So are ya better to go with the A14 or A15? I can pick up either one complete from a wrecker down Island for the same price ($200). Is one better to get decent horsepower and drivability?

14s have better potential for reving due to shorter stroke. But if your gonna be needing torque, go for an a15.

The "revving" theory is an old wives tale for most uses. A15s have successfully built into reliable high-revving street machines (8,000 rpm and above).

The A15 has more "cubic inches" and has more average power. Especially the US models that use the same cylinder head as the A14. It will fill up those ports faster than an A14. In stock engines, the A15 power comes on at lower revs so doesn't "feel" as revvy as an A14, but you're going faster all the same.

If you go with the A15, be sure to get the stronger transmission with it (4-speed or 5-speed), as it can easily break the stock 1200 4-speed.

"Don't pay more than $300 for an A14 in unknown condition. NO more than $600 in perfect working condition."

Thanks for this information dattodude, this was to be my next question, he wants $450 and says the engines in good order but stock.

Hey ddgonzal,

Are there any good places on your side of the border to get performance parts/goodies for the A-block engines? So far my sources up here just offer some stock replacement items like bearings and re/re kits. Nothing at all beyond stock though.

Yes, Malvern racing ... check out the parts sources article in the Tech Section under FAQs. All the cam grinders (Crane, Isky, etc) can custom up a cam for you.

the a14 crank is lighter, and the shorter stroke means lower piston speed. So depending on what he wants, the a14 might be more suitable.

basically what i'm after is to pull up at the lights beside someone and not blow them away (CA18DET style) but have them think "holly crap, I didn't expect that"

ddgonzal, as usual, you're right on the money.
The diference in piston speed & "revability" is a non event on a street engine. If this thing was in some kind of open wheeler & permanantly lived in the 8,000 & up rev band, then perhaps.

With a suitable cam, & it does not need to be radical, these engines that were mostly used as "load haulers" can become real "arse haulers" in short order.
Like the 360 Chrysler, most of the A15's were tuned to pull a load & the cam was tailored for this purpose. If you have an engine from a van, then even the stock 1200 / 120Y GX cam specs will perk it up very nicely.

A local Datsun racer uses an A15 in his 1200 coupe & this thing is REAL HARD to catch on the track. No rpm problems in his car.

One issue to consider in NSW is increasing your engine capacity by more than 15%.
I think an A15 (1488cc) is slightly over this limit (using 1172cc as the standard capacity).

Therefore I think an A14 swap can be done without requiring an engineers certificate, where the A15 will need one.

The guidelines for the rta rules are available here:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/heavyvehicles/downloads/vsi/vsi06.pdf

But don't let this discourage anyone from going with an A15, My mate put a worked A15 in my old 1000 coupe, it was super fast.