what do they 1600(l16) engines go like? i know a guy doing up a 1600 with a stroked l20b and hes got a l16 running that he doesnt want i may be able to get it for my ute.

All the L series engines are pretty torquey, and really go well in light bodies like the 1200. Very easy to wake them up a bit too. As with any conversion be pepared for a lot of work to get it in there. The 1600 sump won't suit, but he might have a front sump and oil pickup off the 200B block he got that will suit the 1200 conversion.

ive heard alot bout the sump on l series engines not fitting why doesnt it fit?

there's 2 different sumps. The one from 1600, 180B etc doesn't suit 1200 conversion because the dep part is at the rear and would foul x-member and drag link.

The Stanza and 200B have the deep part at the front and are suitable for the 1200 conversion.