Nissan SR20DET
The SR20DET is part of the SR family of engines from Nissan.
It is a popular engine coming from a variety of Nissan cars, generally the Nissan Silvia and 180SX. It also came in the Pulsar GTI-R and the Nissan Bluebird. This engine replaced the CA18DE and CA18DET that originally powered the Silvia and 180SX. The CA18 was deemed too expensive to produce and no longer met Japanese emission standards, so it was replaced by the SR20. The SR, just like the out-going CA, was a turbocharged intercooled engine in top form. Nissan also produced a cheaper naturally aspirated version called the SR20DE. In the US and Canada, the Silvia and 180SX are both under the 240SX banner. USDM and Canada 240SX's come stock with the SOHC KA24E for earlier models, or the DOHC KA24DE for later models. Both are naturally aspirated engines producing 140 hp (100 kW) and 155 hp (116 kW) respectively. SR20DET engine swaps are becoming more commonplace due to the forced induction aftermarket additions available for the SR20DET.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- SR - Engine Code
- 20 - 2.0 Liters
- D - Dual Overhead Cam
- E - Electronic Fuel Injection
- T - Turbocharged
Origins
The SR20DET was first produced in the U12 Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS Attesa in October 1989[1], possibly as Nissan's rally project. From 1990 through to 1994 it was used in the infamous Nissan Pulsar GTi-R (N14) however with a bigger T28 turbo. In both these cars the engine is aligned in a transverse fashion.
However the RWD Nissan Silvia and Nissan 180SX produced in 1991 were built with a longitudinally aligned SR20DET. Some of the 180SX's were released with the SR20DET while others had the naturally aspirated SR20DE.
The engine then went on to be used in the Nissan Avenir in 1995, the Nissan R'nessa in 1997 and the Nissan Liberty in 1999, although these models did not gain the cult status that the earlier produced models did.
Out of all the Nissan models produced with the SR20DET, the Silvia was the longest running model to use it. The S14 and S15 use a bigger turbo, the Garrett T28. Furthermore, the S15 Nissan Silvia Spec R trim level SR20DET used a T28 with a dual ball-bearing center cartridge, as opposed to a ceramic center cartridge that was present in the S14. with ball bearing turbo.
Valve cover colors
The colors of the valve covers seem to be related to the year the engine was released.
| Color | Model | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Red | S13/180SX/Bluebird/Pulsar | 1989–1994 |
| Black | S13/180SX | 1994–1998 |
| Black | S14/S15 | 1994–2002 |
| Silver | Avenir | 1995–2001 |
S13 Black top - Came from 180sx's post 94 (Garrett T25G turbo)
S13 Red top - Came from S13 Silvia and 180sx pre 94 (Garrett T25G turbo)
S14 Black top - 94-98 Silvias - Variable Cam:0 Timing aka VCT was introduced (Garrett T28 bush journal bearing turbo) Only the JDM engine came with a ball bearing turbo.
S15 Black top - 99-02 Silvias. (Garrett Ball Bearing T28 turbo and 6 speed transmission)
List of cars with the SR20DET
| Model | Spec | Chassis | Years | Colour | Turbo | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluebird | 2000SSS Attesa Limited | U12 | 1989 | Redtop | T25g | Japan |
| 2000SSS Attesa Limited | U13 | 91,93 | Redtop | T25g | Japan | |
| 2000SSS Attesa Limited | U13 | 1995 | Blacktop | T25g | Japan | |
| Pulsar | GTi-R | N14 | 90-94 | Redtop | T28 (Quad TB) | Japan |
| 180SX | All | S13 | 91-93 | Redtop | T25 | Japan |
| All (except G/Type S) | S13 | 94-97 | Blacktop | T25 | Japan | |
| Silvia | K's | S13 | 91-93 | Redtop | T25 | Japan |
| K's | S14 | 94-99 | Blacktop | T28 (VCT) | Japan | |
| 270R | S14 | 1994 | ||||
| Spec-R | S15 | 99-02 | Blacktop | T28 (VCT) | Japan | |
| Avenir | GT Turbo Salut | W10 | 95,97 | Silvertop | T25g | Japan |
| GT4 | W11 | 98,00-01 | Silvertop | T25g | Japan | |
| Liberty | GT4 Highway Star | M12 | 99-00 | Japan | ||
| R'nessa | GT Turbo | N30 | 97-00 | Japan | ||
| 200SX | S14 | 93-99 | Blacktop | (w/o VCT) | Europe | |
| Sunny | 2.0 GTi-R | N14 | 90-94 | Blacktop | T28 (Quad TB) | Europe |
Engine specification
- DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams), 16 Valves, Chain driven cam sprockets
- Bore x Stroke of 86 mm x 86 mm
- Displacement of 1998 cc (rounded to 2.0 liters)
Comparison table
| Car | Engine | Compression | Power | Torque | Turbo | Stock boost | Turbine | Compressor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
'89 U12 Bluebird Ltd |
Redtop | 8.5:1 | 150 kW (201 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 202 ft·lbf @ 4000 rpm | T-25BB | 7psi | ||
'91-'95 U13 Bluebird Ltd |
Redtop | 8.5:1 | 154 kW (206 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 202 ft·lbf @ 4000 rpm | T-25G | 7psi | ||
'95-'97 W10 Avenir Salut |
Silvertop | 8.5:1 | 154 kW (206 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 202 ft·lbf @ 4000 rpm | T-25G | 7psi | ||
'97-'01 W11 Avenir GT4 |
Silvertop | 8.5:1 | 154 kW (206 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 202 ft·lbf @ 3600 rpm | T-25BB | 7psi | ||
'90-'94 N14 Pulsar GTi-R |
Redtop | 8.3:1 | 169 kW (227 HP) @ 6400 rpm (Euro: 164kw (220hp) @ 6400rpm) | 210 ft·lbf @ 4800 rpm (Euro: 196 ft·lbf @ 4800 rpm | T-28 | 10.6psi | 79 Trim, .86 A/R Housing |
|
'91-'93 S13 Silvia, 180sx |
Redtop | 8.5:1 | 151 kW (202 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 203 ft·lbf @ 4000 rpm | T-25G | 7psi | 62 trim 53.8 mm .80 A/R housing |
BCI-1 |
'94-'98 S13 180sx |
Blacktop | 8.5:1 | 151 kW (202 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 203 ft·lbf @ 4000 rpm | T-25G | 7psi | 62 trim 53.8 mm, .80 A/R housing |
BCI-1 |
'95-'99 S14 Silvia, 200sx |
Blacktop | 8.5:1 | 162 kW (217 HP) @ 6000 rpm | 203 ft·lbf @ 4800 rpm | T-28 | 11 psi | 62 trim 53.8 mm, .64 A/R housing, bush bearing |
BCI-1 in T-04B housing |
'99-02 S15 Silvia, 200sx |
Blacktop | 8.5:1 | 183 kW (245 HP) @ 6400 rpm | 202 ft·lbf @ 4800 rpm | T-28 | 11psi | 60 trim 60 mm, ball bearing, Inco turbine wheel |
BCI-1 in T-04B housing |
Miscellanea
1990-1994 N14 Pulsar GTi-R
- Compressor Flow: 33 lb/MIN
- Injector Flow: 440cc/min Injector
- LSD front and rear in RB Model, LSD Rear only in RA
- Named Baby Godzilla after the famous GTR Skyline, Boasting similarities in the plenum chamber
1991-1998 180SX, S13 Silvia
- Throttle Body Bore: 60 mm
- Injector Flow: 370cc/min Injector
1995-1999 S14 Silvia
- Throttle Body Bore: 50 mm
- Injector Flow: 370cc/min Injector.
