Anyone on here owned a Nissan 200SX/Sylvia?
#1
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone on here owned a Nissan 200SX/Sylvia?
As the title, i'm considering possibly getting one imported for a bit of fun and something different. Would be looking for a S14
Who's had experience with these cars? And was it good or bad? What goes wrong/weak points?
All opinions appreciated
Thanks, Alan
Who's had experience with these cars? And was it good or bad? What goes wrong/weak points?
All opinions appreciated
Thanks, Alan
Last edited by Alan_D; 02-08-2008 at 09:41 PM. Reason: Forgot to mention model
#6
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you mean something like this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/606673.htm
i was looking at these earlier, seems alot of car for the cash
i was looking at these earlier, seems alot of car for the cash
Trending Topics
#8
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Obviously they will have their problems being quite old, but I'm used to expensive repair bills with the subaru.
#9
Professional Waffler
#11
#1 in Spelling Club
iTrader: (14)
S14a is the facelifted (and most think the nicest) version of the S14. They have a more aggressive looking front end. S14, S14a and S15 all have the SR20DET engine (some were SR20DE, which is non-turbo, but not many over here).
They are great cars for the money, providing, of course, you get a good one.
Expect VVT rattle, which will cost around Ł500-600 to sort, but it could be argued that the root cause is a high mileage or poorly maintained engine. Big-ends are another common cause of problems and can easily begin to clatter at 80,000 miles.
Watch out for Jap import cars that will most probably feature parts that cannot be worked on over here, like certain ECU's and Coilovers (which may need rebuilding, but may not be supported in the UK for parts). Also, imported cars usually have a cloud of doubt over the detailed spec, which can be restrictive.
The SR20DET has a timing chain, so no belt to replace. Rear bed bushes are another prone area, there are 4 bushes, 2 of which are silicone filled. These become sloppy and are a fairly big job to replace, although there are other options.
Anything else??!!!
They are great cars for the money, providing, of course, you get a good one.
Expect VVT rattle, which will cost around Ł500-600 to sort, but it could be argued that the root cause is a high mileage or poorly maintained engine. Big-ends are another common cause of problems and can easily begin to clatter at 80,000 miles.
Watch out for Jap import cars that will most probably feature parts that cannot be worked on over here, like certain ECU's and Coilovers (which may need rebuilding, but may not be supported in the UK for parts). Also, imported cars usually have a cloud of doubt over the detailed spec, which can be restrictive.
The SR20DET has a timing chain, so no belt to replace. Rear bed bushes are another prone area, there are 4 bushes, 2 of which are silicone filled. These become sloppy and are a fairly big job to replace, although there are other options.
Anything else??!!!
#14
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Christian and Beccy - Thanks for all that: very helpfull and you obviously know what your talking about. If you got a car with an ECU that couldnt be worked on, surely just replacing it with a standalone and getting it mapped is the answer? Plus that would mean it would be perfect for whatever fuel you wanted to run it on. Think I would probably have that done anyway infact, with any import.
Jamz - Dont have a set budget really, I buy cars going by how good value for money I think they are. But I have to say I prefer the later, facelifted version.
VW_08 - I do like the look of that. Not a big fan of bodykits but that isnt too over the top.
Jamz - Dont have a set budget really, I buy cars going by how good value for money I think they are. But I have to say I prefer the later, facelifted version.
VW_08 - I do like the look of that. Not a big fan of bodykits but that isnt too over the top.
Last edited by Alan_D; 02-08-2008 at 10:31 PM.
#16
#1 in Spelling Club
iTrader: (14)
Yes, you can replace the ECU. It's just that most people who buy these cars expect to get a great car from Japan thats been put together properly and will have no issues. Sadly thats often not the case. There is 2 very opposing approaches to tuning cars over there. You get your no-expense-spared cars, which are few and far between, but when they come up they really are proper, but you also get your shonky shit, which really is shonky.
We love PowerFC ECU's, you're looking at around Ł1000-Ł1200 for an ECU supplied fitted and mapped and including the Commander (Monitor display for in-car info). They are plug-and-play and extremely good for the money.
We love PowerFC ECU's, you're looking at around Ł1000-Ł1200 for an ECU supplied fitted and mapped and including the Commander (Monitor display for in-car info). They are plug-and-play and extremely good for the money.
#17
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, you can replace the ECU. It's just that most people who buy these cars expect to get a great car from Japan thats been put together properly and will have no issues. Sadly thats often not the case. There is 2 very opposing approaches to tuning cars over there. You get your no-expense-spared cars, which are few and far between, but when they come up they really are proper, but you also get your shonky shit, which really is shonky.
We love PowerFC ECU's, you're looking at around Ł1000-Ł1200 for an ECU supplied fitted and mapped and including the Commander (Monitor display for in-car info). They are plug-and-play and extremely good for the money.
We love PowerFC ECU's, you're looking at around Ł1000-Ł1200 for an ECU supplied fitted and mapped and including the Commander (Monitor display for in-car info). They are plug-and-play and extremely good for the money.
The "shonky" shit does worry me when it comes to imports...i've been to keighley trade . God I hate that place...anyway, thats for another thread. lol
#18
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Naaaaarch
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would have thought the PowerFC is fairly redundant these days since you can live map the stock Nissan ECU with a Nistune daughterboard and software?
EDIT: scratch that, looks like the daughterboards aren't yet compatible with the S14a's
EDIT: scratch that, looks like the daughterboards aren't yet compatible with the S14a's
Last edited by Jamz; 02-08-2008 at 11:03 PM.
#21
Cornish Fasty
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I came to my cossie from a 1997 S14a, great car, for some time, i thought i was a HUGE mistake selling. you get a hell of a lot of car for the money, and i will be getting another when the cos goes, some time in the future.
really, apart from VVT ratttle, blowing turbo gaskets and split wing mount I/c, never heard of many problems. mind you, they do use a stupid amount of fuel when you start to abuse them a bit
Great car, though
really, apart from VVT ratttle, blowing turbo gaskets and split wing mount I/c, never heard of many problems. mind you, they do use a stupid amount of fuel when you start to abuse them a bit
Great car, though
Last edited by Bloomers; 03-08-2008 at 08:37 AM.
#23
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Naaaaarch
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SR20DET not RB20
Although they share the same name the engines in the 200SX and GTi-R are different.
The Pulsar only has a bad rep because of it's gearbox, the engine is better than the 200's
Although they share the same name the engines in the 200SX and GTi-R are different.
The Pulsar only has a bad rep because of it's gearbox, the engine is better than the 200's
#24
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had an S14 that I bought as a non-runner and spent a lot of time working on it to correct some strange re-assembly techniques of the previous owner.
The SR20DET engine is great but I hated working on it because of the tight access. I find working on the Cossie so much easier because there's more room. Most of the Nissan's engine bay is designed to be accessed by Japanese hands and as I'm a 6'3" Brit I found it difficult to get into tight spaces.
Good car though - goes well and looks nice. I prefer the simple looks of the S14 which doesn't need a kit and I think looks best in white with nothing added, just a bit of lowering:
Charlie
The SR20DET engine is great but I hated working on it because of the tight access. I find working on the Cossie so much easier because there's more room. Most of the Nissan's engine bay is designed to be accessed by Japanese hands and as I'm a 6'3" Brit I found it difficult to get into tight spaces.
Good car though - goes well and looks nice. I prefer the simple looks of the S14 which doesn't need a kit and I think looks best in white with nothing added, just a bit of lowering:
Charlie
#25
DEYTUKURJERBS
#26
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the replies.
I think I definetly prefer the facelifted S14, so thats what I will be looking out for from now on.
Bloomers - That car looks cracking
So the sylvia is definetly the one to go for?
The UK 200sx' seem to only have 1.8 turbo engines?
I think I definetly prefer the facelifted S14, so thats what I will be looking out for from now on.
Bloomers - That car looks cracking
So the sylvia is definetly the one to go for?
The UK 200sx' seem to only have 1.8 turbo engines?
Last edited by Alan_D; 03-08-2008 at 10:59 AM.
#27
Christain - some questions?
What the most bolt on hp you will see and still be a nice car eg gt30/manifold/injectors etc or what is the real max hp you have to go internal?
Do you need to change out the std HG or can they take it?
Do you remap the original ecus?
What do the std gearboxes,clutches and diffs last up to if giving the car regular abuse? E.g cossie rear diffs can get unhappy 360 odd hp but T5 boxes seems to take 500hp for a good little while etc.
Cheers
Martin
What the most bolt on hp you will see and still be a nice car eg gt30/manifold/injectors etc or what is the real max hp you have to go internal?
Do you need to change out the std HG or can they take it?
Do you remap the original ecus?
What do the std gearboxes,clutches and diffs last up to if giving the car regular abuse? E.g cossie rear diffs can get unhappy 360 odd hp but T5 boxes seems to take 500hp for a good little while etc.
Cheers
Martin
Last edited by dumped; 03-08-2008 at 11:07 AM.
#28
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: your mums bed
Posts: 9,814
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i love mine ive owned shit loads of cars but mine does buzz me even when its broke lol
gearboxes are my only issue but a good rebuilt box should last
gearboxes are my only issue but a good rebuilt box should last
#29
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: your mums bed
Posts: 9,814
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#30
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Naaaaarch
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The UK 200sx' seem to only have 1.8 turbo engines?
#31
DEYTUKURJERBS
1.8 turbos are UK S13s and early jap S13s, all S14s, uk or not, are 2litre.
The 1.8 engine is totally different.
Christain - some questions?
What the most bolt on hp you will see and still be a nice car eg gt30/manifold/injectors etc or what is the real max hp you have to go internal?
Do you need to change out the std HG or can they take it?
Do you remap the original ecus?
What do the std gearboxes,clutches and diffs last up to if giving the car regular abuse? E.g cossie rear diffs can get unhappy 360 odd hp but T5 boxes seems to take 500hp for a good little while etc.
Cheers
Martin
What the most bolt on hp you will see and still be a nice car eg gt30/manifold/injectors etc or what is the real max hp you have to go internal?
Do you need to change out the std HG or can they take it?
Do you remap the original ecus?
What do the std gearboxes,clutches and diffs last up to if giving the car regular abuse? E.g cossie rear diffs can get unhappy 360 odd hp but T5 boxes seems to take 500hp for a good little while etc.
Cheers
Martin
Diffs are decent and rarely seem to break, but boxes die a lot at 400bhp+ when used mega hard, but prob fine in road use.
#35
Professional Waffler
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nicodinho
Ford Non RS / XR / ST parts for sale.
6
07-10-2015 12:56 PM