I think it's a difference between the SR20DET, CA18DET and RB20.

Maybe the RB20 one is the gazelle?

Have a look at these pics.

http://www.jap-parts.com.au/performance_parts.html
Click on the Gearbox tab.

If there are 4 kinds of this box, then maybe the Gazelle one is the fourth. I don't think the Gazelle is RB20 powered though.

You can see it's got a shorter end on it. But they all have the same shifter arrangement.
I think the S13/14 are the same externally, different gears maybe?

You HAVE to run a Hydraulic clutch. I can't see how you'd hook up the old cable one.

You have to make a customer gearbox mount. SOmetime you can use the original 1200 gearbox mount holes.

Chris.

I got this off a site...

The RWD gearboxes of the CA18 are a substantial size and can often cause problems when fitting them. They are however part of a series of gearboxes where there are 4 different lengths, each of which is interchangeable with a bell housing swap. The gearboxes are considerable strong and will last a decent period of time under normal driving.

it came from http://members.iinet.net.au/~sayers/biscuits/ca18.htm

Does anyone know anything about the different boxes? Is it a difference between s13 & s14 ect or 180sx & 200sx or what?

I mailed SSS about the gazelle box but they have not got back to me.

I best sort this out soon as I am using my brothers car and he gets back from england soon.

Is it worth the trouble (massaging tunnel) and going to hydraulic clutch to get the sylvia box in there. Can I use the bluebird bellhousing onto the sylvia box?

If the original gearbox X member mounts are cut out, where do the replacements one go?

Thanks fellas,
hopefully I will have the engine bought by the end of next week.
Should be cool,
Thanks again fellas,

mely

My memory is a little fuzzy...

Fuel Pump: 2nd hand is probably fine. But a new one would be nicer. Most pumps have been fed nice filtered fuel all of their lives, so have no reason to be worn out. Look at the odometer for a low milage car before extracting the EFI pump. I was about to get one, when I saw 375000kms on the clock, I packed up my tools and went onto the next donor.

Skyline Box
Imported 1981 -Sep83 Skyline With L24E Engine. marked 2.4E on the back hatch.
This is the 'stumpy' skyline box. Which requires the CA Series 3 Bellhousing. The stock CA18DET Flywheel, CA18 Starter motor is used. I think the clutch fork and throw-out bearing are Bluebird Series 3.

Gazelle Box:
I don't know who has used the box with a CA18, but it was recommended to me by SSS Automotive. Not sure about the Bellhousing. I think you need the CA18DET bellhousing.

Chris

I have talked to smart engine conversions here in brisbane, they will give me the blue stamp for a ca18det in a ute. I think if you fudge your weight a bit and take into account that it is not exactly 1800cc then it just slides in. There is a bloke running around up here with a sr20det in a ute!!!Anyway,

I will go with the surge tank, can I trust a 2nd hand in tank pump, or should I get a new one?

Chris, did you have any problems with the bluebird bellhousing (ca20) on the skyline (rb??) box? I am assuming the skyline box is non-turbo. The bloke at the importers said he would do me a staight swap of ca18det box for the rb20 box if I took the ca box out of the half cut myself. If I get a bluebird bellhousing, can I use ca18 clutch with bluebird clutch fork and thrust bearing?

I dont particularly want to bash/bend the tunnel, as I heard about that sylvia that cut up his strut towers to fit in a rb26dett. Then the struts promptly came up through the bonnet and his sump was dragging on the ground.

Has anyone used the gazelle box? Is it a staight bolt up, or does it need adapting to fit on the ca engine? Is it small enough and strong enough?

Thanks fellas, you are all ledgends
mely

I originally used the skyline box with the 910 Bluebird 'ca20' Series 3 bellhousing.

Chris's Skyline Gearbox for CA18DET
I used the stock CA18DET gearbox for my new install. It required a fair bit of work to fit. The skyline box Andrew uses is obviously up to the task, but the newer generation gearbox that come with the CA18DET and SR20DET are nice smooth boxes. I think they hold up to the power, will let you know.
Apparently the Gazelle gearbox is shorter (better for a 1200 ute) and is the same good construction as the ca18DET one. They are about $400 2nd hand though.
Whereas the Ca18DEt ones can be got for less than $150.
ps. I'm in Sydney an have a 1200 Auto Transmission tunnel (neatly removed) for $20.

Chris

ps.. editted the URL

<small>[ Edited by dattodude on 2002/5/5 22:56:42 ]</small>

Hey mely I dont think you have to cut the hell out of the tunnel to make the CA18 gearbox fit its just heaps longer than the stock gearbox the shifter would be around a foot further back and you would have to relocate the handbrake handle ect. Slight massaging of the tunnel may be required and removal of the stock datsun gearbox mounts inside the tunnel
I fitted a skyline MR30 gearbox behind My Ca18 its very fat but quite short they are quite strong too as it handles around 350hp without too much trouble.
I would steer clear of the blubird box they are weak I cant see how welding the shaft will strengthen it if anything would likley cause more troubles.
As for a brake booster I run 10" vented with hilux 4 spots on front and 9" solid with single piston on rear I dont use a booster as i dont like the feel of a soft pedel especally wehn racing you will most likley need a bigger bore master cylinder to be able to flow enough fluid you wnat want to go to big either or teh pedal will be too hard. its best to find teh size that the car you got the brakes off run and do the same.
With your fuel pump you will not need an intank job but for best results its best to have a low pressure lift pump (a holley red or carter) feeding into a surge tank then a EFI pump the VL turbo efi pumps are great for this. Without a surge tank you will find it dosnt take much of a corner for it to surge and run out of fuel- not good for engine or fuel pump either anyway I hope this info help good luck with it.
Andrew
PS: how do you plan to get the CA18det legally registered in a ute?? I thought theye where too light to pass the RTA guidlines of car weight X 3 for no turbo or x 2.5 for turbo.

hey melY, im doin up my coupe and like urs its a manual (bummer), theres another more unorthodox, some might say crazy way to fit the gearbox that comes with the ca18 in. get a sledgehammer and SMASH THE CRAP OUT OF THE TUNNEL TILL IT FITS hehe. im serious. unless ur out to make ur datto the best in the world do it. remember what datto fanatics r best at...MAKING THINGS FIT NO MATTER WHAT IT INVOLVES. i like this face hehe good luck

<small>[ Edited by mikali on 2002/5/5 19:00:26 ]</small>

I have been sourcing all the gear to do the ca18det swap. I have taken the a12 out and it is in the shed. The fuel lines have been bought along with the battery box & lines. Yet to get a fuel pump and install it all. ON the fuel pump, do I need to put an in tank unit, or will a VL turbo fuel pump on the outside be enough?

ONto the gearbox. I have been told the standard ca18det box will not fit without cutting up the tunnel (I have a manual ute). I have heard the series 3 bluebird box (ca20) will fit, but is weak. The bloke at the gearbox shop said the primary gear driven off the input shaft is keyed on to its shaft. He said if it was welded on, the box would be much tougher. Does anyone know if this is true or anything about the shift quality on the bluebird box?
I intend using standard internals, the bigger T25 off the sr20 or if I can find one T28 off s14/GTiR. So eventually somewhere around 150Kw at the treads, I hope. I have a bluebird diff in and the bigger axles in the ute housing.
One last thing, I have stanza struts, tarago 10" twin vented discs, HJ65calipers (&14" rims). What booster should I get to push the required amount of fluid. Will the 120Y do the job or should I go bigger, like 200B or something?
This is already a massive post. I went overseas and missed the change over from yahoo to here so I have been catching up on posts.

Thanks fellas
mely