Had a drive of a S15 Silvia (jap import)

[PAN]

In my hunt for a SS ute, my mate threw me the keys of his 2000model s15 Silvia. It's a jap spec import, with around 180kw in standard form (2L turbo). The thing was a little rocket, does 0-100kmph in around 5.6s and 13.9 1/4 mile, with only basic breathing mods can push more than 200kw's

Any one have any experiences/opinions on these?

NOTE: I would not be using the ute for any type of work, and 98% of the time im the only person in the car, so seating is not an issue.

[Red CV8 R]

My sister had one of these with basic mods to the SR20 and alot of boost, it flogged my Bolt on VX SS M6. In fairness to my car though I was having clutch issues. They are a nice thing through the twisties to but I dont rate their longevity if given a really hard life. Still a good thing and were a bargain when new.

[chops]

Not a bad bus.
Mate is selling one at the moment making approx 200rwkw with mid 12 sec time slips. Easy to get more performance out of, but not as "bang for buck" in the aftermarket mods as an LS1.

It really depends on what you want from a car as to which is more suited to your needs. The S15 has held it's value a little better than a Commodore if that's a concern.

[OLS108]

SR20 is a decent Jap Engine and plenty of guys making Good Power from them as well. have a freind up here who owns WASP performance His SR20 Full owned my LS1... but then again mine is only Bold on.

[2001 ITR]

The imported S15 had a little more power than the local S15. As always the turbo cars are easy to get grunt out of so after a bit of fiddling there wouldn’t be anything between local and import.
http://www.evo-r.com/evorpros15.html Some of these guys personal cars have been real weapons on the track (500hp)

I’d be looking at tweaking the handling and braking before going fully sik on the engine. Some of the interior was a bit “tinny” for the price. They are tough engines and drivelines but driver abuse and poor tuning can kill them.

[YIIR8]

Probably better to ask over on http://www.ricer.com.au where there will no doubt be myriads of stories of "fully owning" every car on the road...:rolleyes:

[vuster]

I had a 2002 S15 GT Spec R just before I moved to my VZ. I still wished I had one on certain days as it was such a fun car. It wasn't that quick but the quick gear changes and great handling makes up for it. Downside is that it's too laggy. If you don't rev enough then it starts like a snail. Not good for days where you just want to take it easy and cruise. That's one of the reasons I made the switch. Also, there's not much head room and the driving position is pretty awkward. i.e. feels like you are half lying down as you drive. I used to get leg cramps/aches on long drives.

[phunky_monkey]

They're fantastic cars, my girlfriend has one and I can't get enough of it. I've got a 180sx too, which for those who've driven one know are very similar, and I absolutely love it. Obviously not as solid etc as a commo, but they do weigh 500kg's less, and they handle exceptionally well. Bang for buck you can't beat them.

But they're completely different cars to the SS, so work out exactly what you want from a car, then your decision should be quite easy

[PurpleSS]

I have a S15 with 200RWKw and it is a rocket. 18 inch wheels sorted out the wheel spin and can do high 12's 1/4 mile and 5 sec 0-100. A real drivers car. I have had WRX's etc in the past and nothing beats the S15 for bang for your buck sideways fun. But if I were to fully mod my LS1 it would keep up and with suspension mods would be as much fun I am sure. I love Turbo's but love V8 rumble, maybe I should sell it and use the funds to turbo the SS???

Hmmm...............

[Tron2004]

Downside is that it's too laggy. If you don't rev enough then it starts like a snail.
Which explains the 6k rpm reving at the lights a while back from Mr Rice.
I thought (and hoped) this tosser was gonna put a rod out the side.

Damn.... he didn't. :cussing:

[chilly]

put paid to many a "sillycar" at Capalaba Raceway....:burnout:
bring em on i say...chuckle chuckle:evil: :evil:

[Oldskoolpushrod]

I have an Australian delivered 2001 Spec S S15. Bought it after a spirited drive in a mates identical car along the Dromana to Mornington Esplanade, it has the most communicative steering of any car I have ever driven and on those occasions when the rear steps out it is very controllable on throttle and steering inputs, as opposed to my old SS which threatened to snap sideways off the road (big stallie auto and tight LSD). Mine is/was a 32000km one elderly owner special and besides regular servicing, the only problem was a noisy variable valve timing unit which was replaced under warranty.

As mentioned above, in stock condition they are sluggish off the line until you hit boost (so launch at 4 grand and kill your tyre budget :D), but last year I ran it at Easternats with exhaust unbolted after the cat, and it picked up a few extra psi from the lack of restriction (factory system is press bent down to about an inch and a half 90 degree turn before the rear muffler) made 145rwkw on DD dyno with that open exhaust and ran 14.3 @ 97mph at Calder in stock form.

I miss the V8 rumble, thats for sure. Ideally I'd have the S15 for daily and a V8 weekend warrior.

This year I plan to do the 'usual' mods, being FMIC, turbo back exhaust, upgraded clutch and boost controller. Thats about as much as I want to do considering its a daily driver.

http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285507212500KICX0221 (Large).JPG (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
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http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285561900002Brad at Easternats.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285571275003SUN_05_0674.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285580650004SUN_05_0675.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285588462505MON_05_0318.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285597837506SUN_05_0215.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2285607212507BRAD @ Easternats.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)
http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/Uploads/Images/2301550962500MON_05_1105.jpg (http://www.thefreeimagehosting.com/)

Some bloke in a VX SS beat me by .53 of a second in the Stampede event so the LS1 is still king :D

[SchrgdVSV6]

There are a few more "old school" members on here than own or have owned an S15. I had one in my posession (spec R) for a few days and gave it a nice workout. Great car, I was tempted to buy one but I didnt find the seats too comfortable and it was a little flat in the sub 3K rev range.
I was also taken for a ride in a modded one with coilovers/semi comp rubber and it handled like it was on rails :D
They also seem to hold their prices fairly well.

[Oldskoolpushrod]

yeah but every Indo student who finishes their degree dumps them for 25k and then every kid just off p-plates thinks they can offer you low ball prices for yours when it comes time to sell..

I'm 6'5" and 105kg (in other words im a fat bastard :D ) and compared to the VK, the S15 is tiny inside, but the seats have nice side bolsters and certainly hold you in. I couldnt fit in the model with the sunroof (Spec R) as the roof lining is too low.

[BenZor]

yeah but every Indo student who finishes their degree dumps them for 25k and then every kid just off p-plates thinks they can offer you low ball prices for yours when it comes time to sell..

I'm 6'5" and 105kg (in other words im a fat bastard :D ) and compared to the VK, the S15 is tiny inside, but the seats have nice side bolsters and certainly hold you in. I couldnt fit in the model with the sunroof (Spec R) as the roof lining is too low.

In a mates s13 180sx, I'm 6" 6' and 160kg's (also fat bastard), i can fit and drive comfortably. and I'll agree, very nice cars, and very controllable.

[VU_SS_UTE]

Probably better to ask over on http://www.ricer.com.au where there will no doubt be myriads of stories of "fully owning" every car on the road...:rolleyes:

Theres some brilliant discussion for you all... :confused:

[pah]

Hi all,

One more vote in favour of the CRAMPED CABIN comment. Even in the non sunroof model, my head hits the roof lining. Hang driving a car with the seat at 45 degrees to get some head room.

I think I would have bought one if Nissan had built in a bit more head room. They oughta take their Japanese 50 percentile man out the back and ruffle his feathers for this obvious blue! :nutkick:
http://members.shaw.ca/gnat/95.html

Anyway, the WRX has plenty of head room and the AWD system might prevent loss of traction dramas with the constabulary too.





PAH

[PAN]

wow. i never new so many LS1 fan's are also fans of the SR20.

Would anyone know the easiest way/obvious signs to indicate that a car has had it's k's wound back?....eg a 99model import with around 45kkms. does that sound suss? im checking out the car tomorrow and the owner tells me that is in perfect condition

Cheers'

[Swordie]

I was watching a documentary on the top 10 sports cars of all time. The Nissan GTR was in the list. If the Silva has any relation to a GTR it must be a good car. From what I hear Nissan turbos are built strong and good for modifications. Drifters love these cars indication because of their good handling characteristics.

Calling a high performance Silva a ricer doesn’t sit within the definition of a ricer from what I know.

[pah]

I was watching a documentary on the top 10 sports cars of all time. The Nissan GTR was in the list. If the Silva has any relation to a GTR it must be a good car. From what I hear Nissan turbos are built strong and good for modifications. Drifters love these cars indication because of their good handling characteristics.

Calling a high performance Silva a ricer doesn’t sit within the definition of a ricer from what I know.

Hi Swordie,

Yeah - it's no big deal for a Nissan GTR to break into the 9's over the standing quater. From what I've read, the GTR engine is renowned for its strength and capable of around 1000 hp. Not bad for 2.6L

The Skylines cleaned up Bathurst on a regular basis until they found a sure-fire way to ban (oops I mean beat) them.

I'm not sure of a relationship between S15's and the R33's etc apart from the fact that they're both Nissans.




PAH

[Oldskoolpushrod]

The S15 has GTR DNA heheh, it shares the same helical LSD as the R34 GTR :D

EDIT: and the GTR and S15 use the same factory boost control

There is nothing rice about an S15 unless you fit Altezza style rear lights....


PAN, check the colour and consistency of the oil to try and get an indication of how recently it was serviced, and see if there are any local service records as the Japanese ones will be in Japanese (funny about that ;) )

When not serviced regularly (i.e. 10,000km or less intervals) the oil squirters on top of the cams tend to clog up and the cams suffer wear.

If you hear a clacking sound from the front of the motor on start up that goes away when the engine warms up or with a jab of the accelerator, it will be a noisy variable valve timing unit. This costs $600 to replace. The motor will run for ages with it making this noise, but who wants their car to sound like that?

Wear on floor mats isnt really an indication of high kms as I just bought a new set from Nissan and your heel makes an indentation in them pretty quickly.

The centre console and lower dash surrounds scratches easily so try to look for one with less markings.

If youre really keen you can check the rear subframe to make sure its not cracked (abused versions do).

Most 6 speed 200sx's (the S15, as S14 was a 5 speed) have whiney gearboxes...probably not so much a problem of the box itself, but the complete lack of any sound deadening in the transmission tunnel.

The clutches use a dual mass flywheel (sprung centre flywheel and solid centre clutch plate) to absorb harmonic noises, and to dampen shock to the (weaker than the 5 speed) trans.

Being a jap import version youre looking at, you get a few extras we didnt get, being A-pillar factory boost gauge, digital climate control, supposed 187kw at the fly versus the 147kw at the fly for the aussie versions (ecu tuning differences to account for fuel octane) and rear window wiper and you dont get the crap looking aussie spec rear bumper reflectors (I've just had mine removed)

45,000km sounds low for an import, but as a wise mate of mine said, disregard ALL odometer readings for imports as they all get fiddled with, buy ON CONDITION ONLY :D

[PAN]

The S15 has GTR DNA heheh, it shares the same helical LSD as the R34 GTR :D

EDIT: and the GTR and S15 use the same factory boost control

There is nothing rice about an S15 unless you fit Altezza style rear lights....


PAN, check the colour and consistency of the oil to try and get an indication of how recently it was serviced, and see if there are any local service records as the Japanese ones will be in Japanese (funny about that ;) )

When not serviced regularly (i.e. 10,000km or less intervals) the oil squirters on top of the cams tend to clog up and the cams suffer wear.

If you hear a clacking sound from the front of the motor on start up that goes away when the engine warms up or with a jab of the accelerator, it will be a noisy variable valve timing unit. This costs $600 to replace. The motor will run for ages with it making this noise, but who wants their car to sound like that?

Wear on floor mats isnt really an indication of high kms as I just bought a new set from Nissan and your heel makes an indentation in them pretty quickly.

The centre console and lower dash surrounds scratches easily so try to look for one with less markings.

If youre really keen you can check the rear subframe to make sure its not cracked (abused versions do).

Most 6 speed 200sx's (the S15, as S14 was a 5 speed) have whiney gearboxes...probably not so much a problem of the box itself, but the complete lack of any sound deadening in the transmission tunnel.

The clutches use a dual mass flywheel (sprung centre flywheel and solid centre clutch plate) to absorb harmonic noises, and to dampen shock to the (weaker than the 5 speed) trans.

Being a jap import version youre looking at, you get a few extras we didnt get, being A-pillar boost factory boost gauge, digital climate control, supposed 187kw at the fly versus the 147kw at the fly for the aussie versions (ecu tuning differences to account for fuel octane) and rear window wiper and you dont get the crap looking aussie spec rear bumper reflectors (I've just had mine removed)

45,000km sounds low for an import, but as a wise mate of mine said, disregard ALL odometer readings for imports as they all get fiddled with, buy ON CONDITION ONLY :D

thanks.

I have been also told to disregard the k's on an import. Now with our lower octane fuel..will the jap verson really produce 187kw?..or will it be close to the aus 147?

[Oldskoolpushrod]

probably not, the truth is probably somewhere in between, but with basic mods to the aussie version, its just as quick.

[Oldskoolpushrod]

S15 cruise today in Melbourne, was biggest turnout yet :D

http://www.nissansilvia.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=142274

pix and vids

[Jozo]

I use to own a s14, and now also drive a s15 as well as the SS. Hands down, the nissan is such a better car if you reallly want to have fun and enjoy a quick fang. Handling and responsivness, as well as the feeling when you hit high boost is exhillerating. The SS is a quicker car but it really doesnt feel it, and yes, it hell of a lot more comfortable than the little nissan especially during long trips.

If i had to settle for only one of them, id sell the ute right away

[JMEVXSS]

The SR20 is a great little engine.
I've got the NA version in my wife's SSS pulsar, and it is very hard to fault.
................... that's not to say it wouldn't be fun to do a turbo conversion though.
Cheers

[Gabe]

yeah the LSD in the S15- torsen diff isnt it?A lot better then the crap diff that comes with the commy!

[Stocky]

put paid to many a "sillycar" at Capalaba Raceway....:burnout:
bring em on i say...chuckle chuckle:evil: :evil:

Hi Chilly,
off topic, but your avatar is great :headbang:


Stocky