Nissan SR20DET
Nissan SR20DET engine in a U13 Bluebird (FWD/AWD layout).
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan (Nissan Techno)
Production	1989–2002
Layout
Configuration	Straight-four
Displacement	2.0 L (1,998 cc)
Cylinder bore	86 mm (3.39 in)
Piston stroke	86 mm (3.39 in)
Cylinder block material	Aluminum[1]
Cylinder head material	Aluminum[1]
Valvetrain	DOHC 4 valves x cyl.
Valvetrain drive system	Timing chain
Compression ratio	9.0:1, 9.5:1, 10.3:1, 11.0:1
Combustion
Turbocharger	Garrett T25G or T28
Fuel system	Electronic fuel injection
Fuel type	Gasoline
Cooling system	Water-cooled
Output
Power output	From 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) to 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp)
Torque output	From 266 N⋅m (196 lb⋅ft) to 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)
Chronology
Predecessor	CA18DET
Successor	QR20DE

The SR20DET is a 2.0 L (1,998 cc) straight-four four-stroke gasoline engine that is part of the SR family of engines from Nissan, produced from 1989 to 2002. It is a turbocharged version of the SR20DE engine and is a replacement of the CA18DET engine.

The SR20DET, like with the outgoing CA18DET, was a turbocharged intercooled engine in top form. It was Nissan's popular four-cylinder engine fitted into a wide variety of cars, most notably the S13-chassis Nissan Silvia and 180SX. It also came in the Pulsar GTI-R, Nissan NX Coupe and the Nissan Bluebird. It replaced the CA18DE and CA18DET engines that originally powered the Silvia and 180SX from the S12-chassis and prior. The previous CA18DET was deemed too expensive to produce (due to its cast-iron block) and no longer met Japanese emission standards, and so was replaced with the SR20DET.

The SR20DET is a popular choice as an engine swap in North American 240SXs (more specifically the USDM and Canadian models), as they use the SOHC KA24E for earlier models, or the DOHC KA24DE for later models. Both are naturally aspirated engines and are much less-powerful than the CA18DET and SR20DET engines, producing 140 hp (100 kW) and 155 hp (116 kW) respectively. SR20DET engine swaps are becoming more commonplace due to the aftermarket forced induction options available for the SR20DET. There are many tuning shops out there that specialized only in SR20DET swaps.

Model code breakdown

The breakdown of the engine codes are as follows:

• SR - Engine family
• 20 - 2.0 liter displacement
• D - Dual overhead camshaft
• E - Multi-port fuel injection
• T - Turbocharger

NOTE: The lack of a "D" in some engine identifications indicates an SOHC cylinder head.

For more information of Nissan's engine naming conventions, see list of Nissan engines.

History

The Garrett T25G turbo used on most SR20DET engines.

The SR20DET was first introduced in the U12 Nissan Bluebird 2000SSS ATTESA Limited in a transverse-mounted front-wheel drive/four-wheel drive form in October 1989. The first revisions of the rear-wheel drive S13 Nissan Silvia and Nissan 180SX produced in 1991 were built with a longitudinally-mounted SR20DET. Others had the naturally aspirated SR20DE. The engine then went on to be used in a number of Nissan vehicles, including the Nissan Avenir in 1995, the Nissan R'nessa in 1997 and the Nissan Liberty in 1999. The SR20DET (along with the naturally-aspirated SR20DE) was retired in most Nissan vehicles in August 2002 (including the S15 Nissan Silvia), and were replaced with the QR20DE engine in most applications.

Out of all the Nissan models produced with the SR20DET engine, the Silvia was the longest-running model to use it, starting with the S13 series in 1991 and ending with the S15 series in 2002. The S14 and S15 series used a bigger turbocharger than the S13 series.

Valve cover colors

The colors of the valve covers seem to relate to the year the engine was produced:

• 1989–1994 "Red top" - Came from U12/13 Bluebird, S13 Silvia and 180SX pre-94 (Garrett T25G turbo) 370cc injectors were used.

• 1994–1998 "Black top" - Came from 180SX's post-94 (Garrett T25G turbo)

• 1994–1998 "Black top VCT" - 94–98 Silvias - Variable Cam Timing or VCT was introduced on the intake cam (Garrett T28 journal bearing turbo for Australian and European markets and Garrett T28 Ball Bearing turbo for the Japanese market)^[2] 370cc injectors were used.

• 1995–2002 "Silver top" - 95-02 Avenirs and 97-01 R'nessas.

• 1999–2002 "Black top" - 99–02 Silvias. Same VCT as above, 6-speed manual transmission (Garrett Journal Bearing T28 for Europe and Australia and Ball Bearing T28 turbo for Japan) 480cc injectors were used and the intake manifold was redesigned.^[1]

Engine specifications

• DOHC 4 valves per cylinder, Chain driven cam sprockets
• Bore × Stroke of 86 mm (3.39 in) × 86 mm (3.39 in)
• Displacement of 1,998 cc (2.0 L; 121.9 cu in)

1990–1994 RNN14 Pulsar GTI-R

• Compressor Flow: 33 lb/MIN
• Throttle Body: Quad
• Injector Flow: 440cc/min
• Ignition Timing: 20º BTDC

1991–1998 180SX

• Throttle Body Bore: 60 mm
• Injector Flow: 370cc/min

1995–1999 S14 Silvia

• Throttle Body Bore: 50 mm
• Injector Flow: 370cc/min

1999–2002 S15 Silvia

• Throttle Body Bore: 50 mm
• Injector Flow: 444cc/min

Twin-turbo modifications

While all factory manufactured SR20DET's featured only a single turbo unit, some aftermarket tuners have engineered working twin-turbo configurations. One such kit produced by ENDLESS Japan in 2008 featured two GReddy TD05-16G turbines in parallel. These were mounted on a custom exhaust manifold and downpipe, and required heavy modifications to the engine bay to fit correctly. This twin-turbo setup achieved its peak power at 2.2 bar between 5,500–6,000 RPM, and costs ¥300,000.^[3]

Applications

The 1999 Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15) is powered by the SR20DET.

The SR20DET is used in a number of Nissan vehicles produced from 1989 to 2002, including the Nissan Silvia line of compact sports cars. Below is a list of these.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan SR20DET engine.

• List of Nissan engines

References