L-series Engine Swap

(Difference between revisions)

Revision as of 02:44, 23 March 2009

The Nissan L-series engine (as in the 1600/510) is a good swap. Inexpensive, readily available both in USA and Australia, and these are a larger engine family than the Nissan A Engine. From L13 to L18, they are nearly identical on the outside. The L20B 2-liter engine is a tall-block variation but it still fits in the uncut Datsun 1200 sheetmetal. The Z-series Engine is closely related but has a crossflow cylinder head.

L16, L18, L20B.
NOTE: The L20B is taller though so not commonly used, but it will fit under the hood. Nissan put the L14 in the Japan-only PB110. A super-rare racing engine was the LZ20 twin-cam, fitted to 1200 racing cars.

L18 fitted

LZ20 DOHC engine

L20B Swap

The L20B is a 2-liter four cylinder engine. Not to be confused with the L20 six cylinder.

• no holes cut
• just panel beat the lower corners of the front of the tunnel with a hammer, as the L series is wider
• modify the engine mounts and make a crossmember
  • 1200 crossmember had the mounts trimmed to an angle simular to that of an 810, then cut the 810 mounts in 1/2 to finish the job and locate the motor lower and improve the mounting angles.
• 810 oil sump is a near-perfect fit in the 1200, reshape it a little just so it will clear the crossmember, maybe 1/2cm with a hammer
• Using a stubby transmission will line up with the 1200 shifter hole
  • Or use a standard L-engine tranmission. The only bit of cutting wil be 1/2 of the gearstick hole but that can be welded that back in the other side to make the factory rubber shifter gasket fit back in
• fitting the radiator in isn't a problem. you'll need a thermostat-controlled fan in front of the radiator (i.e. on the grill side)

Sources

• Datsun 810 Australia model with L20B engine
• Datsun 620 pickup circa 1977, USA with L20B engine