1992 Japanese 180SX

gordonb1 · Apr 30th, 2008, 12:04 PM

A friend will be working on a '92 180SX RH drive imported from Japan to Canada. The owner says it has a 2.0 turbo, but we are unsure and are looking for a Haynes book with the right specs.

What is the stock motor for this car, and how does one ID the engine in case it has been switched?

Thanks, GB

bizzy b · Apr 30th, 2008, 03:29 PM

yeah, a 92 180sx should have an SR20DET. i believe they were also available non-turbo (SR20DE) but just look for the turbo and your good to go. it'll be on the passenger side (to your RHD) below the exhaust manifold. earlier models had the CA18DET. the two can be differentiated easily by the valve cover. SR's have a fairly smooth red (anodized looking) cover with a silver spark plug cover while CA's have a finned red (painted looking) cover with a black spark plug cover (usually; i've seen some blue valve covers too). the fins/ribs are certain tho; smooth=SR, fins=CA. also, later SR's have a black valve cover with a slope down at the rear, but a 92 should have a red top SR20.

gordonb1 · Apr 30th, 2008, 05:39 PM

Great answer bizzyb - thanks!

I should see the car tomorrow.