CA20e dizzy question

hi guys, I have a question.

I pulled out my CA20e, 2 days after buyed, the plan was restore the entire car, but then i made a bussnes and give the engine to somebody who gives me an sr20 for my other project car (b13 sunny) and cant realize the components of the car or if the engine was a ca20e mk1 or mk2. the car is 1985, i buyed in mexico where I live, and the salvaged title says 1985 and vin indicates the same.

recently i get again the engine from my car, i was a litte sad because a lot of pices were pulled out. the dizzy is the most important, cos here in mexico nissan dont sold cars whit CA20e engines, and whitout dizzy, engine dont run.

the question is that. How I can know if my car need a dizzy whit VR or optical cas, because a friend give me one from a junked s12 that he buy for restore his proyect but the cars has an CA18ET, and the dizzy is optical CAS.

I have old pics when my car has the engine in, but I not sure if the distributor had the vaccum advance, whit that fact i will plenty sure what I need is an VaribleReluctor dizzy, other thing, i have the entire arness and some electrical components and i can tell us that the coils are like sr20 coil, my car dosent have the common bottle coil type and some courios fact. now i have in my hands the E.C.U. and the sticker says:

Warning: This ecu must be installed on a 1986 model, if uses in other model the ecu will be .. bla bla bla---

that seems strange, my car is from 1985 and the ecu is from 86 model???

my car was an automatic model transmission, but for me is a piece of junk and i trashed when i pull out the engine.

guys sorry for my bad english, but i dont have anybody to practice it

seems like you have a mix of parts. luckily though the 86 ecu will use an optical CAS like the ca18et or any 86-88 ca20e. good luck

YESS:... lucky mine. if the dizzy I need is optical, and this is what i get,, hahaha

i have some pics, in this one, i mark with my finger the coil



and this pic is good to aprecciate the dizzy, and i cant see the vaccum pump, or almost is hidden by something



what you think guys, for my litte knowledge about CA engines, ca20 was VR and CA18ET uses optical cas but maybe the A/T model CA20 have have optical cas, for some pics of yours S12's thath i see, the M/T models CA20 have bottle coil type and have a TPS with 1 connector (tp switch)  my car has a TP whit 2 connectors, I think the A/T model uses this kind of TP for the idle rpm or something like that.

no you have a complete MKII ca20e engine. Meaning 86-88. We can tell easily from the silver valve cover. MKI which is 84-86.5 has a black valve cover. The MKII ca20e uses the same electronic system to run the engine as the ca18et. Its called ECCS. Thats why you have a ca18et style dizzy and ca18et style coils

I agree with Master Iggy

thanks guys, this answers save my build :D

the problem you might have is the wiring. if the car is a MKI and the engine harness is MKII they wont plug together correctly. It can still work though. you just have to connect the right wires togther yourself. The factory service manual has all the information you will need

I believe I have an mkII harness if you need one. If interested, let me know and I will look.

im going to read those manuals.

maybe need some other things rednucleus,

the problem is that Im im mexico =(    i need a complete rebuil kit  (gaskets, timing kit, engine bearins and rings)

Everyone says rebuilding the ca20e is a losing proposition. I personally had a refurbished one installed as my 2nd motor. It never ran well and died after 100,000 miles. Probably better to find a good running used one rather than spending alot more time & money rebuilding yours.  My currrent ca came from a club member with 170,000 on it over a year ago and runs better than the previous two - maybe 3rd times a charm?? How close are you to CA? Should be lots of used ca's there.
Any members out there tht have rebuilt a CA20e and are happy with it??

damm,,, im from mexico city, in the center of the county, near to D.F.

Now, in my "garage" own 3 cars. one is a B13 1992, that came with an E16 carbed engine, its a 2 doors coupe, and it will be the trackday car.

the second and the most lovley its my silvia,

and for the heavy work an carriage a loto of things, tools and all other junk there is a 720 pick up from 1986 whit z24 carbed engine

here is the pic of the CA, is this moment i considered to sell the engine or whatever else, unless rebuilding it.



look inside of the pic the SR, but its for the sentra, here in mexico you need to get an engine swap for the usa, for an SR RWD