• N14 Aus Spec SSS Vs Q Comparison

    Aus-spec N14 Nissan Pulsar SSS VS Aus-spec Pulsar Q

    The 2L SR20DE motor was standard on the N14 Pulsar SSS and optional on the Pulsar Q. This comparo will contrast the differences between the 2L N14 Pulsar Q models and N14 Pulsar SSS models, built in Australia from November 1991 until February 1993. In March 1993 the 2L Pulsar Q was dropped as Australian production finished and Pulsars became fully imported from Japan. Specification levels changed with the sourcing location and so there is a comparison between the Australian-Built (Aus-Spec) and Japanese-Built (Jap-Spec). N14's continued to be sourced from Japan until September 1995 when they were superseded by N15 Series I Pulsars.


    Pulsar Q Pulsar SSS

    Engine/Transmissions The SSS and Q models share identical engine, exhaust, intake and transmission specifications. Both were available with an automatic transmission as an option, although automatic SSS models are extremely rare. Standard exhaust pipe diameter is 1 13/16" or 46mm. A requirement of the engines is Platinum-tipped spark plugs (code PFR5B-11) which cost around AU$20/plug.

    Weight The Q weighs in at 1160kg for the Manual and 1190kg for the Auto, the SSS 1180kg for the Manual and 1210 for the Auto.

    Wheels Q's came with hubcap-clad steel 5.5x14JJ wheels with Dunlop SP Sport P8 185/60HR14 82H tyres whereas the SSS's came with 6.0x14JJ alloy wheels with Bridgestone RE71 195/55HR14 82V tyres. The Q featured a spare tyre with the same dimensions as the others minus the hubcap while the SSS suffered a T135/70/D15 T-type yellow space saver wheel and tyre limited to 80km/hr.

    Suspension The SSS's feature harder front springs (23.5N/m vs. 21.6N/m) which were also shorter (360mm vs. 336mm left, 370mm vs. 351mm right, longer in the MT models). Spring diameter and front sway bars are identical in both models. Rear springs are the same but the SSS sports a larger rear sway bar at 16mm as apposed to 13mm in the Q. SSS's had a slightly larger turning circle at 10.9m compared to Q's 10.8m. Both came standard with power-assisted steering taking 2.97 turns to lock.

    Body Dimensions Both models share the same length; however height-wise the SSS is 4mm shorter at 1385mm compared to the Q at 1389mm. This difference can be attributed to the lower profile tyres fitted to the SSS. The SSS also has a wider front and rear track, being 10mm wider at both ends with 1436mm and 1446mm respectively being the Q and SSS front track figures, 1421mm and 1431mm being the rear track figures. Wheel base was a shared 2430mm, as was minimum ground clearance at 142mm.

    Brakes Surprisingly, the Nissan workshop manuals state that both models feature the same braking hardware, with CL22VB front brakes and a front brake rotor outer diameter of 252x20mm. Rear brake specifications are the same in both models. Manual SSS models were available with two channel ABS as an option.

    Body Differences The SSS's came fitted with a different (lower) front spoiler featuring integrated fog lights. The front bar is a single moulding; it is not possible to attach the lower front skirt to the Q front bar. It is, however, quite simple to fit the SSS fog lights to the Q as the wiring loom is in place, all that is required is the lights, the mounting hardware and the in-cabin switch. The SSS's also featured colour coded side-rear vision mirrors and grey rear mud flaps. Rear spoilers are clearly different with the SSS sporting a fibreglass high cosworth-style rear spoiler, whereas the Q has smaller and closer-fitting rubber spoiler. The models share a stainless steel rear muffler, but the SSS also comes fitted with a chrome exhaust tip (or 'finisher' as Nissan calls it) from the factory, whereas the Q wears a plain pipe.

    Interior Differences The SSS came fitted with similar seats to the Q, however were more adjustable. They featured height, lumber adjustment, fore/aft and recline adjustment whereas the Q only had fore/aft and recline. The SSS's also featured a different type of headrest on the front seats with seat-back pockets. The SSS also gained a vanity mirror on the sun visor and rear-seat headrests that the Q lacked. The SSS also came with a hood for the centre console. Power mirrors were standard on both models, whilst Air Conditioning was an option on both the Q and SSS. Both share a Radio/Cassette deck, 4 speaker stereo but the SSS has 'higher grade' components. They also share an identical instrument binnacle with a 220km/hr speedometer and tachometer redlining at 7,500rpm. The SSS also comes with a "sporty" cloth fabric interior, while the Q has velour interior trimming.

    Rumours, opinions and unproven facts: It is to be expected that with different springs that the two models will have different shock absorbers.. but no proof has surfaced. Apparently the different models also take different brake pads, but I can not find anything to confirm this in any of the Nissan literature.