Hey all.

I got a little 120y which is bog stock that is used for Motorkahnas and Autocross.

Any how, she needs a power upgrade and I want to stay in under 1600cc class.

So I am debating weather to go for an A15 or L16. I know the work involved with fitting the L16 but the L16 is heavier than an A15.

What is the power difference between a stock A15 and a stock L16?

And lastly which engine can take the most abuse to so speak? I know the lil A12 is happy getting it lil heart wrung out and I want tomething that can take a bit of abuse.

Stick with an A15 for the weight

are a15's much lower in power to an L16?

Also I think the a15 is out of a vanette? So will the A12 sump, mounts and accessories bolt straight up or are the blocks different on the outside?

Nearly as much power potential as L16 and a lot less weight.
Parts are interchangable with most A12 parts.

true, but you can't punch an A15 out to 1.8L using factory parts.

an L16 block with a 2.0mm overbore will accept an L18 crank rods and pistons - but still technically be an L16.

keep that in mind before you decide.

My experience with both engines in 1200s has been that in very similar mild tune (headers, mild cams, and twin 1.5" SUs on both engnes) the L16 was noticeably faster.

and you wouldn't have to worry about breaking gearboxes if you went with the L. L series 5spds are cheap, strong, and easy to find.

Hnnnnnnnn......

so difficult to decide.

This car is going to be a basic budget thing.

Basically I have my go fast toys and I dont want to be building engines and the like. it is only for dirt action.

AllI want to do is fit either engine, extractors, exhaust and mabye a 32/36 down draught webber.

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As the car is being used in motorkhanas and autocross, is a 5 speed needed

No, I guess he doesn't need a 5spd for what he is doing with the car at the moment. But it is a bit of future-proofing. What will he want to do with the car next year?

And A series gearboxes are not particularly reliable with even slightly higher than standard power outputs, especially when being hurried along in competition situations... It's not much fun when mechanical problems stuff up your day at an event.

With the L16, he has the option of going up to the 2L class if he wants to go a bit faster in future, and he never has to worry about breaking boxes. And in the mean time, he'll be going a bit faster than he would with a near standard A15. The extra torque of the L16 will definitely be helpful in those sort of events.

Cheap upgrades are easier to find for an L than an A series. Twin Hitachi SUs for Lseries are still pretty easy to get hold of and cheap - try finding the GX twin SU setup for an A series. You can swap in a reground cam without removing the engine.

But I might be a little biased towards the L... I just think with the L series being a bolt-in fit to 120Ys, there should be more grunty 120Ys out there.

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my point exactly.

L16s (and L24s) also have a 'perfect' turbocharged rod /stroke ratio of 1.8:1 - RB26 style - so the happy medium between revability and torque is there when turbocharged.

parts are going to be easy to come by whether you choose an A15 or an L16. i guess it comes down to personal preference. at least if you get tired of the L16, you can sling in a worked L20 with minimal fuss.