500rpm excursions. you're basically increasing the rod length (from 130mm to 133mm) but decreasing your stroke - and low down torque. it all helps out in the midrange and up top though - it;ll rev really free and be a pleasure to drive. that is, if you drive that way. you'd need to look at your driving style to work out if it's worth it or not. it's just an option for you to consider, that's all - and definitely in the do-able basket.

nar mate i didnt mean the crank.
i mean sr20 pistons. as thay fit into the z18 and lower the comp a lil
yes i would LOVE a revvy motor. thats the only down side to the z18 IMO

as for the ca. i dont on man. the z18 and be pulled apart and put back together easy by myself, as for the ca the 2cams and so on mean more cash to be spent and more things to go wrong.


so L16 rods and sr20 pistons will make my comp to 8.5 and rev better ey

I was going to put a z in mine at the start but had trouble actually finding one that still had the inlet manifold as there popular for transplants onto L series engines.But if you can get one I say go for it even though ive got a ca in mine at least a z not to common

yer i got a z now. and love it. and can get another 3 or 4 of them if i need.

what would u go for z or ca
and why?
i want to keep costs low and repairs down to a less time frame.
e.g head gasket work, and so on

It all depends on what you want to achive with your ute is it just going to be a driver with a bit off power or an all out drag car.If I was on a budget id go a z cause ive had experience with them before and know what there capable off. But in the end if you chasing big power you cant go past a ca or sr.Also I know off a 1200 ute with a fj20 turbo in it in melb engineered so it must be possible

it will be a drag/street car, i would love a sr but these laws say i cant. even a fj would be nuts.
but anwyays.
i just dont like the ca coz of twin cams and so on. more parts to upgrade.

im not trying to be a tight ass. just i can get parts cheaper. and do work myself so its good. but i dont want no nice seats and so on. its all about all go no show with me

Just on the weight thing, I think my old CA18DET ute weighed in around 800kg with a bigger diff, brakes etc.

The engineered FJ may have been before they changed the power to weight rules (about 2 years ago?). I had problems getting an FJ20ET Gemini Coupe registered for the same reason but started the project before the rules were changed (and had proof).

The CA is a great engine, easy to work on and makes plenty of power. The biggest advantage of a CA over Z18 is that the number of S13s out there makes parts easy to find and fairly cheap (may actually be cheaper than the Z if you look around).

That said I remember Nizpro making ridiculous amounts of hp from a Z years ago. George Furys bluey cant be forgotten either.

BTW - posted a response up regarding whats involved in the SR20DET conversion on vb.

i was just going to mention george fury's bluebird...!

as for the CR with the L16 bottom end and SR pistons, i think it would be WAY more than 8.5:1 because the rod is 3.0mm longer meaning the pistons would need flycutting just to bring them back to neutral deck.

if you want to use SR pistons, stick with the original Z bottom end. otherwise you'll need custom pistons - i wasn't sure of your budget when i suggested it.

polish the rods and crank (and nitride them for a bit of strength) and it'll hold just fine.