Sileighty
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
Contents |
[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. 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 horsepower, versus 205 from the standard 180SX's SR20DET.
[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 port 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"
[edit] Trivia
- In Initial D, the female racing pair Impact Blue drives a Sileighty.
- Many of the Gran Turismo games offer a Sileighty either for purchase or as a prize for completing certain goals.
- A Sileighty conversion will shave approx 26 lbs from the standard 180SX pop-up light front end.[citation needed]
