Nissan SR20DET

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 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 Silvia and 180SX produced in 1991 had a longitudinally-mounted SR20DET, with some models using the naturally aspirated SR20DE. This engine went on to be used in a number of Nissan vehicles, including the Avenir in 1995, the R'nessa in 1997 and the Liberty in 1999. The SR20DET (along with the naturally-aspirated SR20DE) was retired on most Nissan vehicles in August 2002 (which includes vehicles such as the S15 Silvia as it used the SR20DE/SR20DET engines), 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, beginning 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) 370cc injectors were used.

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

• 1999–2002 "Black top" or "Notch 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.

Engine specifications

• DOHC 4 valves per cylinder, Chain driven cam sprockets
• Bore × Stroke of 86 mm × 86 mm
• Displacement of 1998 cc

1990–1994 RNN14 Pulsar GTI-R

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

1991–1994 S13 Silvia & 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

Comparison table

Twin-turbo modifications

While all factory manufactured SR20DET's had a single turbo unit, there have been some working twin-turbo versions of the SR20DET made by certain aftermarket tuners. One such kit was produced by ENDLESS Japan in 2008, featuring two GReddy TD05-16G turbines in parallel and mated to a custom exhaust manifold and downpipe. Modifications to the engine bay were required in order for the twin-turbo setup to fit in correctly, as it would not be able to fit properly on an unmodified engine bay. This setup achieved its peak power at 2.2 bar between 5,500–6,000 rpm, and costs ¥300,000.

Applications

The SR20DET was used in a number of front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and rear-wheel drive Nissan vehicles produced from 1989 to 2002, including the Nissan Silvia line of small compact rear-wheel drive sports cars. The following below is a list of these, categorized by its use in transversal or longitudinal configurations.

List of vehicles using the SR20DET

References

References

1. "JDM Spec Engines - Nissan SR20DET Engine".
2. "T28 Ball Bearing And Non Ball Bearing Turbo - SilviaWA Forums".
3. (15 June 2019). "ENDLESSS SR20DET Twin Turbo Kit".