The Nissan Silvia S12 was launched in Japan in the early 1980's. The car was manufactured from 1983 to 1989. The Silvia as it has always been known in Japan is often called a "200sx" or "Gazelle" in other parts of the world. In the UK it was given the original name of Nissan Silvia. There was only 2 marks of the Silvia made from the years of manufacturing with the only difference being slight differences in the bonnet and bodykit. In the UK, the Silvia mk 1 is available upto a D Reg, while the mk2 is available from D to G Reg, with the G Reg being especially hard to find these days as they were the last few made. On this page you can see the differences in the look of the Silvia and the forms it came in.
Generally in the UK, the only version of the Silvia available is the hatchback, while in the rest of the world it is is available in both hatchback and a coupe, the only difference being that the coupe has a different rear end to the car as can be seen on this page. Its quite strange that the coupe version was never sold in the UK as the rest of the world had loads of them!
In terms of engine size, the silvia is available in the following forms, depending on where you are in the world.
1.8 Turbo Non Intercooled 8 Valve Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) CA18ET
2.0 Non Turbo 16 Valve Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) FJ20E
3.0 V6 Non Turbo VG30E
2.0 Turbo Intercooled 16 Valve (DOHC) FJ20ET (Japan)
2.0 Non Turbo 8 Valve Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) CA20E
In the UK there were 2 versions released; the standard 1.8 litre non intercooled 8 valve turbo, and the extremely rare 2 litre DOHC 16 valve twin cam non turbo which has a bonnet scoop. In the UK, none of the turbo versions came with the scooped bonnet, only the 2 litre non turbo versions. The 2 litre non turbo is virtually extinct in the UK and is practically impossible to find these days.
The FJ20 Turbo engine is the early forerunner of the Nissan Sunny Pulsar GTIR and the Nissan S13 200sx and contains the same parts. |
