The Nissan CA18DET is a turbocharged 1.8 liter (1,809 cc, 110.39 cu in) straight-4, four-stroke cycle gasoline engine from Nissan CA-family. The CA18DET motor was produced from 1985 through 1994.
The Nissan CA1D8ET engine has DOHC (dual overhead camshaft) design with four valves per cylinder, cast-iron block, and an aluminum cylinder head. The engine is equipped with Multiport Fuel Injection system and single Garrett T25 turbocharger. The engine was available in two versions: with intercooler and without it. This engine is similar to the natural aspirated variant – CA18DE. The CA18DET motor has an 83.0 mm (3.268 in) cylinder bore and 83.6 mm (3.291 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio of 8.5:1.
The CA18DET produced:
- Version without intercooler: 145.5 PS (107 KW; 143.5 HP) at 6,400 rpm of horsepower and 201 Nm (20.5 kg·m; 148.3 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of torque or 160.5 PS (118 KW; 158 HP) at 6,400 rpm of power and 211 Nm (21.5 kg·m; 155.7 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of torque.
- Version with intercooler: 175.4 PS (129 KW; 173 HP) at 6,400 rpm of horsepower and 226 Nm (23.0 kg·m; 166.8 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of torque.
- CA18DET-R: 185 PS (136 KW; 182 HP) at 6,400 rpm of horsepower and 240 Nm (24.5 kg·m; 177.1 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- CA – Engine Family
- 18 – 1.8 Liter Displacement
- D – DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshafts)
- E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
- T – Turbocharged
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | CA18DET |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Production | 1985-1994 |
| Displacement | 1.8 L, 1,809 cm3 (110.39 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Multiport Fuel Injection |
| Power adder | Turbocharger Garrett T25 |
| Max. horsepower |
Without intercooler: 145 PS (107 KW; 143 HP) at 6,400 rpm 160 PS (118 KW; 158 HP) at 6,400 rpm With intercooler: 175 PS (129 KW; 173 HP) at 6,400 rpm CA18DET-R: 185 PS (136 KW; 182 HP) at 6,400 rpm |
| Max. torque |
Without intercooler: 201 Nm (20.5 kg·m; 148.3 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm 211 Nm (21.5 kg·m; 155.7 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm With intercooler: 226 Nm (23.0 kg·m; 166.8 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm CA18DET-R: 240 Nm (24.5 kg·m; 177.1 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Dimensions (L x H x W): | – |
| Weight | – |
Cylinder block
The Nissan CA18DET motor has a cast-iron cylinder block. The cylinder block, a monoblock special casting structure, employs a five-bearing-support system. The CA18DET engine cylinder bore is 83.0 mm (3.268 in) and the piston stroke is 83.6 mm (3.291 in), compression ratio rating is 8.5:1.
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 83.0 mm (3.268 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 83.6 mm (3.291 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 5 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 83.000-83.050 mm (3.2677-3.2697 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 82.965-83.015 mm (3.2663-3.2638 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 | 0.25-0.42 mm (0.0098-0.0165 in) |
| Second | 0.38-0.64 mm (0.0150-0.0252 in) | |
| Oil | 0.20-0.76 mm (0.0079-0.0299 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 132.95-133.05 mm (5.2342-5.2382 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: | 41.77-41.83 mm (1.6445-1.6468 in) | |
Cylinder head
The cylinder head is made of an aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. The camshaft is driven by a timing belt driven by the crankshaft. Intake valves are 34.0-34.2 mm (1.339-1.346 in) in diameter and the exhaust valves are 28.0-28.2 mm (1.102-1.110 in). The intake valve duration is 240°, valve lift is 7.8 mm (0.307 in); the exhaust valve duration is 248°, valve lift is 8.5 mm (0.335 in). The engine used hydraulic valve lifters.
| Cylinder head | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | DOHC, belt driven | |
| Valves: | 16 (4 valves per cylinder) | |
| Intake/Exhaust duration: | 240°/248° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 34.0-34.2 mm (1.339-1.346 in) |
| EXHAUST | 28.0-28.2 mm (1.102-1.110 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 88.8-89.0 mm (3.496-3.504 in) |
| EXHAUST | 89.2-89.4 mm (3.512-3.520 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 5.965-5.980 mm (0.2348-0.2354 in) |
| EXHAUST | 5.945-5.960 mm (0.2341-0.2346 in) | |
| Valve spring free length: | INTAKE | 43.10 mm (1.697 in) |
| EXHAUST | 43.10 mm (1.697 in) | |
| Valve lift: | INTAKE | 7.8 mm (0.307 in) |
| EXHAUST | 8.5 mm (0.335 in) | |
| Camshaft cam height: | INTAKE | 39.785-39.815 mm (1.5663-1.5675 in) |
| EXHAUST | 40.485-40.515 mm (1.5939-1.5951 in) | |
| Outer camshaft journal diameter: | 27.935-27.955 mm (1.0998-1.1006 in) | |
Maintenance data
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Minimun | 10.0 kg/cm2 (9.81 bar, 142 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/CC or SF/CD |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) |
With oil filter: 3.5 l (3-1/8 qt) Without oil filter: 3.1 l (2-3/4 qt) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 6,000 (3,500) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug |
With catalyzer: Platinum-tipped type BCPR6-11 (NGK) Without catalyzer: 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 Auster (T12) | 1985-1990 |
| Nissan Stanza (T12) | 1986-1990 |
| Nissan Bluebird (U11) | 1985-1987 |
| Nissan Bluebird (U12) | 1987-1989 |
| Nissan Silvia (S12) | 1986-1988 |
| Nissan Silvia (S13) | 1988-1991 |
| Nissan 180SX (S13) | 1989-1991 |
| Nissan Bluebird (RNU12) SSS ATTESA Limited | 1987-1989 |
Nissan Euro CA18DET service manual:
Crankshaft journal diameter:52.951-52.975mm
Crankpin diameter:44.954-44.974