the CA is generally considered to be not as good as the SR. they are know for being somehat less reliable. the only advantage they have is the valve train...but really properly phrased...the only WEAKNESS the SR has is the valvetrain. there is a memeber on this board (Martin - "180sx") that had a CA powered S13 hatch with Haltech e6k. he sold the car before he really tuned it but the guy he sold it to did 500+hp on a built motor.

it's funny that Gary quotes 650 Hp above as good potential...just earlier today i was looking at some japanese websites that has a standings for best power in different classes. the best car in the 2wd 4cyl class was a 2.2L SR pushing 915 or so Hp!! not that 650 is weak by any means, but SR's are capable of 500+ on bone stock internals when tuned properly. but i guess you can tell your friend if he wants to be cheap than to run with it, but the old saying always applies

fast, cheap, reliable.....pick 2

Scott