datsuntech Posted July 30, 2025 Report Posted July 30, 2025 I have an opportunity to buy a CA18DET for cheap, but sadly it's FWD. Does anyone know conclusively if the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same for FWD and RWD? I done a bunch of searching but can't find a definite answer. I can work with the rear facing intake, but I have no desire to make an adapter. Quote
datzenmike Posted July 30, 2025 Report Posted July 30, 2025 I don't know if this helps but I had a RWD CA18ET 5 speed from an '85 S12. I put an L series front case on it and traded the CA case to a guy with a CA18DET so he could make a 5 speed for it. After '86.5 the S12 CA18ET switched from 71B to 71C transmissions. The CA18DET would have to be a 71C for that much power. I don't see why Nissan would change the bolt pattern for this. Quote
ggzilla Posted July 30, 2025 Report Posted July 30, 2025 2 hours ago, datsuntech said: if the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same for FWD and RWD? My notes say they are the same. It is the SR20 that differs FWD/RWD USA, it came in two cars * 1986-1987 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA16DE 113 hp * 1988-1989 KN13 Nissan Pulsar NX SE CA18DE 125 hp 1 Quote
datsuntech Posted July 31, 2025 Author Report Posted July 31, 2025 I know that that all RWD CAs (CA18ET, CA20E/S, CA18DE and CA18DET) share the same bellhousing bolt pattern. I'm also positive that all FWD CAs (CA20E, CA18DE, CA18DET) have the same bolt pattern. What I have never tried is to put a RWD trans on a FWD engine. This is what I'm trying to figure out. With great effort, I could pull the CA20E out of my Multi (Stanza Wagon in USA) and see if it fits on the CA18DE (S12)transmission I have. The issue is that the engine is in the car at my nephew's and the transmission is still bolted to the engine at my brother's. These are 100kms apart and both require disassembly that I don't have time for. I guess I could buy the rusty swapped Pulsar NX and worse comes to worse resell it if it doesn't fit. I'm just wondering if anyone has already stuck a RWD trans on a FWD engine so I don't have to go through all of the effort.. Quote
ggzilla Posted July 31, 2025 Report Posted July 31, 2025 3 hours ago, datsuntech said: I'm just wondering if anyone has already stuck a RWD trans on a FWD engine Several guys have told me it works over the last 20 years CA18DE (from the USA Pulsar fwd) has the same bellhousing pattern and engine bracket bolt locations as CA18DET (from the S13 Silvia rwd). That being said, I haven't seen it with my own eyes 1 Quote
Nished Posted March 7 Report Posted March 7 So, did you get the nx? ....do you still have the fwd transmission from it? Quote
datsuntech Posted March 8 Author Report Posted March 8 On 3/6/2026 at 11:50 PM, Nished said: So, did you get the nx? ....do you still have the fwd transmission from it? I did and it came with an extra one.. Quote
NisDatCa Posted September 30 Report Posted September 30 I want to by those gearboxes if you dont need them! Quote
datsuntech Posted September 30 Author Report Posted September 30 3 hours ago, NisDatCa said: I want to by those gearboxes if you dont need them! Shipping from Canada to Finland may be cost prohibitive... Quote
NisDatCa Posted October 1 Report Posted October 1 22 hours ago, datsuntech said: Shipping from Canada to Finland may be cost prohibitive... Yep.. I need one and can't find it anywhere here. Quote
datsuntech Posted October 2 Author Report Posted October 2 I'm hesitant to sell my spare before i'm done with the car.. But maybe once i nail down what I'm doing... Quote
craneside Posted October 3 Report Posted October 3 datsuntech said: I'm hesitant to sell my spare before i'm done with the car.. But maybe once i nail down what I'm doing... Those FWD boxes are getting properly thin on the ground now, so hanging onto the spare till the swap's sorted makes sense. Quote
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