Nissan Silvia S13 1.8T (175 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.9 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.5 / 5
Value 4.5 / 5
Performance 4.0 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Nissan Silvia:

The Nissan Silvia is the series of small sports cars produced by Nissan. Versions of the Silvia have been marketed as the 200SX or 240SX for export, with some export versions being sold under the Datsun brand.
The Gazelle was the twin-model of Silvia sold in Japan at different dealerships for the S110 and S12 generations; the Gazelle name was also used in Australia for the S12 generation. For the S13 generation in Japan, the Gazelle was replaced with the 180SX, which was a hatchback model of the Silvia with pop-up headlights that was also sold as the 200SX and 240SX for export purposes....(Read more on Wikipedia)

S13 Overview:

Nissan Silvia (S13). With 226 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 1160 kg, it’s quite light. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Nissan Silvia S13 was produced before modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing, thus it lacks contemporary safety features and crash test ratings.

1.8T (175 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

The CA18DET offers strong turbocharged performance, a lively character, and good tuning potential, though it's often overshadowed by the later SR20DET.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption is decent for a turbocharged engine, but can be higher under spirited driving. Requires careful maintenance for longevity.

Best Use Case: Enthusiast / Tuning Project

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Iconic styling and strong aftermarket support
  • • Excellent handling and balanced chassis
  • • Highly tunable turbocharged engines (SR20DET, CA18DET)
  • • Rear-wheel-drive layout ideal for enthusiasts and drifting
  • • Strong community and parts availability

Cons:

  • • Aging platform with potential for rust and wear
  • • Lack of modern safety features and crash ratings
  • • Fuel economy can be poor on turbo models when driven hard
  • • Increasing prices due to collector status and demand
  • • Some engines (CA18DET) have specific reliability concerns if not maintained

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(S12: 1984 - 1988).

General:
Brand:Nissan
Model:Silvia
Generation:S13
Modification (Engine):1.8T (175 Hp)
Start of production:1988
End of production:1990
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Coupe
Seats:4
Doors:2
Engine:
Power:175 Hp @ 6400 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:96.7 Hp/l [120mm more]
Torque:226 Nm @ 4000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:CA18DET More details about the engine CA18DET
Engine displacement:1809
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:4
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Turbocharger
Valvetrain:DOHC
Engine oil capacity:3.5 l
Coolant:7 l
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:83 mm mm
Piston Stroke:83.6 mm mm
Compression ratio:8.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Weight-to-power ratio:6.6 kg/Hp, 150.9 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:5.1 kg/Nm, 194.8 Nm/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:1160
Fuel tank capacity:60 l
Size:
Length:4470 mm mm [120mm more]
Width:1690 mm mm [30mm more]
Height:1290 mm mm [40mm less]
Wheelbase:2475 mm mm [45mm more]
Front track:1465 mm
Rear (Back) track:1460 mm
Minimum turning circle (turning diameter):9.4 m [above average]
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears5
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc [above average]
Tires size195/60R15
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionDependent, multi-link spring with telescopic shock absorbers

The hidden gems or the annoying flaws? Expose the truth about the Nissan Silvia!