Friday, May 8, 2009
Nissan Cefiro A31- Drift in a family sedan
Back in the 90s, every guy wanted a Nissan skyline R32 or Honda Integra type R (DC2). They overlooked a performance car that Nissan produced which gained popularity as a Drift machine in Japan - The Nissan Cefiro A31.
Released in September 1988 to the Japanese Domestic Market, the A31 series included many hi-tech features, such as HICAS (Nissan’s rear wheel steering system), sonar controlled electronic damping, automatic headlights, and an automatic electric rear view mirror.
Cefiro engines were known as RB engines, came in a wide variation of sorts. The stock, untouched ones were:
* RB20E - single-cam (85 to 96 kW (115 to 130 ps) @ 5600 rpm, 167 to 181 N·m (17 to 18,5 kgf·m) @ 4400 rpm)
* RB20ET - single-cam turbocharged (107 kW (145 PS) @ 6000 rpm, 206 N·m (21.0 kgf·m) @ 3200 rpm)
* RB20DE - twin-cam (110 to 114 kW (150 to 155 PS) @ 6400 rpm, 181 to 186 N·m (18.5 to 19 kgf·m) @ 5600 (and later with a NEO-Head 4400 rpm)
* RB20DET - twin-cam turbocharged (158 kW (215 PS) @ 6400 rpm, 265 N·m (27.0 kgf·m) @ 3200 rpm)
* RB20P - single-cam (94 PS @5600 rpm and 142 N·m @2400 rpm)
* RB20DET-R - twin-cam turbocharged (210 ps @6400 rpm and 245 N·m @4800 rpm
Most of the Cefiros came in the RB20E engine, which was underpowered and disappointed lots of drifter wannabes. So what did they do? A RB25DET engine swap, which gives the car higher torque than the RB20DET engine, suited better for drifting.
Many of the Silvia (S13) and Skyline (R32) parts are interchangeable for the A31. That was a very juicy clue, right or not? *wink* And yes, Cefiro A31 is a rear wheel drive, for all the Initial D Touge wannabes.
For ideas on how to mod one, Jerome’s Cefiro should provide you with strong visual aid.
All good things have to come to an end. After production for the cefiro A31 ended in 1993, Nissan never came up with a sports sedan ever like the A31 (Infiniti not counted).
So we mourn the loss of a classic sports sedan. The lucky ones in Australia & Malaysia can still find this vehicle probably at a used car dealer.
The rest of us will simply hope Nissan comes up with another turbocharged-rear wheel beast disguised as a family car again.
Released in September 1988 to the Japanese Domestic Market, the A31 series included many hi-tech features, such as HICAS (Nissan’s rear wheel steering system), sonar controlled electronic damping, automatic headlights, and an automatic electric rear view mirror.
Cefiro engines were known as RB engines, came in a wide variation of sorts. The stock, untouched ones were:
* RB20E - single-cam (85 to 96 kW (115 to 130 ps) @ 5600 rpm, 167 to 181 N·m (17 to 18,5 kgf·m) @ 4400 rpm)
* RB20ET - single-cam turbocharged (107 kW (145 PS) @ 6000 rpm, 206 N·m (21.0 kgf·m) @ 3200 rpm)
* RB20DE - twin-cam (110 to 114 kW (150 to 155 PS) @ 6400 rpm, 181 to 186 N·m (18.5 to 19 kgf·m) @ 5600 (and later with a NEO-Head 4400 rpm)
* RB20DET - twin-cam turbocharged (158 kW (215 PS) @ 6400 rpm, 265 N·m (27.0 kgf·m) @ 3200 rpm)
* RB20P - single-cam (94 PS @5600 rpm and 142 N·m @2400 rpm)
* RB20DET-R - twin-cam turbocharged (210 ps @6400 rpm and 245 N·m @4800 rpm
Most of the Cefiros came in the RB20E engine, which was underpowered and disappointed lots of drifter wannabes. So what did they do? A RB25DET engine swap, which gives the car higher torque than the RB20DET engine, suited better for drifting.
Many of the Silvia (S13) and Skyline (R32) parts are interchangeable for the A31. That was a very juicy clue, right or not? *wink* And yes, Cefiro A31 is a rear wheel drive, for all the Initial D Touge wannabes.
For ideas on how to mod one, Jerome’s Cefiro should provide you with strong visual aid.
All good things have to come to an end. After production for the cefiro A31 ended in 1993, Nissan never came up with a sports sedan ever like the A31 (Infiniti not counted).
So we mourn the loss of a classic sports sedan. The lucky ones in Australia & Malaysia can still find this vehicle probably at a used car dealer.
The rest of us will simply hope Nissan comes up with another turbocharged-rear wheel beast disguised as a family car again.
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