Hi Guys,

Well i'm getting close to getting my zetec fitted, but my stupid brain keeps making me think about other things, so i have been considering going the nissan route of SR20DET or CA18DET.

I've had silvias before so i know the engines ok and would happily use one again, but in terms of sticking one in a kit car, what considerations should i take?

The car is a sylva striker.

The engine will go in obviously, but how much of the running gear can i use?
If it's possible, can i just mount it up to my type 9 instead?

Ta for looking,
Andy

You say it'll obviously go in...i've got the wide tunnel and its only just!incidently i'm taking it out as soon as i finish my breakfast!mine's got the diff and the first propshaft minus 6'.the 1.8 sx didn't generally come with an lsd,which i think you need on anything but a bone dry road.also remember you need an ecu that can control 4 coils if you haven't got the loom,seriously good fun motor tho!

i have a mk with sierra lsd and silvia gear box and ca18 but the box is much wider than a type 9

i didn't realise sylva/raw did a wide tunnel version!
maybe this is a stupid idea......

I had to cut out a bit of my tunnel in my viento to fit the box on the sr engine AND its a very TALL engine and you CANT shorten the sump

how does the ca18det compare?
i'd much rather go with an sr20, but if the ca18 gives less hassle it might be worth a think.....

You will need another ecu, as the ca18det one will not run the engine properly in a kit car, missing power steering and air conditioning. It will fit in a book sized car, although I have a hole in the bonnet and a chassis that is 1" taller. There are a lot of wires to get rid of. I bought a new loom and trimmed it down. An SR20DET loom is more common here, so I got one of those, new. As for ECU, I bought an AEM unit, quite expensive I thought. Still haven't got it running; the car is in the hands of someone who has a rolling road, and I expect to have more to report in April, when I get my car back. The nice fellow wants to put water/methanol injection on too. Who am I to argue?

At this point, I would definitely NOT do this engine again. I do not need 200 + HP, which is what you get over standard 173, once you have straight through exhaust, intercooler, and "cold air" intake. The car deserves a lighter option.