Silvias in the US

[Ethix101]

http://cars.ign.com/articles/438/438272p1.html?fromint=1


JDM Evolution plans to do with the Silvia what Motorex did with the Skyline. No word on how much they will cost, but if you compare to what Motorex charges for a Skyline, I don't think it will be worth it. The one thing I'm hoping for is that they'll legalize S13's and S14's instead of just doing S15's. What do you guys think?

 

[Sony]

North America is the next main thing for drifters.

" The next big car thing."

 

[CDailey]

That'd be cool if they really did start to do this. But like you said, the cost probably won't be worth it

 

[Gil]

We already have the S-13 and S-14. All we need to make them "authentic" is the front clips with the 2.0L turbo engines. It's considerably cheaper to do a Silvia that way than to be the whole car. Unless, it's an S-15.
Frankly, the '14 is the prettiest of the bunch, IMHO. It would be nice if Nissan would go to the trouble that Subaru and Mitsubishi did, and figure out how to get the cars certified for the US and start sending them this way with the steering wheels on the "proper" side.
There is obviously a market for the cars over here, otherwise they wouldn't be selling the old engines and front clips so we could convert our cars.

 

[Race Idiot]

I always get confused with Silvias.
S12 Silvia = Badged Silvia over here
S13 Silvia = Never seen one ever
RPS13 180sx = Is called a 200sx dunno what it's called in America
S14 Silvia = Uh also called a 200sx here
S15 Silvia = Only available in grey import form, still quite common.

That make any sense to anyone?

 

[Gil]

Actually,
The S-14 = 1995-1998 Nissan 240sx
The S-13 = 1991-1994 Nissan 240sx
I believe the 200SX and the S-12 are different cars, but am not completely sure. May have to "Google" or "Jeeves" later on to find out. Entirely too tired and lazy right at the moment to do any serious research.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Gil

There is obviously a market for the cars over here, otherwise they wouldn't be selling the old engines and front clips so we could convert our cars.

Definitely - problem is, Nissan makes nothing we want anymore (unlike the STi and Evolution - we want those and they're still going fine). They cancelled the GT-R, and we already officially get base Skylines. Do they still make the S15 Silvia?

 

[Race Idiot]

http://www.sxoc.com/

Ok this is the 200SX uk owners club page.

Is badged 200SX, from what i've seen.

Is also badged 200SX

Not sure, i've only seen them driving around.

It's effin confusing.

 

[Gil]

Over here they are all badged as 240sx's

 

[Race Idiot]

Weird, I wish they could've just kept the bloody names the same. In a few years I might consider looking for either the S13 or S14 ones, but I can't afford to insure stuff like that at the moment. So it's MKIII Escort for me until then.

 

[Gil]

In a few years, it might not be cost effective to buy one and get it MoT ready. The newest ones are already 6 model years old, discounting the S15.

 

[Ethix101]

Originally posted by Gil
We already have the S-13 and S-14. All we need to make them "authentic" is the front clips with the 2.0L turbo engines. It's considerably cheaper to do a Silvia that way than to be the whole car.

The problem with making them "Authentic" by adding an sr20det is that the engine won't pass inspection and technically it's not legal for road use. (not that that stops people from putting them in their cars) The only reason I brought up the s13 and s14 is that if I could get a street legal JDM s13 or s14 for a decent price, I'd definitely consider it. (by decent price I mean under $10k) The S15 is my favorite, but if they're going to sell them for $30k, it's just not worth it unless you're a collector or something. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by Ethix101
The problem with making them "Authentic" by adding an sr20det is that the engine won't pass inspection and technically it's not legal for road use. (not that that stops people from putting them in their cars) The only reason I brought up the s13 and s14 is that if I could get a street legal JDM s13 or s14 for a decent price, I'd definitely consider it. (by decent price I mean under $10k) The S15 is my favorite, but if they're going to sell them for $30k, it's just not worth it unless you're a collector or something. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The funny thing is that the later models didn't sell that well over here. Now, you can't find the '95-98 in the used car pages unless you're willing to be very patient, or travel 1000 miles.

Another thing to consider is that every Nissan motor that is sent to the American market is way over-engineered. The 2.4L motor that comes in the car is super-strong. Easily built up to 400+ horsepower. Plus, you have almost a half liter more displacement. I'm not really familiar with the 2.4, but I think it's a "short-stroke" engine. And short stroke engines make good power without as much effort. Plus, they can be pushed (more safely) to higher RPM limits.

I guess, what I'm saying is, I would be quite happy if a low mileage '96-97 240SX dropped into my lap. I would "make do" with the 2.4L.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Gil
The funny thing is that the later models didn't sell that well over here. Now, you can't find the '95-98 in the used car pages unless you're willing to be very patient, or travel 1000 miles.

Nah - you can find them in big cities fairly commonly. The problem is that you live in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas!

 

[Ethix101]

Originally posted by Gil
The funny thing is that the later models didn't sell that well over here. Now, you can't find the '95-98 in the used car pages unless you're willing to be very patient, or travel 1000 miles.

The 95-96 style (rounded headlights) are fairly easy to find, it's the 97-98 (thin, angled headlights, and slightly different taillights) style that seem to be rare.

As for the performance of the ka24, it's got potential. Some people prefer it because it has the potential for a lot more torque than the sr20. I don't really know anything about "short-stroke", so I can't really comment on that, but most people that modify the ka24 do it by adding a turbo. In my opinion, I just don't think it's worth it. You can get an SR which while it isn't technically "legal" you could make it pass emissions...(just not visual inspection) for probably the same amount it would cost to turbo a ka24. Then you have a huge selection of parts from Japan to choose from as opposed to the limited selection for the KA.

Oh well, I just can't wait to see how much this company sells Silvias for. It'll be interested to see if they'll actually have a lot of buyers if they start selling s15's for $30k+. If people do buy them for that price...they're crazy or rich....or both.

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by M5Power
Nah - you can find them in big cities fairly commonly. The problem is that you live in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas!

M.O.N. Kansas is only about 30 minutes (with the wife driving) from Kansas City, Missouri.
When I check the want ads, I can find "S-13's", that are just beat to death.
But the "S-14" is a quite a bit more elusive. I've not seen more than one or two closer to here than Texas.

Plus, I'm very picky. I don't want a red one, I don't want a black one, I don't want a sun roof, and I don't want an automatic tranny. Pretty much everything else, is okay.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Gil
M.O.N. Kansas is only about 30 minutes (with the wife driving) from Kansas City, Missouri.
When I check the want ads, I can find "S-13's", that are just beat to death.
But the "S-14" is a quite a bit more elusive. I've not seen more than one or two closer to here than Texas.

Weird - spurred by this conversation, I checked the classifieds today and found two with 702 (Las Vegas) area codes. Of course, with your wants (red was the hot colour!) you aren't going to find much anywhere. Did you know those things had just 155hp?

 

[PhameWRC]

Originally posted by Ethix101


As for the performance of the ka24, it's got potential. Some people prefer it because it has the potential for a lot more torque than the sr20.

i woulda thought the same...except for...my friend wrecked his altima...so his best friend which drives a 2nd gen sentra with the sr20 swap let him borrow his car for the time being...well anyway...he brought it to work, and i got to ride in it....omfg...that machine hauls @ss!he's got it tuned for daily commuting...but damn that thing is fast...of course he's got a front mount ic and a giant hood scoop to provide more cooling...but sr20det...has my respect.

 

[KillerB]

Actually, the KA24E and KA24DE are the exact opposite - they are undersquare or "long-stroke" designs, which means their stroke is longer than their bore diameter. This leads to the KA24 making a lot of low-end torque, but it's not a high-revver, at least compared to the SR20DE and SR20DET. It can be made to wind up high, but it's still limited by its basic design.

A turbocharged KA24DE would have similar characteristics to the engine in the SRT-4, which is another strongly-built, long-stroke design. Lots of torque, but RPMs in the case of the SRT-4 are limited to just over 6000 RPM.

 

[nucesone]

wait i dont no why your killing over silvias i agree there very good cars but there is still the 240 sx here and so one there are many cars that are semiler and for drifting please we have so many damn cars that can drift like like for you initial d fans there is the corolla gts or sr5 lift back with the 4age blue top engine any way the car is just 40% off drifting the rest is the driver

 

[halfracedrift]

nucesone... WHAT THE HELL did you just say??

 

[LancerEVO Boy]

SO how much does it exactly cost to get one of these?

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by KillerB
Actually, the KA24E and KA24DE are the exact opposite - they are undersquare or "long-stroke" designs, which means their stroke is longer than their bore diameter. This leads to the KA24 making a lot of low-end torque, but it's not a high-revver, at least compared to the SR20DE and SR20DET. It can be made to wind up high, but it's still limited by its basic design.

A turbocharged KA24DE would have similar characteristics to the engine in the SRT-4, which is another strongly-built, long-stroke design. Lots of torque, but RPMs in the case of the SRT-4 are limited to just over 6000 RPM.

I didn't know if I had the "stroke" thing right or wrong. I did know that they are torquey little mo' fo's.
I still think, for my needs (a comfy car to drive to and from work, that has enough power to get out of its own way, with room for 4) a late-model 240sx would be just fine.
Don't need a turbo. It would just get me in trouble.

 

[Ethix101]

Originally posted by Gil
I didn't know if I had the "stroke" thing right or wrong. I did know that they are torquey little mo' fo's.
I still think, for my needs (a comfy car to drive to and from work, that has enough power to get out of its own way, with room for 4) a late-model 240sx would be just fine.
Don't need a turbo. It would just get me in trouble.

Except for the 'with room for 4' part, the late model 240sx does sound perfect for you.

-Mark

 

[mayorbill11]

Nissan cancelled the Silvia, emissions.

 

[LancerEVO Boy]

Why do emmisions and Nissan not mix?

 

[LancerEVO Boy]

And what the hell does "front clip" mean?

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by Ethix101
Except for the 'with room for 4' part, the late model 240sx does sound perfect for you.

-Mark

My younger three children are not all that big. Well, they're not that tall. They will be in about 18 months. But, in the immortal words of the advert for the Posrche Spyder (RUF 3400): "The more children you have, the more practical it becomes."

My wife has already mandated that my next ride must be a four-door. She wants me to have an automatic. I want a 5 or 6 speed!

She keeps threatening me with a new Kia. IF that happens, I will keep it to myself. As I don't want to embarass my friends here. I keep looking for cars a year or two old that are less expensive than a new Kia. Thus far I have found well over a hundred cars, but they are mostly Tauri, Crown Vics, and other uninteresting cars. My plan is to take this Nursing Agency job ($42/hr) for some extra work, fix the 'Scort (if it isn't to astronomical to do so) and save my pennies for a year old Mazda 6. Of course it will cut into my GT3/4 time. But for only 4 extra days a month I can pick up nearly $2G's.
If this works out, Christmas can be very good for the kiddos. By my birthday, I might just be able to buy a Gibson! We'll see.
But I am d*** sure tired of this stupid '89 Probe!
It's slow, ugly, small, and did I mention slow and ugly?

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by LancerEVO Boy
And what the hell does "front clip" mean?

In Japan, once a car has so many miles on it, or is wrecked too badly to be repaired (and meet the governmental safety standards) the car is literally cut in half, front to back.
Those people that are building Silvias out of 240's are buying and importing the "front clip" which includes everything forward of the "A-Pillar". In other words both front fenders, hood, engine, headlights and front bumper. According to an article I read in one of the publications specializing in that sort of car, the clip can be purchased with or without the sheet metal.
However, if you're putting the engine in you might as well use the sheet-metal. Unless you're putting the motor from an S-13 into an S-14.

 

[MiXx]

Originally posted by LancerEVO Boy
And what the hell does "front clip" mean?

PLEASE tell me your joking.......

If not, well lemme see how to explain this. A front clip is pretty much the entire front area (ahead of the cab) of the car (well, close enough, its actually just a bunch of parts). Waht replacing your front cilp enables you to do is swap out engines and body kits. Like for instance, you have a 240SX. With a S15 front clip, you can junk the K motor and slap in a SR20 and it also allows you to put S15-only parts such as body kits and etc. Id get more detailed, but eh, too tired. close enough.

Called up JDM Evolution. The guy I talked to said they havent set the exact price yet, but expect it to be in the 20-40 G's range.