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Darian Henderson's 1962 MGA MkII with Nissan CA18DET Turbo

Darian Henderson · 1962 MGA MkII

MG MGA

BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports carsBritish V8 Magazine, Volume XVI Issue 2, September 2008

Read the full write-up at BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars ↗

Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars

A 1962 MGA MkII swapped to a turbocharged Nissan CA18DET four-cylinder

After the original B-series engine threw a rod bearing, owner Darian Henderson had Todd Budde of Custom Rod Works fit a JDM Nissan CA18DET turbo engine from a Silvia S13 into his MGA, keeping the car looking stock while adding real pace. The write-up covers the front-sump clearance problems, the custom fuel tank and exhaust, and Henderson's own impressions of driving the finished "sleeper."

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine
Intercooled Nissan CA18DET, 16-valve DOHC turbo four, currently run at 10 psi boost (stock rating 173 hp at 6 psi)
Gearbox
Stock Nissan 5-speed (as used in Silvia/240SX) with Nissan 'Stage 2' clutch
Driveshaft
Custom-made to suit the engine/transmission swap
Rear Axle
Stock MGA axle with original 4.1:1 differential
Front Suspension
Stock MGA front suspension fitted with MGB GT V8 style bushings
Rear Suspension
Stock MGA rear suspension, unmodified at time of writing
Brakes
Stock MG front discs and rear drums, with stock MG master cylinder
Wheels
Stock 72-spoke MGC wire wheels, one inch wider than standard MGA wheels
Tyres
195/60R15
Cooling
Aftermarket 1965 Ford Mustang aluminum radiator
Exhaust
Custom 2.5 inch system engineered by Todd Budde with a Magnaflow muffler
Fuel System
Custom aluminum fuel tank built by Todd Budde, sized like the original but square and set up for fuel injection
Electrical
Stock CA18DET engine electrical system with a Nissan Maxima alternator, new wiring harness with modern fuses, TPI Instruments gauges (boost gauge excepted), and the original Jaeger dual oil pressure/coolant temperature gauge retained

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 2

  • Nissan CA18DET turbo engine

    Intercooled JDM 16-valve DOHC turbo four from a Nissan Silvia S13, installed in place of the original B-series engine and currently run at 10 psi boost

    In the shops
    Datsun/Nissan 300ZX Turbo Semi-Metallic Brake Pads ↗Sports & Classics· $16.95 USD
  • Custom fabricated oil panCustom Rod Works

    Built from two existing oil pans to let the front-sump CA18DET clear the MGA front crossmember

Fuel & Ignition 1

Cooling 1

Gearbox & Drivetrain 3

Suspension & Steering 1

Brakes 1

Wheels & Tyres 1

Electrical 5

Other 2

Photos

14 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

Darian Henderson's 1962 MGA with Chevy 350 V8Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Intercooled Nissan CA18DET (16 valve, DOHC).Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
aftermarket 1965 Ford Mustang aluminum radiator.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Custom fabricated CA18DET oil pan.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Braided stainless steel flex coupling for the exhaust.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Custom engineered 2.5-inch exhaust system, by Custom Rod WorksPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Magnaflow muffler.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Custom Rod Works aluminum fuel tankPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
CA18DET engine ECUPhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
TPI Instruments, boost gauge, and Jaeger dual oil-pressure/coolant-temperature gaugePhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Stock 72-spoke MGC wire wheels with 195/60R15 tires.Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
MGA Twin Cam badgePhoto: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars
Donate Now!Photo: BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars

How it was done

Starting condition

Henderson liked the MGA's looks and handling but not its original B-series engine, which he considered leaky and weak. When that engine eventually threw a rod bearing, rather than rebuild it he decided to swap in something else entirely.

Engine swap

Todd Budde of Custom Rod Works carried out the conversion, fitting a JDM Nissan CA18DET turbo engine out of a Nissan Silvia S13. Because the CA18DET is a front-sump design, the front crossmember had to be notched to clear the sump, and Budde fabricated a custom oil pan from two existing pans plus new engine mounts adapted from MG units.

Drivetrain and chassis changes

The stock Nissan 5-speed gearbox was retained along with a Nissan 'Stage 2' clutch, paired to a custom-made driveshaft. The MGA's original transmission mounts were cut away to fit the new gearbox, and the passenger-side transmission tunnel was cut for clearance. The stock MGA rear axle and 4.1:1 differential were kept.

Body and fuel system work

The front valance was cut to improve airflow to the radiator, and sheet metal ahead of the radiator was trimmed so it could be moved forward of the steering rack. Budde built a custom aluminum fuel tank, similarly sized to the original but square and set up for fuel injection, and the passenger-side battery box was modified to accept an Optima battery.

Electrical and instrumentation

The car runs the stock CA18DET electrical system with an alternator sourced from a Nissan Maxima. A new wiring harness with modern fuses was installed, and TPI Instruments gauges were fitted for most functions, though Henderson kept the original Jaeger dual oil pressure/coolant temperature gauge.

Performance and driving impressions

Completed in July 2008 and driven about 800 miles by October, the car is estimated at 165-175 rear-wheel horsepower. Below 3,800 rpm it drives like a stock MGA; above that the turbo and second set of valves engage sharply. Henderson reports strong acceleration, 26.6 mpg at a steady 75 mph, and says the stock suspension and steering become the limiting factor above about 75 mph.

Owner's reflections and future plans

Henderson says he would use a stock clutch next time rather than the 'Stage 2' unit, which he found touchy. He does not recommend a front-sump conversion given the crossmember clearance issues, but is happy with the result. He plans to upgrade the rear suspension to better handle the torque and add heat shielding, since the engine runs around 220 degrees and heats the cockpit.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at BritishV8: the site for enthusiasts of modified British sports cars ↗

Worth knowing

  • A stock clutch would have been preferable to the touchier 'Stage 2' clutch used
  • A front-sump engine conversion is not recommended because of the trouble clearing the front crossmember

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Darian Henderson's 1962 MGA MkII with Nissan CA18DET Turbo | Restomod Life