L-series Engine Swap

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Revision as of 03:56, 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

Transmission

Transmissions for Z engine and L engine bolt to either engine but the L engine is slanted by about 15 degrees, so it affects the angle the shifter comes out. Note the CA Engines have a different bell pattern so their gearboxes do not fit the L Engine.

Using a stubby transmission will line up with the 1200 shifter hole. It is about 5 or 6 inches shorter than the more common L-engine transmissions. These are also called shorty or short-tailed.

• Stubby is ~26.3 inches -- same length as Datsun 510 automatic transmission

4-speed stubby gearboxes are common:

• 1968-1973 Datsun 510 ("1600") F4W63

5-speed stubby gearboxes comes from:

• 1981-1985 R30 Skyline with L24 six-cylinder engine
• 1977-1979 200SX USA S10 (L-series engine, FS5W63 "smoothcase" dogleg)
• 1968-1973 PL510 (L-series engine, F4W63 "bottom pan")
• 720 FS5W71B "ribbed case" used on certain 720 4X4s (long wheelbase?)
  • Z-engined series
  • may have had an L series in 1980 only

Comparo

• Regular
  • ~31.5 inches overall transmission length
  • transmission extension housing about same length as (front) transmission case
  • From the bottom front of the bell housing to the cross member bolts is ~21-1/2"

• Stubby
  • ~26.3 inches overall transmission length
  • transmission extension housing about 5" shorter than transmission case

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. You can see it here:

• 

  Comparo: Stubby vs Regular transmission

  Notice the shifter location (top part of picture)

Photo Gallery: L Engine transmission comparison photos at http://forum.ratsun.net/showthread.php?t=2373 Ratsun.net]

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

• 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