Hi Guys

Just chasing some info on using L series engines in a 1200 ute . Are they a viable option for more power at the right price , are they a reliable engine to modify ....
All info is much appreciated ....

Need custom x member and advisable tunnel mods. Check my long winded build.

Much more torque than a series and cheaper to mod.
Build it with the long style gear box if you want cheap boxes otherwise your paying $ for a stumpy 5 speed

Not much difference between A15 and L16. But between A12 and L18 a vast difference. And a big difference betwen A15 and L18.

I disagree big enough difference in low down torque between a15 and l16 to make it an easier drive.

Yes, L16 has more power than A15 at any RPM. But how much depends on which L16 and which A15 you compare.

The hi-power A15 had 80 net hp. The common L16 had 96 gross hp. Below 5000 RPM these are somewhat close (of course the L16 being larger will do better). After 5000 RPM the L16 pulls away to 7000 RPM redline.

A15: 76 mm bore, 82 mm stroke, 8.5:1 compression 80 hp
L16: 83 mm bore, 73 mm stroke, 8.5:1 compression 96 hp

Long stroke makes the A15 a grunt motor, but it does well up high too if you don't get the lo-power version (later versions).

L16 doesnt need a long stroke as it has more Displacement (it's a larger engine, which usually beats bore/stroke ratio)

The 1600 SSS is a lot hotter than the common L16.

sss was only Cam which is stock in all other L series engines. Some had a better head though

Just as a reference going off full race figure for L16 versus A15 they are about 20 horsepower apart or roughly 10%. So for street use think 10 horsepower more for L16 versus A15, from that stand point it's not worth the effort. Now as mentioned the L16 would have a little more grunt in the same state of tune. This is likely why everyone goes with L18 as that will be a good step up from the A15.

Now with that said I like the A-series, moderately built you should get 100 HP (flywheel) couple it to a 5 speed and for not a lot of effort it would be fun to drive. Additionally price wise the L-series parts are still not crazy amounts of money, L-series race parts are in fairly high demand and priced accordingly.

Finally they're really is no wrong choice here either one will work fine and be fun.


Tom

Hi Guys ,

Thanks for all the replies , at this stage if I am going to do A conversion I will go with something that produces more power , for now I will work towards a modified A14/15 . One of my old utes had 90 RWHP , if I can get near that I will be happy for now. I should have finished my 12A rotor powered ute , had a easy 130 RWHP with a mild port and weber ......Just out of interest does anyone know what sort of power would come out of a SR20 Naturally aspired ...

Depends on the sr20 motor used. autech s15 version was 200HP from memory at engine

having gone from a 1200 coupe with a worked A14 (I know its not an A15) with high comp mitsubishi pistions, lightened flywheel, balanced, big cam and twin carbs that made around 80rwbhp and blew gearboxes with alarming regularity, to a 1200 coupe with a stock L16 (that was a little smokey) with twin Hitachi SU and a little 32/72 cam making 92rwbhp, I can tell you it is definitly worthwhile. The L16 drove like a V8 by comparison - effortless torque. The cheap, readily available and strong 5spd's make the conversion worthwhile in itself, let alone the extra grunt.

replaced that engine with a stock L20 with 76 cam and twin 40s. 108rwbhp.
replaced that with a moderately worked L18 with the same cam and carbs, higher CR and slightly tweaked SSS head = 116rwbhp.