So before we get started, I'd just like to put it out there that this is one of my favorite model families ever. All of the cars belonging to it are or have the potential to be absolutely brilliant. But what, you may ask, is an S13?

Lemme break it down for ya...

The S13s were produced between 1989 and 1998 and came in two general body styles: coupe and hatchback. Among the two styles there were numerous subdivisions, all of which will be explored in this entry. Several engine options were available for each model, and all came equipped with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Prior to the 1990 model year, all S13s came equipped with a CA series engines. After 1990, all Japanese S13s received the SR series engines, while the North American models (only introduced in 1991) received KA series engines.

Engine Specs

CA18DE

​DOHC 16-valve I4

Power: 131 hp @6400 rpm

Torque: 117 ft-lbf @5200 rpm

Displacement: 1.8L

CA18DET

​DOHC 16-valve I4

Power: 167-175 hp @6400 rpm

Torque: 166 lb-ft @5200 rpm

Displacement 1.8L

Turbocharger: Garrett T25

SR20DE

​DOHC 16-valve I4

Power: 140-169 hp @6400 rpm

Torque: 132 lb-ft @4800 rpm

Displacement: 2.0L

SR20DET

DOHC 16-valve I4

Power: 205 hp @6000 rpm

Torque: 203 lb-ft @4000 rpm

Displacement: 2.0L

Turbocharger: Garrett T25

KA24E

SOHC 12-valve I4

Power: 140 hp @5600 rpm

Torque: 152 lb-ft @4400 rpm

Displacement: 2.4L

KA24DE

DOHC 16-valve I4

Power: 155 hp @5400 rpm

Torque: 160 lb-ft @4400 rpm

Displacement: 2.4L

Nissan Silvia

A Silvia K's

The Silvia was the coupe version sold in Japan. This is one of my all time favorite cars, and turbocharged models continue to be popular among the drift and street racing scenes due to their good performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance. A convertible version of the Silvia was available, but was quite unpopular due to its increased weight, chassis flexibility, and high price tag (around $38,000). Trim designations are as follows.

Silvia J's: Base model. Nothing fancy on this one, available only with a naturally aspirated engine.

Silvia Q's: Higher level trim package than the J's. Power accessories were standard equipment. Again available only with a naturally aspirated engine. The Club Q's package added automatic climate control and a spoiler.

Silvia K's: The performance package. All of the options of the Q's, but with the added bonus of having a turbocharged engine. The Club K's package added a spoiler, 15" aluminum wheels, and projector headlamps.

Silvia A's "Almighty": Step up from the J's model introduced in 1992. Had some, but not all of the options available on the Q's.

Nissan 180SX

The 180SX was the hatchback version in Japan. These are also popular on the drift and street racing scene. Although it shares the same chassis as the Silvia, the 180SX looks almost completely different. Despite the visual disparity, the two cars perform very similarly. Originally, all 180SXs came with a turbocharged engine, but later models would be offered in N/A packages. All models were electronically limited to 112 mph (180 km/h). Trim models are as follows.

First Generation (1989-1990)

Type I: Base model.

Type II: Minor trim differences, HICAS II four-wheel steering was an option for this trim level.

Second Generation (1991-1995)

Type I & Type II: Nearly identical, minor trim differences. Both available with Super HICAS four-wheel steering.

Type III: Added in 1992, minor trim diferences, introduced electronic climate control and CD player.

Type R & Type X: Replaced Types I, II, and III. Type X was a higher level package.

Third Generation (1996-1998)

Type X: Cosmetic trim package including spoiler, skirts, front lip spoiler, and 15" alloy wheels. Production ended in 1997.

Type R: Much the same as the Type X, but lacking the cosmetic additions. Production ended in 1997.

Type S: First 180SX to be offered without a turbocharged engine. Visually similar to the Type X.

Type G: Introduced in 1997, similar to Type S.

Special Models

As previously mentioned, the Silvia and 180SX are popular with street racers. As such, they are often involved in collisions, or their owners are simply trying to reduce the car's weight. A certain modification has sprung from this that is popular enough to deserve its own mention. The appeal to this modification lies in the fact that the front end of a Silvia weighs considerably less that that of a 180SX, largely due to the 180SX's pop-up headlight assembly. Because of this and the fact that the two vehicles share the same chassis, it is not unusual for 180SX owners to replace the front end of their vehicle with the front end of a Silvia. The resultant car is known as a Sileighty or Sil-80, a portmanteau of Silvia and one-eighty.

The opposite of this, in which the front end of a 180SX is attached to a Silvia, is known as a Onevia. Interestingly enough, the Onevia was actually a production model in North America, where it was marketed as the 240SX coupe. The Sileighty got its own limited-production run from a Japanese auto shop known as Kids Heart. A total of 500 "official" Sileighties were made.

200SX

The 200SX was the European version of the 180SX. It was only offered with the CA18DET engine. Unlike the 180SX, the 200SX was not limited, and as such it was capable of reaching 137 mph (220 km/h). Many of the standard features on this model were Nismo-only options on the 180SX. The 200SX was discontinued in 1994.

240SX

The 240SX was North America's version of the 180SX. It was offered in both hatchback and coupe styles. As previously mentioned, the 240SX coupe was essentially a production version of the strictly aftermarket Onevia, albeit with a less powerful engine. Prior to 1991, all models used the KA24E SOHC I4, but all models after this switched to the KA24DE DOHC I4. Much like the 180SX, the 240SX is popular in drifting competitions due to a large assortment of available aftermarket upgrades and relatively light weight. Production for the 240SX ended in 1995.

240SX Coupe