Tuning a CA18ET engine?

[dsj1979]

Hi,

As above really. I started another thread about swapping the CA18ET for a SR20DET; if this was done it would be a long term thing. Now, I was wondering what kind of tuning is good for the CA18ET? Apparently it's only got a small turbo on it, would a bigger one help? What size turbo would it have?

The mods I'm aware of are

modified acuator to 14psi
Dump Valve
HKS Mushroom airfilter

There is an intercooler but it isn't connected up as apparently it runs better without it?

Many thanks,

Daniel

[caprikid]

Swap in a ca18det ftw

[datman]

The actuator was adjustable, it could be set to anything at the moment. Got gauge?

[curlie467]

Just go on to www.sxoc.co.uk all the info is there. Regarding tuning, very simple to get big power, the possibilities are endless, it all depends on what you want to achieve.

You will need an intercooler connected up, it sounds like your one is knackered as most of the wing mounted ones corrode like crazy.

On my s13 i had a bleed valve with it running 12psi, cone filter, exhaust, cooler grade spark plugs, front mount intercooler.

This is really where you want to start and remember to plan for the overall goal.

I think they run a Garrett t25, the next step would be the t28 but get the one off the pulsar as it is a ball bearing turbo, the one on the s14 wasnt.

[hongkongphooey]

The actuator on my s12 was non adjustable....also it had a mechanical overboost valve on the plenum which would need removing. Any increase over the standard 7psi would also require the use of an intercooler to avoid the engine destroying det you will most certainly get. The fuelling would need sorting too,probably bigger injectors and a piggy back fuel computer but i don't know the standard injector capacity so they may support a few more bhp. A bigger tubby would be a must too because the standard t2 will be woefully inadequate after a boost increase.

[B-8-D]

remove overboost valve first.. fit an intercooler...
fit a bigger t25 turbo from a det and up the boost..
thats the first things...
not sure how the orig fuel pumps are but its the first thing u need on a ca18det.. maybe a weakpoint in this?
thats a start..
si

[CIH]

The 'ET has a T2 which is fine for what it was intended for but limited for anything else.

I'm reliably informed the engine internals and fuelling are good for 200bhp. I'm inclined to believe this as an non-intercooled turbo must run very rich to avoid detonation.

Won't be much info at SXOC. Try UK S12OC, Australian S12OC and US S12OC.

[30psi]

I think some people here are getting the S12 CA18ET confused with the CA18DET out of the 200sx.

I got 240bhp out of my old CA18ET, but if you want my honest opinion don't spend any money on the engine trying to break 200bhp. It's a huge false economy, when compared to what extra can be got out of the 200sx engine for less effort.

Best thing to do is intercool the CA18ET, strap a T25 to it and get it running a bar of boost. The standard fueling is capable up until this point, although it's worth watching the afr's and egt's if you were going to top speed it. Many CA18ET's have been killed by top speeding, and normally number 3 piston end's up holed.

After then it's better to swap to CA18DET or SR20DET power.

[dsj1979]

Jul 21, 2009 0:19:13 GMT datman said:

The actuator was adjustable, it could be set to anything at the moment. Got gauge?

I haven't got a gauge.... I guess something I should buy so i can see the pressure!

[dsj1979]

Well it sounds like the sensible thing to do is to get a T25, connect up the intercooler and up the boost to 1 bar.... what's that in psi? I've never played with turbo engines before. How is the boost upped? Is that via the actuator?

Does anyone know what T25 turbo would slot straight the T2's place?

Thanks for all the advice so far!

[dsj1979]

Jul 21, 2009 20:43:26 GMT CIH said:

.

Won't be much info at SXOC. Try UK S12OC, Australian S12OC and US S12OC.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look at the websites!

[Rich606]

Jul 21, 2009 22:00:27 GMT dsj1979 said:

Well it sounds like the sensible thing to do is to get a T25, connect up the intercooler and up the boost to 1 bar.... what's that in psi?

1 bar = 14.5psi

[dsj1979]

Thanks!

[ChasR]

Here is my mate James' S12. There are a few tuning tips in there:

retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=readersrides&thread=55199&page=1#769740

From what I understand, advance the timing, get colder plugs (NGK BKR7ESs), intercool it (a paramount step), and put the boost up slightly as stated and you should get a fair few more horses.

Another question is that how would a T28 at normal/12PSi be on the car? I know it sounds like overkill, but he's thinking of reusing the turbo on a future CA18DET for either this car or a future S13. He may be selling this and getting a Frugalmobile shortly.

Oh, and those HKS filters are awful. They let in quite a bit of dirt compared to their competitors. Apexi or K&N would be a better bet IMO.

[30psi]

A T28 will be fine. I was running a T3, it's just a bit more laggy and can certainly provide a bit more peak power. Definitely use BCPR7ES plugs, but exercise caution advancing the ignition timing.

[curlie467]

Jul 21, 2009 21:06:08 GMT 30psi said:

I think some people here are getting the S12 CA18ET confused with the CA18DET out of the 200sx.

I got 240bhp out of my old CA18ET, but if you want my honest opinion don't spend any money on the engine trying to break 200bhp. It's a huge false economy, when compared to what extra can be got out of the 200sx engine for less effort.

Best thing to do is intercool the CA18ET, strap a T25 to it and get it running a bar of boost. The standard fueling is capable up until this point, although it's worth watching the afr's and egt's if you were going to top speed it. Many CA18ET's have been killed by top speeding, and normally number 3 piston end's up holed.

After then it's better to swap to CA18DET or SR20DET power.

ooh, that will be me then! oops

[sketch]

definatly worth registering on sxoc, just follow all the stage 1 mods and it'll be a vast improvment, definatly don't forget the fuel pump tho

[sketch]

you can get other stage variation on the t25, like the T25G, but most people tent to uprage it to either a t25/28 hybrid or a T28

[dsj1979]

Does anyone know what t25 or t28 turbo will fit in place of the t2? There seem to be lots of different ones.... would a S13 T25 turbo be a good fit?