1990 240 SX hp?

[Jay!]

Thanks. I always thought the S13 coupe was a previous model. Didn't they trade selling the coupe for the hatchback around 1990?

[Morpheus XIII]

In the U.S. the hatch came first in '89. The coupe was introduced around '93 and eventually became the prevailing 240SX. In Japan, the hatch came first but wasn't immediately replaced by the upcoming coupe. Instead they separated and were produced simultaneously for the next few years, somewhat like the Celica and Supra from long ago. Of course, the S13 hatch counterpart (180SX) didn't last as long as the Silvia, but it did get some well deserved facelifting around '96 before its demise. Could you imagine what an S15 hatchback might look like today?

[mav1178]

Uh, Morpheus you are wrong

In USA:

Coupe and fastback were introduced in 1989 and sold through 1993 TOGETHER. In 1994 the convertible was the only model offered (from 1992 to 1994). In 1995 the S14 coupe was offered.

In Japan:

I don't have exact dates memorized off the top of my head, but the Silvia was introduced first with the CA18DET, then the 180SX was introduced with the same engine 6 months later. In early 1991 the Silvia with SR20DET was introduced, as was the SR in the 180SX. That's why if you take a look at the chassis designations for the S13, you can find out that there was a S13, a PS13, a RS13, RPS13, etc. P stands for the SR20DE/DET engine, while the R designates a fastback body style. The S14 was introduced in 1994 in Japan, with U.S. introduction a year later.

Oh, and one more thing. The RWD SR20DET was *never* sold in the U.S. market, so it will NOT BE LEGAL. All swaps in the U.S. with the SR20DET are ILLEGAL. Don't make it sound like it is legal, because it is not.

-alex

[Morpheus XIII]

Yeah, I picked that up recently about the coupe and hatch being sold together in '89. Why I haven't seen this error sooner, God knows.

Thanks for the convertible data; I never really knew (or cared for that matter) much about the S13 cabrios since they had little to do with genuine japanese performance (as in the Varietta) and pretty much catered to U.S. tastes (which again, reminds us of the KA-series motors) much like the FC3S RX-7 roadster.

Originally posted by mav1178
Oh, and one more thing. The RWD SR20DET was *never* sold in the U.S. market, so it will NOT BE LEGAL. All swaps in the U.S. with the SR20DET are ILLEGAL. Don't make it sound like it is legal, because it is not.

First off, no one ever said it was legal. Everyone who messes with J-spec SRs knows what they are getting into. On a side note, for a few, intentions may be to use this "illegal" machinery for off public property racing, where the law has no reach (believe me, not everyone is a street racer). Secondly, just because the government wants you to think that it is illegal for public usage doesn't automatically declare it as final. There are some loopholes for unusual japanese imported products. For whole cars, there are several gray market autos (and these are complete Silvias I am talking about, SR20DET and all) out there in the U.S. that have become certifiably legitimate--one good example being those brought through military connections (the irony: people use a governmental body to bypass rules set by the government). These are legal. A step up, we see Motorex and their street legal Skylines which surprise surprise, have again "illegal" RB26DETT motors. Of course, they've been certified with money (hint, hint). These are legal. A step down to the SR engines: Now these aren't exactly legal, but most consider it a minor setback, and it can be over-looked since you can always pay off the problem. I personally know a few 240SX owners using SR20DET powerplants, who pass smog emissions testings (even the visual test) and use them as daily drivers. Of course this won't work everywhere, and you might have to go to a 'trusted' service shop, but they do get by. No real major legal complaints or problems. The massive 240SX movement out there all focuses on the SR20DET. They get away with it. Legal or not, anyone can own an SR 240SX on the streets, as long as they are smart about the upkeep.

[jon@af]

Locked, 3 years old and brought back by a racist.