Nugget, if you use the L20 running gear out of a stanza you will only need to drill the firewall for the clutch master and use a stanza pedal box and everything should bolt up.

ive had the lseries up and running for over a year in my street 1200 and i have never looked back, its been turbo for last 6months or so. Awsome car to drive, go the lseries!

I do not think it really is a matter of looking "forward" or "back" enginewise, it is a matter of enjoying life, enjoying what you have, w/o comparing ourselves to someone else. Given the A engine is in the car at this time....modify it!!
If you want a swap....if that is really what you are looking for, do it. But the A series can become a cool motor.
If swapping engines, then consider other things than the L engine, because the same arguments presented against the A series and in favour of the L series will be made by others as soon as you have the L series in......I can hear that already....why did you swap that old engine...why didn't you go the CA or KA24 route...or the SR20...or the SR20DET...or the 13B rotary....or the 20B 3 rotor....or the V6......and the list goes on....a rat race...never happy nor content...always comparing...always peeking at other cars...not with peace of mind...but with the rat race bug in...LOL......like the energizer bunny..... it goes and goes and goes non stop. LOL

Just making a common sense argument....once you open the pandora box......anything goes....

All of what I said applies to a street car....if you were planing racing.....then we would have to go to a different chapter in this book....

do i need to change the b310 cross member. Does the engine and box fit without having to modify anything e.g trans tunnel, firewall. And what year stanza

Nugget, yes use the engine crossmember from the stanza. The sunny and stanza are pretty much the same vehicle. Even rear axle will swap over. Use all parts from the 1979-82 stanza;

Engine/Gearbox & Crossmembers,
Tailshaft and rear axle,
Exhaust,
Pedal Box,
Radiator etc.

cheers for your help

I've just put a standard L20b plus twin 40s 5speed and good pipes into my 120y. I'm happy with the whole thing . It's a lot of fun to drive. However the conversion is fairly involved. Cross member is way easy, gearbox mount, clutch pedal box and way heavier front springs(the L series is not much heavier than the A but the gear box adds to the weight) also bigger radiator. Cut an extra hole for the gear shift. And cut down the tail shaft. The whole package is a lot of work! Plus engineering, and not to mention insurance!

L18 with 87.5mm bore and L16 crank. a short stroke L18 is the way to go. although its been so long since i've been on here, i havent progressed any further with my conversion, although 120y conversion is as far as i can tell pretty straight forward. my parts list includes, and entire 180b to get parts off, stumpy 5 speed from SSS stanza, and a 120y automatic tailshaft. my only problem is that im very impatient, and if something isn't working out for me, i spit it, and leave it for a while. lol

I love the little A series motors. Although I know my view will change the day I see an L-series pulling away from me...

But you guys have me thinking now!! Will an L16 fit into the engine bay of a 1000??? R-Fast, how tight is your L-series in your 1200? I think cross member to bonnet clearance may rule the L16 out. Anybody??

Hey ..... where were you boys today ?????
Was looking forward to running with the mighty 1000 Tight fit but not impossible for the 1200 - dunno about the 1000, might be a real test Hold off until "the boss" gets his secret weapon together .... you may be swayed away from the L series - but I LOOOOVE mine
Cheers