200 sx Tuning tips

"Tuning the sexy 200"

Nissan have a pretty good track record when it comes to making cool cars.

The 200 SX is certainly no exception. The S14 is based on the SR20DET engine you have a fantastic base for a tuning project.

The S13 has the lower powered CA18DET 1.8 Turbo engine but is still a pretty potent performer.

Some 200 SX owners have done engine swaps including the twin turbo unit from the 300ZX and a variety of other Nissan Blocks up to and including the Skyline RB25 block.

Tuning tips and articles

Engine tuning Transmission tuning Care care Intake & exhaust mods Improve handling Forums

The 200SX is a brilliant fun sports coupe from Nissan and a practical daily run around.

The performance and handling of the standard car is very good and will respond very well to tuning. Indeed the block is over specified for the base power figures. The original cars include a Garrett T28 unit which is a pretty good base.

Dropping in a larger turbo is an option for those wanting to get larger power gains. The standard block can reportedly handle power gains up to 300bhp with more on offer with some strengthening mods.

Turbo cars will benefit from a boost controller and a tune/remap to get the best results. This allows a steady and consistent power delivery.

We would get the engine stripped out and fully balanced and fit forged components. Adding a cryogenic engine treatment will also enhance the durability of the engine and reduce internal friction.

Brakes should be fairly high up on your list of modifications. The standard brakes are pretty good but with a grippy fast road pad you dramatically reduce your stopping distance. Add a larger vented disk and 6 pot caliper and you have some very serious stopping power indeed.

Suspension mods are many and varied. The 200sx is popular for drifting and there are a lot of drift specific suspension components around for it. If you are drifting then you will need a welded or locked diff. We recommend  a drop of no more than 40 mm for best results and would advise you to keep the rim size to 16 inches.

Wide body kits, flared arches and other body mods will allow the fitment of substantially wider wheels and a slightly wider track which greatly improves handling.

For improved peak power you should add an induction kit with a cold air feed and a full sports exhaust with a sports cat. Add to this a fast road camshaft and you have a potent track day weapon.

Why not join us in our forum to see what other 200SX owners have done and swap tuning tips with them.

Please Check out my YouTube channel, we're regularly adding new content...

PLEASE HELP: I NEED YOUR DONATIONS TO COVER THE COSTS OF RUNNING THIS SITE AND KEEP IT RUNNING. I do not charge you to access this website and it saves most TorqueCars readers $100's each year - but we are NON PROFIT and not even covering our costs. To keep us running PLEASE Donate here

If you liked this page please share it with your friends, drop a link to it in your favourite forum or use the bookmarking options to save it to your social media profile.

Feedback - What do You Think?

Please use our forums if you wish to ask a tuning question, and please note we do not sell parts or services, we are just an online magazine.

Help us improve, leave a suggestion or tip

Your Constructive comments on this article, I really want to improve this article with your help and suggestions.


Please watch this video and subscribe to my YouTube channel.



One Response to “200sx Tuning”

  1. TCJBOLDIE says:

    Kaaz 2 way LSD are the drifters no 1 choice over here

Member Benefits

Join our forum today and benefit from over 300,000 posts on tuning styling and friendly car banter.

You will also have full access to the modifed car gallery, project car updates and exclusive member only areas.

(All car owners of all ages and from all countries are welcome).


BMW 335i - 2021 COTY

We gave the BMW 335i our coveted car of the year award, read more about this awesome car and see why 335i Tuning Guide

Tips for N54 Tuning

Tips for N55 Tuning
Tips for B58 Tuning

Popular articles

Diesel tuning
ECU Remaps
Double Clutch
Induction Kits
Customize a car
Chip tuning
Modified car insurance
Track day insurance
Diesel remaps
MPG Calculator
Clearing a DPF
Tuning Stages


Throttle Body

Throttle bodies
Read more...

Benefits Performance Injectors

The Benefits of Performance Injectors vs. Stock Parts
Read more...

Painting Calipers

Tips on brake caliper painting.
Read more...

Car Stickers

Car stickers – vinyl printed stickers.
Read more...

Cheap Sleeper Cars

Cheap Sleeper cars
Read more...

2008 Car News

Review of the 2008 car related news stories
Read more...

MPG Calculator

MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon – calculate MPG
Read more...