S13
Nissan Silvia (S13)
S13 Silvia, K's model (CA18 revision)
Production 1988–1993
Body style(s) 2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 1.8 L DOHC-I4 (CA18DE)
1.8 L DOHC Turbo-I4 (CA18DET)
2.0 L DOHC-I4 (SR20DE), 140 PS
2.0 L DOHC Turbo-I4 (SR20DET), 205 PS
Transmission(s) 5-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
Wheelbase 97.4 in (2475 mm)
Length 176.0 in (4470 mm)
Width 66.5 in (1690 mm)
Height 50.8 in (1290 mm)
Curb weight 2450-2675 lb (1110-1210 kg)
The S13 Silvia, introduced in mid-1988 for the 1989 model year, was immensely popular in Japan. The Silvia name was no longer used on export models, however; European models were now known as 200SX. Following industry trends, the S13 Silvia switched to relampable fixed headlights. Projector optics were offered as an option.
The Silvia fastback was discontinued and replaced by a new model sharing the S platform, the Nissan 180SX. The 180SX continued using pop-up headlights. A convertible was briefly offered soon after the start of production, but it was never popular, perhaps due to high cost (3.25 million Yen in 1988), heavier curb weight, and chassis flex.
The S13 was one of the first uses of Nissan's multi-link rear suspension, the technology of which was previewed in concept cars in previous years, such as the Nissan MID-4. It also offered a four-wheel steering system for the first time, known as HICAS-II. In 1990, HICAS-II would be updated and renamed SuperHICAS. The S13 also saw the introduction of a viscous-type limited slip differential for some models.
S13 Silvias were initially powered by the CA18DE and CA18DET engines carried over from the end of S12 production, with an intercooler added to the CA18DET for a slight increase in stability and power. In mid 1990, (for the 1991 model year) the SR20DE and SR20DET engines debuted, offering improvements across the board in power and torque due to increased displacement and a more efficient turbocharger than was offered on the previous cars. One of the other simple changes that was made between the CA generation and the SR generation was switch to a single colour paint job, instead of the two-tone colour sets that were previously offered. On top of this, the SR motor later debuted another variant of the platform known simply as the 'Black Top'. Identifiable by its black and silver rocker-cover (as opposed to the traditional red/silver cover), it featured a number minor changes, resulting in little performance gain. It is vastly different to the more powerful 'black top' used in the S14 and S15 variants. Amazingly, a revised and revamped version of the Nissan SR20 engine that first appeared in the S13 is still in use today, as can be seen in the following sections of this page.
The S13 Silvia was replaced after the 1993 model year by the new S14 design. In 1998, the S13 Silvia was resurrected, in part. A variant was produced by Kid's Heart for Nissan called the Sileighty, which featured the 180SX body with the front end from the Silvia. The Sileighty style was originally created by Japanese enthusiasts for their own 180SX's, and is still a common modification for the 180SX and 240SX fastback. The Sileighty also made an appearance in a Japanese Anime and Manga series known as Initial D. The series (based around the Japanese motor sports of Touge and Drifting) featured the Sileighty in one of the last battles of the First Stage (or first season in the Anime).
Interestingly enough, the creation of the Sileighty then was to give birth indirectly to another version of the Silvia known as the Onevia. Based on the chassis of the S13, the front end of the Silvia would be removed and replaced with the front end of a 180sx or 240SX fastback. Unfortunately the Onevia was never retailed as a complete car as the Sileighty was, but is still very sought after by drifters, being seen to offer the best of both cars, the looks of a 180SX with the rigid rear end of the S13 Silvia. As with the Sileighty, this conversion is still very popular today for the S13, with kits readily available on places such as Ebay.
[edit] Trim Level Designation
The S13 Silvia was the first S-series car to use the J's , Q's, and K's (references to the face cards of English playing cards) designations for the different trim levels or "grades."
The J's was the base model with a very basic interior, few standard amenities, and 14" steel wheels. The Q's model offered a slightly more refined experience and received electric options and an available LSD. The K's grade received the turbocharged CA18DET or SR20DET (depending on the year of manufacture) in addition to the options offered on the Q's.
On top of the K's and Q's models, The Club and Diamond Selection packages came with specific options bundled together. For example, all K's Club Selections came with projector headlamps, a rear spoiler, and 15" aluminum wheels.
The rare Silvia A's "Almighty" was introduced in late 1992. Trim wise, the Almighty slotted between the J's and Q's, offering options not available on J's, but not including all the standard features of Q's. The Almighty was purportedly offered as a "purer" form of the sports car. The only available engine/transmission was the naturally-aspirated SR20DE coupled with the 4-speed automatic.
