Yo, im kinda new to the forums and i was wondering if yall could help me. I was thinkg of swaping in the redtop S13 SR20DET into my '91 fastback, then i started reading up on the CA18DET and I like the design of the engine better. I cant decide if it would be worth the extra probly 1000$ for the extra horsepower out of the SR. Ive never wanted to get a insane amount of power out of my car but i want something nice, something around 300-350 and wondering if it would be better to spend the extra 1000$ to get a close start to the goal horsepower or is the CA18DET mod friendly enough for me to do thiswith out beaking the bank on it?

 

From what I know the CA is built a little stronger but the SR is probably a little bit easier to get parts for. I know there are some people on here to tell you where to get parts. If you are not looking to go crazy then the SR would probably be a better start. To me a CA is for a more dedicated person who is looking to go all out. But for someone like me and you who are just looking for close to 300 I think the SR is better. Don't know if that helps but I am no expert. That is just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Chad

 

i personally think they are both great engines....
like KAOS said, it depends on how dedicated you are to yur car..and it's ultimate purpose.....

the CA can make big money...as the SR can.
it all depends on what you just feel like doin.

but if it's just aboput HP then the KA can make that easy..sorta.

so just do some research and make a wise decision..i'll support people either way.
just love your car is all i ask

 

any engine i get i would be dedicated to.. its just im not looking toget like 450whp out of it just looking to upgrade the turbo to maybe a HKS GT25 seriers turbo or maybe a T28 from the S15 if i could get at least 300 out of it. Of course ill be doing the other needed upgrades to compensate for the larger turbo and all the good stuff. Im leaning more towards the CA cause of the price and its potential and all but im still thinking

 

It sounds to me like you should be leaning towards the SR. The CA is a good engine and is probably built a little stronger but it also takes a little more work than the other motors and that is why I say it is for the hard core dedicated guys. If you have the time and dedication than I think the CA is a better buy but that is my opinion. A lot of guys on this site might argue that. So the decision is yours or your friends. Like everything else it always depends on how deep your pockets are because 300RWHP is obtainable with either engine.

Chad

 

Could the T28 from the S15 Silvia get me to 300whp with the appropriate upgradeson a CA? Or should i just get a t3 or gt25 series? Im leaning more towards the CA because i like more things about it. I like that its cheaper to start out with to so i would save an extra thousand or so that i woulda spent on the Sr that i can put towards the CA.

 

Reegular items like water pump and such are cheaper and easier to source (ie. Discount Auto Parts, Autozone, etc.) than the SR, thats the main reason I want to go with a CA18DET

 

not at all true. parts from a 88-90 pulsar NX w/ CA18DE will work. and correct me if i'm wrong but i believe the stock internals are stronger on a CA and can handle more boost than the SR. But then the SR is starting w/ 30 more HP, so the CA has to make up somehow.

 

dude i love the sr20 but i like the ca18 i think u should get the ca18 because it would be something new not just another sr20