Sileighty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sileighty | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Manufacturer | Nissan, Kids Heart |
| Also called | Sil80 |
| Production | 1998 |
| Class | Sport compact |
| Body style(s) | Coupe |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | RPS13 |
| Engine(s) | SR20DET 230 PS (227 hp) @ 6200 rpm 33.6 kgf-m (243 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm |
| Length | 4540 mm (178.7 in) |
| Width | 1690 mm (66.5 in) |
| Height | 1290 mm (50.8 in) |
| Curb weight | 1150 kg (2535 lb) |
| Related | Nissan 180SX Nissan Silvia |
A Sileighty (シルエイティ?) is a Nissan 180SX with an S13 Nissan Silvia's headlights, front fenders, hood, and front bumper installed, hence the 'Sil' in front and the 'eighty' rear.
[edit] History
The Sileighty (also written as Sil80) originated through early street racers in Japan who owned Nissan 180SXs with damaged front ends. Because the Silvia's front panels and lights were lighter and cheaper than the 180SX replacement parts, many drifters used these parts instead. Unknown to the public until the release date, these end user modifications inspired a Japanese auto shop, Kids Heart to produce a small number of so called "official" or "real" Nissan Sileighties. It is on record that 500 cars were made by this shop, and were only sold in 1998, possibly through Nissan dealerships.[1] Essentially the kouki (late model) 180SX Type-X tuned for drifting, the cars are distinguished from their home-built brethren by the distinctive "Sileighty" name on the rear dressplate and quarter windows. The Sileighty includes drift-oriented modifications such as a new ECU, a stiffer suspension system, an improved limited slip differential, and an increase in turbocharger boost from 7 psi to about 13 psi, resulting in approximately 230 hp (172 kW), versus 205 from the standard Silvia's SR20DET or the 180SX's 190hp CA18DET. The Sileighty is not recognized by any government as a Nissan manufactured model; instead it is generally treated as the model of the original car before modification.
[edit] Other Variations
It has become common for owners of the 240SX, the American version of the Nissan S platform, to make their own Sileighties by importing a Silvia front end and installing it onto their car. While some refer to it as a "Silforty", most enthusiasts insist that it is essentially the same as a Sileighty, and refer to it as such. This is a more or less correct assessment, as the portions of the 240SX fastback body remain are identical to the respective 180SX components aside from labeling. Converted S13 coupes or convertibles however are not considered Sileighties, because the body is simply a part of the Silvia itself. Instead it is most commonly referred to as a JDM Silvia Conversion.
Another variation is sometimes called the Onevia, which consists of 180SX parts on the front end of an S13 Silvia. Nissan sold a similar configuration in the US as the S13 240SX Coupe due to headlight height regulation. However, in order to be classified as a true "Onevia" parts from two separate vehicles must be combined after manufacture. Combining the 180SX body with an S15 Silvia front end is also a popular conversion. This is often known as "Sil-Fifteen Eighty", "s13.5" for the s13 body with a s15 front end and "Strawberry Face," since in Japanese, "one-five" is pronounced "ichi-go" and the Japanese word for strawberry is "ichigo"
