Ca18det Vs. Sr20det (s13)

I've noticed on some other Nissan forums they have had a Discussion about the CA18DET vs. the SR20DET (S13 spec red and black top)... And I couldn't find one on ours... So  I just wanted to know what all you guys think... Which one is better
(specs, performance, etc.)?
-Walter

Abunai S-12 DrifterI've noticed on some other Nissan forums they have had a Discussion about the CA18DET vs. the SR20DET (S13 spec red and black top)... And I couldn't find one on ours... So  I just wanted to know what all you guys think... Which one is better
(specs, performance, etc.)?
-Walter

Well how about which is better for Drifting? I would think the CA18DET would be cuz it revs higher but I don't really know... I could be talking out of my ass?

im not real sure but i think tork would be better for drifting not rpm

yhave8im not real sure but i think tork would be better for drifting not rpm

SR20 for sure. only due to vast array of parts available.

NORCALs12SR20 for sure. only due to vast array of parts available.

sure but when it does spin a bearing what are you going to due? spending the extra money now will save you alot more money in the long run.

NORCALs12sure but when it does spin a bearing what are you going to due? spending the extra money now will save you alot more money in the long run.

you should put your car on a trailer, take it down to our shop. we will source the engine for you, due what ever you want us to due to it and drop it in.

NORCALs12you should put your car on a trailer, take it down to our shop. we will source the engine for you, due what ever you want us to due to it and drop it in.

CA18: Iron block, primary and secondary intake runners, built like an RB. Doesn't need rocker stoppers. Parts are available just have to do your research; and shares 99% of components with non-turbo CA18DE that was in '88 Pulsar SE-parts, like 'bearings', are readily available through your normal outlets like Autozone.

Yeah I heared some people call it a old RB... Or something like that?

SmashedGlassCA18: Iron block, primary and secondary intake runners, built like an RB. Doesn't need rocker stoppers. Parts are available just have to do your research; and shares 99% of components with non-turbo CA18DE that was in '88 Pulsar SE-parts, like 'bearings', are readily available through your normal outlets like Autozone.

abunai, you need to look harder next time  

Moving this thread to the hybrid forum's comparison sub-forum where it should be.

Oh that's my fault... Sorry guys.

drifting isnt just about hp and torque tho. It is also about weight balance. Look at the 86, even the 20 valve isnt an high hp, high torque monster. With my 18det in the car I can see a lof of room is left bettween the rad and the front of the engine....meaning the engine doesnt have an whole crap load of weight over the front x member. Another thing I have heard when comparing the sr to the ca is that the ca makes power earlier in the powerband then the sr does, and can rev higher then the sr can. Also I have heard the sr doesnt like to rev very high for very long, atleast on its stock components. Some of what I have just said tho is stuff I have heard. I am sure an "SR guru" of some sort will chime in on this and tell me if i am wrong, or right about this. At any rate....Iron Block FTW!!! And chains are for rappers not for engines!!!

its true about the ca powerband and revving higher.

I think all forums should ban threds like this. they have all bin covered before. sr20 guys like me are going to say the sr20 is beter and ca 18 guys are going to say go ca18det. other threds have talked about the sr20det vs ka24det. I have a 400hp sr and a 400hp kat and I still cant say one is beter than the other. its all a matter of opinion. both are good. you cant realy go wrong either way. either way you are going to be hapy with a sick turbo engine. and about the ca18det reving higher  how high does it rev? I have bin reving my sr20 to 8k with no problems. but I do have different cams ,valve ,springs and ras.

To go drifting I would go the SR20DET. Nice and torquie down low with a good power band all the way up to max RPM.

CA18DET,
Good for bit more fun over standard. Great cheap option. Lacks low down torque and max hp is not that flash even when built.

SR20DET,
Good for drifting. Tons of low down torque. Lots of after market parts. More power and more reliable power than the CA18DET. Usually a fair bit more expensive than the CA18DET

FJ20ET,
Tuff as nails. Good for serious power Ie; Track racing and Drag racing.
Has one of the highest potentials for big power out of any 2000cc 4cyl engines in the world. Lacks low down torque. The standard ECU is rubbish.

Ok who started this shit up again, this is like the 3rd thread this yeah.
Now read this slowly: you cannot compare dissimilar engines and come up with which is 'better'.
Every person has their own criteria which are different from the next man, everyones answer and opinion is different.
Can we add 'no CA vs SR threads' to the site 'readme' or somthing?

i think the question here is not really which is better (ca vs sr) the question hes really trying to find out is which should he buy, which has to do with , wich is better bang for the buck thats why he is comparing two dissimilar engines because they are both semi powerful engines at reasonable prices

abunaiS12i think the question here is not really which is better (ca vs sr) the question hes really trying to find out is which should he buy, which has to do with , wich is better bang for the buck thats why he is comparing two dissimilar engines because they are both semi powerful engines at reasonable prices

The SR is a vastly superior engine. All Ca18's should be melted down for scrap metal.

lol now its trailing off to things like that again.

Heyyyyyyyyyyyy....didnt i just see you asking someone about the CA18det they were offering up for sale? How strange of you.

SmashedGlassHeyyyyyyyyyyyy....didnt i just see you asking someone about the CA18det they were offering up for sale? How strange of you.

How about on this thread we stick to straight facts... I don't want to bash any of the motors... I just want to know which is better for Drifting, etc.?

I can tell you which one is better for scrap metal.

Im sorry. PLz refer to my avatar

NORCALs12I can tell you which one is better for scrap metal.
Im sorry. PLz refer to my avatar

stock vs stock the sr will probly be the better one for drifting, but if its not stock there gona be the same depending on your cash flow

NORCALs12Me? nope not I.

hes got ya

SmashedGlasshttp://club-s12.org/v3/index.php?topic=15345
post #4. mysteriously looks just like you. twin? clone? nah.

Anyhoo, Abunai, this thread has gone completely to shit. My suggestion is you just browse the forums (this and any of the others dealing with the whole SR/CA/KA/RB/small block V8...you get the pic) and gather your facts and make your own decision. Every block has its own adherents and detractors, and in a place as completely skewed and biased as a frikkin public forum board it takes awhile to sort through the chaff.

SmashedGlasshttp://club-s12.org/v3/index.php?topic=15345
post #4. mysteriously looks just like you. twin? clone? nah.

Anyhoo, Abunai, this thread has gone completely to shit. My suggestion is you just browse the forums (this and any of the others dealing with the whole SR/CA/KA/RB/small block V8...you get the pic) and gather your facts and make your own decision. Every block has its own adherents and detractors, and in a place as completely skewed and biased as a frikkin public forum board it takes awhile to sort through the chaff.

caught shit handed lol. just get whichever one vince wants to get you

abunaiS12caught shit handed lol. just get whichever one vince wants to get you

CA18det all the way baby. True tho about the lack of torque at low end (which might help drifting) but it redlines like a motha fucka. I've drifted in an s12 hatch w/ ca18det and its f'ing fun as hell..

...and that's where IMHO I think the CA has the "wow" factor: It's different. But as several of us have said it's all a matter of personal taste and wallet size.

Abunai S-12 DrifterOh good idea Nik   ... Why dodn't I just get a spaceship engine? Lol... Even though.............

You gotta look at things logically and not listen to the fanboys. I mean, this shit is worse then console wars. I mean, the best people to listen to about the respective owners, right? WRONG! The reason for this is they'll tell you their engine is the best and fight with anyone else that disagrees, and nothing gets done.

Basically, the CA18DET is the cheaper solution. For the money that you save with buying the CA18, you can get enough upgrades to give it as much power as the SR20 whereas on the SR20, it's much easier to make extra power due to all the aftermarket support, therefore it will have a bit more potential. As far as image goes (If you're into that kinda thing), the SR20 is going to make all the kids hanging out at the mall go OOOOoohhh, unlike the turboed pulsar motor. Keep in mind I compared the S13 motors, not the S14, S15 Black tops, I never considered them because they're too overpriced for the minor differences in power.

Now, I suppose that I've never had to live with a SR20 for a long time, I've merely driven it a few times, and contrary to what all the SR fanboys told me, it wasn't an amazing experience or anything. I mean, it's just a 2.0L turbo, and not a godly gob of... amazingness. Basically, the revving and the way the engine itself felt was very similar to a Saab 9000. I had a CA18DE in my pulsar, and the motor was damn though. I still went up to 7.5K RPM every time I went out to have fun, and even with 350,000KM on it, it still pulled damn hard. It was a fun motor for sure. I've never actually driven anything with a CA18DET, but I'm pretty sure it'd feel the same but... turboed i suppose.

Anyway, in conclusion it's really all about the money. The more you can afford, the better it is. If you think about it, the SR20 is obviously better then the CA18 because it costs more, is newer, has more support and has more power, but in return it costs more. If you're going drifting, don't have sponsors and have limited income which you will be spending on your millions of tire changes and spare parts, your best bet is the CA18. It's not a gimp, and drifting with it is not going to be any harder with it then it will be with the SR20. For that matter, with the weight your saving, may even be easier as you will have better weight distribution. If you have some sponsors or a good gob of money put aside, may as well go for the SR20. You have more potential, more wow factor and more parts available. The engine may not rev as high off stock, but it's not going to be stock together.

Anyway, that's my view on it.