Silvia Chassis FAQ and Articles

[NeedCAforS13]

S13 Series Chassis

Introduced late in 1988: Three body styles (coupe, hatch, convertible). From 1988 to 1991, Japanese market cars feature CA18DE and CA18DET engines. USA gets KA24E from 1988 to 1991 and the KA24DE from 1991 until the S13 chassis was discontinued in the USA in 1994. HICAS (4-wheel steering) available as an option on domestic and export cars (restrictions in some trim levels). In Japan, trim levels were J's, Q's and K's. K's are generally turbocharged although I am told it was possible to order a normally aspirated K's but this would be unusual.

Non-Japanese model cars have pop-up lights, while the Japanese cars have either fixed rectangular lights (Silvia), or the pop-up lights(180SX). Chassis Numbering on S13's:89-91 Silvia: S13 (1.8L - CA18DE(T))91-93 Silvia: PS13 (2.0L - SR20DE(T))89-91 180SX: RS13 (1.8L - CA18DE(T))91-98 180SX: RPS13 (2.0L - SR20DE(T)

Autospeed Magazine, October 1, 2002. Issue 200:

Within the imported S13 Nissan range, the Silvia is seen as the poor cousin to the 180SX - and the CA18 engine is seen as the footstool of the SR20. Despite this, the CA18DET powered Silvia shapes up as a very impressive overall package...

The Silvia chassis is the same as the popular 180SX - it's a purist's delight with front-engine and rear-drive.CA-powered Silvias were released in Japan during 1989 and continued until late 1990 or early 1991, when the SR engines took over.

Tech-wise, the CA18DET is a single turbo, air-to-air intercooled, DOHC, 16-valve 1.8-litre four cylinder. Induction air is drawn through an airflow meter, the turbocharger is a water-cooled Garrett T25 unit, compression ratio is 8.5:1 and the mixture is sparked by direct-fire ignition. The CA twin-cam turbo has a Japanese quoted output of 130kW (175Hp) at 6400 rpm and 225Nm (165ft/lbs) of torque at 4000; on the blacktop, though, it's not as rpm-hungry as its peak power and torque rpm figures might suggest. Certainly, the CA18DET is a very different beast to the SR20DET, but Nissan has carefully selected the gearing to keep the engine on-song - top gear has the crankshaft spinning at 1000 rpm for every 35 km/h of road speed. From 3000 rpm the turbocharger is boosting torque noticeably and - in our stock standard test vehicle - the torque is held to about 1000 rpm shy of the 7500 redline.

In standard form, the 5-speed CA18DET Silvia - which weighs around 1150kg kilograms - can thrash its way to 100 kays an hour in around low-to-mid 7 seconds; the standard viscous LSD makes it quite easy to hook up off the line.

If you've always written off the CA18DET as 'loser engine', its performance might surprise you!

The CA18DET's 20kW power deficit to the SR20DET can be easily bridged with a few aftermarket bolt-ons. Just whack on a 3-inch exhaust, high-flow intake and you should have it all over the standard SR - expect around 160kW.

If you want to take things further, our next step would be an upgrade intercooler and a bit more boost. For anything over about 180kW you'll need a bigger turbo, management upgrade and a revised fuelling system.

Feel free to add any articles or chassis facts you find!

Sean