US Silvia scene

[MK]

Hi US owners
Im an Australian living in Sydney and for my own information and car club I was wanting to know a bit about the 240SX seeing as we get th occasional lost american stumbling through the website and no one there knows anything about KA motors.
Jus FYI the S13-PS13 was never exported to Australia, which means that we have to import ours from Japan, funnily enough we got the S12, 14 and 15 but the 13 never made it here.
But thats kind of good in its own way as the export models that hit our shores are far below par from what the JDM is in terms of build quality and features. They are still much the same in appearance, just that the motors get de-tuned to run on 98RON fuel and most you dont get a lot of factory options that matter- the options that make them go faster, brake and handle better. (A relatively common theme for Jap export products amongst a lot of other brands too)

So, is the 240SX a local or import manufactured car? I see a lot of pictures of 240SX's that are what we import over here- a 180SX and then just to confuse me even more there are some which have the 180SX type front and the S13 Silvia coupe rear panels!
What we'd call a One-via or Sileighty panel configuration, the question is why did they bring out that sort of configuration for the US? (All the Asian export market got the standard Silvia S13 panels.)
Did you guys ever get the SR20DE and DET motors or was it the KA24 motor only? The only thing I know about KA's is that they came out here locally in work vans and utility's so I thought it was a bloody strange idea sticking it in a performance car.
Guess its not much of a problem though to pick up an S14 half-cut and yoink the SR20DE(T) out of it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Ive had my PS13 Silvia K's Series II for over a year now and she's possibly the best car Ive ever owned. Its a 1991 model with the SR20DET motor and 78,000km on it, not a lot done to it so far in the way of mods-
lowered Koni's, Aero front bar, Saltflat rear wing, Racingbeat 16'x7.5' alloys, 3' Dump pipe-Highflow 3' Catalytic-3.5' catback to a 120mm exhaust, leather interior. Later Im sticking a turbo out of an R33 GTST in it and doing some work on getting a front mounted IC for her to run a bit cooler.
Theres a few pic's here-
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/muhkies/car.html

" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/muhkies/car.html

</a>
My friend and cruising buddy Earle has a JDM S15 which he recently imported, Its f*cking sexy and makes mine look slow by standing still... (yeah, Im jealous but at least I dont have the crippling loan either!) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
<a href="http://members.optushome.com.au/s15silvia/

Anyway," target="_blank">http://members.optushome.com.au/s15silvia/

Anyway,</a> thanks for any questions you can answer
regards
MK

[misnomer]

Fearsome. Well, here's the breakdown on all s-chassis Nissans we've gotten under the 240sx badge. All have been made at a plant back in Japan.

s13:
Sold here from '89 to '94. The '89 and '90 model s13s use a SOHC engine, and have a slightly different front end from the '91 and up DOHCs. I'll go into more engine detail later on.
Coupe: What you call a one-via we call the '89 to '93 240sx coupe.
Fastback: A 180sx with a different engine and different taillights (see my baby in my avatar).
Convertible: Made from ~'92 on, it's a coupe with a ragtop, also the only model sold in '94.

No Silvia style (fixed projector light) front ends hit our shores for regular sale, though many have gotten them off of clips and made sileighty bodies out of them.

s14: Only came as a coupe, and should look pretty much identical to what y'all get over there. Kouki (rounded nose) in '95 and '96, and Zenki (squished nose) in '97 and '98.

Unfortunately, the '98 240sx was the last one we saw. . .

Powerplant:
KA24E: The '89 and '90 models are powered by a 140 hp, 156 ft lb SOHC four banger with 2.4 liters of displacement.
KA24DE: The '91 and on models have the same 2.4 liter block, with dual overhead cams and a few other minor tweaks. It pushes 155 hp with 160 lbs of torque. The s14 engines did get a bit beefier bottom end and a slightly lower gear ratio, but no change on the engines actual performance.

The engine has it's roots as a utility engine, designed with pickup use in mind. The one they stuck in the 240sx had a couple significant changes, primarily the piston oil squirters. It's renouned for it's torqueyness, something us Americans tend to like in our cars <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>, and it's bulletproof iron block. I've heard of KAs modded past 600 horsepower, and all current intercooled turbo kits for them should put them just ahead of the red top sr20dets found in the 180sx and earlier Silvias. Which engine is better is still hotly debated. From the factory, there's absolutely no doubt the sr20det will spank the ka24de, but with a l'il work both are #### fine powerplants.

The 240sx was never intended as a flagship sports car here in the states, Nissan was focussing those efforts on the Z cars (300zx at the time).

Very slick looking car, btw.

[LanceS13]

I'll try to answer a few of your questions.
The &quot;One-via&quot; is a 240SX Coupe here. &nbsp;The &quot;180SX&quot; is a 240SX Fastback here. &nbsp;In the early '90s, Americans seemed to prefer pop-up lights as opposed to fixed lights. &nbsp;So they used the pop-ups from what you know as the 180SX on the Siilvia Coupe body. &nbsp;We never got the fixed headlight Silvia version.
The 240SX never came with the SR or CA series motors. &nbsp;Nissan though it was cheaper to put in an engine that was already set up to pass stricter US emissions laws and wasn't much weaker than the CA18DET at 155hp/160lb.ft. torque (it's usually harder for a turbo engine to pass emissions than an n/a engine). &nbsp;However, when all the Japanese/Australian/European models went to the more powerful SR series, we were still stuck with the KA. &nbsp;It's not a horrible motor at all, though....gobs of torque for a n/a 4 cyl., but it does leave one wanting for a better top end. &nbsp;This engine was the powerplant for the S14's also until US production ceased in '98. &nbsp;No S15's here.
Hope I helped. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[LanceS13]

dammit, misnomer beat me to it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
However, I don't think all overseas 180SX came with &quot;different&quot; circle style tail lights. I think that was just available for the 180SX Type X, or maybe after a certain model year...or something like that. &nbsp;The rest should be the red bar/amber bar tails just like all the US 240SX.

(Edited by LanceS13 at 1:52 am on Jan. 17, 2002)

[Fahaka]

OK lets see;

US market S13's &amp; S14's are manufactured in Japan and imported to the states. The S13 was available in 2(240SX) trims, it came as a coupe (this could be refered to as a one-via because of the 180SX front end on the Silvia Rear) and as a hatchback or also called a fastback, which is the same as your 180SX (minus the SR20 power plant).

All 240SX's came with the iron block KA24 motor in either an &quot;E&quot; SOHC '89-'90 or a &quot;DE&quot;DOHC'91-'98 configuration. Not exactly the &quot;ready to make more power&quot; engine that the SR20DET is. However the aftermarket is catching up with the KA24DE and we are seeing some good results. For example, I just recently rode in a 470hp (450+lb/ft) S13 coupe with a KA24DE+T, it was a torque monster. It's just not designed to spin like the SR.

Yes there is also a widespread movement of SR transplants that has spawned its own little cottage industry here in the states, where they are importing SR equipped front clips for donor swaps.

I currently own a '96 S14 with the KA24DE, it is pretty much stock, but I plan on installing a turbo soon. The major concern with turbocharging the KA is in the pistons. They should be replaced with forged units at around 300hp or so, and stock fuel system needs help also above 5psi or so.

By the way I hear old American muscle parts are quite valuble in Austrailia, is this true? If so I live in Arizona and have some of the best salvage yards in the country at my finger tips.....perhaps we could swap some stuff?



(Edited by Fahaka at 12:54 am on Jan. 17, 2002)

[DuffMan]

Actually I thought only the later 180sx's had the round style headlights. I assumed the earlier ones were like ours. Is this correct?

[MK]

Thanks fellas for the hospitality and finding some answers.

The JDM 180SX had the round tail lights around '94 model, thats the earliest one Ive seen over here owned by a clubmate. They seem to be picking up in popularity over here, My flatmates both had 180SX's, one was a '91 SR20DET and the other (before it was destroyed) was a CA18DET stroked to 2L and at full boost could put down 408hp at the rear wheels... well that was until some unlicenced 16yr old kid in his mums Toyota &quot;ramped&quot; it at the lights- RIP big purple beast <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

With regards to the KA and SR debate Im not even going to touch that, we're all probably pretty well read enough to know what each can do. Horses for courses (I wouldnt give up my SR20DET though!)
Its kind of funny though that we get the SR20 over here as well instead of the KA, Americans and Aussies have very similar tastes in engines, large sixes and V8's have been a mainstay for domestic cars for as long as I can remember. My other car is a '74 Ford Landau 351, though she mostly sits in the garage because its too #### rare to be cut loose on the street and my Silvia can flog it senseless anyway in a straight up drag, the ford does drag caravans along quite nicely though!!!
Which brings me to the point of car owner demographics-
Some people dont care whats in it (the vast majority)
Some people will modify it a little (a small minority)
Some people will go nuts on mods (a very small minority)

For the vast majority of folks who just dont need a high-po engine the torquey and simple engine is great because it lasts for ages and wont need much attention. It also means that the manufacturer wont have to be worried about good engines being used by monkeys <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> (you know the type, water and oil optional...)
Some of us out there like a bit of a blast everynow and then so they dont mind an engine that needs high RON fuel, synthetic oils and &nbsp;regular servicing to offset the fact they have a potential monster under the hood.
Then, theres the car-crazy people, everyone sort of wishes they could throw 30k at an engine and have some uber-powerful engine. It dosnt matter what type of engine it is to some of these people, KA, CA, SR, they dont care as long as it cracks 500hp plus! It also means that they blow up like a grenade every 200 or so miles, but hey, thats what they like.

Thats the way I see it anyway, the funny thing is that some of these company's who put lesser components in their export models are starting to get savaged horribly by the buyers, who wont buy them and the car-press are just burning them so badly. At some stage I think its going to turn around and bite them on the arse! So they'll have to ship high quality JDM products to keep up, mind you that does eat into the domestic cars, but hey, if they want our money then they better make them honey. (which they dont, and thats the reason I drive a full import, 'casue the local boxes on wheels are sh-te)

With the big US muscle cars its a bit of a problem over here, we can get them cheap enough freighted over here... BUT
It costs the earth to convert them over to right-hand drive, then you have to get an engineers cert and all up it can cost 10-15K just to do that- on top of the cost of the car!
Things like engines, big engines are popular amongst the drag scene, even some tradesmen like to hunt down a 454 or 502 and drop it in a work truck but its all done privately. At the moment the US-AU $ exchange rate sucks really badly too so its not something Im going to start up. I will talk to a mate of mine (who imported my car) and ask if he's interested, but most of the business done is for collectors and he just imports JDM and Porsches for something really special. In his spare time he races a 684kw R32GTR which I can only dream about, he's not going to let me drive it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Anyway, if I come across any lost americans looking for info on the KA I'll send 'em this way.
Thanks again
MK

[sykikchimp]

I just wanted to comment that the 180sx on that site has AWESOME interior. &nbsp;I gotta do that. &nbsp;My jaw hit the floor. &nbsp;wow. &nbsp;Mighty nice Silvia you got too.. very clean.

[KoukiS14]

&quot;s14: Only came as a coupe, and should look pretty much identical to what y'all get over there. Kouki (rounded nose) in '95 and '96, and Zenki (squished nose) in '97 and '98. &quot;

Actually. . backward lol

Sorry =)

I'll stop

-Rob

[MK]

Yeah, the 180SX got sold back 2 days ago <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>
Both interiors on the Silvia (PRN57R) and the 180SX (OWNZED) where done at the same time through a friend who owns an upholstoring shop. We bought the leather in bulk and saved a heap of $$$ for the work getting it done.

Brightens up the interior a lot on the S13's which tended to be pretty #### ugly on the JDM cars, gives them a bit of a european feel to them and a lot less 'plasticy'.

What type of interior did the US get in their 240's?
The JDM tended to be dark grey cloth weave, which is dull and boring and went all the way to 'baby poo' brown tweed which will make you puke <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[LanceS13]

hah...I got the baby poo brown tweed. &nbsp;I've learned to overlook it for now, but it's eventually going to black/gray...eventually.:)