The Nissan CA20E is a 2.0 liter (1,974 cc, 120.45 cu in) straight-4, four-stroke cycle gasoline engine from Nissan CA-family. The Nissan CA20E motor was produced from 1981 through 1991.
The Nissan CA20E engine has SOHC (single overhead camshaft) design with two valves per cylinder, cast-iron block, and an aluminum cylinder head; fully balanced five-bearing crankshaft. The engine is equipped with Multiport Fuel Injection system, some variants of this engine were equipped with dual sparkplugs per cylinder (NAPS-X).
The CA20E engine has an 84.5 mm (3.327 in) cylinder bore and 88.0 mm (3.465 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It produced 105 HP (78 kW; 106 PS) of horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 160 Nm (16.3 kg⋅m; 118.0 ft-lb) of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- CA – Engine Family
- 20 – 2.0 Liter Displacement
- E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | CA20E |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Production | 1981-1991 |
| Displacement | 2.0 L, 1,974 cm3 (120.45 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Multiport Fuel Injection |
| Power adder | None |
| Max. horsepower | 105 HP (78 kW; 106 PS) at 5,200 rpm |
| Max. torque | 160 Nm (16.3 kg⋅m; 118.0 ft-lb) at 4,000 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Dimensions (L x H x W): | – |
| Weight | – |
Cylinder block
The Nissan CA20E motor has a cast-iron cylinder block. The cylinder block, a monoblock special casting structure, employs a five-bearing-support system. The CA20E engine cylinder bore is 84.5 mm (3.327 in) and the piston stroke is 88.0 mm (3.465 in), compression ratio rating is 8.5:1.
The crankshaft is a special steel forging. Fully balanced, it turns out smooth, dependable power at high speed. The pistons are each fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The cylinder block height is 223.30 mm (8.79 in).
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 84.5 mm (3.327 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 88.0 mm (3.465 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 5 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 84.500-84.560 mm (3.3268-3.3287 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 84.465-84.515 mm (3.3254-3.3274 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 19.995-20.000 mm (0.7872-0.7874 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in) |
| Second | 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.25-0.61 mm (0.0098-0.0201 in) |
| Second | 0.15-0.31 mm (0.0059-0.0122 in) | |
| Oil | 0.20-0.78 mm (0.0079-0.0229 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 149.25-149.35 mm (5.8760-5.8799 in) | |
| Crankshaft journal diameter: | 52.951-52.964 mm (2.0847-2.0852 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 44.961-44.974 mm (1.7701-1.7706 in) | |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 43.97-44.03 mm (1.7311-1.7335 in) | |
Cylinder head
The cylinder head is made of light and strong aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. The valve system has a rocker arm that is activated directly by the cam mechanism. The camshaft is driven by a timing belt driven by the crankshaft. Intake valves are 41.0 mm (1.61 in) in diameter and the exhaust valves are 35.0 mm (1.37 in). The intake valve duration is 248°, valve lift is 10.0 mm (0.39 in); the exhaust valve duration is 248°, valve lift is 10.0 mm (0.39 in).
| Cylinder head | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV | |
| Valves: | 8 (2 valves per cylinder) | |
| Intake/Exhaust duration: | 248°/248° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 41.0-41.2 mm (1.614-1.622 in) |
| EXHAUST | 35.0-35.2 mm (1.378-1.386 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 106.78-107.20 mm (4.2039-4.2205 in) |
| EXHAUST | 107.79-108.21 mm (4.2437-4.2802 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 6.965-6.980 mm (0.2742-0.2748 in) |
| EXHAUST | 6.945-6.960 mm (0.2734-0.2740 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | INTAKE |
Outer: 49.98 mm (1.968 in) Inner: 44.10 mm (1.736 in) |
| EXHAUST |
Outer: 49.98 mm (1.968 in) Inner: 44.10 mm (1.736 in) |
|
| Valve lift: | INTAKE | 10.0 mm (0.394 in) |
| EXHAUST | 10.0 mm (0.394 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in) |
| EXHAUST | 38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in) | |
| Outer camshaft journal diameter: | №1-4 | 45.935-45.955 mm (1.8085-1.8092 in) |
| №5 | 45.915-45.935 mm (1.8077-1.8085 in) | |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Cylinder head bolt |
Step 1: 29 Nm; 3.0 kg·m; 22 ft·lb Step 2: 78 Nm; 8.0 kg·m; 58 ft·lb Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely Step 4: 29 Nm; 3.0 kg·m; 22 ft·lb Step 4: 74-83 Nm; 7.5-8.5 kg·m; 54-61 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod bearing nuts | 32-36 Nm; 3.3-3.7 kg·m; 24-27 ft·lb |
| Flywheel bolt | 98-108 Nm; 10.0-11.0 kg·m; 72-80 ft·lb |
| Main bearing cap bolt | 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb |
| Camshaft sprocket bolt | 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 57-65 ft·lb |
| Oil pan | 5-7 Nm; 0.5-0.7 kg·m; 3.6-5.1 ft·lb |
| Oil pump | 12-16 Nm; 1.2-1.6 kg·m; 9-12 ft·lb |
| Oil pan drain plug | 29-39 Nm; 3.0-4.0 kg·m; 22-29 ft·lb |
| Rocker shaft | 18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb |
| Rocker arm nut | 18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb |
| Camshaft locate plate | 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb |
| Exhaust manifold | 20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb |
| Fuel injector | 2.5-3.2 Nm; 0.25-0.32 kg·m; 1.8-2.4 ft·lb |
| Crank pulley damper bolt | 123-132 Nm; 12.6-13.5 kg·m; 90-98 ft·lb |
Maintenance data
| Valve clearance (HOT) | |
| Intake valve | 0.30 mm (0.012 in) |
| Intake valve | 0.30 mm (0.012 in) |
| Valve clearance (COLD) | |
| Intake valve | 0.21 mm (0.008 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.23 mm (0.009 in) |
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Minimun | 9.0 kg/cm2 (8.83 bar, 128 psi) / 250 rpm |
| Oil system | |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil |
10W-30 20W-40 20W-50 |
| Oil type API | SF |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) |
With oil filter: 3.6 l (3-7/8 US qt, 3-1/8 Imp qt) Without oil filter: 3.2 l (3-3/8 US qt, 2-7/8 Imp qt) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 12,000 (7,500) |
| Oil pressure, kg/cm2 (psi) | 3.0 (43) at 2,000 rpm |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | BCPR6ES-11 (NGK) |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in) |
| Spark plug tightening torque | 20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Nissan 200SX | 1984-1988 |
| Nissan Gazelle | 1984-1988 |
| Nissan Pintara R31/U12 | 1986-1992 |
| Nissan Stanza | 1984-1990 |
| Nissan Stanza Wagon / Multi M10 | 1982-1988 |
| Nissan Bluebird U12 | 1987-1989 |
| Nissan Bluebird T72 | 1988-1990 |
| Nissan Pintara | 1986-1991 |
good day everyone.. may i know whats the timing belt teeth count of the ca20 engine. want to change the belt of my Bluebird. thanks
Hey mate I changed my timing belt and if I recall correctly it was 97 teeth
Hi…can I please get a part number for the ca20e starter motor…or a arfter market replacement starter motor?
Thank for your help