Nissan Silvia S15

Author
Discussion

ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

24,850 posts

172 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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I've got itchy fingers for a fun car to run alongside my trusty V70 and S15's keep cropping up. I don't know a huge amount about them other than a bit of research I've done recently and looking at a couple for sale recently.

Anyone have opinions? Obviously the usual import rules apply but anything model specific. I read that the SR20 is a pretty reliable engine. Any must have options? The aerial kit seems to divide opinion, I quite like it very late 90's JDM.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Monday 11th April 2016
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Would get on the forums and have a read there if you can. I know that Horsham Developments nr Newbury are 200SX (Silvia) specialists.
If you're going to import yourself then I'd recommend Torque GT, they also have alot of good product/spec knowledge too boot.

Neith

621 posts

139 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
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I've owned a Spec-R for the last 3 years or so. Really fun car to drive, only downside is the SR20 engine note isn't the best. Mine's almost standard with the half-aero kit (aero spoiler and skirts but no aero front bumper/rear spats). Only things I've done is HKS exhaust / sports cat and some cosmetic things like Nismo side clear indicators.

Value-wise they haven't changed much at all; I imported mine from DCY Europe when the exchange rates were garbage and paid about £11k. Most seem to sell for around £8-12k for a sorted Spec-R, much less for the Spec-S (non-turbo). Parts are largely cheap and a lot is shared with the S14 but S15-specific things can be pricey, particularly body panels/bumpers (if you want an Aero bumper it'll cost a huge amount of money).

Mine's been relatively reliable although I think the fuel pump is on the way out. The worst thing is dealing with rust; S15s rot horribly around the arches, suspension turrets and front wings where the wing meets the bumper. Sills can be an issue too so make sure any you look at have been undersealed upon entry to the UK.

Main trim levels are Spec-S (2 litre SR20DE non-turbo) and Spec-R (2 litre SR20DET turbo). The Spec-R also has additional body bracing and a helical LSD. I believe it's only the Spec-R that comes with a 6-speed manual too and the Spec-S stayed with a 5-speed. There's also an Autech version (which is essentially a tuned Spec-S) and a Varietta convertible based on the Spec-S. These are pretty rare though so you'll mainly be dealing with Spec-S and Spec-R cars.

For importers, Torque GT are really highly recommended. I'm not totally sure about DCY; they were great for me but seem to be a lot more expensive now.

S15 owners club and SXOC are probably the best places to find more information but I'll try and answer any questions you might have. I'd offer to give you a test drive but mine needs some work doing on it at the minute laugh More than welcome to have a look though if you want.

Edited by Neith on Tuesday 12th April 00:44

Dgr90

168 posts

131 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
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First thing I would recommend is that you head over to sxoc.com. There is a wealth of knowledge on there. Check for rust, My experience with 200sx's (owned 2) has been that they are absolutely bulletproof (SR20det more than CA18det) but need a bit of tlc to keep the underside good. Finally, get on the phone to jez @ Hdev when you buy one (when, not if wink ). For me, the sweet spot is a nice responsive 'stage 1a' which is roughly 300hp/300tq.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
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Neith said:
The worst thing is dealing with rust; S15s rot horribly around the arches, suspension turrets and front wings where the wing meets the bumper. Sills can be an issue too so make sure any you look at have been undersealed upon entry to the UK.
Make sure you underseal it on arrival and it will help hold this off abit! My Skyline has been done and it's still nice and thick and non-cracked smile I take mine out in the wet but not when the roads are gritted.

ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

24,850 posts

172 months

Tuesday 12th April 2016
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Sounds good. I've looked at a couple, one was very low mileage but not undersealed when it was imported last year and another that needed a bit of bodywork to bring it up to scratch.

It seems that most are grey unfortunately, not many in blue, yellow or red.

My worry is that the exchange rate is holding prices high and when it goes the other way prices will take a hit.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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Couple of white ones on Torque's website and they've sold a yellow one fairly recently;

http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/nissan-silvia-spec-r-7/

http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/nissan-silvia-spec-r-4/

however, check this P13 out!! Almost double the price of the others but grade 5 wow!!

http://torque-gt.co.uk/car/nissan-silvia-ps13/

ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

24,850 posts

172 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...

Someone got a bit of a bargain. Sold with 1 bid for £4950.

Neith

621 posts

139 months

Wednesday 13th April 2016
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TommoAE86 said:
Make sure you underseal it on arrival and it will help hold this off abit! My Skyline has been done and it's still nice and thick and non-cracked smile I take mine out in the wet but not when the roads are gritted.
My S15 got undersealed as soon as it arrived, still looks really clean underneath after 3 years. It's the rest of the car that rusts frown


ChocolateFrog said:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=1...

Someone got a bit of a bargain. Sold with 1 bid for £4950.
It looks like it's a Spec-S so non-turbo. They tend to go for relatively little compared to the Spec-R cars. Still a very nice car but I like my turbo hehe

Edited by Neith on Wednesday 13th April 20:56

AM7

268 posts

128 months

Thursday 14th April 2016
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I had a quick look around S15s last year but couldn't justify the extra money over an S14, however it was more due to mine being used as a daily so availability/accessibility of parts was a concern and also import insurance costs due to my age - so I did buy an S14. I'll offer words/experience on general S-chassis and SR20s.

Rust - affects all S-chassis, mine was showing early signs but turned out to need new sills and a fair amount of work to all the arches, so I'm giving it a good going over and rather large amounts of underseal.. As mentioned fresh imports are pretty clean but give it some good prep and throw on the underseal as soon as it arrives.

The SR20s are great engines but they need looking after. Factory oil changes are quoted at every 6k but depending on your use this may be more often, so make sure the car has been well maintained. I know people who drift/track their cars and they change their oil closer to every couple of thousand miles, the engines take everything that is thrown at them, treat them well and they will treat you well! Mine unfortunately wasn't treated well and had a knocking engine when I bought it, engine rebuilds are not fun rolleyes Also as stated above the engines do sound a bit "mute", they really do sound like a Dyson. I found a full exhaust with decat and a screamer pipe helped, rather a lot, I then removed the blow off valve completely and the turbo noises it makes now should be censored.

The route I'm taking with mine is a really long-term project daily, with the intention of upgrading/replacing/rebuilding all the major components. It should be sorted and running stage 1a (h-dev) by summer time and later onto stage 2 into next year. What I should be left with is a super reliable and very fun car, nothing else would come close (for me) for the money, I'll be under £5k for a rebuilt, rust-free, 300hp S14a. You're going to love life wink

The eBay link above is indeed a non-turbo Spec S. Looks the business for the cost but depends what you want, I think they're around 160hp but I personally couldn't have one without a turbo!

ChocolateFrog

Original Poster:

24,850 posts

172 months

Saturday 16th April 2016
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http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=2...

This is looking more like it. Unmolested Spec R for £8050.

themanwithnoname

1,634 posts

212 months

Sunday 17th April 2016
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AM7 said:
II found a full exhaust with decat and a screamer pipe helped, rather a lot, I then removed the blow off valve completely and the turbo noises it makes now should be censored.
So Yeah... We're going to need a video to verify those claims.

For science, you understand.