Mid 80's 200SX turbo?

I want to find out ALL I can about the mid 80's 200SX turbos. I have searched the net with very limited results. If anyone knows of any good sites or has links, it would be greatly appreciated.

I think you should just get a 300zx Twin Turbo heck you can pick one up for like $4500~10,000 clean



I had one of those 200sx turbo and all I can tell you they are junk untill you get a (CA18DET or the FJ20DET) JAPAN ONLY and once I put this in that car mannn it was heck fast but STILL NOT SMOG LEGEAL

dude you have been asking too manny smog stuff questions ?

dude its like do you work for the CARB , or the People who check for smog stuff ?????

Originally posted by dieselpower
dude you have been asking too manny smog stuff questions ?

dude its like do you work for the CARB , or the People who check for smog stuff ?????I ask a lot, too. Maybe some people actually try to follow the rules. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by dieselpower
dude you have been asking too manny smog stuff questions ?

dude its like do you work for the CARB , or the People who check for smog stuff ?????


A couple things:

1. If I worked for C.A.R.B., I would be asking what YOU had, so I could bust your ass ;).

2. If I worked for C.A.R.B, I could probably smog whatever I want.

3. I prefer not tearing all the non-smog crap outta my car when I gotta test it. I am after all in California, land of the Fascist smog checkers. Occasionally they even have portable smog stations set up along the road and randomly test cars(mandatory if you get picked). That includes visual and tailpipe.

OK if you want a SMOG legal way to buy an S13 or an 200sx and pass it for smog legal Realyy LEGAL


1) Call up CARB Cal Air Res BOard , and talk to the auto dept on this and they can help you

but just to get the Hp you want Legally plan to spend $3900~7500 in adj to the motor this does not include the motor

Ok, while I appreciate your input, all I wanted out of this thread was more information on the 200SX turbo. In the 240SX forum, all I wanted to know was if anyone made a 100% C.A.R.B. legal turbo kit. Not just some "well the company says its legal" kinda crap. I did not expect to make 500 hp and not have a smog-Nazi notice. All I was curious about was a worry/hassle free way to get a repectable amount of power.

Sorry honda I dont have any information bout a 200sx but i do know that Turbo Magazine said that XS engineering has a smog legal kit for the s13/240sx and makes est. 215-250hp. It also costs around $3600. the price may be cheaper tho.

one of my friends had one and i liked how it looked so i cheacked the specs on it and it was only rated at 120hp turbo!!! i think that sucks but its a cool looking car

Sorry for keeping us off topic, I promise to get back on track by the end of this post.

Originally posted by turbonetrix
Sorry honda I dont have any information bout a 200sx but i do know that Turbo Magazine said that XS engineering has a smog legal kit for the s13/240sx and makes est. 215-250hp. It also costs around $3600. the price may be cheaper tho.

XS's KA24 turbo kit is not yet C.A.R.B. certified. As a matter of fact, there are no certified KA turbo kits yet. Look towards Greddy in the near future; they are working on one (and just about all their new low boost turbo kits are legal).

The Datsun 200SX Turbo was powered by the CA18ET 1.8L SOHC motor. Despite the turbo, it musters only 120 hp, and is known to have a fragile exhaust manifold. There are FAR more alternatives to using this engine, including the rare and intriguing technological masterpiece, the aforementioned DOHC CA18DET (which has a type of direct fire ignition and plug-in-coil design, quad-butterfly throttles) found on early S13 Silvia/180SXs, the race bred sturdy and even rarer FJ20DET found on the DR30 Skylines, and of course, the popular SR20DET. There are a few examples of the above hybrids scattered throughout the web (none of which I can remember the site right now).

I've also got some more basic information about the S12 200SX, in this thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t14708.html).

So I take it that smog is some sort of test, on the emissions of the car.
Um yeah well anyway I have a pesky little 86' 200SX with 146hp CA20ES, SOHC with twin sparkplugs per piston, and the engine and exhaust is standard(other than a good tune up), I think that oughta pass the test, but you want a 89' 180sx or 200sx, thats one I can't help you with. Other than that GO FOR IT!:cool:

Would it be possible to drop some sort of turbo engine in a 1986/87 200sx? Could u drop an sr20det into it? If so, would any sr20det work in it? How much do u think professional installation would cost? Plus, do u know anything else about this 200sx? If u know, please reply.

:flash: RE: SR20DET in a S12 Silvia/ 200sx, yeap it'll fit, it only matters what type of SR20DET your going to fit, the front wheel drive unit out of the GTiR, can be made to fit into the 200sx, but if you have limited money then any rear wheel drive SR20DET will do. I was thinking of installing a SR20DET into mine but the cost of them compaired to the VH45DE is almost 4x the cost, SR20DET $8,000 - $10,000NZD and VH45DE @ $2,000 - $2,500, but if you can get a SR20DET then go for it.

If i got hold of the SR20DET, how much would it cost to get it installed. What all did u do to ur '86 200sx? What would u do or what are u planning to do to it? What do u think i should do to mine? Is urs auto or manual?

:devil: Well I'm currenty fitting a VH45DE, with now it's changed from the twin turbo setup, to a easier twin supercharger setup, this is costing me around the $7500 mark all up, including install, forgies, harden internals. As the car started life as a Automatic, then with a magical $16,000, it became a Holliger 6 speed w/ twin plate clutch, another $5,000 later and it's got a diff. Next on the list of things is the Shocks and springs and other susp. stuff.

As for you and the SR20DET, I don't know where your from, so I can't quite help you, with the cost, but if you fit a standard SR20DET, with the std. computer then around the $1,000 - $2,000 USD, to install it, but you need the Gearbox with a new shaft, and think about getting your rearend done as well(Diff setup), which souldn't cost much more, other than the mounting, so all up save about $5,000 to $7,000 USD, just incase, but get everything done at once don't do it in steps it kinda costs more, TRUST ME.

Above all go hard..........:D

Could someone tell me what engine the 2.0l is in the US 1986 200SX?

:o CA20E, or
:D FJ20DE

depending on specs

Dude, Just get a 1987-1988 200sx SE. If you can find them. . . they are killer cars just as they are. I got one for 1200 and i had to change a few parts but nothin too extensive, basically things that go out on older cars. but if you dont know what this is, its an S12 with a VG30E. A Nissan 3.0l V6. they are great stuff dude, find one. . .buy it, thats all i gotta say

Engine available on U.S. market S12 200SX's is as follows:
84-86:
base: CA20E
Turbo: CA18ET

87-88:
base: CA20E
SE: VG30E

That's it. No FJ's for the U.S. with the exception of a couple I know of that military guys have brought back from overseas.

As for the CA18ET, it's true that in stock form it only puts out 120 hp. However I know several guys at www.club-s12.org that have their CA18ET's pushing 200hp without blowing too much $$$. CA18DET swap will work if you can get an engine, same goes for SR20DET. A couple guys are trying to get their hands on FJ20ET's which would be the ultimate S12 turbo swap.
But with a little know-how a CA18ET S12 can be plenty quick.

Don't buy a 4cyl. 200sx if you're going for power. Get an '87 (160HP stock) or '88 (175HP stock) SE V6 and put a 300zx turbo on it.

/\ /\ /\ /\ what he said. :)

has anyone done an engine swap before with a ca18det or sr20det into an86 200sx turbo before?

Yes, an SR swap had been done by a guy in Cali, but he sold it. The ca18det is seeked by many and some are close to getting the engine, but I don't know of anyone with the CA in it yet. Someone has swapped a ka24de into though...kinda cool.