Nissan 180sx CA18DET Performance guide

Drifting 180SX

CA18DET engine

Specification


First production s13 were sold on year 88 with CA18DE(T) engine, that was replaced with SR20DET in Japan (from 91). In Europe all S13 were sold with CA18DET. In 1994 SR20DET replaced CA18DET when S14 replaced S13.

In my personal opinion SR20DET is better than CA18DET, but both engines are with big potential. I will consentrate on CA18DET, because CA18DET was only engine available with S13 in Europe.

Intersting fact about CA18DET is that, CA18DET was base engine for Nissan Skyline R31. CA18DET was replaced with RB series engine on Skyline and SR20DET engine on s series car. So it can be said that CA was parent of SR and RB engies.





CA18DET SPEC INFO



Aspiration      Single turbo
Valvetrain      DOHC 16-valve
Cylinders       4
Displacement 1809cc
Max Power   169 hp @ 6400 rpm
Max Torque  156ftlb (211.6Nm) @ 4000 rpm



Common problems

CA18DET is very sensitive about oil quality. S13 service manual says that oil should be replaced after every 7500km (after 5000km in Japan). If oil is changed regulary, then CA18DET is quite bombproof.

The main problem, ist that CA18DET engines are quite old and therefor turbos are at quite at end of lifespan. Expected life for turbo is from 100000 to 150000 km. Additionally cars from 89 and 90 suffer from badly designed turbo oil feed pipe that becomes blocked and results even quicker turbo death. Worn turbo leaks oil into intake and with bad engine oiling soon bearings and crankshaft need replacing.





Tuning


200 bhp
sport intake
straigth through exhaust (2.25" or bigger from turbo downpip)
boost set to 1.0 bar
colder spark plugs
ST1 chip

230 bhp
bigger intercooler
more powerful fuel pump

270 bhp
bigger turbocharger (ex. T28 from S14)
ST2 chip

330 bhp
Nissan Skyline GT-R 444cc injectors
Z32 MAF
ST3 chip

over 500 bhp
Its possible to take over 500hp from CA18DET, but it will probably cost more than buying Nissan GT-R