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Nissan-Datsun works competition LZ engine DOHC four-valve engine, was an improvement on the S20 Skyline (GT-R) twin cam engine. It was succeeded by the mighty FJ engine. The LZ used a L-series engine block but with a totally new cylinder head design. The LZ was a four-valve per cylinder design, with valve angles were quite shallow as in the revolutionary 1964 Honda F1 racing engine. The cams were driven by gears, and a special gear carrier bolted between the L-series block and timing chain cover. Above the gear carrier a short chain drove both cams. Custom pistons were used.

1 Overview
2 LZ14
- 2.1 Australia
3 LZ16
4 LZ18
5 LZ20B
6 LZ21
7 LZ20BT Turbo
8 Others

Overview

LZ "The Nissan Space-Age Twin Cam" suceeded the LY cross-flow heads. It was used 1973-1983. It was a "bolt-on option" supplied to works racers. They were campaigned in Japan Grand Prix, Safari Rally, and Super Silhouette Championship. They were originally called L14 Twin Cam, later referred to as LZ14. They were actually 1.6 liter to compete in the 1600 class.

In May 1978, 大森スポーツコーナー (Omori, later NISMO) released the Formula Pacific LZ kit to the public. Price was 2,040,000 Yen (about $9,000 USD in 1978), so only serious racing teams could afford them.

When the FIA ruled that they would be eligible for 1973, Nissan got busy and the first LZ was track-tested in January 1973. Tested 28 February, 1973 at Fuji Speedway.

http://nissan-heritage-collection.com/NEWS/publicContents/index.php?page=2

Racing Debut 1973 Japanese GP (Fuji Speedway) in Sunny Excellent (PB110) Coupe racers

This was 3 May 1973.

Debut Specifications

1,598 cc (Bore 87.8mm: 4.8mm oversize)
EGI (Nissan EFI)
200ps @ 9,400 rpm,
torque 17.0kgm @ 6,800 rpm
Titanium intake and exhaust valves
Four valve-per-cylinder, pentroof design with narrow 34 degree valve angle layout
Flat-top pistons
Compression ratio: 11.5 to 12.0
mirror-polished forged steel connecting rods
Double roller chain
4-gear train

Datrat's LZ Twin Cams

TS-class B210 LZ14 Sunny GX 5 shown at the Tokyo Motor show, October 1973.

Nissan Work team placements:

1 高橋国光 (Kunimitsu Takahashi)
2 北野元 (Kitano Hazime) #1 pole position at 17 minutes 31 seconds
3 都平健二 (Tohira Kenji)
5 鈴木誠一 (Suzuki Seiichi)
6 辻本征一郎 (Tsuzimoto Tadashi)
7 寺西孝利 (Teranishi Takatoshi)
8 篠原孝道 (Shinohara Takamiti)
9 柳田春人 (Yanagida Haruto)
10 久保田洋史 (Kubota Hiroshi)

Later LZ got a flatter valve cover, crinkle finish painted black.

LZ14

LZ14 was first raced May 3, 1973 in a PB110 Sunny Excellent Coupe for TS-A class racing. The next week, LZ14s came in 1,2,3 at the 1973 Grand Prix of Japan. They had 180PS.

Also see PB110 Racing

Mikuni flat slide throttle body

Also see http://www.datrats.com.au/lz_twin_cams.htm

Lots of Pic! and history

And there is an LZ14 engine for the Formula Pacific racecars and it produces 205 PS (151 kW; 202 hp) @10200 rpm and for qualifying and non endurance events they used an LZ14 with 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp) @11000 rpm. The LZ14 is NA-engine (naturally aspirated) and had a 66 mm (2.598 in) stroke and 87.8 mm (3.457 in) bore.

1978 Formula Pacific Rim Championships (FP1600), and Hisashi people in LZ14 (1,598 cc and 225PS+).

1978 JAF Suzuka GP

1979 JAF Fuji win

Australia

Club member davie owned an ex-works PB210 with LZ engine. It was a Japanese import to Australia, one of three cars brought in for the 1976 Southern Cross Rally. He partially restored it during 2003, less the flares and twin cam head, to match class rules he is allowed wanted to campaign the car under. The head reportedly was sold out of country. By 2007 davie had sold it to the Australian state of Victoria, where it was been fully restored by the new owner. It was used in historic events.

Sheka Mehta drove a PB210 in the 1977 Southern Cross Rally. Only one car came in from Japan for the 1977 event. Gerry Ball gained ownership. The car then passed on to ex-works driver Geoff Portman who used the head to build a 2.4 litre LZ-based engine for his Bluebird project. The car was then bought by myself and Steven Blair as a complete rolling shell (without engine) with flares intact in original works colours. The car was sold in Sydney and then passed on to one of the members of Brindabella Motorsport club in Canberra.

LZ16

LZ16 was developed for Formula Pacific racing. Maybe they a few of these in New Zealand still?

photo

Formula Pacific as a 1600 engine with a 87.8mm bore.

LZ18

The LZ18 2-liter LZ engine was used in the 710 SSS rally cars, first raced in the 1975 Southern Cross Rally. A victory in the 1977 Southern Cross Rally

1,941 cc
200 PS @ 7,200 RPM

LZ20B

LZ20B was a updated LZ developed by Oppama Works.

1,952 cc or 1,975 cc
210 to 220PS @ 7,600 rpm

LZ20B (Green Top )

It was fitted to the Group 4 Skyline DR30 and Violet A10. It was rated at 230PS @ 7,500 RPM with air horns and only 159 lb-ft torque. Redline was 8,000 RPM.

In 1978-1980 WRC cars was the Violet GT (Datsun 710)

Shekar Mehta drove a 1981 PA10 Nissan Violet GT with LZ20 engine, which was a Group 4 homologation special.

Engine LZ20B 4-cylinder DOHC 16 valve
Intake valve: 33mm x 2
Exhaust valve: 29.5 mm x2
Swept volume 2082cc
Solex PHH50 x 2
Mitsubishi CDI ignition
Dry Sump

Datrats's LZ Twin Cams

Group 4 rally car

Safari Rally

1981 Violet GT (PA10) Shekar Mehta - Overall winner
1982 Violet GT (PA10) Shekar Mehta - Overall winner

LZ21

In 1978-1980 WRC cars was the Violet GT (Datsun 710) with 2085cc

LZ20BT Turbo

The LZ20 is a L20B with a "T05B" turbocharger and electronic fuel injection and was tuned to 500 PS (370 kW; 490 hp) @8000 rpm in the '83 NISSAN SILVIA S12 Super Silhoutte Group 5 racecar. Later it devloped in final specification to 570 PS @ 7600 RPM and 398 lb-ft @ 6400 RPM, which .

2082 cc (2.1 liter)

A turbocharged LZ20BT Garret Turbo four cylinder engine was used in the RS Skyline 2000 Turbo and these Nissan Super Silhouette race cars:

1982 Nissan Bluebird 910 tube-frame racer driven by 柳田春人 (Yanagida Haruto)
Nissan Sylvia/Gazelle S12 driven by 星野一義 (Kazuyoshi Hoshino)
#23 Impul Turbo Silhouette 1982
Works Skyline R30 driven by 長谷見昌弘 (Masahiro Hasemi)
March 83G race car to run in the 1985 Le Mans series
March 85G race car to run in the 1986 Le Mans series
Nissan purchased three Group C spec March 85G. Only one was fitted with the LZ
Group C Car Endurance Championship (JSPC)

Formula Silhoutte Group 5 with T05B turbos, 570ps/7600rpm (55kgm/6400rpm) with Lucas mechanical fuel injection. It was fitted with black cover labeled NISSAN TURBO.