What the hell's a Silvia? Really LSD Question

[shindrifter]

Wuz up new here, just checking out the forums and found lots of arguements about what a silvia is. So what is a Silvia? Isn't it a girl's name?

Here's my opinion, shoot me if I'm wrong:

A Silvia is a Japanese RHD s13, s14, s15 with a sr or ca, with emblems and signs that says Silvia all over the car, right? So if you swapt in an sr into a 240sx and do the whole silvia conversion and signs emblems thing wouldn't that make it a Silvia? I think it does, it still have the s13, s14 chasis just LHD. I think once the KA is outta of the chasis it wouldn't be a 240 anymore because it's missing the 2.4 L required to make it a 240 because if I'm correct the chasis would still be a s13 or s14. So in essence this would make it a 200sx right? But the 200sx is a RHD s13, s14, s15 chasis with an sr or ca with RHD, but wait isn't that a Silvia? So why isn there a 200sx sign on the car. Call me crazy. So what is everybody else take on this.

Okay that's my 2 cent.

Really I just want to know about the difference in LSD made by KAAZ, Custco, and NISMO. I need one for my car and can't decide what to get, I'm willing to save up just to get the best one. So help anyone. I'm new here so don't tear me up so baddly.

[MaineExport]

Yes the chassis is the same... and yes the engine, RHD, and badging are the major differences. But (depending on the particular model), the headlights and front end details are also different.

The LSD is a good question. I have the factory VLSD for the s14... so I don't know anything about the aftermarket ones... or even the nismo LSD. The stock one works very well... and it's not too hard to find in a junk yard.

[PalmerWMD]

many like to swap in the LSD out of an Infiniti J30 into these cars. strong + work well.

Fred...

[shindrifter]

About the Silvia so it's just really minor things huh?

About the LSD is the infiniti one a VLSD? I know it's cheaper to go with a swap out but how long of a life would it last to say get a 240 LSD or just get a Silvia LSD from Japan? I'm planning to drift it hard, I don't want the plates to wear out too fast or break too early. I drove a 87 Turbo FC with lsd and it kicks ***, it really sucks tryin to drift with an open end differential, speaking of which does anybody know a good technique to drifting and open diff.? I probably should just get a base lsd for now huh? How easy would it be to put it in my 89 , I'm still new to working on my car so far alot more fun than my bucket of a CRX (no power, FWD piece of crap "I was force to buy during the time, couldn't afford a 240, but I sold to so chump, it was a really beat down bucket, just thought I should get that off my chest") Anyways any help with the LSD info? Thanks

[SWIFT_DRIFT]

does even rhd make it a silvia or 180? or do you look at the vin codes to determine a car. a PS13 is a s13 coupe w/an sr20. does that make it a silvia or not? same as an RPS13 is a s13 hatchback w/sr20 also reffered to as a 180SX. So if i take an american RHS13 (which is an american 240sx hatchback w/ka) and drop in an sr20det that would replace the engine code H with P making it an RPS13. so does that mean i now drive a 180SX or not?

just something interesting to think about

[shindrifter]

That's a good point but isn't the 180sx itself a questionable name for the car? I understand why it's called that with the CA18 but why is it still called a 180sx with the sr20? That would make it a 200sx. Anybody know why they didn't change it to that in Japan? Just curious. If the American 240sx was given an SR bumped up to 2.4L would it be called a Silvia? What does the SX at the end mean anyways, I thought the S stands for Silvia, but I don't know so someone correct me on this. Just figured that because the C in CRX stands for Civic.

Another question, Wasn't Ford the first automobile company in the world? If that is so, shouldn't every car come in LHD instead of RHD? I guess in a perfect world, all the cars drive on the same side, maybe then when we drop in a SR we can say will have a True Silvia.

Food for brians.

[SWIFT_DRIFT]

Yes you are correct the 180sx is a questionable name since it's only used in japan. However I was just using it for example purposes because I have found when I call the s-chassis cars by their European/Australian name (200sx) it's common for the more uneducated enthusiasts to think of the USDM 200sx. To me this also proves another point. Nissan was just plain silly in their naming schemes. So if there is no conformity even within the manufacturer then who says we cannot called swapped american cars a silvia/180/200 or whatnot. However I strongly believe people who are dropping the correct SR's in the correct american chassis are just fixing the mistake Nissan made a long time ago by never making the sr legal in the first place.

[shindrifter]

I agree, we should call it with what makes us comfortable. For example it's easier to say I have a 180sx than to I have a 240sx Fastback. It still don't make any sense to me why Nissan didn't just put an SR in the American models. It's like they thought lets put it in every S-chasis except for the American chasis. Why give us a more smoggy engine to deal with? I guess they figure, they got the Silvia, European/Austrialian gets a 200sx, and let's give the Americans a totally diffrent engine and use a 2.4L, because Americans like that sort of stuff, it's just silly, at least give us standard LSD. Oh yeah! what's the deal with the American 200sx (sentra)? Why didn't they just call it an SE-R from the get go?

[MaineExport]

does even rhd make it a silvia or 180? or do you look at the vin codes to determine a car. a PS13 is a s13 coupe w/an sr20. does that make it a silvia or not? same as an RPS13 is a s13 hatchback w/sr20 also reffered to as a 180SX. So if i take an american RHS13 (which is an american 240sx hatchback w/ka) and drop in an sr20det that would replace the engine code H with P making it an RPS13. so does that mean i now drive a 180SX or not?

just something interesting to think about

I thought you had a REAL 180sx sitting in your driveway anyhow?

[SWIFT_DRIFT]

I thought you had a REAL 180sx sitting in your driveway anyhow?

I do But I still hold true to my previous comments as food for thought for other USDM Nissan owners. I get sick of people bashing others down for claiming their US converted car is a Silvia or whatnot. I always hear: "Your car is not a Silvia/180sx (whatever) because it's NOT RHD!" ahhh get off your high horses people! The truth is that the US gov't Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are for LHD only vehicles. Same as the DOT's driving and traffic laws. The american transportation system is designed for LHD cars. So in my beliefs people driving US converted 240's are driving the North American version of what Nissan never sold.

[KoukiS14]

Things a Silvia has that a 240sx doesn't, feel free to add (comparing S14 chassis, incidentally [240sx se / le to K's):

-sr20det engine-different headlights-different turn signals-diifferent bumper (yes, even zenki)-larger 4 piston brakes (easy swap tho)-tighter ratio steering, super HICAS rear wheel steering system-optional heads up display-auto climate control-seatbelt extenders-painted center stack-different cloth on seats (no leather)-power folding rear view mirrors -stiffer springs (again, part of HICAS package, just as in USDM S13s-Different steering wheel in later model S14s (we retained the original S14 airbag steering wheel... a MOMO wheel was optional-no cruise control (as with all japanese cars)-different tail lights (yes, because the ends have no place to put a bulb, illumination is no required in Japan)

Actually, as years progress from zenki to kouki (94-95 and 96-98, respectively) there are quite a number of differences, as we in the u.s. maintained the original S14 rear wing and bumper, and some other bits. .

Again, feel free to add anything.

You can make a 200sx, but good luck making an actual silvia. . (and there's NOTHING wrong with a 200sx )

[nlzmo400r]

I do But I still hold true to my previous comments as food for thought for other USDM Nissan owners. I get sick of people bashing others down for claiming their US converted car is a Silvia or whatnot. I always hear: "Your car is not a Silvia/180sx (whatever) because it's NOT RHD!" ahhh get off your high horses people! The truth is that the US gov't Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are for LHD only vehicles. Same as the DOT's driving and traffic laws. The american transportation system is designed for LHD cars. So in my beliefs people driving US converted 240's are driving the North American version of what Nissan never sold.

couldnt agree more about hte RHD/LHD ordeal, if i were to buy an r34 gt-r vpec skyline from japan, have it shipped and legalized through motorex and have it converted to LHD, is it still a skyline??, HELL YEA IT IS, and as far as that perfect world about all steering wheels being on the same side, MR. Murray had that idea, he put the steering wheel in the perfect position for the driver (why did america and japan not catch on to this 3seater idea instead of hte 2seater?) he invented the McLaren F1, which as most people know is one of hte greatets supercars ever built, 6.1 liters of v12 bmw power, 627hp, ahhh, wouldnt mind having one myself

[Megaseth]

As for the question about why the SR wasnt put in the 240 here in the US....Nissan was suffering from poor 300zx sales. the car was like $40k for the n/a and around $60k for the turbo. so, why would nissan bring out a car for $20k, that has $205hp on tap with the EEEAAASSSY ability to make more that competes with the NA 300zx that has 222hp. the car would sell TONs more than the Z, and the Z was the flagship supercar nissan decided to import here in the US. what if Nissan brought the Skyline, $45k for a car that can compete with a Z and make gobs more power if worked on right. then again, the Z boys and the Skyline boys dont like each other too much the Nissan family.

[Thee 240sx Owner]

i think i got lost when we started talk bout which is the right way to call a USDM 240...

[KoukiS14]

i think i got lost when we started talk bout which is the right way to call a USDM 240...

looks like you got it right... USDM 240...240sx whichever, but it's not a silvia.

[nlzmo400r]

As for the question about why the SR wasnt put in the 240 here in the US....Nissan was suffering from poor 300zx sales. the car was like $40k for the n/a and around $60k for the turbo. so, why would nissan bring out a car for $20k, that has $205hp on tap with the EEEAAASSSY ability to make more that competes with the NA 300zx that has 222hp. the car would sell TONs more than the Z, and the Z was the flagship supercar nissan decided to import here in the US. what if Nissan brought the Skyline, $45k for a car that can compete with a Z and make gobs more power if worked on right. then again, the Z boys and the Skyline boys dont like each other too much the Nissan family.

the n/a models sold for about 33k or so, and the TT models in the 4ok ballpark, not 6o

[Megaseth]

really? i thought i read that the TT were around $50-$60k with the later models. they were getting really expensive towards the end of its life.

[KoukiS14]

Yeah, generally ~45k for a fully loaded TT Z32.

[KoukiS14]

I notice in Japan, internal competition must not seem to be much of an issue. . look at Nissan's lineup, especially from a few years ago. . they offer vehicles that can compete with each other, just to satisfy many tastes.

Competition between Silvia and N/A Z32 wouldn't have been so fierce over there, because unlike here, the primary motivation to buy a car isn't nearly as money-motivated as it is here.