CA18DET Throttle Body Piping

[exatime]

Hey Guys,

Just a quick question, I have the engine from the U11 Bluebird with the throttle body piping that runs over the top of the engine. Is it possible to change the throttle body to the one that runs to the side of the engine (Like EXA18's one). I think intercooler piping would be easier to fabricate for a setup like this and I am told it is less restrictive than the one that runs over the top. Any thoughts guys? I think it should be a case of a straight unbolt/ bolt up job. Has anyone had any experience with this? Also what is the likely cost?

Thanks all in advance. :)

[EXR8D]

yes i think it is possible,

might have to modify a few bits, but it shouldnt be a problem, i think the hardest part would be trying to find the u12 inlet.

[exa18]

Dude, if I was you, I would DEFINITELY send that engine back to the supplier and get the later model one with the inlet manifold running along the length of the motor. This motor not only makes more power but will be from a later model car and will nine times out of ten have less kilometres on them.

I bought my car standard, the engine blew up, then put in the u11 motor, it blew up, then I put in the u12 motor and it's been running sweetly ever since, hasn't missed a beat. And, from experience, the u12 one definitely seems to have more poke too.

One other problem with the older model engine is that the turbo is around the other way, so basically as you look into the engine bay, the exhaust exits on the right hand side of the turbo, so, you have to get the exhaust plummed up so it goes back to the left side of the car straight away, over the front engine mount, not the most efficient set up at all. With this standard turbo setup, (if you keep the standard computer that is), the air flow meter needs to be plummed in somehow also, damn near impossible with the turbo facing that way.

Unless of course you can turn the turbo around the other way? But, if you do this, you'd be struggling for room with the a/c and alternator sitting where the exhaust piping would need to be.

So, in my opinion (after having both of these engines in my car), fuck the old motor off now, and get the newer one, it's better and you'll save both time and money.

If you do decide to stick with the older motor (don't), then the inlet manifold from the newer model should be a straight bolt up, but if you're using the standard computer that came with the older model engine, the wiring harness may not match up properly (the lengths of wiring may not suit the newer setup). Man, ditch that motor in my opinion, do it right the first time, and you wont have to do it again.

Hope I helped.

[exatime]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your input thus far. I see your point exa18. The only reason I bought this engine is due to the fact that it came from a family sedan (U11 bluebird) with the FWD box. Bought as a front cut. This is the non intercooled version. It has done 70 000 k's and does not look like anyone has stuffed around with it. In any case it is too late because the exhaust has been plumbed and the MT8 connected, i.e the car is running. The alternator has been dropped down to make room for the air pod. I am not running any air con and so the compressor has been removed totally.

I guess the extra poke you talk about would probably be coming from different throttle body set up. Can anyone substantiate this? In any case I figure if the engine goes, then it needs/ needed a rebuild anyway.

Next up T28, intercooler and a whole lot of boost. If the engine lasts then it lasts hey :)

Exa18, what was the problem with your u11 engine?

Thanks for your input guys!

[exa18]

Mr prob with the u11 engine was the fact that it fucken blew up and I hated it, but that's just a personal thing.

Ummm..... broke first piston, spun the main bearings, smashed this, fucked that....... it was scrap metal after all of this basically.