The SR20DET is part of the SR family of engines from Nissan. It is a popular inline four-cylinder engine fitted into a variety of cars, generally the Nissan Silvia and 180SX. It also came in the Pulsar GTI-R, Nissan NX Coupe 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 SOHCKA24E for earlier models, or the DOHCKA24DE for later models. Both are naturally aspirated engines producing and respectively. SR20DET engine swaps are becoming more commonplace due to the forced induction aftermarket additions available for the SR20DET. Many shops specialize only in SR20DET swaps. The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
The Lack of the letter "D" on some of the engine identifications indicates a SOHC cylinder head.
Origins
The SR20DET was first produced in the Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS in transverse form. However, the RWD Nissan Silvia and Nissan 180SX produced in 1991 were built with a longitudinally aligned SR20DET, in which the "T" stands for turbo. 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, Nissan Presage in 1998 and Nissan Libertyin 1999, 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 turbocharger than the S13 models. S13 Black top - Came from 180sx's post 94 S13 Red top - Came from S13 Silvia and 180sx pre 94 370cc injectors were used. S14 Black top - 91–98 Silvias - Variable Cam Timing or VCT was introduced on the intake cam 370cc injectors were used. S15 Black top - 99–02 Silvias. Same VCT as above, 6-speed manual transmission
480cc injectors were used and the intake manifold was redesigned While all factory manufactured SR20DET's featured a single turbine unit, some aftermarket tuners have engineered working twin-turbo configurations. One such kit produced by ENDLESS Japan featured two GReddy TD05-16g turbines in parallel. These were mounted on a custom exhaust manifold, custom downpipe and required many engine bay modifications to fit correctly. This twin-turbo setup achieved its peak power between 5,500–6,000 rpm at 2.2 bar.
