180SX vs. S13: The Difference

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     In the annals of motoring history, there have been few debates as passionate, or as long-lived as the furore surrounding the similarities and differences between two of Nissan’s best selling models, the 180 SX, and the Silva S13.

This article will attempt to resolve some of the issues; however, the entire debate revolves around fixed vs. retractable headlights on the one hand, and one engine variant that was not offered on both models on the other, and while this article does not claim to be last word on the subject, the information presented here should be sufficient to convince die-hard fans of both models that they favor cars that are to all intents and purposes, identical.

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The Facts Of The Matter.

• The fastback Nissan 180SX coupe was based on the S13 Nissan platform, and was exclusively produced from 1989 to 1998 for the Japanese domestic market. Intended as a sister model to the Silva S13, the 180 SX was initially fitted with the 1. 8 L  CA18DET engine, but this engine was replaced with a 2.0 L engine in 1991.

• Although the 1.8 L was replaced with a 2.0 L version in 1991, this engine was offered in two variants, i.e., the SR20DE, that was naturally aspirated and the SR20DET that was turbo charged, the 180 SX nomenclature  was left unchanged.

• In the Japanese domestic market, the Silva S13 was sold through the Nissan Prince Store dealer network, while the 180 SX was distributed through the Nissan Bluebird Store dealerships, even though the two models were intended to be sister models from a marketing perspective.

• The only noteworthy differences between the 180 SX and the Silva S13 were the retractable headlights, and lift-gate on the 180 SX, which the Silva S13 did not have. All other equipment and specifications were similar, if not identical on both models, except for the fact that the CA18DE engine was never offered on the 180 SX.

• After the discontinuation of the Silva S13 in 1993, Nissan continued marketing the 180 SX right through the production life of the Silva S14.

• In Europe, the 180 SX was nothing more than a “trim level specification” for the Silva S110. The nomenclature for this model, “Silva 180 SX” thus denoted a Silva variant rather than a pure 180 SX model.

• In Micronesia and the South Pacific Islands, 180 SX models with fixed, rather than retractable headlights were marketed as 180 SX’s, despite the fact that they had retractable headlights in other markets. The variants sold here were also available in LHD.

• Other discrepancies in the nomenclature include the fact that in some European, as well as the South African markets 180 SX’s were sold as the 200 SX, despite the fact that only the  CA18DET engine was available in these markets. 

• In the North American markets, the 180 SX was offered as the Nissan 240SX Fastback, fitted with the KA24DE engine. In these markets however, the original 180 SX trim was upgraded with some cosmetic changes.

• In 1991, the 180 SX received a cosmetic make-over with new bumpers, as well as the addition of a limited slip differential and bigger,  more effective brakes. This “new” model was sold up until the advent of the official 200 SX model in 1994. However, all the noted discrepancies in the 180 SX nomenclature and badging remained in place until the release of the first 200 SX models.
  

The Verdict

Production

Body Style


Platform

Related models



Engines




Transmission


Wheel base

Length

Width

Height

Curb Weight

Nissan Silva S13

1989–1994

2-door coupe
2-door  convertible

Nissan “S” Platform

Nissan 180SX
Nissan 200SX (Europe)
Nissan 240SX (N. America)

1.8 L CA18DE
1.8 L CA18DET turbo
2.0 L SR20DE
2.0 L SR20DET turbo

4-speed automatic
5-speed manual

2 474 mm (97.4 in)

4 521 mm (178 in)

1 689 mm (66.5 in)

1 290 mm (50.8 in)

1 224 kg (2700 lb)

Nissan 180 SX

1989–1998

FR coupe/ Sport Compact


Nissan “S13” Platform.

Nissan Silvia S13
Nissan 240SX


1.8 L CA18DET
2.0 L SR20DE
2.0 L SR20DET


5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

2 474 mm (97.4 in)

4 521 mm (178 in)

1 689 mm (66.5 in)

1 290 mm (50.8 in)

1 224 kg (2700 lb)

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    Even though the Silva S13 appeared in convertible form for a short while, the conversion was not a success due the excessive amounts of body flex that affected handling in the worst possible way. For this reason, the fact that a convertible existed cannot go against the fact that for the exception of different headlights and one engine that was not offered on both models, the two cars were essentially identical, as can be seen from the accompanying table all information in this table was gleaned from official sources, which means that at least this debate can be put to rest once and for all. 

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