Well I’m soon to be a ca18deter hopefully. Always wanted a ca18det, my ka giving up now has hastened its arrival but it was an ideal choice for me as I like high revving/low displacement engines, complete opposite of the ol ka24de.
I’m getting a motorset with tranny, downpipe, ecu & harness without the smic so what misc items might I need, I will probably be getting a fmic can i use an sr hot pipe & intercooler piping? How much lag will a bigger fmic create, what size fmic is recommended? I’ll be keeping most things stock for now. What all can I keep from the ka24de, fuel pump/alternator/pspump etc? Can I keep the HVAC, powersteering etc. My cars a hicas so is any special considerations needed? I intend to use my new KA clutch and pressure plate as I read that it pretty much bolts in, any suggestions, would also have liked to use my KA lightened flywheel but i guess that wont do due to the bolt pattern.
Just hoping some of u ca18deters here can give me a heads up on what to watch out for & where to get misc parts for it. I’ll ofcourse be changing oil & spark etc, i think i should change all the belts & water pump but where to find em? napa/CT/partsource availability?? How reliable are ca18det are they good for a dd? what should i check b4 popping it in? My finances are near the redline so I am looking to just get the basics done, cant afford to tear it down and rebuild now.
trust me…it’s best to to do some kind of rebuild on a CA18DET, they’re old motors. If your finances are at redline, I’d recommend to take your time on it rather than try to drop it in, fix or install a few new things and go. Guarantee you might run into some problems down the road, research is key here but it’s a very good motor and it’s got tons of potential too.
other than that, a ca18det is much better than an SR, it’s built more robust (Iron Block vs Aluminum). The way it’s made in a squarish form yields higher revving and redlining capability and durability along with it being a RB bloodlined motor in 4 cylinder form.
I love mine, but I took my time and replaced everything and had alot of machining done.
The best two lines that best describe the CA are:
“If you love working and fixing shit on cars get the CA18, its like a high maintence actress thats addicted to meth, shits a wild ride but you gotta hold its hand the whole time.”
Followed by:
“And sometimes she OD’s and has to be laid up in the hospital for months at a time. Damn she looks good doing it though!”
Its a good engine but it can be very maintainance oriented for some people.
It’s going to be only as good as the work and $$$ you put into it.
Get it if you truly like the engine. It’s a plus to get off the whole SR bandwagon that almost all choose.
^ To each their own, it’s a great motor i’ve had mine for 4 years without a single problem. Just make sure all the gaskets,water pump, timing belt and fluids are changed and you should be fine! Remember its a 20 year old motor.
If you like the engine and it’s what you want, then I say do it. Like every other engine swap, you should make sure that the one you’re getting is in good shape and do the wear/tear things before you put it in (ie. timing belt, water pump, clutch etc, etc, etc). Lots of people absolutely love the CA18DET, they’re a nice engine, a baby RB by design. I’d imagine mileage would be nice considering they’re not a very demanding engine either. At the end of the day, it’s your choice, the CA is cost effective and you’ll have fun once all is said and done. It’s your car, do what you’d like to do.
