I'm stuck 😔
Posted by ShrekTheLegend@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 9 comments
As the title says, I'm completely and utterly stuck.
I have a Nissan bluebird 1988 with a CA16S engine currently producing 83 HP, I bought it hella cheap and I knew that it would take a lot of work to restore it to its former glory. It has 400k km in the engine and it's still a beast and responsive considering its age. However the part I'm stuck at is, replacing the engine completely or rebuilding it.
I was thinking of swapping the old engine with a CA16DE, I don't care about fancy HP and that's why I'm not looking for something heavy however that's gonna obviously take a lot of money.
My other option is rebuilding the engine, replacing the old carb with a Weber 32/36, keeping the old school in it and just expanding it, new exhaust, new manifold, maybe a cold air intake you know stuff that will make it breath better and like gain some HP up to 100 max. I wanna keep the originality of the car but I don't know if it's worth putting money onto the old engine or just keep my money and replace it. 😔😔🙏🙏
jayfactor@reddit
In the same boat, but decided to just drive it for at least 6months to a year before thinking about engine swaps/upgrades, if it runs and has no issues why touch it other than usual maintenance?
ShrekTheLegend@reddit (OP)
I mean it's a good looking car on its own and thankfully I have found replacement parts if I need, so I thought giving it a bit more kick without pushing the car to it's limits..
jayfactor@reddit
O I was specifically talking about the engine, I already blew my budget on coilovers, wheels and other nonsense lol
ShrekTheLegend@reddit (OP)
ahahahahah yeah I'm talking about the engine mainly. Sadly I cannot find coilovers for my Nissan and I don't have the tools to do a custom job so they'll fit
No-Locksmith-9377@reddit
I would talk to an engine rebuilder / machine shop and get a quote for the build and/or machine work. swap could cost less.
Have you read the giant swap tech index page? http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=Engine_Swaps
ShrekTheLegend@reddit (OP)
Haven't read it no! My mechanic also said better swap it if I wanna do a difference to the car since tuning/fixing this engine won't make a big difference, but I wanted to get some other opinions
No-Locksmith-9377@reddit
Yeah the big difference is HP potential.
Let's say your oem CA engine could make 140hp with a full rebuild, new cams, new head, carbs, new valves train, race pistons...etc. it would be a wild, unreliable engine. Lots of fun, but might not start every day.
VS a k20 swap. It would make 200hp in regular oem configuration and it should start right up every day with honda reliability and EFI.
You dont have to use the honda engine, thats just the most popular 4 cylinder engine swap right now that I pulled as an example.
cthulthure@reddit
If the engine still runs fine, not smoking etc then leave it be. Why mess with a good engine in a near worthless car? By all means change the carb for a weber and put headers on if you can find a set.
ShrekTheLegend@reddit (OP)
no the engine is fine, needs a few tweaks and new stuff in it but other than that it's at a very good shape