Todd Budde's MGB-GT with Nissan 16-Valve 187hp Turbo 4
as published in British V8 Newsletter, Volume XIV Issue 2, August 2006Owner: Todd Budde
City: San Antonio, TX
Model: MGB-GT
Engine: Nissan 1.8 liter CA18DET
Conversion performed by: owner
| Donor Car: | 1989 Nissan 180SX (aka "Silvia", a Japanese Domestic Market model) |
| Stock specs: | 175 hp and 169 ft-lb., DOHC aluminum head with 16 valves, Garrett T25 (0.48 A/R)
turbocharger (mated with an intercooler to increase volumetric efficiency). Fuel
is delivered via multi-port fuel injection. Bore is 83.5mm and stroke is 83mm.
This nearly "square" design, coupled with the head design, allows the stock CA18DET
to spin well beyond 7,000 RPM. The CA18DET is a robust engine, and many people have
produced up to 600hp with modification. This engine was removed from a Japanese
domestic market car, and then imported to the United States. |
| Installed specs: | I refreshed the engine with new pumps, TOGA main and rod bearings, OEM piston rings,
NISMO head gasket, and OEM engine gasket set and a New Garrett GT28R turbo able to
support 450 hp. I fitted a 5 speed gearbox, NISMO forged lightweight flywheel, and
OGUR racing clutch. The great thing about most of these parts is that they're readily
available here in the U.S. due to the huge "tuner" scene, and also due to the fact
that the engine had a U.S.-market sister model (i.e. the CA18DE in the Nissan Pulsar,
which was naturally aspirated).
In current trim, the engine produces 187 hp on 8 pounds of boost. (Plans are in the works to upgrade the injectors and increase the boost to push the car to about 230 hp at 15 pounds of boost.) |
| Installation details: | In order to fit this engine in the car I had to fabricate a few parts. (I purchased a
TIG welder, and used it extensively, as follows.) Custom engine mounts were made from
a combination of MGB rubber mounts, steel plate and flat bar. The stock MGB transmission
crossmember was modified to accept the Nissan mount. The exhaust manifold was fabricated
from mandrel-bent stainless tubing and laser-cut plates. I fabricated the down pipe and
exhaust from 2.5" mandrel-bent stainless tubing. I fabricated the hot pipe, cold pipe and
intercooler from mandrel-bent aluminum tubing. The intercooler core is from a Mazda 626,
modified with new end tanks, inlet and outlet.
The oil pan had to be custom fabricated from a combination of two oil pans and sheet metal. This engine has a front sump so the sump and baffles had to be reworked to accommodate the front suspension cross-member. I estimate that I spent approximately 150 hours in fabrication and design work on the engine installation alone. |
| Engine management: | Stock Nissan computer, but with a reprogrammed ROM. Nissan's "ECCS" was a very powerful
system that was well ahead of its time; it's able to self-diagnose and manage a multitude
of tasks. This system rivals those of the modern systems in the cars on the showroom floor
today. Due to space limitations the EMS was converted to a speed-density system. This
removes the often restrictive airflow meter and replaces it with a manifold pressure sensor
and charge air temperature probe. The Vein Pulse Converter ("VPC") uses a MAP sensor and
converts its signal so that the ECU can understand its output. It also adds a high level
of tune-ability to the fuel system. Boost control is currently handled by a manual boost
controller. The electrical system from the engine was paired to an aftermarket 18 circuit
wiring system form Cintech. The entire stock electrical system was removed and updated. |
| Front suspension: | I purchased and installed a complete RV8 front suspension: coil springs, gas shocks,
ball joints, 4 piston calipers, vented rotors, etc... all purchased from the "MGOC Club
Garage" in England along with several interior items (see below). It's a direct bolt-in
swap. I also fitted a 7/8" sway bar (also purchased from the MGOC garage.) |
| Rear suspension: | I custom engineered and built my own IRS with Nissan components. The differential
("R200 model"), hubs, axles, rotors, and calipers are from a Nissan 280ZX. A fabricated
sub-frame bolts into the MGB's original forward leaf-spring mounts and into the shock mounts.
The suspension utilizes coilover shocks and progressive-rate springs. It has a lower A-arm
and an upper dog bone. In design configuration, one way to describe it is that it resembles
a hybrid between the Hoyle (aftermarket MGB) and Thunderbird Turbo coupe suspensions. I spent
many hours engineering this rear: analyzing different control arm lengths and mounting points,
control arm designs, roll center behavior, un-sprung weight, etc. In terms of weight, the
new suspension is about the same as the stock axle and leaf springs, but through testing,
modification, and retesting, I've been able to demonstrate very dramatic handling improvement
and that the suspension is exceptionally robust!
The system is ready for production, I've received my first order, and my first customer will receive his suspension in October! |
| Exterior modifications: | Marker lights, side molding, and reverse lights have been removed and smoothed over.
(A large portion of the body was replaced due to damage from the previous owner.)
I installed a front air dam, and painted the car "cobalt gray" (a General Motors color.) |
| Interior modifications: | Carbon fiber door capping, leather door panels, kick panels, leather headliner, and
leather covered dash and new carpet (all from the MGOC club garage). The gauges have
been upgraded by using a late 80 MGG LE dash and Auto Meter gauges. I have also added
a set of Mitsubishi "Eclipse" seats and 4 point racing harnesses. |
Please support the sponsoring companies who make BritishV8 possible, including:
(Rear wheel placement, forward & aft, is adjustable, and they've been centered since these photos were taken.)
The "Before" Picture
Todd explained:
"The original engine was built with J.E. forged pistons, forged rods, wedge crank, crossflow head,
piper 270 cam, roller rockers, custom intake manifold, custom exhaust manifold, T2 turbo, Accel
DFI, T5 transmission using a Rivergate conversion. The engine underwent a few improvements thru
the years as my fabrication skills and tools got better. I upgraded the turbo after failure
of the T2. Well the T2 has been out of production for some time so I installed a GT28R which now
I see was the undoing of the B engine... The GT28 produces well over 30lbs of boost and will support
over 330hp. At the same time I upgraded the Turbo, I also upgraded the ECU to an Accel DFI Gen 7.
Well 16lbs of boost on a B series engine must be too much because BOOM she went!"
