Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engines

The Nissan 180SX / 200SX / Silvia is a Japanese sports 2-door coupe from Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Years of production – 1965-2002. The model is based on the Nissan S platform. In the Japanese market, cars are known under the name 180SX, in the European – 200SX, in the North American – 240SX. The model was produced in 7 generations. S-series cars have repeatedly become participants and winners of the professional drift competition D1 Grand Prix, held annually in Japan.

The Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia was offered with 7 engines between 1983 and 1999 (7 petrol). Displacement ranges from 1.8 to 3.0 liters, power output from 82 to 250 hp. 4 use a timing chain and 3 a timing belt. 2 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Nissan SR20DE (about 400,000 km).

Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Nissan 200SX 3 (S12) 1983–1988
Nissan VG30E1983–19883.0 L V6150–180 hppetrolbelt3.9 L~390,000 km
Nissan CA181984–19881.8 L R491–175 hppetrol, NA / turbobelt
Nissan CA201984–19882.0 L R482–110 hppetrolbelt
Nissan Silvia S12 1984–1988
Nissan CA181984–19881.8 L R491–175 hppetrol, NA / turbobelt
Nissan 180SX S13 1989–1998
Nissan CA181989–19911.8 L R491–175 hppetrol, NA / turbobelt
Nissan SR20DE1991–19982.0 L R4130–165 hppetrolchain4 L~400,000 km
Nissan Silvia S13 1989–1994
Nissan KA24E1989–19902.4 L R4115–140 hppetrolchain4.3 L~375,000 km
Nissan SR20DET1989–19942.0 L R4200–250 hppetrol, turbochain3.7 L~300,000 km
Nissan SR20DE1991–19942.0 L R4130–165 hppetrolchain4 L~400,000 km
Nissan 200SX S14 1993–1999
Nissan SR20DET1993–19992.0 L R4200–250 hppetrol, turbochain3.7 L~300,000 km
Nissan SR20DE1995–19982.0 L R4130–165 hppetrolchain4 L~400,000 km
Other Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engines generation not specified
Nissan KA24DE1988–20042.4 L R4140–155 hppetrolchain4.1 L~350,000 km

Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia?

Nissan 200SX 3 (S12) (1983–1988): Nissan VG30E, Nissan CA18 and Nissan CA20; Nissan Silvia S12 (1984–1988): Nissan CA18; Nissan 180SX S13 (1989–1998): Nissan CA18 and Nissan SR20DE; Nissan Silvia S13 (1989–1994): Nissan KA24E, Nissan SR20DET and Nissan SR20DE; Nissan 200SX S14 (1993–1999): Nissan SR20DET and Nissan SR20DE.

Which Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engines are: Nissan SR20DE — about 400,000 km; Nissan VG30E — about 390,000 km; Nissan KA24E — about 375,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Nissan KA24DE — 4.1 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40); Nissan KA24E — 4.3 L (5W-30); Nissan SR20DE — 4 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Nissan SR20DET — 3.7 L (5W-30); Nissan VG30E — 3.9 L (5W-30).

Does the Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Nissan KA24DE, Nissan KA24E, Nissan SR20DE and Nissan SR20DET; timing belt: Nissan CA18, Nissan CA20 and Nissan VG30E. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia available with a diesel engine?

No, all Nissan 180SX/200SX/Silvia engines in our database run on petrol.

Engine details

Nissan CA18

Nissan CA18

1981–1994 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 91–175 hp · belt

The timing belt must be replaced on schedule, its failure means an expensive repair.

Nissan CA20

Nissan CA20

1981–1991 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 82–110 hp · belt

Nissan VG30E

Nissan VG30E

1983–1999 · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 150–180 hp · belt

The main problem is the bending of the valves due to the breaking of the crankshaft shank.

Nissan KA24DE

Nissan KA24DE

1988–2004 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 140–155 hp · chain

Nissan KA24E

Nissan KA24E

1988–1999 · 2.4 L R4 · petrol · 115–140 hp · chain

Most often, owners complain about very high fuel consumption or oil consumption.

Nissan SR20DE

Nissan SR20DE

1989–2002 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 130–165 hp · chain

This is a fairly reliable power unit without any pronounced weaknesses. On the forums, they regularly complain only about floating speed due…

Nissan SR20DET

Nissan SR20DET

1989–2001 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 200–250 hp · chain

If you do not save on oil, this motor quietly drives more than 300 - 350 thousand km.

Models with the same engines

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