just considering doing this to a coupe in the near future,
how much would it cost and how much time and energy would it use to change a standard a12 engine to a Ca18det turbo, this includes buying the
engine and everything thanks
thanks
Numbnuts

Andrew had his well-sorted CA18DET coupe for sale for 10K - don't know if he still has it or not.
Depends which country you're in. Aus prices would be about 3K for motor, box and after-market computer + engineers report. Depends how much work you can do yourself like
engine and gearbox mounts, plumbing, brake, suspension and diff upgrade. Time and energy figures are best from Andrew or Dattodude.

I saw a 1600 roadster in a car lot today. The body was ok but needs some work before some rust gets it too badly. The guy wanted $4,000 for it. I thought that was a bit too much for the
condition it was in.
A friend has a 1996 Nissan 240SX that his friend wrecked and was killed in. The car only has 35,000 miles on it. It is wrecked up pretty bad but the motor and trans are in excellent
shape and he wants $600 for it without the wheels. That is pretty cheap for that few of miles. It is in Tennessee if anyone is interested.

i was talking to chris stam about this the other day, he reckons about $5000 to do it
properly, maybe more.

I' reckon you could easily spend 5 to 10 thousand AU dollars doing this conversion. Though in zoom issue 30, a guy in QLD did the conversion for $4000. Theres alot of variables ,
ie: can you weld well enough to modify the crossmember/ engine mounts. My (rough) estimates are:
$1500 CA18det +box
$500-1000 big ront brakes + suspension
$500-1000 diff +rear brakes
$500 engineers certifiticate
optional fun stuff -
aftermarket ECU(plus tuning) - $1500
seam welding the shell - (time consuming)
bigger mags to fit over big brakes - $1000
custom intercooler $1000
etc ,etc,etc.

alternately you can replace you're A12 with an A14/15 in a day :)



It takes alot of energy and alot of time, and a few favours from mates here and there.

yeah, thanks for all your help fellas, about the a14/a15 conversion, how much would that cost and how long
would that take????

yeah, thanks for all your help fellas, about the a14/a15 conversion, how much would that cost and how
long would that take????



oh and how much of a power increase is the
and how easy is it to get an a14/15 engine

u can drop an a15 in - everything but for the exhaust lines up - but u will need it engineered - but u can
get away without it...
but u will need bigger front brakes, no matter what.
Linc

u could probably get an A14/15 for about $300, they are in heaps of cars and vans (my a15 is out of a vanette).
With an a14, u need to modify the engine mounts i think, and the g box may not fit it either ( i think the starter is on the other side, i could be wrong, i have been
before...). Because the capacity of the a14 is under 1200 + 15% (i think) , u dont need it engineered legally. Im not sure about exhaust on the a14...
BUT the A14 can rev a lot harder, because it is has a box stroke (thats where the stroke length and the bore diameter is the same)and some think it a better engine, because of
this.
The A15 will drop in more easily and fits the box, although u will need to use one A12 mount, and one off the A15.
The A15 can be bored out to about 1700 cc, and has more torque than the a14 i think.
which ever u choose, try to get a GX head - bigger , better ports.
Whichever u choose, do the brakes - its simple, and very beneficial (also, swap your swaybar with a 120Y one, they are thicker).
hope this helps - and dont assume what ive said is right...
cheers, Linc

PS have u joined my site?
Datsun Directory
www.geocities.com/lump_a_charcoal/DDD.html

Linc, I got my A15 out of a Vanette with all the ancillaries and the gearbox (not that its good for anything) for $150.00. I think if you go to the 79mm bore with Masda/Laser pistons it
givers 1610cc. I heard that one but nothing bigger. Bigger may be possible but you would want to treat the motor carefully. How strong are the blocks. I know with Leyland A series you can
go 3-4mm but turboing is a bit dodgy then as there is a lot of blow by as the block gets a bit flexy. Its the passenger side mount that needs to be swapped for a 1200 drivers side one isn't
it.
I reckon you can't beat the cubic capacity at the end of the day for a street motor.
As far as the brakes go what about the van brakes I've been told their as big a Commodores.
By the way this wrecker has another A15 that is missing the ancillaries and the condition is unknown and he only wants $80.00 for it. Not that I'm telling anyone where it is. Think I'll
pick it up as a spare. Saw a complete A14 in there the other day as well that must of just come in. All this from a guuy who said he hadn't seen one for a long time.