Recent Articles
Project MR2 Spyder Part 4: Electronics
Oct 7, 2008 Project MR2 Spyder (DD), Uncategorized Leave a comment
I must admit that this is a first for me. I have never installed a head unit in any car that I’ve owned because frankly, I am not an audophile. I always figure that if I am going to spend money on a car, that money will be spent on performance. However, in adding aftermarket gauges to the MR2 Spyder, a unique set of issues presented themselves that ultimately led to modification of the audio system. First of all, space is a scarce commodity in a car this size making gauge placement a… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »CA18DET Timing Belt Install (Part 1: The Factory Way)
Sep 10, 2008 Tech (CA18DET 240SX, S13), Uncategorized Leave a comment
(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 CA18DET owners. Also, I will follow this install up with a shortcut guide that shows a… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Project 240SX Overhaul Journal (Day 26)
Sep 8, 2008 240sx Build Journals Leave a comment
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 weeks.) Also, it turns out my torque wrench went south and as a result, I had to fix a… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Archived News (July 2008)
Sep 2, 2008 Archived News Leave a comment
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 and BOV Recirculation July 23, 2008 Part 3 of the over the top intake manifold is now online. Simply… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Project 240SX Overhaul Journal (Day 25)
Sep 2, 2008 240sx Build Journals Leave a comment
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 chances of blow-by under heavy throttle…. Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Project 240sx Overhaul Journal (Day 24)
Aug 25, 2008 240sx Build Journals, Uncategorized Leave a comment
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 more than enough for the t3… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Project 240sx Overhaul Journal (Day 23)
Aug 18, 2008 240sx Build Journals, Uncategorized Leave a comment
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 will route the exhaust out the passenger’s side of the… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »MR2 Spyder Power Steering Removal (Appendix: Alternate Install)
Aug 13, 2008 Project CA18DET 240SX, S13, Tech (MR2 Spyder) Leave a comment
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 power steering removal series. A lot of consideration has gone into this install… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »Archived News (June 2008)
Aug 5, 2008 Archived News Leave a comment
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 MR2 Spyder to track a figure of ever increasing importance in today’s economy. This way, it… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »CA18DET Dual Stage Oil Cooler
Aug 5, 2008 Tech (CA18DET 240SX, S13) Leave a comment
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 a little metal coil that opens at a certain temperature (160 degrees fahrenheit in this case)… Read more
Read the rest of this entry »