Nissan 180SX

Nissan 180SX Manufacturer Nissan Also called Nissan 200SX Production 1989–1998 Predecessor Nissan Silvia S12 Successor Nissan Silvia S14 Class Sport compact Body style FR coupe Platform S13 Engine 1.8 L CA18DET I4 2.0 L SR20DE I4 2.0 L SR20DET I4 Transmission 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic Wheelbase 2,474 mm (97 in) Length 4,521 mm (178 in) Width 1,689 mm (66 in) Height 1,290 mm (51 in) Curb weight 1220 kg (2690 lb) Related Nissan Silvia S13 Nissan 240SX Sileighty

The Nissan 180SX was a hatchback coupe (though Nissan marketed it as a fastback in most of its markets) based on the S13 chassis from the Nissan S platform, and sold in Japan; and in some other countries under the 200SX name.^[1]

Model nomenclature and markets

In North America, it was sold as the Nissan 240SX. It was sold as a sister model to the Nissan Silvia from model year 1989 through 1998. The S13 Silvia was discontinued in 1993, but the 180SX was successful enough to convince Nissan to keep it in the market for the full length of the next generation Silvia. The 180SX differed from the S13 Silvia in that it featured pop-up headlamps and a liftgate. Specifications and equipment were similar; however, the naturally aspirated CA18DE engine was not offered. ^[2]

The name 180SX was originally in reference to the 1.8 liter displacement CA18DET engine used in the chassis. In 1991, however, the engine was upgraded to a 2.0 liter model, offered in two forms: the naturally aspirated SR20DE engine and the turbocharged SR20DET variant. Although the new engine was of larger displacement, the 180SX nomenclature remained. A common body modification to the 180SX and its sister car, the North American 240SX hatchback, is the Sileighty conversion.

180SX was also a trim level of the S110 Silvia in Europe. The badges for this model read "Silvia 180SX", so this car is not properly a 180SX by model, but a version of the Silvia instead.

Other discrepancies from this standard were distributed to Micronesia and South Pacific islands, including LHD cars with 180sx badges and non-retractable headlamps.

Like the Japanese 180SX SR20DET discrepancy, European, as well as South African models of the S13 chassis were called 200SX though equipped with the CA18DET engine.

In Europe the car was sold as a 200SX and only featured the CA18DET engine producing 169 PS (124 kW; 167 hp) through the rear wheels, taking it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds and onto 220 km/h.^[3] The car had a facelift in 1992 with new smoother bumpers, limited slip differential, and larger brakes. This model was sold between 1989 and 1994 until the change to the 200SX s14 version.

180SX generations

Early model 180SX

The 180SX came in three major iterations: first was released in 1989, the second from 1991 to 1996, and the third that ended production in December 1998.

The first iteration of the 180SX came in two versions called Type I (standard type) and Type II (advanced type). Nissan's HICAS II four wheel steering system was optional only on the Type II 180SX. All versions had the CA18DET engine with 175 ps. The 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions were available in all types.

The second iteration 180SX was released in January 1991 and included several major changes from the first model. This included the SR20DET engine with 205 ps. Although the engine was larger than the previous CA18DET engine the '180SX' nomenclature remained. The brakes were enlarged and limited slip differential added. The front bumper and parts of the interior were also redesigned. Type I and Type II were once again offered with only trim differences separating the two. The 15-inch alloy wheels also changed in design from the first model. Nissan's Super HICAS four wheel steering was an option on all models as were 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions.

Final 180SX, showing the revised tail lights, spoiler, and rear trims

The second iteration was facelifted in January 1992. Although the car largely remained visually and mechanically unchanged, an additional trim level called Type III was added. Electronic climate control and CD audio were also added as options.

An additional facelift was performed in 1994, the trim levels were renamed to Type R and Type X, with Type X being the higher of the two. Overall the car remained almost unchanged however.

A final facelift to the middle model occurred in May 1995 with the addition of a drivers side airbag and a change of alloy wheels amongst other minor details.

The final iteration was released in August 1996. It had a revised front bumper, tail lights, 15-inch wheels and interior. The mechanical and safety package received minor changes, such as the addition of a driver’s side airbag, seat belt pre-tensioners, and some changes in the wiring and ECU. Three levels of 180SX were offered: Type X, Type S and Type R, with the Type S being the first 180SX to be offered without a turbocharged engine.

The Type X and Type R both shared the same 205ps engine and overall mechanical package however the Type R lacked many of the cosmetic additions of the Type X such as the front lip, rear spoiler, side steps and 15-inch alloy wheels. The Type S was powered by a naturally aspirated SR20DE engine with 140 ps, but was similar in mechanical and cosmetic details to the top of the range Type X. The Type S however did not have the option of Nissan's Super HICAS four-wheel steering system like the turbocharged models did.

The Type X and Type R ceased production in October 1997 however the Type S and an additional naturally aspirated model called the Type G continued production until December 1998 when all 180SX production ceased.

Drifting

Yoshinori Koguchi drifting a Nissan 180SX at D1 Grand Prix competition at Fuji Speedway in late-2007

The 180SX is used in the motorsport of drifting. The 2007 D1 Grand Prix champion Masato Kawabata drives a 180SX (although he won the 2007 title in a Nissan Silvia) as does the 2007 D1 Street Legal champion Kazuya Matsukawa.

Specifications

Engine

	CA18DET	SR20DE	SR20DET
Aspiration	Single Turbo	Naturally Aspirated	Single Turbo
Valvetrain	DOHC 16 valve
Cylinders	4
Displacement	1809cc	1998cc
Max Power	127 kW (173 hp) @ 6400 rpm	102 kW (137 hp) @ 6400 rpm	153 kW (205 hp) @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque	225 Nm (166 ft•lbf) @ 4000 rpm	178 Nm (131 ft•lbf) @ 4200 rpm	274 Nm (203 ft•lbf) @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain	Rear wheel drive
Transmission	4-speed automatic / 5-speed manual

Performance

	CA18DET	SR20DE	SR20DET
0–100 km/h	6.9s/ 7.5s (Europe)	7.7s	6.5s
0-400m	15s/ ?	17s	14.5s
Max speed	180 km/h, electronically limited / 230 km/h(Europe)

Suspension

• Front: McPherson strut
• Rear: Multi-link

Gear ratios

	CA18DET Automatic	CA18DET Manual	SR20DE Manual	SR20DET Automatic	SR20DET Manual
1st	3.027	3.321	3.321	2.785	3.321
2nd	1.619	1.902	1.902	1.545	1.902
3rd	1.000	1.308	1.308	1.000	1.308
4th	0.694	1.000	1.000	0.694	1.000
5th	N/A	0.838	0.838	N/A	0.759
Final	4.363	4.363/ 3.92(Europe)	4.111(S13) 4.083(S14/S15)	3.916	4.083

Related vehicles

The 180SX is one of the cars based on the Nissan S platform.

The S13 platform also includes:

• Silvia - The first S13 based production car. Different body with no liftgate.
• 240SX - North American version of the 180SX. Left hand drive with a 2.4 L NA engine.
• Sileighty - A 180SX with S13 Silvia front end.
• 200SX - Name given to the 180SX in Europe and North America. This name was also given to the S14 and S15 series Silvia on the Australian market.

References

1. ^ Nissan 200SX Model S13 Series Service Manual. Nissan Motors. 1988. 
2. ^ "日産：NISSAN MUSEUM シルビア". Nissan.co.jp. http://www.nissan.co.jp/MUSEUM/SILVIA/S13/main.html. Retrieved 2010-09-04. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "SILVIA / SX". dnsf.org. http://www.dnsf.org/index.php?group=AUTOINFO&id=61&pid=22. Retrieved 2011-04-25. 

External links

Media related to Nissan 180SX at Wikimedia Commons