RB20DETorCA18DET

Started by Slideways87Panda · Apr 10, 2011 · 28postsSMF 2010–26

Slideways87PandaApr 10, 2011, 11:14 pm · #1

i have a 87 200sx SE i have a SE crossmember and a 4 cyl crossmember... i have no engine in the car at the moment i bought a CA18dET for really cheap and resold it for double what i paid.... i have been considering a CA18DET swap but also wanting a RB20DET swap... i can get a CA18DET from jdmtigerjapanese.com for $1225 shipped to my door OR a RB20DET for 1170 shipped to my door... i know alot more about swapping the CA18DET into the S12...
my car is going to be a daily drift car and i need a motor that can stand abuse

i am wondering if the Mckinney motor mount kit would work for the rb20det on the 4 cyl crossmember?

RB25sx - SLPRApr 11, 2011, 2:13 am · #2

For the amount of added difficulty, I doubt you would be happy with an RB20.. Space really does become an issue, it is quite alot heavier, and only 200cc larger.. This topic has been debated to death though. so.... Search?

-dan

newby200sxApr 11, 2011, 8:29 am · #3

well bro first of all tiger japanese sucks bro, and do what you feel is good, the rb engine is its own world it sounds great and pulls. its an RB enough said man, ca18 is a 4 cyl rb same shit just smaller if you wanna be different do rb if you wanna be like everyone else rb is the way to go, its like s13s and s14s they do SR swaps kuz its easy, s12s do ca18 swaps kuz its easy

d_k_jose_s12Apr 11, 2011, 8:34 am · #4

I would go rb its on its own level

newby200sxApr 11, 2011, 8:35 am · #5

hell to the yea bro im doing it next week into my s12 ill let yall know how it goes

NamelessApr 11, 2011, 10:06 am · #6

newby200sx on 08:29:42 AM / 11-Apr-11well bro first of all tiger japanese sucks bro, and do what you feel is good, the rb engine is its own world it sounds great and pulls. its an RB enough said man, ca18 is a 4 cyl rb same shit just smaller if you wanna be different do rb if you wanna be like everyone else rb is the way to go, its like s13s and s14s they do SR swaps kuz its easy, s12s do ca18 swaps kuz its easy

Tigerjapanese engines may not come with everything you need but for swapping a stock engine in they are great. We have got engines from them, shipping was fast and engine was in great condition, plus they are cheap. My brother in law just finished swapping his legend engine with a jdm one from tigerjapanese and he had a great experience as well. Just remember that most dont come with a full harness although you may be able to include one for a price. In my experiences with them they have been solid.

That being said i have heard some horror stories with them, and also alot of people that have been satisfied. Some say the best way is to go to the store and pick out the engine yourself. I have never done that but i guess if you live close to them its an option. Also you definitely take a risk with any used jdm engine, and you get what you pay for usually.

Slideways87PandaApr 11, 2011, 11:55 am · #7

thats what im worried about i cant go check the engine myself before i buy it... as much as i want to put a rb it seems theres alot more things to do than a ca swap i think im going to put the ca into the s12 and save the rb swap for the s13 im buying later in the year

Post Merge: 11:57:30 AM / 11-Apr-11

i have heard good and bad things from every importer i have been doing alot of reviews on places to find the most reputable place

RedneckApr 11, 2011, 1:17 pm · #8

Another SE bites the dust.

d_k_jose_s12Apr 11, 2011, 1:37 pm · #9

I think se should be kept safe from those 4cly engines lol

nismologistApr 11, 2011, 2:11 pm · #10

since you already have a se cross member why not get a vg33er and bolt it in?

newby200sxApr 11, 2011, 2:58 pm · #11

not everybody likes v6s were all in line finatics, sure and se might be rare in itself but its up to the owner himself to decide the cars destiny

RB25sx - SLPRApr 11, 2011, 3:54 pm · #12

The rb20 is more of a boat anchor than anything, it has next to no parts interchange with RB25/26 motors, and you will seriously miss the space you once had with a 4cylinder.

newby200sxApr 11, 2011, 4:12 pm · #13

RB is an RB .

Phisherman09Apr 11, 2011, 4:52 pm · #14

RB25sx - SLPR on 03:54:07 PM / 11-Apr-11The rb20 is more of a boat anchor than anything, it has next to no parts interchange with RB25/26 motors, and you will seriously miss the space you once had with a 4cylinder.

qft.

id run a CA18 over a rb20 all day. like stated above, if your gonna put a rb, go 25/26 or youll regret wasting all the extra time to fit a straight 6 for no gain in power/reliablity.

newby200sxApr 11, 2011, 5:04 pm · #15

were all intitled to each others opinion i understand that we all do so to SIDEWAYS87PANDA
do whatever you want bro roll with the uniques or the common, either way i wish you goodluck man

RoofApr 11, 2011, 6:28 pm · #16

rb20 is an overweight pig, I'd definitely go with the ca, it's way easier to get parts for the CA also just tell kragen you have a nissan pulsar nx se. Honestly though if you can afford the sr20 I'd go with that, It's way easier to work on.

Gomesf1Apr 11, 2011, 7:08 pm · #17

VG30E!!!!!

RB25sx - SLPRApr 11, 2011, 10:47 pm · #18

All motors have their ups and downs, but the RB20 is a pretty solid fail for parts interchange, aftermarket support, overall age, etc. Even RB25s are showing their age now gents, hydraulic lifters, poor flowing heads, a very fragile turbo, etc..

Buy the best motor you can afford (keeping the entire build budget in mind) and you will be rewarded..

newby200sxApr 12, 2011, 12:06 am · #19

All motors have their ups and downs, but the CA is a pretty solid fail for parts interchange, aftermarket support, overall age, etc. Even RB25s are showing their age now gents, hydraulic lifters, poor flowing heads, a very fragile turbo, etc..

any engine that doesnt have vvt is an aged engine the CA in its own is older than the 20

methylpropApr 12, 2011, 12:13 am · #20

I would keep it a 6 cylinder. It's a heavier S12. It's has beefy brakes and a r200. I would say rb20det, or vg30/33er.

RedneckApr 12, 2011, 12:52 am · #21

newby200sx on 12:06:29 AM / 12-Apr-11any engine that doesnt have vvt is an aged engine

Hahaha. VVT = GODMODE

methylprop on 12:13:10 AM / 12-Apr-11I would keep it a 6 cylinder. It's a heavier S12. It's has beefy brakes and a r200. I would say rb20det, or vg30/33er.

Beefy sounds a bit misleading. The SE brakes really are not much larger then the standard s12 brakes. If I was upgrading my brakes I wouldn't even consider the SE brakes and would go straight to the q45 or z32 brakes.

Gomesf1Apr 12, 2011, 8:32 am · #22

Vvt? Nissan gots variable valve timing?

Phisherman09Apr 12, 2011, 10:51 am · #23

Gomesf1 on 08:32:36 AM / 12-Apr-11Vvt? Nissan gots variable valve timing?

s14 sr's did on the exhaust cam. sr20ve( dope). iirc rb25/26 neos.. every new engine they have. vq35, qr25. the new vq37vhr has variable valve timing and lift... etc

Gomesf1Apr 12, 2011, 11:39 am · #24

Hmmmmm

sam31183Apr 12, 2011, 1:17 pm · #25

yah man, got to keep those honda convert kids happy....

Gomesf1Apr 12, 2011, 1:24 pm · #26

i hate hondas i been nissan all day broski real talk

silvertonApr 12, 2011, 1:35 pm · #27

turn a vg33e in to a vg34e+t... since you already have a v6 car, the swap will pretty much be bolt in.

EightySix200SXApr 12, 2011, 5:59 pm · #28

CA18DET is old has its ups and downs
RB20DET is old has its ups and downs

if ur stuck on a RB do a RB25DET newer and interchanging parts with other RB is greater, CA18DET's are cool too rev happy not as heavy as an RB and can make decent power, driving one i know its low bottom end but top end on a CA is where its at. i liked it. it depends what YOU wanna do.