Timeless: A 1992 Nissan 240SX SE with 1998 Silvia SR20DET Implant

Old-school Nissans age well. This 1992 240SX with a SR20DET swap shows us exactly why.

There’s nothing like nostalgia to bring back fond memories and good times, like a classic Biggie track or the smell of sweet perfume. We see so many builds throughout the years that might be hot for a minute but a season later the style or trend has hit the recycling bin.

Then there are individuals like Jeevs Sidhu who opt for a build that will always buck the trends, who would rather go with a project that will endure the times. The Calgary native has shown a unique sense of style and it shows with his 240sx build, no matter the age of the car he would hope to keep things in fashion.

Jeevs set out to build his car with the same prestige as famed S13 chassis tuner/driver Koguchi, but with his own twist to it. “Koguchi always has the best steeze” Sidhu claimed when asked about his build.

1992 Nissan 240SX SE
Photo: Amee Reehal

First things first: a 1998 Silvia SR20DET engine

The iconic build began with the heart of the beast. Sidhu had imported a SR20DET Red Top which come’s standard issue in mid to late S (early, and blacktop was late) chassis. Following some hard drift and track sessions the tired Red Top was relieved of its duties for a crispy Black Top SR20DET found in the big brother S14.

Prior to swapping the motor Sidhu wanted to extract the most out of the power plant as possible, beginning with a Garrett GT28-60RS Turbine, mated with a Tomei Expreme Manifold. Gases were expelled through a Circuit Sports downpipe and Apexi N-1 Titanium Exhaust System.

1992 Nissan 240SX SE engine
Photo: Amee Reehal

To increase airflow a Greddy Intake manifold with a big bore throttle body lead to a Greddy front mount intercooler. Once the engine was re-assembled a wire tuck ensued including fuse box relocation, those with s-chassis know this is not an easy task to partake.

Styling and Footwork

In Koguchi fashion, Jeevs wanted to have a clean yet recognizable aero package, G-Grow would be the face of 240sx matched with OEM Kouki side skirts, rear valence, wing, tail lamps with a carbon Kevlar garnish as the cherry on top.

Before being coated in a metallic black skin the front and rear fenders were pulled and prepped by Sidhu himself. This would allow for aggressive fitment and stance. “Finding a good wheel and tire combo that wouldn’t make my car drive like garbage wasn’t easy, it took time and money” said Jeevs. After going through several sets to dial in the car to his liking, the 240sx sports 18 inch dual toned SSR Professors.

1992 Nissan 240SX SE
Photo: Amee Reehal

Handling

Handling was one of the most vital aspects of the build relying on Stance Dampers, Tein tie rods and a whole array of bushings and braces. Matched with a Safety 21 roll cage the car was rigid and ready for track duties or daily operation to and from work. With the additional power added, braking was the next area to address. A Project Mu 4 pot big brake kit was employed to share the duties with Z32 2 pot rears.

Cabin

To round out the build two Bride holding monsters were placed in the cockpit, along with Origin Lab carbon fiber rear seat delete. Tired of the worn out OEM lighting inside the Nissan, Sidhu went through the necessity of replacing or wiring in LED bulbs, from the climate control to the Nismo cluster with a wideband 02 gauge built in. Supermade floor mats and a Sparco steering wheel complete the interior.

1992 Nissan 240SX SE
Photo: Amee Reehal

Takeaway

The objective of this build was to have a daily driver that would break necks while looking at home at the track. Sidhu has easily achieved all of the above and feels he has a complete package sitting in his garage. Little details and some hard work have allowed this iconic chassis to always be one that many would envy, through the years this 240sx will never show its true age.

1992 nissan 240sx se

1992 240sx SE Spec Sheet:

Paint: Porsche Basalt Metallic Black

Engine

  • 1998 Silvia SR20DET w/5Speed
  • P2M Coil Pack Grounding Plate
  • ARC Air Box
  • Tomei Expreme Manifold
  • S15 Multilayer Exhaust Manifold Gasket
  • Garrett GT28-60RS Turbo
  • Circuit Sports Downpipe
  • Apexi N1-Ti Exhuast System
  • Circuit Sports Turbo Lines
  • Greddy Intercooler
  • HKS Sequential BOV
  • Aluminum Charge Piping
  • Nissan N15 Big Bore 70mm Throttle Body
  • Greddy 1Pc Manifold w/ Welded 70mm Flange, Powder Coated Grey
  • RC 550cc Injectors
  • SARD Fuel Pressure Regulator w/ Aeromotive Gauge
  • Aeroquip Fuel Lines and fittings
  • Greddy Fuel Rail, Powder Coated Black
  • Hondata Heat Shield Gasket
  • Circuit Sports Coolant reservoir
  • Koyo Radiator
  • ARC Water Pump Pulley
  • Greddy Radiator Cap
  • Samco Red Hoses
  • Power Enterprises Belt
  • Fal Dual Electric Fan and Shroud combo
  • Battery Relocation Kit
  • Optima Dry Cell Battery
  • Wire Tuck

DriveTrain

  • Nismo X Exedy Multiplate Clutch and Flywheel Combo
  • Circuit Sport Clutch Damper Eliminator
  • STRD Clutch Assembly
  • B&M Short Shifter
  • JDM 180sx LSD
  • Peak Performance Race Transmission Mount
  • Energy Suspension Rear Subframe Bushing Kit

Brakes

  • Project Mu 4-Pot Calipers
  • Project Mu 2 Piece Rotors
  • Project Mu Pads
  • Z32 Master Cylinder
  • Z32 Rear 2Pot brake
  • Z32 Drum e-brake conversion
  • Stainless Braided Lines

Suspension

  • Stance Coilovers
  • Energy Suspension Bushing kit
  • Energy Suspension Steering Rack Bushings
  • Circuit Sports Exhaust Hanger Bushings
  • Circuit Sports Aluminum Steering Bushing
  • Tein Tie Rods
  • Nismo Power Brace
  • Custom Reinforced LCA
  • Powder Coated Red Front and Rear Subframes
  • Tanabe Front Sway Bar
  • White Line Adjustable rear swaybar
  • White Line End Links
  • Carbing Front StrutBar w/ brake stopper
  • Cusco Rear Strut bar
  • Touge Factory C-Pilar Bar
  • Circuit Sports Trunk Floor Bar
  • Saftey 21 8pt Roll Cage
  • Peak Performance RUCA

Wheels

  • SSR SP1 3piece Custom Painted
  • 18×9 +8 Front
  • 225/35/18
  • 18×10 +8 Back
  • 245/35/18
  • Rays Engineering long Lightweight lugs nuts

Interior

  • Sparco Concave Suede Wheel
  • Kazama Shift Knob
  • Kazama Spin Turn Knob
  • Carbon Glove Box Delete
  • Bride Gias Low Max Carbon Kevlar Driver Seat – Red
  • Bride Brix 1 – Red
  • Takata 4pt Harnesses
  • Origin Carbon Rear Bench
  • Super Made Floor Mats
  • Pioneer F90BT Navigation
  • Greddy Emanage
  • Greddy SpeedCut Defender
  • Innovate Wideband Gauge
  • Nismo 260km LED Backlit Gauge Cluster w/ Wideband
  • Supermade Checkered Floor Mats
  • T1R Interior Lights
  • Removed Rear Seat Brackets

Exterior

  • Parts by Max Skid Plate
  • G-Grow Front Bumper
  • Ganador Electric Mirrors
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Side Skirts
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Rear Lip
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Rear Wing
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Side Markers
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Signal Lights
  • JDM 180sx Kouki City Lights
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Tail Lights
  • JDM 180sx Kouki Carbon Kevlar RPS13 Tail Light Garnish
  • Origin Roof Wing
  • Painted Carbon Hood
  • Shaved Trunk LID
  • Pulled Rear Fenders

1992 Nissan 240SX SE

Photos: Amee Reehal
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