CA18 Rebuild help

I have seen 3 different casting numbers on different sx, I still dono what the differences are. There must be some difference if the numbers are different.

How could I find out??

Google it, read through some of the other countries sites. Everything I have read so far indicates other wise there is no benefit to fitting a N/A head flow wise or comp wise.
I will find the link to a US site where the guy measures the intake ports and valve sizes of two 4 port heads on being N/A and everything comes out the same.

Also a question you have to ask yourself is why would Nissan have two different head designs, Its not like they had a type R model (head is ported in factory), heads will be produced from a single Spec sheet from Nissan the only thing that could change is how it is cast like the Opel C20 cosworth vs the other heads and the 3SGTE with a Yamaha head but the ports are different on the last one.

I would like to be wrong on this one; it would make a cheap increase like the CA18DE cam mod

No I wasnt saying that the DE flows more air than the DET, I just want to know what the different casting numbers mean.

Thx for the info guys.

If I have to replace the pistons (which I'm 95% sure I will) - The CP forged piston kit is R6k and Nissan OEM pistons and rings are R4k. Cheap unknown replacement stuff is about R1k for pistons and rings.

So it'll prob have to be back to OEM Nissan then.

arias forged pistons are 4k. comes with rings.

thats why i went that route, cos it was roughly the same price as nissan pistons.

you can get from turbo and nos connection in jetpark.

there is another member of the forum running them.

Gary57 wrote:

Vlade I thought those CP piston you have keep the CR the same??

I guess 8.3.. stock pistons have a flat top mine have a dish about 5mm deep

Okay the reason I stated that NA CA18DE head will be better (if it's not an import) is because back in the day when the sentra 1.8i 16v was released it was marketed with 103kw.

However the testing etc showed that it didn't quite measure up to this figure and turned out to be closer to 97 odd kw. The 103 was the Japanese KW rating which uses a different measure from europe and sa models.

So in order to save face nissan had some work done on the ca18 models head and headers and the result was 100 real kws. If you look you will see that all the sa ca18de models came out with tubular headers from the factory. The rest of the work was done on the head.

As for the rebuild. Just flow your head anyways then it doesn't matter which one you use.

Hay Docter G

Is there a site or any posts where I can check this info out? Sorry for asking but its the first I have heard of this not saying your info is incorrect just don’t want it to be a rumor 🙂

A guy in my area named Jakes (Not good with Afrikaans names) he worked in the Nissan motor sport division for most his life before retirement we have spoken about the CA18DET and CA18DE a number of times both the production and Motor sport models and this was never mentioned look again I hope I am wrong here more flow = More power easy upgrade for the CA18DET people on the forum

Enzio – Can I ask a favor? Can you take a good photo of you intake ports and exhaust ports on that CA18DE head? Maybe use a little “carb cleaner” to remove some grim I have a stock CA18DET head at home will take pic’s then we can compare I think this will be a good indication

To be honest I really interested to see my self, if its true Im going to kick myself for spending so much cash to port my head. 😉 😢 😳

Well Pink I have seen 3 different casting numbers and the CA18 motors, so there is a difference. How could we find this info out??

Well photographic proof will work, we can put an end to this once and for all although I think there will still be arguments

I will take pics of my Head over the weekend. If you have a spare CA18DE head there do the same

Info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_CA_engine

The CA18DE is a 1.8 L DOHC 16v (1809 cc) engine produced from 1987 through 1989. It produces 131 hp (98 kW) @6400 rpm and 159 N·m (117 ft·lbf) @5200 rpm. It has the same head as the CA18DET, however it did not use a crank girdle nor piston oil squirters that are found on the CA18DETs.

Stange Im sure the CA18DE has oil squirters , but Im sure it has no Girdle.

I can take pics of the different numbers if you want 😕 ??

I dont think there will be a visable difference but its worth a look.

It strange I have had a number of heads ported and seen a number of ported heads it normally can be seen.

Well the port clean-up can be seen easily and you can also feel with you finger , The best port job I have seen was on a 3SGTE damn that guy was an artiest who ever did that one.

The 1987.9 onwards ca18de/det came in 3 castings. I cant remember the numbers stamped on the block but there is are:
- fwd ca18de n/a u12 bluebird/stanza/pintara head,

-the ca18det u12 awd bluebird/s13 n/a and turbo head,

-and the 4 port euro(de/det)/jap import fwd n/a only u12 head (a few came to new zealand)

The 4 port has bigger inlet area, but sacrifices low down torque as it doen not have the tvis -or whatever you want to call it

So why the 3 different castings for the head??

Ok guys,

Firstly: I too got the info from wiki -> but the DE motor I opened had a crank girdle (and I still have to check for oil squiters..). So I don't know how accurate that info really is.

And secondly: The DE that I stripped IS an import = 8 port head. So sorry pink, pics are not gonna help. Would have been cool though to score a free ported head...Not with my luck anyway....

So why the 3 different castings for the head??

Google and find out, I sick of looking sorry I just feel like I am doing all the leg work.

And secondly: The DE that I stripped IS an import = 8 port head. So sorry pink, pics are not gonna help. Would have been cool though to score a free ported head...Not with my luck anyway....

Kick ass. Keep us updated if there are squirters so we can put this thing to rest also take a pic of the Conrods just so we can compare I will take a pic of my spares

Pinkfluffybunnys wrote:

Google and find out, I sick of looking sorry I just feel like I am doing all the leg work.

dude, (you dont mind name calling, eh *EDIT*? (*see below)) 😉
i can feel the force telling me that you have a long and good future with our snotty club. we are an absurdly bunch of inbred sarcastic, inquisitive (actually some of the other ones here are nerds, but its a secret between you and me) spambots but we love a good tjorrel to get ppls heat up. nothing here is sacred, and this is why ppl that are newish (I DIDNT SAY JEWISH DEMMIT) might take offence to the tone that some sicko's here perpetuate, but (and its a BIG BUT AND I CANNOT LIE, the other brothers can't stop smiling)

my pronosis is to get your butt (yeah, i sed butt) down to a meetup coming soon to a venue near you and have a beer - history (and in-depth medical examination and probing) has shown that we get along awesomely on the forum after you've had a chat (aka lots o' beer) with (hell, its true, i use the brackets a lot) the other people here. (i really do) (do i?)

i'm sure we can have a fruitful (you are fruitful, aint you?) future with you and i would like to meet you one day (when you get off my sister (not worth it, if i believe what my uncle told me))

(i really hope one of the moderators delete this post before you can read it - its friday, so I invoke the right of parlay! to err is human, but to ARRR IS PIRATE!!!

i forgot to close them brackets over there

The info on the local sentra models was in a road test article written on the sentra back in 1990 iirc.

It was either car or top car or something. To get the article you have to pay these ppl. So if you really want the info then you will have to contact them and pay unfortunately.

It is taking longer than I had hoped to get all the info/parts I need, but I think in the end everybody will benefit.

I was planning on doing exactly that: compare everything and take pictures as it can be turned into a useful sticky -> Rebuilding a DET to better specs for cheaper using a DE...(the title still needs some work though) 😂

Will keep u updated

Just another quick Q for the guys that have rebuilt these motors: The payen gasket set (GS050) that's listed in the parts link - is it a rebuild kit with ALL of the gaskets and seals or is it simply the head gasket??

It is far cheaper than the ACL and Nissan kits and payen is good brand so it would help alot if it is in fact a rebuild gasket kit.

A bit of info...the gasget kits that I know of comes with all gasgets for a japspec motor(8 port), if you have a euro spec motor(4 port) the inlet gasgets won't work....the rest is there.....as far as I remember....