best bet is 2 buy a low km stocko ca18 motor, drop it in 2 get u back on the road and build up your blown motor,
u really only need forged pistons and flowed head if u gona build up a strong reliable motor, stocko rods are very strong due 2 them being short and stumpy, crank is strong!

Thanks guys,
I have decided after doing research and reading your posts to simply re-build it to stock and not get forged pistons. Chances are the turbo may need new bearings not to mention a new clutch. Expenses easily get out of hand as you have pointed out.

There was a funny vibration in the engine so I guess it could have been a bearing... I will check. justin

a bearing or loose flywheel bolts

if it was knocking as you say, i'm betting its number 2 or 3 or both conrod big end bearings. i'd bet my left nut.

left nut... wheel nut? ..which one? I hope that you aren't betting a neutical...FYI (A dogs replacement testicle after neutering)...

Hey guys!
I must be missing something!
This thread is the first place i have ever read about the CA18DET not having forged pistons from the factory.... It was my understanding that the CA18DET, RB26DETT and SR20DET (gti-r and S15 only) all had forged pistons, which was one of the main reasons the CA18 had such a short life..... They were alot more expensive to produce than the SR20... But hey I may be wrong.. Is it stated in any nissan manuals? Oh and if you ever need new pistons for your GTI-R you can use S15 .....$99 each from nissan... bargain!

Matt
sales@gofastparts.com.au

When is a forged piston not a forged piston?
I have seen heaps of "forged" pistons that have casting marks in them! As far as I'm concerned Forged means getting something hot then hitting it with a big hammer...... This is a true forged piston. I think what some manufacturer's do is cast the piston & then Place it into a die & hit with said Hammer...... So that the critical areas of the piston (gudgeon retainer) have characteristics of forged material.