Nissan 180SX - RS13U

RS13U

This section is about this vehicle's European model. See Nissan 240SX for information on the North American model and 180SX for Japanese model

200SX RS13U

Also called	Nissan 180SX (Japan))
Production	December 1988–December 1993 (prototypes from Jan '93)
Body style	3-door hatchback
Platform	Nissan S platform
Engine	1.8 L CA18DET I4
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2474 mm (97.4 in)
Length	4521 mm (178 in)
Width	1689 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1290 mm (50.8 in)
Curb weight	1224 kg (2700 lb) (Automatic with air con)
Related	Nissan Cefiro Nissan 240SX Sileighty

The RS13U 200SX is a fastback 3 door hatch with a body shell like the Japanese market 180SX. The notchback coupe version was never offered in the European market - though a number of Japanese Silvia have been imported privately. Like its predecessor the Nissan Silvia (R)S12 in the European market it used pop-up headlights. The RS13U 200SX was made until December 1993 but sales continued from stocks in the UK until the end of 1994. For a few months both 200SX S14 and RS13U were available.

RS13U 200SX were all powered by the CA18DET engines carried over from the end of S12 RS-X production, with an intercooler added to the CA18DET for a slight increase in stability and power. The SR20DET was never offered as it would have needed a new European type test.

The chassis with McPherson front and multilink rear suspension was common to all S13 and RS13 models. The European 200SX initially had 257mm front brakes and rear disc service brakes with drum parking brakes in the rotor hubs. Later models had larger 280mm front brakes.

The European 200SX RS13U had a number of parts as standard that were Nismo optional parts in Japan. Water/oil heat exchanger. Differential oil cooler AND extended finned rear cover holding 0.6L more oil, even on models with open differential. Alloy radiator. 3.916 Final drive ratio. These were required as the RS13U 200SX has no speed limiter and any car in Europe could visit West Germany where on the Autobahn it could legally be held at very high speeds for a sustained length of time. Japanese cars are fitted with a 180 km/h, 112 mph speed limiter.

Digital climate control was not fitted to European models. HICAS rear wheel steering wasn't available. Nor was the later Japanese model's sports automatic gearbox control.

The FS5W71C gearboxes had different ratios to all other S13/S14. A key change was the layshaft gear which changed from 22/31 to 21/32, thus running the layshaft slower and at higher torque. This gearbox is considered weaker than other S13/S14 gearboxes. The front of the SR20DET gearbox with bell housing can be removed and a CA18DET bell housing fitted to allow the gearboxes to be swapped.