How to make a Frankenmotor - CA20DET

This could possibly go in the FAQ section, but I don't have any photos on the internals of the motor, just a video to prove it runs.

I took a stock CA20E from the S12, but the R31 Pintara CA20E has thicker side walls I've been told so would be better to use (unconfirmed). You'll also need the head from a JDM CA18DET.

I replaced the stock pistons with ACL (Australian) new standard (non-forged) items that had the 4 valve recesses. I also completely stripped & cleaned the head, block and intake manifold and replaced all of the rings, seals, gaskets, etc.

The head gasket lines up perfectly (same part number between the CA20E & the CA18DET). What doesn't fit are the timing belt & head bolts. The timing path I used was a custom job using an alloy plate to mount the fixed bottom belt pulley, leaving the stock CA18DET top adjustable pulley in place on the head. I had the block re-drilled & re-tapped to suit the CA18DET head bolts but I've ben told VG30 items may fit the stock holes (unconfirmed).

Other items that don't fit are the timing belt covers & the intake manifold bracing. I will have to make up extensions for both of these.

The wiring is a relatively simple conversion, but I left it to someone else to do & I'm still yet to work out what was spliced in for things like the ignition, tacho, water temp, etc.

Note: This engine will never be as strong as a CA18DET as it doesn't have the crank girdle & the cylinder walls are thinner. Even 15psi would probably kill the thing. I'm limiting boost to 5-10psi with the TD05-16G turbo from an Lancer EVO-III.

Could this be used to build a beefier NA motor ie. CA20DE?

Certainly could and has been done. I spoke to someone a few years ago who said it worked quite well, but that an SR20DE would be just as good if not better. Nice and torquey but still revvy.

Hasn't someone on here fitted the DET crank girdle to an ET?? Theoretically, this should fit the 20E as well, being the same generation CA as the ET.

This is gonna be a project I wanna tackle sometime in the future.

You may be right. At the time of bulding the motor I didn't want to mess around trying to get it to fit, but I'm sure either the CA18 caps could be machined or maybe the girdle machined to fit right over the CA20 caps.

Do you know if the Pintara CA20 has stronger rods than the S12? I'm in the research phase of building a CA20ET at the moment.

I have both a U11 (Bluebird) CA18ET and a U12 (Pintara) CA20E sitting on the workshop floor, in the process of stripping them to compare everything.

Are you positive the CA20E and CA18DET head gaskets are the same? My CA18ET gasket has slightly thicker metal cylinder rings.

Jono
Do you know if the Pintara CA20 has stronger rods than the S12? I'm in the research phase of building a CA20ET at the moment.

I have both a U11 (Bluebird) CA18ET and a U12 (Pintara) CA20E sitting on the workshop floor, in the process of stripping them to compare everything.

Are you positive the CA20E and CA18DET head gaskets are the same? My CA18ET gasket has slightly thicker metal cylinder rings.

i would have thought the rods would be the weak point?
Did you use the OEM matchstick rods?

I used the matchsticks but had them shot peened.

Long overdue update on the Big Block CA20DET. It's running very well making 239hp (178.1kw) @ 6000rpm and 317.1nm (32.34 kg/m) @ 4333rpm before popping the stock CA16/18/20 head gasket. A new metal HG is going in now.



And here's some very recent footage with the blown gasket still making 155rwkw - http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ODbzUVn94Cg

Im doing this. lol

That looks like a really good powerband for a CA.... What was the setup cost? Its cool if you want to keep it private.

It cost far too much compared to a CA18DET, but I'm happy with the result. The car is very easy to drive given all that torque but as you can see it peaks a little and I'd like to smooth that out with some cam timing (vernier cam gears).

Candellan
The head gasket lines up perfectly (same part number between the CA20E & the CA18DET). What doesn't fit are the timing belt & head bolts. The timing path I used was a custom job using an alloy plate to mount the fixed bottom belt pulley, leaving the stock CA18DET top adjustable pulley in place on the head. I had the block re-drilled &  re-tapped to suit the CA18DET head bolts but I've ben told VG30 items may fit the stock holes (unconfirmed).