Silvia PS13

DreXeL

DreXeL

DreXeL

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Another day, another 'tell me about' thread :rolleyes:

I've been looking at the PS13 Silvia, with the right wheels and subtle bodykit I really like the looks of these cars, but what are they like to drive? I don't really know a huge amout about them other than they are powered by the SR20DET, which is a pretty reliable and tunable engine is it not?

What do they handle like? I'm not expecting them to be razor sharp, and they don't have an LSD as standard AFAIK, but they aren't totally crap round corners are they?

This one in particular has caught my eye, it looks like an absolute minter:

http://www.tradecarview.com/stock/detail.aspx?sid=1164776

I would have enough left over to change the wheels, I would get a set of Rota Grid-Drift wheels, here is a crap photochop to give you an idea:

PS13.jpg


That looks fantastic IMO, although I am aware the looks of the PS13 are marmite. But looks aside, what are they actually like as cars?
 
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not sure about the LSD bit (i thought they all came with them?), but hugely capable car and sublime handling with a very tuneable engine. as you probably know a drifters favourite aside from the S13 200sx so they must handle pretty well :)
 
Not 100% sure about LSD on those ones, but the uk RS13 had an LSD as standard after the facelift in '90. SR20DET is pretty tough+reliable afaik, much moreso then the CA18DET anyway (but not quite as interesting, or something....I've read anyway). ~270bhp is easy and cheap though ;)
 
They do have a Viscous LSD as standard. Pretty cool cars, should be pretty similar to a 180SX in terms of the drive, reliability and so on (confusingly, the 180SX is actually the name given to the car that is equivalent to the S13 200SX over here, but was continued after the S14 was released, and fitted with an SR20DET)
 
Pretty sure that the 180sx was stopped after the S14 was released, and then brought out again in '97 or something, as a runout model with slightly different bodykit etc
 
nicRob said:
Pretty sure that the 180sx was stopped after the S14 was released, and then brought out again in '97 or something, as a runout model with slightly different bodykit etc
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Yeah, I've seen some '97/98 180's on the import sites, seemed weird looking at an S13 that is newer than an S14/14A.
 
The SR20DET is a reliable engine as long as its been looked after regular oil changes every 6K or before, service history is vital.

There is a common problem with the SR20DET VVT rattle which makes the car sound like a diesel this usually occurs when you first start it up in the morning and when the engine is warm, but as soon as you start to move it should disappear. The problem relies with the camshaft sprocket this wears out over time.

As far as im aware the noise does cause any detremental affect to the engine reliablitiy wise just annoying, the only other problem would be a reduction in low down torque if the sproket has worn really bad.

As for additional power very easy to get power out of them without that much cost. All really depends on what you wish to aim for my current aim for my S14a is 350bhp with an eventual push to 400 or beyond.

Daz
 
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No, the 180SX was a different line to the Silvia. 180SX is what was known as the 200SX over here. Released in '89 with the CA18DET, a year after the Silvia (in OP) which also had CA18DET. In '91 both of them were changed to SR20DET (but the UK market still had CA18). The S14 Silvia was released in '93 (94 over here as 200SX) but the 180SX stayed in production until '98.
 
The std S13 and S14 that I've driven have been very much in the "GT" area to drive, i.e. a little soft when compared to a genuine sports car. Fine for a combo of long journeys and quick blasts, but won't set your hair on fire.
Having said that, fairly easy to mod, which should be right up your street. Strip some weight out, firm up the suspension and they're a seriously good motor.
 
nice engines, any reason why you;d get a PS13 over an S14/a, or even an S15? The PS13 does look cheap option though...

ive still got a few bits left from my nissan, like ECUTalk (PC connector for ECU), and solid steel NISMO blillet oil filter. im not trying to trade here but give me a shout if your interested:)

i also know a couple of peoples who had 200sx inc one who wrote his off just last week...and still managed to flog the written off carcass for over £600!
 
Nickg said:
nice engines, any reason why you;d get a PS13 over an S14/a, or even an S15? The PS13 does look cheap option though...
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The PS13 just 'does it' for me (with the right kit/wheels).

I have looked at a few S14/As, I don't really like the looks of them as standard though, there are some nicely modded ones that I have looked at and am considering, they push my budget right to the limit, but that's OK for the right car. They are still an option :)

As for the S15, gorgeous cars and I'd love one, but for my budget it would be an N/A, and even then it would be pushing it because they have to go though an ESVA as they are less than 10 years old.
 
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the ps13 with the sr20det performance seems more on par with the s15 than s14 there very quick and i think the ps13 looks better than the s14 imo, next to the s15 its the best of the silvia's.
 
thedazman67 said:
The SR20DET is a reliable engine as long as its been looked after regular oil changes every 6K or before, service history is vital.

There is a common problem with the SR20DET VVT rattle which makes the car sound like a diesel this usually occurs when you first start it up in the morning and when the engine is warm, but as soon as you start to move it should disappear. The problem relies with the camshaft sprocket this wears out over time.

As far as im aware the noise does cause any detremental affect to the engine reliablitiy wise just annoying, the only other problem would be a reduction in low down torque if the sproket has worn really bad.

As for additional power very easy to get power out of them without that much cost. All really depends on what you wish to aim for my current aim for my S14a is 350bhp with an eventual push to 400 or beyond.

Daz
Click to expand...

The VVT engine would be the sr20ve but the sr20det is just standard with turbo?

The rattle in the morning on cold starts would be the timing chain and just needs the tensioner adjusting / replaced (or not even that because chain driven cars do that when cold anyway)

The engines are very reliable!! and you can get to 400bhp easy without changing the internals!
 
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The 'black-top' SR20DET (as fitted to the S14/A) has VVT, the 'red-top' in the PS13 doesn't.
 
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