10.5:1 Compression ration on CA18de??

BennittoMallito · Aug 21st, 2003, 02:51 AM

I've been wondering about this for awhile. Inquiring around w/o much luck

My Haynes, and my mech's cd-rom universal shop manual both list the CA18 as 10.5;1 Anyone have any information about this? How can I test my engine to see if compression is in fact so high? Can I calculate it from specs in the Haynes? Maybe this is why ZADM CA's are rated at 135 hp instead of 125.

boost_boy · Aug 22nd, 2003, 01:15 AM

They are all 10.5:1 ( at least U.S. models) and they all are rated at 125hp. I think the 10hp difference is in the emissions equipment as well as ecu tuning. I live in Florida where emissions testing is a thing of the past, so my my old CA18DE powered B12 used to romp all over B13 SE-R's, integras, civics and even the older maximas. I kept the emissions garbage connected, but added a better exhaust, filter and used splitfire spark plugs (not recommended).

BennittoMallito · Aug 22nd, 2003, 05:01 AM

OK cool. I guess with no catalyst, no EGR or whatever, no O2 sensor and all it adds up to ten hp. I read a lot of posts recently saying it was 10;1 c/r.
This car is a lot lighter than B13 or even a B14. the 5 extra ponies don't make up for it. I still think my B13 rules tho' sorry.

boost_boy · Aug 22nd, 2003, 10:10 AM

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I still think my B13 rules tho' sorry.

I love the B12-B13 models, but can care less about the others (My personal taste). You must not wrench on your own car that much, huh! That cheaply designed SR20 motor and it's tranny issues have become thorns in the sides of some of us wrenchers as well as $$$$s in my pockets. Yeah, it produces a little more power than the CA18, but when it breaks you're broke and it will break. The B12 is no less wimpier than the B13 being that their chasis are nearly identical with the b13 being a little more solid because of it's engine to chasis design instead of engine to cross member. Rear stabilizer bar goes to the B12 (hands-down). Front stabilizer bar goes to the B13 SE-R, but can easily be bridged by the addition of a pulsar SE sway bar in which you may have standard on your sunny. For looks, I'll take the B13 because it's a tad more modern the b12, but I have issues with that timing chain stuff and multiple oil pans and A-arms and strange intake manifold design (you get the picture). The beauty of this all is, we get to chose whatever we want and could care less what anyone else thinks. So yes (in your eyes), the B13 is the lick for you and I'll take my decked out B12's and make history with them

!

BennittoMallito · Aug 25th, 2003, 03:26 AM

SR series was much cheaper to assemble than CA, but I wouldn't call it less reliable. Tranny issues are often a product of poor driving and poor tuning. Most heads like to throw on 18's, and cheap out using ES inserts. Then they wonder why they break third gear. Granted the tranny is the fatal flaw of the SR20de, but it will hold up under proper tuning, unless you run heavy boost, or lotta juice.
The B13 wins on stock interior, and looks hands down I think. Although I do like the boxy thing. Most heads leave the front bar, and run a thicker rear on B13 it's true, but that geets you a really nice set-up.
I still prefer the indy rear of the 12/13 over tha log beam on later models, even if you give up some chassis stiffness. the rear compliance gives a more neutral balance.
Other than that...I like the timing chain, it's more solid, the high-port manifold flows quite well with it's short runners.

anyway once I get mine back, and run it in, I'll go to the strip/track, and we'll have a lot more ot talk about. lates b

WMengineering · Aug 25th, 2003, 09:44 AM

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For looks, I'll take the B13 because it's a tad more modern the b12,

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The B13 wins on stock interior, and looks hands down I think.

haha im going to go out a limb here. comparing b13's, and b12's is pretty much the same crap. unless you throw in the b12 SE sport hatch(nissans last attempt at "STYLE" here in the US."

soon ill get pics of my ALL ORIGINAL sport hatch. (it seriously looks almost brand new still...)

yea I know, the sport hatch has 80's styling, I think it looks like a delorian from the front! it is by NO MEANS what so ever to be considered SEXY. But to say the bland b13 looks better?...well ill say compared to the sedan and coupes maybe just cuz its newer, but if we are going by age alone ill say that b13 chassis was vastly outgunned in looks by other comparable cars like the civic(sorry i am a honda guy!..a 94dx pictured below in my link is mine and a good example of this)

now....you want looks...you want sex appeal?
here then.....this is "looks" hehe

were was the b13 pic again?.....oh right, im wiping my ass with it.

BennittoMallito · Aug 27th, 2003, 05:38 AM

That's so negative. I don't think you love your Sentra nearly enough. I feel sorry for it.

WMengineering · Aug 27th, 2003, 12:28 PM

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That's so negative. I don't think you love your Sentra nearly enough. I feel sorry for it.

well, compared to the rx7 i have been dreaming about for 12 years...no i dont love it.
compared to my civic...naw i dont love it.

as far as the styling goes tho compared to other sentras....
its got them all beat in my book.
probably once i get this ca18 in, ill be happier with it.

it will however NVR be sexy...thats just a fact...

it wil be JUST a fast, sharply engineered piece of red headed step child. able to transport me reliably, with a somewhat fun to drive charactor and demenour.

whats great will be the sudlty, when this 80's car, with "dated styling," that seemingly garners no respect,
will command it from the other honda boys when it trounces a 14sec all motor pass....all in go go gadget car styling....

BennittoMallito · Aug 29th, 2003, 03:40 AM

I think u misunderstand Boost and my love for Sentra's (Maybe just maybe a bit adled). However, neither of us used the word 'Sexy'. You did.
I rather like the boxy styling, and happen to like the B13 in particular for the throwback styling omages to late 60's early 70's 510 series Datsuns.
I like them a lot better than the wedge shaped civics, and the bubble shaped ones. Much crisper IMO.
For the record the RX-7 was a lousy piece of engineering out of the box. Plagued with issues that led to it's demise.
No beef provocation intended here, just differnece of opinion. I'll let you know if I tag a 14 sec pass, but i doubt it w/o at least CAI, and full exhaust.
Cheers B

boost_boy · Aug 29th, 2003, 08:18 AM

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For the record the RX-7 was a lousy piece of engineering out of the box. Plagued with issues that led to it's demise.

I'll go on the record and vouch for "B's" quote here! RX-7's suck especially the 3rd generation models. My friend owns one and after I smoked him with my red sentra, that car never ran the same again. He's dumped over $10k in engine repairs and guess where the thing is today, in his parents garage looking "Dead-sexy and busted". The funds have run dry to repair it, but he loves his car too much to get rid of it, though he's dead-broke. I'll stick with the B12 for cost effectiveness and originality. I would take a B13 over the B14 & B15's because those models are the round ugly red-headed stepchildren in the nissan family

.

WMengineering · Aug 29th, 2003, 10:18 AM

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For the record the RX-7 was a lousy piece of engineering out of the box. Plagued with issues that led to it's demise.

lousy piece of engineering it was not...
problems, yes.
-inherent cooling system failure and too much piping for the twin turbos caused by lack of commitment from the bean counters not to put an adequate cooling system(easily remedied with *gasp*...money)once you adress the cooling and oiling systems, the rotory engine in turbo trim is NO SLOUCH. stock, modified or otherwise.

"lousey piece of engineering"
i wont even touch this one...haha
after all, this is a nissan forum.

anyways guys, its all in good fun.
just my opinion. SENTRA's arent great looking cars, and havent been since the b12.

boost_boy · Aug 29th, 2003, 11:55 AM

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anyways guys, its all in good fun.

As long as we be adults and realize this, we can talk all the smack we want, tight guys? RX-7's are too damn expensive for the average "Joe" to enjoy. It takes a special person, with special dollars and special love to own one of these cars. They are not in abundance around here and I can see why!

WMengineering · Aug 29th, 2003, 12:20 PM

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It takes a special person, with special dollars and special love to own one of these cars. They are not in abundance around here and I can see why!

yea i was going to point this out. im glad you did. i decided not to press the issue. hehe

but i 110% hole heartedly agree with this.
the rx7 is a pure sports car.
and my definitionof a pure sports car is that you gotta take the good with the bad....bad beign a sports car is always a compromise in some way.
the rx7's problem isnt that ins un-engineered. its quit the contrary..its OVER-engineered. look at the 3rd gen plumbing systems..it rivals the space shuttle in complexity
and ill remind you that the space shuttles needs CONSTANT maintence! hehe

im not arguing that the car needs a dedicated soul. it takes a special person indeed. i was going to say that its defiantly a labor of love. and unless your a person that has the $$$ and know how to work on these cars to make them reliable and still fun to drive, you shoudlnt own one.
hense the reason so many are blown up or about to be blown up.

now as far as the sentras go....
b12 se sport hatch owns in my book.
i cant wait to have my sentra done as the dauly 80's diver and the rx7 in the garage with blown apex seals from myfirst mistake!
(i mean what??? you didnt hear that.....)

boost_boy · Aug 29th, 2003, 12:40 PM

Great come back and definitely to the point. I totally would never waste a dollar on the 300zx because it's definitely a money pit, but when decked out, they are "Dead-Sexy". And our sentras our own treats that we can afford (barely), so when I do get to put my cars up against one of those high-powered labor-lovers and win, ohhhhhh the satisfaction I get.

BennittoMallito · Sep 1st, 2003, 04:52 AM

Spot on about the money issues guys. I could not buy such an 'over-engineered' vehicle even if I had the dosch to part with. Reliable speed is the main issue.

I rather prefer boxy-ish type lines (I love old Alfa's, and Volvo 850's for looks) I do like the Sedan B12, and Coupe B13. The B12 sport hatch is not my cup of tea, I looked at a few before buying my Sentra. The hatches never impressed me, although for my money (a bit more) a nice 200STi Nissan Sabre Hatch would be sweet.

There's nothing like easily passing one of those 'Dead Sexy' cars in my ugly red headed step-child of a B13. Hey like the said in 'Jay and Silent Bob'; The internet is the place for geeks to get together and bitch about unimportant shit.