Hey Guys,

Does anyone know how much boost the stock internals of the CA18 can handle without too much trouble. The reason being, I have just put a boost gauge into my ute (Bought the ute 2 months ago) and it is running at 20psi.

I have read a few topics on Skylines Australia and a few people seem to think that the engine is quite strong and can handle 20 psi (but will require a rebuild possibly every 18months). While others are running around 15 - 16 psi day in day out.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

Thanks.
Scott

It's not so much about internals..

With all of the cars I've seen over the years, I wouldn't recommend more that 14psi using standard "unforged" pistons on a CA18DET. If you care about your engine I wouldn't run more than 12PSI.

Remember too that boost is created at different turbo compressor speeds depending on the selected turbo.

If you are getting 20PSI out of the stock turbo, then you are heading for a big expense.

Use a different guage to be sure that 20psi is "real". I've never seen anyone running that kind of boost on a daily driven street car.

Chris

Im not to sure what the CA18t can handle but i used to run 18-20psi everyday with my FJ20T in a 1200 ute and did this for over a year and never had a problem, no blo by nuthin then i pulled the motor apart and it was perfect not a mark.

Im not recommending this for your CA but like chris said make sure these boost figures are correct.

Thanks guys,

I have a GT28 turbo, so the turbo should be able to handle the 20 psi without too much trouble.

I'll give a different gauge a whirl - it can't hurt to get a second opinion.

Cheers
Scott

Garret's GT series Turbo's are rated at 25PSI, which is what they can run up to day in day out.

Cheers
Damo

PS Are you running stock injectors??? As they only flow to about 14PSI,

Damo,
Yeah i was pretty sure the GT series were rated quite well.

I have had the ute for about two months now but I have been away a fair bit on business, so I haven't had much of a chance to have a look around under the bonnet. But I know it has a fairly big fuel pump in it. when I bought it the guy said it runs on stock injectors, but a few things he has told me have turned out to be a little further from the truth - the 20 psi of boost is a classic example.

Thanks
Scott