Z-18et vs CA-18det conversion

[Daniel Kroehn]

List,   I have recently accumulated enough funds to get out of my gas guzzling twin 45mm hotted up L series (I'm going to miss that induction noise and exhaust note!).  Here's my deliema, do I go for a Z-18 or a CA-18?   My reasons for the Z-18.  FAR LESS hassles fitting to the existing cross member, no need for new sway bars etc and I reckon a little more suited to the car as far as weight goes.  Since the block is basically an L series, I would have far less troubles rebuilding it since I have a bit of experience with the internals of these engines.  CHEAPER! Plus my gearboxes I already have lying around would fit up to it.   Reasons for the CA-18.  Newer, not an import engine, so parts would be easier to get (I think, correct me if I'm wrong), more power from standard and double overhead cam.   Whichever I get wont be going in the car for a while.  I plan to tear it down and rebuild it from the ground up.  My plans are to get all the rods, cranks and pistons balanced.  Rods and crank toughened up ie crank polished and nitrided.  Either a set of forgies or high quality cast (that might create some contreversy).  Block fully prepped and probably O-ringed.  Plan to also get the flywheel lightened and balanced with a stonger clutch.  Don't want to do too much to the head except maybe a valve job with bigger valves and a mild port job.  A big cam would be nice since I love hearing my engine scream at over 7400rpm so I would love to keep this in my new engine, but what do people think?  Also keeping the STANDARD compression ratio.   Outside the engine I want to probably put some bigger injectors in and build a custom exhaust system to the turbo and a 2.75 or 3 inch dump pipe off the turbo.  I will probably keep my current 2.25 inch system from the extractors back as its the biggest that the guys at the shop could fit through the rear crossmember.  The turbo will stay standard at the moment but will have a solenoid control bleed switch on it.  The intercooler will also be upgraded  and front mounted but wont be huge, I want one that would look pretty stock if the 1600's came out with a turbo intercooled engine.   Anyway really sorry about the length but just wanted to give you guys an idea of what my plans are to do.  Whichever engine I choose will be built slowly and over a period of about 6-9 months as extra funds become available before the actual transplant occurs.   Any feed back would be hugely appreciated.   Daniel Kroehn --membersozdat------------------------------------------------------- OZDAT Mailing List Please Note:- Send (un)subscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send submissions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] No unauthorised redistribution of this email http://www.ozdat.com/ozdatonline/index.htm http://www.ozdat.com/ozdatonline/listindex.html http://www.mail-archive.com/membersozdat@datascribe.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------