Nissan CA20E

Nissan CA20EThe Nissan CA20E is a 2.0 liter (1,974 cc, 120.45 cu in) straight-4, four-stroke cycle gasoline engine from Nissan CA-family. The Nissan CA20E motor was produced from 1981 through 1991.

The Nissan CA20E engine has SOHC (single overhead camshaft) design with two valves per cylinder, cast-iron block, and an aluminum cylinder head; fully balanced five-bearing crankshaft. The engine is equipped with Multiport Fuel Injection system, some variants of this engine were equipped with dual sparkplugs per cylinder (NAPS-X).

The CA20E engine has an 84.5 mm (3.327 in) cylinder bore and 88.0 mm (3.465 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It produced 105 HP (78 kW; 106 PS) of horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 160 Nm (16.3 kg⋅m; 118.0 ft-lb) of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • CA – Engine Family
  • 20 – 2.0 Liter Displacement
  • E – Multi Point Fuel Injection

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine code CA20E
Layout Four stroke, Inline-4 (Straight-4)
Fuel type Gasoline
Production 1981-1991
Displacement 2.0 L, 1,974 cm3 (120.45 cu in)
Fuel system Multiport Fuel Injection
Power adder None
Max. horsepower 105 HP (78 kW; 106 PS) at 5,200 rpm
Max. torque 160 Nm (16.3 kg⋅m; 118.0 ft-lb) at 4,000 rpm
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Dimensions (L x H x W):
Weight

Cylinder block

The Nissan CA20E motor has a cast-iron cylinder block. The cylinder block, a monoblock special casting structure, employs a five-bearing-support system. The CA20E engine cylinder bore is 84.5 mm (3.327 in) and the piston stroke is 88.0 mm (3.465 in), compression ratio rating is 8.5:1.

The crankshaft is a special steel forging. Fully balanced, it turns out smooth, dependable power at high speed. The pistons are each fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The cylinder block height is 223.30 mm (8.79 in).

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloy Cast iron
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Cylinder bore: 84.5 mm (3.327 in)
Piston stroke: 88.0 mm (3.465 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil): 2 / 1
Number of main bearings: 5
Cylinder inner diameter (standard): 84.500-84.560 mm (3.3268-3.3287 in)
Piston skirt diameter (standard): 84.465-84.515 mm (3.3254-3.3274 in)
Piston pin outer diameter: 19.995-20.000 mm (0.7872-0.7874 in)
Piston ring side clearance: Top 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in)
Second 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in)
Piston ring end gap: Top 0.25-0.61 mm (0.0098-0.0201 in)
Second 0.15-0.31 mm (0.0059-0.0122 in)
Oil 0.20-0.78 mm (0.0079-0.0229 in)
Connecting rod center distance: 149.25-149.35 mm (5.8760-5.8799 in)
Crankshaft journal diameter: 52.951-52.964 mm (2.0847-2.0852 in)
Crankpin diameter: 44.961-44.974 mm (1.7701-1.7706 in)
Crankshaft center distance: 43.97-44.03 mm (1.7311-1.7335 in)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of light and strong aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. The valve system has a rocker arm that is activated directly by the cam mechanism. The camshaft is driven by a timing belt driven by the crankshaft. Intake valves are 41.0 mm (1.61 in) in diameter and the exhaust valves are 35.0 mm (1.37 in). The intake valve duration is 248°, valve lift is 10.0 mm (0.39 in); the exhaust valve duration is 248°, valve lift is 10.0 mm (0.39 in).

Cylinder head
Valve Arrangement: OHV
Valves: 8 (2 valves per cylinder)
Intake/Exhaust duration: 248°/248°
Valve head diameter: INTAKE 41.0-41.2 mm (1.614-1.622 in)
EXHAUST 35.0-35.2 mm (1.378-1.386 in)
Valve length: INTAKE 106.78-107.20 mm (4.2039-4.2205 in)
EXHAUST 107.79-108.21 mm (4.2437-4.2802 in)
Valve stem diameter: INTAKE 6.965-6.980 mm (0.2742-0.2748 in)
EXHAUST 6.945-6.960 mm (0.2734-0.2740 in)
Valve spring free length: INTAKE Outer: 49.98 mm (1.968 in)
Inner: 44.10 mm (1.736 in)
EXHAUST Outer: 49.98 mm (1.968 in)
Inner: 44.10 mm (1.736 in)
Valve lift: INTAKE 10.0 mm (0.394 in)
EXHAUST 10.0 mm (0.394 in)
Camshaft cam height: INTAKE 38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in)
EXHAUST 38.834-38.884 mm (1.5289-1.5309 in)
Outer camshaft journal diameter: №1-4 45.935-45.955 mm (1.8085-1.8092 in)
№5 45.915-45.935 mm (1.8077-1.8085 in)

Tightening torque specs

Tightening torque specs
Cylinder head bolt Step 1: 29 Nm; 3.0 kg·m; 22 ft·lb
Step 2: 78 Nm; 8.0 kg·m; 58 ft·lb
Step 3: Loosen all bolts completely
Step 4: 29 Nm; 3.0 kg·m; 22 ft·lb
Step 4: 74-83 Nm; 7.5-8.5 kg·m; 54-61 ft·lb
Connecting rod bearing nuts 32-36 Nm; 3.3-3.7 kg·m; 24-27 ft·lb
Flywheel bolt 98-108 Nm; 10.0-11.0 kg·m; 72-80 ft·lb
Main bearing cap bolt 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb
Camshaft sprocket bolt 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 57-65 ft·lb
Oil pan 5-7 Nm; 0.5-0.7 kg·m; 3.6-5.1 ft·lb
Oil pump 12-16 Nm; 1.2-1.6 kg·m; 9-12 ft·lb
Oil pan drain plug 29-39 Nm; 3.0-4.0 kg·m; 22-29 ft·lb
Rocker shaft 18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb
Rocker arm nut 18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb
Camshaft locate plate 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb
Exhaust manifold 20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb
Fuel injector 2.5-3.2 Nm; 0.25-0.32 kg·m; 1.8-2.4 ft·lb
Crank pulley damper bolt 123-132 Nm; 12.6-13.5 kg·m; 90-98 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve 0.30 mm (0.012 in)
Intake valve 0.30 mm (0.012 in)
Valve clearance (COLD)
Intake valve 0.21 mm (0.008 in)
Exhaust valve 0.23 mm (0.009 in)
Compression pressure
Standard 12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm
Minimun 9.0 kg/cm2 (8.83 bar, 128 psi) / 250 rpm
Oil system
Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles)
Recommended engine oil 10W-30
20W-40
20W-50
Oil type API SF
Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) With oil filter: 3.6 l (3-7/8 US qt, 3-1/8 Imp qt)
Without oil filter: 3.2 l (3-3/8 US qt, 2-7/8 Imp qt)
Oil change interval, km (miles) 12,000 (7,500)
Oil pressure, kg/cm2 (psi) 3.0 (43) at 2,000 rpm
Ignition system
Spark plug BCPR6ES-11 (NGK)
Spark plug gap 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in)
Spark plug tightening torque 20-29 Nm; 2.0-3.0 kg·m; 14-22 ft·lb

Vehicle applications

Model Years Produced
Nissan 200SX 1984-1988
Nissan Gazelle 1984-1988
Nissan Pintara R31/U12 1986-1992
Nissan Stanza 1984-1990
Nissan Stanza Wagon / Multi M10 1982-1988
Nissan Bluebird U12 1987-1989
Nissan Bluebird T72 1988-1990
Nissan Pintara 1986-1991
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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We try to use verified sources and official documentation, however, differences between sources or errors in entering information may occur. We do not provide advice on technical issues related to the engines operation or repair. We do not recommend using provided information for engines repairing engines or spare parts ordering, use only official service manuals and spare-parts catalogs.

3 Comments

  1. good day everyone.. may i know whats the timing belt teeth count of the ca20 engine. want to change the belt of my Bluebird. thanks

  2. Hi…can I please get a part number for the ca20e starter motor…or a arfter market replacement starter motor?
    Thank for your help

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