Other Engine Conversions - non V-8 Discussion of non-rotary engines, exc V-8's, in a car originally powered by a Rotary Engine.

CA18DET in a FC

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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 07:48 AM
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CA18DET in a FC

i was looking at possible engine swaps for my fc because im alil mad at my rotory right now. it hasnt worked since i got it registered after swapping the original for a used. so im looking into a CA18DET a 1.8liter turbo nissan engine with about 175 horsepower stock. i was wondering if anyone had any info on anyone ever attempting to put this engine in a fc or even a sr20det in a fc.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 07:51 AM
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from what i have heard sr20det sits lower and furthur back making for better handling but thats jsut what i hear. i was thinking the ca18det would sit even lower and maybe even farther back cuz its alil smaller.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 08:40 AM
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don't ask here, all rotorheads i believe.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 09:25 AM
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The CA18DET is an iron block as opposed to the AL of the SR20, it will be heavier. I do not think the outside dimensions of the block are much different.

Go with the SR.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:17 AM
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why are you even asking here?

man
you must need a new a-hole to be asking that on this board.

I don't get it, and you should lose it.


(unless you like teddybears and unicorns)
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:21 AM
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why in the hell would you spend that kinda money, spend all the time w/ the fabrication, and only have 175hp...big freakin deal. if your going to swap just drop in a v8...It'll make 350hp EASY and everything you'd need has already been made (ie engine/tranny mounts)

This is in the wrong section anyways...check the "other conversions" section.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:24 AM
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who cares what engine you put in the car?
As long as its a good engine with good power potential.

Dont get me wrong, I love rotaries and even though I COULD HAVE swapped in an LS1 or even an LS6 with the amount of frikkin money i've spent on the car...im still happy with it.

But the point is that he is on a board that is made so people can talk and share information about our cars. No reason he should be flamed or called a ricer...

Do you also get mad when people put roatries on other cars "OMG NO that is against TEH automotive bible@!!@0!!1101!!


But i do think that there are better engines to swap in an FC
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:25 AM
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CA18DET has PLENTY of potential, as does the SR20. 350hp would be as easy as some bolton parts.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by toothpicsk8
from what i have heard sr20det sits lower and furthur back making for better handling but thats jsut what i hear. i was thinking the ca18det would sit even lower and maybe even farther back cuz its alil smaller.

than a ROTARY?????!!!!??

if so, you've got to be kidding.... have you ever even looked at the size of a rotary engine in comparison to....well, any other engine?

the only FC with an SR I've seen, the top of the valve cover sat up high enough he had to cut out the area underneath the hood scoop, and you could see the shiny red valve cover sitting in there. it just barely fit under the hood.

there is no possible way to get the engine to sit lower or further back in the chassis than a rotary engine.... unless the engine stuck out the bottom of the car and you cut up the firewall.... but then you could have done than with a rotary and had better results....

so, don't expect anything but trouble from doing a swap like this. and definetly don't expect any performance benefits.

oh, and yes the SR and CA have plenty of potential for power, but not really any more so than a 13bt. so you won't have any hp advantages, and the handling will be decreased a bit.

Last edited by Bigretardhead; Mar 30, 2005 at 10:33 AM.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:47 AM
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HI I had three of them , 2 of the ca18det and a CA20DET, after mods like T3/T4 hybrid ,ported head , full 3" exhaust, forged pistons, shotpeened rods, NISMO turbo race cam, cold intake, big FMIC, custom ignition that ECU does not like mods at all, finally it made 280 HP 260 TQ. and that engine is much smaller than SR20. to much money spent on a antique, same mods on a SR20 would be over 400HP. RON
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:49 AM
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Please ask questions like these in the proper forum. The 2nd gen tech section is generally rotary only, the "Other Engine Conversions" forum is for piston swaps and that is where more knowledgeable people should be able to help you out. Not only that but you'll get a crowd that doesn't rip your head off as much as the people in this section will. Moving the thread...
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:49 AM
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dont bother with the ca18. if you are going to do it with something nissan go sr20. better preformance for the dollar. or the classic V8 swap or V6 with some minor "adjustments"
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Lawerence
who cares what engine you put in the car?
As long as its a good engine with good power potential.

Dont get me wrong, I love rotaries and even though I COULD HAVE swapped in an LS1 or even an LS6 with the amount of frikkin money i've spent on the car...im still happy with it.

But the point is that he is on a board that is made so people can talk and share information about our cars. No reason he should be flamed or called a ricer...

Do you also get mad when people put roatries on other cars "OMG NO that is against TEH automotive bible@!!@0!!1101!!


But i do think that there are better engines to swap in an FC

We do obviously there is a proper section for this kind of thread.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 10:53 AM
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i hope he can weld...
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 11:06 AM
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well i put it in fc second gen specific because thats what i wanted the engine swap for but sorry for posting in wrong topic area. well yes i like the rotory too its an amasing engine if i had it my way there would be more. but i donno how to fix em and i dont know anyone who does. sept you guys of course . but i wanted to try to be alil original with my fc project cuz thas what it has become. i wanted an engine swap but didnt want a huge v8 i wanted somethign that would save me on gas and put out some ponies that way i could roll up to some mustang gt and smoke him. i was also looking into other engines like the rb26dett and the rb25det nissan engines but not sure if either will fit i know the rb25det fits in a 95-97 240 it almost bolts right in. and ive seen them in older ones liek the 92 year model. and the fc looks quite similar to it. thought maybe there would be a chance of possible near bolt in swaps. its experimental ( btw i dont like v8s im almost anti v8) sure they sound nice have lots of power but if 4 less cylanders can make a v8 cry then that makes me happy.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 11:08 AM
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my dad can fabricate anythign needed hes wicked good with metal fabrication hes helping me its a father son kinda thing.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 11:20 AM
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agian though. no ca18....there was someone on here you did a sr20 swap. he posted in recently. search for it. has good pics. the sr20 is just so much better than the ca18. hell. its basically the same as the 1.8T jetta.
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 01:19 PM
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haha
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Old Mar 30, 2005 | 01:32 PM
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its alot of work. two of my friends have sr's in their FC's.......... easier to get a good rotary and make it run correctly
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 07:20 AM
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Well, seems like you guys just want a fun project. To me, just go with whatever you want, or can get, and do it. It's all about having fun, and enjoying it in the process. There is no greater satisfaction in this world, than to look at a completed project, and know that YOU did it yourself.
I know a lot of the drift 240 guys. One of them had a CA in his car, but swapped it out for a SR later, as he found the potential far greater. Still, if you can get a CA18 for a decent price, it's still not a bad option, as there are a lot of parts out there for it.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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You can get a ca18 for >1k. You rly dont need to import one, you could just get manifold made for a ca18de and get heads from an older pulsar. It's been a while since I've done a Nissan, so here are some links that may help:

http://www.nicoclub.com
http://www.freshalloy.com

Both are good sites for Nissans in general so you can learn some about the engine you are swapping and its potential. I don't have any room to criticize your choice of engine, I was thinking about similar swaps a year ago, then I discovered the ls1....
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 10:34 AM
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look into the sr20det
or the 1.8 thast comes out of the 318 bmw's
or the 325i engine
or go for the supra swap
or the LS1
or the 5.0 swap
or even toss the s2000 honda motor in it.

hell toss a 1.8 miata engine before that sentra engine!!!! (i think it came in a sentra)
take the 2.4 out of the 240's before that!!!! 240sx guys are die'n to get rid of them!


go for more power... or an increase in reliablity at equal power

NO OTHER REASON TO DUMP MONEY INTO A SWAP
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 10:39 AM
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actually, the ka24de may be a better idea....
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 11:19 AM
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well im buying a 97 240sx but the engine has been over heated so ill probly be doing 2 swaps. but i think i will keep the ka24 for the 240 cuz i wanna turbo it. with new pistons and rods of course i want a safe 300 whp and the possibility to boost alil higher for fun.plus im only getting the car for $2,500. the engine runs nissan put $3,000 worth of parts in so its in runing condition but theres still the possibility it could screw up.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:40 PM
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RB26!!!!!!! lol
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