(NOTE: A lot of this information is covered in the FSM. You can download the CA18DET FSM here and check out the engine mechanical section. Background Replacing the timing belt on the CA18DET is a simple, though somewhat labor intensive task that can trip up new owners of the CA18DET. This guide will explain the process as well as a couple of shortcuts that will demystify the timing belt for new...
Related Links Project 240sx Overhaul Journal Index Day 26 and there are a lot of miscellaneous things creeping up. First, I am making a few changes to the oil system in the cylinder head of the CA18DET. Below are a few random pics and I will follow this up with a full guide that explains the method and reason to add this feature the CA18DET. (I am swamped right now so expect to see this in 2 to 3...
July 30, 2008 I found this rare oil cooler for my CA18DET at a salvage yard. It is a Nissan inline oil cooler that bolts to the CA18DET block. Although these were standard on UK market CA’s, I found this little gem on a 1980’s (year unknown) Nissan Maxima. Check it out: (CA18DET Inline Oil Cooler (UK Factory Oil Cooler)) July 27, 2008 Day 22: Single Stage Oil Cooler, Cold Air Intake...
Related Links Project 240sx Overhaul Journal Index Day 25: I used my new powder coating gun to powder coat the valve covers, front engine cover and the thermostat housing. Also, new hard lines have been run from the 2 valve cover vents to a common T which will then route to an oil catch can. Smaller lines are used on the vents as I will be adding a rear oil drain to the head which will reduce the...
Related Links Project 240sx Overhaul Journal Index I had a change of heart on the exhaust routing and fabricated a new downpipe/uppipe that utilizes the RSR exhaust. The exhaust now routes along the stock path and retains the high flow catco 3in catalyst. 2-1/2in pipe runs from the turbo a 3in section where the exhaust and wastegate gasses merge. This should help quite things down and flow...
Related Links Project 240sx Overhaul Journal Index Things are starting to wind down with project 240sx and as any project builder knows, a bunch of miscellaneous things are starting to crop up. Recently, a mount to secure the throttle cable on the top mount manifold was fabricated as well as new radiator lines for the new 3in core, custom hard lines for valve cover venting and a new downpipe that...
Related Links MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 1: Try Before You Buy) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 2: The Vented Surge Box) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 3: Disabling the P/S Warning Light) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 4: Summary and Final Install) MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Appendix: Alternate Install) This is the fourth addition to the MR2 Spyder...
June 24, 2008 Part 3 of removing the power steering from the MR2 Spyder has been added. MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Part 3: Disabling the P/S Warning Light) June 13, 2008 New updates to Project 240sx Overhaul Journal: Day 17: Marine Oil Cooler (Oil to Coolant Cooler) Day 18: Custom Turbo Manifold Mock-up and Turbo Placement June 9, 2008 I added a running miles per gallon chart for project...
Related Articles CA18DET Inline Oil Cooler (UK Factory Oil Cooler) Preface As I mentioned in the Inline Oil Cooler Guide the inline cooler leaves room for the addition of a thermostatic switch style oil sender that can be used to add another oil cooler to the system. These senders (also called sandwich adapters) are traditionally used in front mount oil coolers. The thermostatic variant includes...
Background I stumbled across this oil cooler while scavenging a local salvage yard for Ford EDIS parts for a megasquirt install. This particular cooler comes as factory equipment on UK market CA18DET’s. As with most things Nissan, there are a lot of interchangeable parts and it just so happens that I found one of these oil coolers bolted to a late 80’s Nissan Maxima. (I forgot to...
Related Links Project 240sx Overhaul Journal Index Things are finally starting to come together. The charge pipe has been painted to prevent corrosion and the BOV has been recirculated to the new air intake that draws air from outside the engine bay. Also, the valve cover vents have been rerouted to the new oil catch can and a Nissan UK oil cooler has been added to the block. I found it as the...
May 30, 2008 The guide, installing a sr20det lightweight flywheel and clutch into the ca18det has been updated with new pics. Mainly focusing on the clearance of the new flywheel so that the factory bolts do not bottom out in the crank. May 27, 2008 Project 240sx Overhaul Update: Day 16: Battery Installation and Liquid Intercooler Install May 24, 2008 Project 240sx Overhaul Updates: Day 14:...
Chris Simmons is a race car driver, instructor, business owner and all around gearhead. His passion for motorsport started in the drifting community over 10 years ago and progressed into wheel to wheel racing of all kinds. When off track Chris can be found training and working on a myriad of projects. After a hiatus from writing, he is back to share his passion, knowledge and experience in regard to motorsports on and off the track.
