Nissan Hardbody - Mister Swartz

[Mister_Swartz]

Hey guys.
I'm new here.

I registered here as I bought a CA18DET as a replacement motor for my Hardbody bakkie.
Many thanks to Skippy for putting me on to the sale, and to nirvash for the great deal!

As yet the work hasn't started yet.
I had to wait a little longer than I had hoped for my NP200.

This is my Hardbody, affectionately known as BigZ...




This is the new heart...




Can't wait to get started!

[fuzz123]

Hey Welcome!

Very interesting conversion you're doing.

Is there any specific reason you decided to go for a CA18DET. Im just thinking that space shouldnt be a problem in a Hardbody etc. What is the weight of the hardbody?

[Mister_Swartz]

Thanx fuzz!!

Space looks not to be a problem no...
There wasn't any specific reason at first why I went for it.
Lots of guys say the 1800 turbo won't last long.

But comparatively, it makes more power and torque than the Z24.
That's the motor that's in the bakkie now.
And it makes torque low down enough I believe to carry the bakkie.

BigZ weighs 1400kg.

Any thoughts?

[Skippy]

Welcome Mister Swartz

Can't wait for BigZ to be completed

P.S
You can give the fmic to me

[fuzz123]

Thanx fuzz!!

Space looks not to be a problem no...
There wasn't any specific reason at first why I went for it.
Lots of guys say the 1800 turbo won't last long.

But comparatively, it makes more power and torque than the Z24.
That's the motor that's in the bakkie now.
And it makes torque low down enough I believe to carry the bakkie.

BigZ weighs 1400kg.

Any thoughts?

Well 1400kg really is not as heavy as I thought it would be.

Im just thinking that for it to drive okay as a bakkie you will need to have that turbo kick in very low down. These engines can be quite sluggish before boost kicks in and if your going to throw a load in the back and get a bit of a uphill in front its going to be a battle.

As for reliability, nothing will last long if you push the engine to its limits the whole time(as we are known to do) but keep it running standard and it should last long.

Are you going to keep the old gearbox?

[Charlvdw]

The Sx's gearbox are basically the same as the hardbody's. The diff is where the difference come in. So in the bakkie 2500rpm should come a lot quicker. A bit less timing will also help.

[Mister_Swartz]

@Skippy...
Yep, I'm so much more excited seeing how your SX goes!
Lmk I'm planning on cutting the bumper for the fmic!
When it's done... you know...

@fuzz...
Gonna take it easy in BigZ. Cruising mostly...
She'll have very little load time, as I now have the NP200...
I'm gonna look at how early it has to boost. Thanx for the headsup there!
At this stage, I'm using the Z24 box yes. Apparently it's an easy fit...

@Charl...
I have no idea about the boxes, other than what I was told.
I've been told they should be interchangeable with minimum effort.
Also, it'll be able to handle the weight and power I guess...
Nirvash also said the VG30 box might fit easy. And we know those don't break!

January must come now!!!

[Hotstuff]

Welcome and looking forward to seeing this build

[Mister_Swartz]

Thanks Hotstuff!

Will post and keep updated soon as it starts!

[nirvash]

i cant believe i havent seen this thread yet
very interested to see how this turns out,
how things progressing?

[SonOfAnarchy ZA]

i cant believe i havent seen this thread yet
very interested to see how this turns out,
how things progressing?

+1 update time

[Mister_Swartz]

Hey guys!

Sadly, work has not commenced as yet.
Other things (the wife lol...) have taken preference for the moment...

Also, BigZ might be sold...
The NP200 has made her obsolete...
But I've also been Datsun hunting now. Big fan of the 180U...
Going to see one today. So depending on that, we'll see what happens next! So many moves to be made!

Fingers crossed!

[Mister_Swartz]

So fiiiiiiinally the work has begun.

I had started on stripping the motor a couple of weeks back.

Sister's wedding now done!
Thanx to Skippy and the cars.
New work contracts signed.

So I'm free to move forward with the project.

Motor came out just an hour or so ago.
Odd things I found:

1 - motor was 'resting' on the left hand side mount...
It wasn't tied down. When I jacked up the crane I watched it slide off.
2 - there are quite a few 'fixes' on the motor...
Things that looked mcguyvered and lots of red gasket sealer...
3 - Branch had cracks in all 4 primary headers...
Just as they joined into 2... 6 or 7 cracks...
4 - a nasty rust spot under front passenger seat...

But hey.
Tomorrow we're gonna find out if the box and CA18DET are compatible. Will be a most interesting day!

[Mister_Swartz]

So all was going well.
Gearbox came out easily enough.

First snag - the bellhousing currently on the gearbox doesn't work.
So I need to find a CA18DET RWD bellhousing.
My bakkie has a 5W71C gesrbox in.
From what I researched, this box is common through many variants of Nissan setups.
Z24, KA24, CA18DET, some SR20's, VG30.
The only differences in the different setups is the gear ratios.

I'll only truly know once I have a CA18DET bellhousing.

From there on, we'll see what happens!

[SonOfAnarchy ZA]

nice progress dude keep it up!!