Well, if you follow the link I posted, I believe it quotes 275hp from the 2.3 longrod motor. Nothing to sneeze at I wouldn't waste any time with a basic L20b if you're wanting 220 hp, but I have no idea what you're planning or who you're getting your info from.

275hp NA or turbo...?

in NA form - no fukcing way unless N20 has been added.

sorry but there's no way unless it has a pair of 55DCOEs, 13.5:1 CR and revs to 12,000 and makes power there.

even then it would need to be EFI to control the spark and fuel at such high rpm - even a computer would be "guesstimating" at those RPMs one wayward spark at 12k would equal one wayward piston crown.

sorry, i just can't see it.

just do what those guys have done and claim as much power as you think it takes to sound impressive. That's the only way you're going to get 220bhp out of a 2000cc L20... Either that or find one of those over-optomistic dynos - there's plenty out there!

I wouldn't say 220hp from an L20B is impossible, especially via the rebello type 2.3L approach, but you'd better be prepared to spend 10s of 1000s dollars to get it.
Same goes for a 2L Ford OHC, several in classic escort racecars here in NZ are rumoured to have 220hp, but they don't come cheap either.
As for thirty years ago, David Vizard tuned one to make 230odd hp, and said more was quite likely possible with further development. Development which costs serious coin. Up to about this 180hp is RELATIVELY affordable (ie maybe less than $10K) if you listen to people in the know.
I don't know about Ford getting 'only' 185 from the OHC engine, this might be what they got from a Gp 1 rally engine, which is a reliable, driveable, rally engine, not an ulitmate flat out racer aiming for top hp. And maybe Ford were too busy at Cosworth getting 240hp out of their 2L BDA RALLY engines.
Whoah, back on topic anyway, I reckon what applies to a 2L Ford might roughly relate to an L20B, aim for 180hp,which really is still a lot of power in a little rally car, spend a fraction of the money, and GO HAVE FUN in it. If you feel you need more, and that you can drive your 180hp Datsun to it's limits, then good, built another engine, and aim higher (=spend more ). And don't forget to save some extra for a strong close ratio gearbox and good diff to go with your 220hp engine, and for the chassis development to match, otherwise the guy in the escort with 'only' 185hp and a quaife gearbox and diff will probably whomp your arse, and he'll still be having HEAPS of fun.

To get 220 out of an L20 is a top engine and would need this stuff as a min.

Twin 45 webers set up for racing(no air filters racing floats ect)
open exhaust
11+ comp
Custom cam
balanced, stress relieved,shotpend ect
Nismo oil pump, big sump oil cooler ect
All ported ect
big valves 44mm in 35out
good clutch, lightned flywheel

220hp is getting all you can out of an L20.

thanks 4 all the helpful info..

will just try doing what Killer1200 says and see wat sorta bhp i get. IS there a site that has specs etc for Lseries cams??


The problem with building one motor then building another is the lack of L20b's is the island. So far i have only come across 1 and thats the 1 we have. WE have plenty L16's but the 1600 grp is kinda hot now wid the Jwrc ignis ,so dont really want to go there.

Quote:

With the engine being more square than the 2000cc pinto and a better flowing head i thought it could get that hp relatively easy.

Can't even get an L20b?

Twin 45's will only give you around 190hp flat out. You'll need 48's or 50's, or 48mm throttle bodies..
Consider that the 240RS, with 50mm mikuni's, 2340cc, 16 valves and the best parts money could buy only made 240hp back when...
Sure, they're getting 300hp out of a good FJ24 on the speedway these days, but who here has that kind of budget to throw around.
The L20b is a good engine, but it's always going to be a stump puller, and it's never going to be an FJ24....!
It's all about setting expectations!!

L20B more square than 2L Ford? I don't think so. Ford OHC is oversquare. I think std bore is over 90mm (from my dodgy memory)

Better flowing head? Maybe standard, but the OHC Ford has a few things going for it and can be made to go very well.

And on carb sizes, the hot 4 cyl L-series, like the Rebello built engines, ran 50 or 55mm carbs, can't remember which.
In an L-series book I have, Electromotive picked up about 25hp on an L28 by pulling the 44mm Mikunis off and bolting 55mm webers in their place!