Nissan CA20E

Nissan CA20EThe 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 codeCA20E
LayoutFour stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4)
Fuel typeGasoline
Production1981-1991
Displacement2.0 L, 1,974 cm3 (120.45 cu in)
Fuel systemMultiport Fuel Injection
Power adderNone
Max. horsepower105 HP (78 kW; 106 PS) at 5,200 rpm
Max. torque160 Nm (16.3 kg⋅m; 118.0 ft-lb) at 4,000 rpm
Firing order1-3-4-2
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 alloyCast 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:Top0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in)
Second0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in)
Piston ring end gap:Top0.25-0.61 mm (0.0098-0.0201 in)
Second0.15-0.31 mm (0.0059-0.0122 in)
Oil0.20-0.78 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:INTAKE41.0-41.2 mm (1.614-1.622 in)
EXHAUST35.0-35.2 mm (1.378-1.386 in)
Valve length:INTAKE106.78-107.20 mm (4.2039-4.2205 in)
EXHAUST107.79-108.21 mm (4.2437-4.2802 in)
Valve stem diameter:INTAKE6.965-6.980 mm (0.2742-0.2748 in)
EXHAUST6.945-6.960 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:INTAKE10.0 mm (0.394 in)
EXHAUST10.0 mm (0.394 in)
Camshaft cam height:INTAKE38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in)
EXHAUST38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in)
Outer camshaft journal diameter:№1-445.935-45.955 mm (1.8085-1.8092 in)
№545.915-45.935 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 nuts32-36 Nm; 3.3-3.7 kg·m; 24-27 ft·lb
Flywheel bolt98-108 Nm; 10.0-11.0 kg·m; 72-80 ft·lb
Main bearing cap bolt44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb
Camshaft sprocket bolt78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 57-65 ft·lb
Oil pan5-7 Nm; 0.5-0.7 kg·m; 3.6-5.1 ft·lb
Oil pump12-16 Nm; 1.2-1.6 kg·m; 9-12 ft·lb
Oil pan drain plug29-39 Nm; 3.0-4.0 kg·m; 22-29 ft·lb
Rocker shaft18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb
Rocker arm nut18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb
Camshaft locate plate78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb
Exhaust manifold20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb
Fuel injector2.5-3.2 Nm; 0.25-0.32 kg·m; 1.8-2.4 ft·lb
Crank pulley damper bolt123-132 Nm; 12.6-13.5 kg·m; 90-98 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve0.30 mm (0.012 in)
Intake valve0.30 mm (0.012 in)
Valve clearance (COLD)
Intake valve0.21 mm (0.008 in)
Exhaust valve0.23 mm (0.009 in)
Compression pressure
Standard12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm
Minimun9.0 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 APISF
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 plugBCPR6ES-11 (NGK)
Spark plug gap1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in)
Spark plug tightening torque20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb

Vehicle applications

ModelYears Produced
Nissan 200SX1984-1988
Nissan Gazelle1984-1988
Nissan Pintara R31/U121986-1992
Nissan Stanza1984-1990
Nissan Stanza Wagon / Multi M101982-1988
Nissan Bluebird U121987-1989
Nissan Bluebird T721988-1990
Nissan Pintara1986-1991
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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We try to use verified sources and official documentation, however, differences between sources or errors in entering information may occur. We do not provide advice on technical issues related to the engines operation or repair. We do not recommend using provided information for engines repairing engines or spare parts ordering, use only official service manuals and spare-parts catalogs.

3 Comments

  1. 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

  2. Hi…can I please get a part number for the ca20e starter motor…or a arfter market replacement starter motor?
    Thank for your help

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