Silvia SR20DET Turbo Engines
from £1,200 to £3,500
Rebuilt units from £2,800 · Common codes: SR20DET, CA18DET, RB20DET
Get quotes from trusted UK Nissan Silvia engine specialists. Compare rebuilt and performance reconditioned prices for CA18DET, SR20DE, and SR20DET - 1.8L to 2.0L turbo inline-4 covered. Find UK performance engine specialists.
Silvia SR20DET Turbo Engines
from £1,200 to £3,500
Rebuilt units from £2,800 · Common codes: SR20DET, CA18DET, RB20DET
Silvia CA18DET 1.8L Engines
from £800 to £2,200
Rebuilt units from £1,500 · Common codes: CA18DET, SR20DET Redtop
Silvia RB Series Swap Engines
from £2,000 to £4,500
Rebuilt units from £3,200 · Common codes: RB20DET, RB25DET, SR20DET Blacktop

Most replacements completed within 3-5 days.
The table below shows typical UK rebuilt engine costs across Nissan Silvia variants - compare failure causes, engine codes, fuel types, and price ranges to benchmark what UK drivers are paying.


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Not sure which variant your Nissan Silvia is- Enter your registration number above - we'll identify the exact sub-model, engine code and compatible replacement options instantly.

Every engine code fitted to the Nissan Silvia across all generations, with technical specs, compatible variants and trims, known failure points, and average rebuilt prices from UK specialists. Select any engine code to compare quotes.
Extracted from detailed petrol and performance engine families across Nissan Silvia variants.

CA18DET - 1.8L Petrol
Main replacement demand comes from timing-chain, cooling-system and performance thermal-management faults.
Compatible variants
Avg. rebuilt price
£1,500 - £2,200
Supply only
Technical specifications
Common failures
Not sure which engine code?
Can't find your engine code- Enter your registration number above - we'll instantly identify the exact unit, its technical specifications, and live replacement prices from UK Nissan Silvia engine specialists. Every rebuilt engine comes with a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty.

The Nissan Silvia's SR20DET and CA18DET turbo engines deliver iconic performance but face well-documented failure points. NVCS rattle, timing chain stretch, and head gasket failure dominate replacement enquiries. Every rebuilt engine supplied through EngineMarket includes upgraded internal components designed to address the original failure point - plus a...
SR20DET NVCS Rattle
Most affected vehicles
Nissan Silvia S14 K's, S15 Spec R, S15 Spec S (1993-2002, SR20DET Blacktop)
Failure mileage range
80,000-120,000 miles
Typical failure window
Root cause
NVCS (Nissan Variable Cam System) solenoid or sprocket wear causes oil pressure loss, creating metallic rattling from cylinder head.
Repair options & estimated costs (UK ranges)
| Repair tier | Dealer price | Specialist price | What it involves | Longevity / suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor - NVCS Solenoid Replacement | £400 - £700 | £250 - £450 | Replace faulty NVCS solenoid, flush oil system, reset ECU codes | May resolve rattle if caught early; not permanent fix if sprocket worn |
| Intermediate - NVCS Sprocket & Chain Service | £1,200 - £2,000 | £800 - £1,400 | Replace NVCS sprocket, timing chain, tensioner and guides | Addresses root cause; recommended if rattle persists after solenoid swap |
| Full Replacement - Rebuilt SR20DET Engine | £4,500 - £6,500 | £2,800 - £4,500 | Supply & fit rebuilt SR20DET with upgraded NVCS components, MLS gasket, bench tested | Permanent solution; includes 12-month warranty, upgraded internals for reliability |
Our recommendation
If the rattle is mild and appears only on cold start, try solenoid replacement first. Persistent rattling under load indicates sprocket wear - at that point, a rebuilt engine with upgraded NVCS components offers better long-term value for S15 Spec R owners.
Compare rebuilt SR20DET engine prices for your Nissan Silvia
Every Nissan Silvia engine type is available through our UK network with typical price ranges based on variant, engine code and budget.
Compare Nissan Silvia engine prices with vetted UK suppliers
All engine types include a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty when sourced through EngineMarket. Prices are typical UK market ranges based on historical quote data from our network and depend on exact engine code, variant, mileage and supplier. Use our free comparison tool above - enter your registration to get tailored quotes for your specific Nissan Silvia within hours.

Every displacement fitted to the Nissan Silvia is listed below, with compatible engine codes, production years and common failure notes to help you identify the right replacement.
The 1.8L CA18DET turbo powered early S13 Silvia models (1988-1991), offering lighter weight than the later SR20 but with well-documented timing chain and head gasket vulnerabilities. Popular for budget drift builds and S13 restorations.
Engine Code(s)
CA18DET
Compatible Models (UK)
S13 K's (early, 1988-1991), 180SX Type X (early), S13 Grand Prix
Power output
Verified by registration
Common Failure Points
Timing chain stretch after 80k miles, head gasket failure under boost, T25 turbo fragility
Production Years: Check by registration
Get quotes for Nissan Silvia 1.8L petrol engines
Choose your Nissan Silvia engine by fuel type to compare realistic replacement prices, known issues, and compatible UK supply options - from early CA18DET S13 to the final SR20DET S15 Spec R.
All UK-market Nissan Silvia models were petrol-powered, with turbocharged SR20DET and CA18DET engines dominating replacement enquiries across S13, S14 and S15 generations.
Common Nissan Silvia Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
All UK-market Nissan Silvia models were petrol-powered, with turbocharged SR20DET and CA18DET engines dominating replacement enquiries across S13, S14 and S15 generations.
Common Nissan Silvia Petrol Engine Families
Found In
Known For
Typical Petrol Models
Not sure which fuel type your Nissan Silvia has- Enter your registration number above to instantly identify your engine code, fuel system and compatible replacement options - all backed by a minimum 12-month unlimited mileage warranty from UK Nissan Silvia specialists.

This timeline covers all major engine changes across the Nissan Silvia's UK production run, organised so owners can quickly identify their engine and compare rebuilt engine prices from UK specialists.
⚙Key Changes
▣Main Engines
CA18DET- 1.8L petrol turbo (S13 K's early, 180SX early)
SR20DE- 2.0L petrol NA (S13 Q's, 180SX Q's)
▰Popular Models
🔧Known For
Engine Codes Covered:
CA18DETSR20DE