SR20DET

The SR20DET is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine from Nissan, part of the company’s SR engine family. It was developed for performance models and was widely used in Nissan’s S-chassis line and related models from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, including the Silvia, 180SX, and Pulsar GTI-R. The engine combines a dual-overhead-cam valvetrain with four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, and a turbocharger with intercooling in most configurations.

Displacement is 1998 cc, and power output varies by market and revision. Factory figures typically fall in the range of roughly 205 to 250 horsepower at the crank, with variations due to turbocharger size, intercooling, and ECU tuning. The SR20DET was produced in several revisions, and different regional versions offered modest changes in tuning and hardware to suit local emissions and fuel quality. The red-top and black-top variants are well known among enthusiasts, distinguished by differences in intake routing, turbo options, and cam profiles.

Applications and legacy: the SR20DET powered several generations of Nissan’s Silvia/S13, S14, and S15 models, as well as the 180SX and Pulsar GTI-R in various markets. It gained a strong following in the tuning community due to its robust bottom end and broad aftermarket support, making it a common platform for performance upgrades such as turbo swaps, intercoolers, exhaust, and engine management enhancements. The engine is recognized for its potential when properly maintained and tuned, though reliability depends on build quality, boost management, and cooling.