Key Specifications
| Spec |
S13 Silvia / 180SX |
S14 Silvia |
S15 Silvia |
| Production Years |
1988-1993 (Silvia) / 1989-1998 (180SX) |
1993-1998 |
1999-2002 |
| Chassis Code |
S13 (Silvia) / RPS13 (180SX) |
S14 |
S15 |
| Manufacturer |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. |
|
|
| Assembly |
Nissan Shatai, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan |
|
|
| Body Styles |
2-door coupe (Silvia), 3-door fastback (180SX) |
2-door coupe |
2-door coupe |
| Layout |
Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
|
|
| Wheelbase |
2,475 mm |
2,525 mm |
2,525 mm |
| Overall Length |
4,470 mm (Silvia) / 4,520 mm (180SX) |
4,520 mm |
4,445 mm |
| Overall Width |
1,690 mm |
1,730 mm |
1,695 mm |
| Overall Height |
1,290 mm (Silvia) / 1,290 mm (180SX) |
1,295 mm |
1,285 mm |
| Kerb Weight |
1,150-1,220 kg |
1,200-1,280 kg |
1,210-1,260 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity |
55 L |
65 L |
55 L |
| Boot Capacity |
~240 L |
~260 L |
~235 L |
Engine Specifications
CA18DET, S13 (1988-1991)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve |
| Displacement |
1,809 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
83.0 mm x 83.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.5:1 |
| Power |
127 kW (175 hp) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque |
235 Nm (174 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Turbocharger |
Garrett T25, internally wastegated |
| Boost Pressure (stock) |
0.5 bar (7 psi) |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Timing belt |
| Oil Capacity |
3.2 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
7.0 L |
| Redline |
7,500 rpm |
CA18DE, S13 NA (1988-1991)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve |
| Displacement |
1,809 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
83.0 mm x 83.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
9.5:1 |
| Power |
99 kW (135 hp) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque |
167 Nm (123 lb-ft) @ 5,200 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
SR20DET "Red Top", S13 (1991-1993)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve |
| Displacement |
1,998 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
86.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.5:1 |
| Power |
147 kW (205 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque |
275 Nm (203 lb-ft) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Turbocharger |
Garrett T25, internally wastegated |
| Boost Pressure (stock) |
0.55 bar (8 psi) |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Timing chain |
| Oil Capacity |
3.4 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
7.5 L |
| Redline |
7,500 rpm |
SR20DET "Black Top", S14 (1993-1998)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve |
| Displacement |
1,998 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
86.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.5:1 |
| Power |
147 kW (200 hp) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque |
275 Nm (203 lb-ft) @ 4,800 rpm |
| Turbocharger |
Garrett T28, internally wastegated |
| Boost Pressure (stock) |
0.55 bar (8 psi) |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Timing chain |
| Oil Capacity |
3.4 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
7.5 L |
| Redline |
7,500 rpm |
SR20DET "Black Top VVT", S15 Spec-R (1999-2002)
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT (intake) |
| Displacement |
1,998 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
86.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.5:1 |
| Power |
184 kW (250 hp) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque |
275 Nm (203 lb-ft) @ 4,800 rpm |
| Turbocharger |
Garrett T28 (larger compressor housing) |
| Boost Pressure (stock) |
0.75 bar (11 psi) |
| Variable Valve Timing |
Intake cam (continuous variable) |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
| Block Material |
Cast iron |
| Head Material |
Aluminium alloy |
| Camshaft Drive |
Timing chain |
| Oil Capacity |
3.4 L (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity |
7.5 L |
| Redline |
7,500 rpm |
SR20DE, All Models NA
| Spec |
Value |
| Configuration |
Inline 4, DOHC, 16-valve |
| Displacement |
1,998 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
86.0 mm x 86.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
9.5:1 (S13) / 10.0:1 (S14/S15) |
| Power |
104 kW (S13) / 118 kW (S14/S15) @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque |
186 Nm (S13) / 190 Nm (S14/S15) @ 4,800 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Electronic multipoint injection |
Transmission Options
| Transmission |
Type |
Gears |
Applications |
| Nissan FS5W71C |
Manual |
5-speed |
S13 SR20DET/CA18DET |
| Nissan FS5R30A |
Manual |
5-speed |
S14 SR20DET (some markets) |
| Nissan FS5W71C |
Manual |
5-speed |
S14 SR20DET (standard) |
| Nissan |
Manual |
6-speed |
S15 Spec-R only |
| Nissan RE4R01A |
Automatic |
4-speed |
S13/S14/S15 (select models) |
Gear Ratios (5-Speed, S13/S14)
| Gear |
Ratio |
| 1st |
3.321 |
| 2nd |
1.902 |
| 3rd |
1.308 |
| 4th |
1.000 |
| 5th |
0.759 |
| Reverse |
3.382 |
Gear Ratios (6-Speed, S15 Spec-R)
| Gear |
Ratio |
| 1st |
3.794 |
| 2nd |
2.324 |
| 3rd |
1.624 |
| 4th |
1.271 |
| 5th |
1.000 |
| 6th |
0.794 |
| Reverse |
3.560 |
Differential
| Spec |
Base Model |
Sport Model |
| Type |
Open |
Viscous LSD (S13/S14) / Helical LSD (S15 Spec-R) |
| Final Drive Ratio |
4.083:1 (S13) / 4.083:1 (S14) / 4.083:1 (S15) |
|
| Upgraded Options |
Aftermarket 2-way LSD (Cusco, Kaaz, OS Giken) |
|
Suspension
S13
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Independent, MacPherson strut |
Independent, multi-link |
| Springs |
Coil |
Coil |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar |
Yes |
Yes (SR20DET models) |
S14
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Independent, multi-link |
Independent, multi-link |
| Springs |
Coil |
Coil |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar |
Yes |
Yes |
S15
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Independent, multi-link |
Independent, multi-link |
| Springs |
Coil |
Coil |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar |
Yes |
Yes |
Steering
| Spec |
S13 |
S14 |
S15 |
| Type |
Rack and pinion, power-assisted |
Rack and pinion, power-assisted |
Rack and pinion, power-assisted |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock |
2.8 |
2.9 |
2.8 |
| Turning Circle |
10.2 m |
10.6 m |
10.4 m |
| Steering Angle (stock) |
~35 degrees |
~36 degrees |
~37 degrees |
Brakes
| Component |
S13 |
S14 |
S15 |
| Front Type |
Ventilated disc |
Ventilated disc |
Ventilated disc |
| Front Diameter |
257 mm |
280 mm |
280 mm (Spec-S) / 296 mm (Spec-R) |
| Rear Type |
Solid disc |
Solid disc |
Solid disc |
| Rear Diameter |
258 mm |
258 mm |
292 mm |
| ABS |
Optional |
Standard (most variants) |
Standard |
Performance (approximate, period road tests)
| Model |
0-100 km/h |
Quarter Mile |
Top Speed |
| S13 CA18DET (manual) |
7.5 s |
~15.5 s |
210 km/h |
| S13 SR20DET (manual) |
6.5 s |
~14.8 s |
225 km/h |
| S14 SR20DET (manual) |
6.5 s |
~14.7 s |
230 km/h |
| S15 Spec-R (manual) |
5.9 s |
~14.2 s |
235 km/h (limited) |
| S15 Spec-S (manual) |
8.5 s |
~16.5 s |
200 km/h |
Japanese market cars were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The speed limiter is easily removed.
Fuel Economy (approximate)
| Model |
L/100 km (combined) |
| S13 CA18DET (manual) |
9-11 |
| S13 SR20DET (manual) |
9-12 |
| S14 SR20DET (manual) |
9-12 |
| S15 Spec-R (manual) |
9-12 |
| S15 Spec-S (manual) |
8-10 |
| Modified SR20DET (250+ kW) |
12-18+ |
Wheels and Tyres
| Model |
Standard Wheel |
Standard Tyre |
| S13 Silvia (base) |
14 x 5.5J steel |
185/70R14 |
| S13 Silvia (SR20DET) |
15 x 6J alloy |
195/60R15 |
| S13 180SX (SR20DET) |
15 x 6J alloy |
195/60R15 |
| S14 (base) |
15 x 6J alloy |
195/65R15 |
| S14 (SR20DET) |
16 x 6.5J alloy |
205/55R16 |
| S15 Spec-S |
16 x 6.5J alloy |
205/55R16 |
| S15 Spec-R |
17 x 7J alloy |
215/45R17 |
Common aftermarket sizes: 17 x 8J or 17 x 9J with 215/45R17 or 225/45R17 tyres. For drift use, wider rear wheels (17 x 9J or 17 x 9.5J) with stretched tyres are common.
Electrical
| Spec |
Value |
| Battery |
12V |
| Alternator |
70A (S13) / 80A (S14) / 90A (S15) |
| Spark Plugs |
NGK PFR6B-11 (SR20DET) / NGK BKR6E-11 (SR20DE) |
| Spark Plug Gap |
1.1 mm |
| Ignition System |
Distributorless, coil pack (S13/S14) / coil-on-plug (S15) |
| ECU |
Nissan ECCS |
| Diagnostic |
Consult system |
| Headlights |
Pop-up (180SX S13) / Fixed (Silvia S13, S14, S15) |
Fluid Capacities
| Fluid |
Capacity |
| Engine Oil (with filter), SR20 |
3.4 L |
| Engine Oil (with filter), CA18 |
3.2 L |
| Coolant |
7.0-7.5 L |
| Manual Gearbox (5-speed) |
2.0 L |
| Manual Gearbox (6-speed) |
2.3 L |
| Differential |
1.3 L |
| Fuel Tank |
55 L (S13/S15) / 65 L (S14) |
Service Intervals
| Service Item |
Interval |
| Engine oil and filter |
5,000 km or 3 months |
| Spark plugs |
20,000 km |
| Timing chain (inspect) |
100,000 km |
| Timing belt (CA18 only, replace) |
100,000 km |
| Coolant |
2 years or 40,000 km |
| Brake fluid |
12 months |
| Gearbox oil |
30,000 km |
| Differential oil |
20,000 km |
| Air filter |
20,000 km |
Engine Oil Specifications
| Specification |
Value |
| Recommended Grade, SR20DET |
10W-40 or 5W-30 semi-synthetic / fully synthetic |
| Recommended Grade, SR20DE |
10W-30 or 5W-30 |
| Track Use Grade, SR20DET |
10W-50 fully synthetic |
| Capacity (with filter) |
3.4 L (SR20) / 3.2 L (CA18) |
| API Rating |
SG or higher |
Model Variants
S13 (1988-1998)
| Variant |
Engine |
Key Features |
| Silvia J's |
CA18DE / SR20DE |
Base model, fixed headlights |
| Silvia Q's |
CA18DET / SR20DET |
Turbo, cloth interior, fixed headlights |
| Silvia K's |
CA18DET / SR20DET |
Turbo, better trim, aero body kit |
| 180SX Type I |
CA18DE / SR20DE |
NA, pop-up headlights |
| 180SX Type II |
CA18DET / SR20DET |
Turbo, pop-up headlights |
| 180SX Type III |
SR20DET |
Top spec, LSD, pop-up headlights |
S14 (1993-1998)
| Variant |
Engine |
Key Features |
| J's |
SR20DE |
Base model, NA |
| Q's |
SR20DET |
Turbo, cloth interior |
| K's |
SR20DET |
Turbo, better trim, aero kit, viscous LSD |
| 200SX (Aust.) |
SR20DET |
Australian-delivered, SR20DET, 5-speed |
S15 (1999-2002)
| Variant |
Engine |
Key Features |
| Spec-S |
SR20DE |
NA, 5-speed or auto |
| Spec-S b-package |
SR20DE |
NA with body kit and aero |
| Spec-R |
SR20DET |
Turbo, 6-speed manual, helical LSD, larger brakes |
| Spec-R b-package |
SR20DET |
Spec-R with body kit and aero |
| Autech Varietta |
SR20DE |
Convertible (powered folding hardtop), ~1,500 built |
Production Numbers (approximate, all markets)
| Model |
Total Production |
| S13 Silvia |
~300,000 |
| S13 180SX |
~180,000 |
| S14 Silvia |
~240,000 |
| S15 Silvia |
~45,000 |
The S15's low production number (relative to S13 and S14) contributes significantly to its value.
Identification
Chassis number location: Stamped on the firewall (engine bay side) and on the compliance plate (driver's door jamb).
Engine number location: Stamped on the right-hand side of the block (SR20) or on the front of the block (CA18).
Chassis number format:
- S13 Silvia: S13-xxxxxx
- 180SX: RPS13-xxxxxx (turbo) / RS13-xxxxxx (NA)
- S14 Silvia: S14-xxxxxx
- S15 Silvia: S15-xxxxxx
Engine identification by rocker cover:
- Red cover = SR20DET "red top" (S13)
- Black cover = SR20DET "black top" (S14/S15)
- Silver/unpainted cover = SR20DE (all models, NA)
- CA18 covers are smaller and positioned differently