|
|
Post by ruibevilacqua on Nov 7, 2012 18:58:55 GMT 1
Can you please recommend some UK (or European) L engine specialist as I am considering buying a mid-tune (around 145/150hp) L20B or L18 engine?
I need a rally engine, good torque and very reliable, not a peaky racing engine.
I am in Portugal and I do Historic Rallying with my ´72 Datsun 1800SSS (510).
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by Talking Hoarse on Nov 9, 2012 8:08:08 GMT 1
Now I am not an expert on this - as although involved in motorsport (just marshalling) my own Datsun is run on a bit of a shoestring. However I am not aware of any tuning shops in UK who still specialise in Datsun L18 or L20 series.
There will be more luck with the 6 cylinder version, ie from the 240/260/280 X series etc, as a lot more cash is spent on 240Z's for competition & the like. The principles may be the same as I understand that the 6 cylinder engine is very similar to the 4 cylinder. In the UK - the only 6 cylinder tuner I know of is the ZFarm based near Thirsk, however even there I dont know if the engine tuning work is in house or "farmed" out.
Might also be worth a look at Australia as Datsuns have a following there - albeit I think many later 910's etc there were blessed with CA18 engines.
Maybe someone has /can dig out some 1970's car mags that will point?
|
|
s20
club Member
Posts: 44
|
Post by s20 on Nov 9, 2012 11:36:03 GMT 1
Two other suggestions:
'DJR' ( Dave Jarman ) in Stroud, Gloucestershire and Fourways Engineering in Borough Green, Kent.
However, I think you'll need to supply the base engine as neither of them are likely to have any four cylinder L-series engines in stock....
|
|
|
|
Post by ruibevilacqua on Nov 9, 2012 11:40:01 GMT 1
Thank you for your reply.
Australia is a very good supplier for Datsuns, but a huge problem with enormous carriage costs (specially an engine) plus very high customs here, that almost duplicate price.
But I just found a 1800SSS imported from SA, with the best head casting (W53), so I will start from there, I was hoping to find an L20 but I am happy with this option.
Thank you all.
|
|
datman
Senior Member
Posts: 799
Location: West Sussex/Surrey
|
Post by datman on Nov 9, 2012 16:52:44 GMT 1
They did not sell the L20 engine in the UK. I only know of two, one in an R30 skyline, and one in my USA import Datsun pickup.
|
|
|
|
Post by datsfun on Nov 9, 2012 17:43:49 GMT 1
They did not sell the L20 engine in the UK. I only know of two, one in an R30 skyline, and one in my USA import Datsun pickup. There are few more lurking in peoples garages ;D..awaiting rebuilds to go into rally cars. Still I would say that UK population is < 10  |
|
|
|
Post by RatDat on Nov 9, 2012 20:54:10 GMT 1
ruibevilacqua, if you had any 1980's Nissan commercial vehicles like the Cabstar with the Z20 engine, you can build your own L20B using the Z20 block with an L series cylinder head. You will still need the timing cover and timing chain from an L20B as the block is taller than L16/L18 but it wouldn't cost so much to get those parts from the USA or Australia. You can use an A87 or W53 which will give quite high compression. I built one of these hybrid engines a few years ago for my 510. It had very strong torque but with the stock L18 head and cam, it didn't flow well enough so lacked power above 6000rpm. However with some work on the head and a decent cam profile it would be fine. Apparently the Z20 has a different conrod to stroke ratio to an L20B and they will rev more. You can also build a hybrid like this using a Z22 but an L18 head wiuld probably give too much compression. Here's the engine I put together... it doesn't look any different to a regular L series...  |
|
|
|
Post by ruibevilacqua on Nov 9, 2012 21:44:06 GMT 1
Nice engine! Unfortunately we don´t have here these commercials with Z20 engines, only very rare imported cars, most of them are diesel. For now, that L18SSS with the W53 head will do the job, and I have a good Weber manifold plus a 4.2.1 exhaust for quite a long time, so with some head work I will have enough to have fun, and if I find an L20B later, then maybe a 2nd project. I enclose a photo of the FJ20 I was using, and now I want to replace for an SOHC, because in my last rally I had a problem with a valve hitting piston due to a bad camshaft timing, and it needs a rebuild I don´t want to do, as it is very difficult to obtain parts for it here, but it is a fantastic engine. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by Talking Hoarse on Nov 10, 2012 15:17:14 GMT 1
There are few more lurking in peoples garages ;D..awaiting rebuilds to go into rally cars. Still I would say that UK population is < 10 Really - I look forward to seeing some of these in UK. Please. Didnt Alramone have a 1.8T /SSS engine for sale very recently? Apologies - or was it 30psi? |
|
|
|
Post by Al Ramone on Nov 10, 2012 16:41:34 GMT 1
Really - I look forward to seeing some of these in UK. Please. Didnt Alramone have a 1.8T /SSS engine for sale very recently? Apologies - or was it 30psi? sold to go into a 510 race car. |
|
|
|
Post by datsfun on Nov 11, 2012 1:23:55 GMT 1
There are few more lurking in peoples garages ;D..awaiting rebuilds to go into rally cars. Still I would say that UK population is < 10 Really - I look forward to seeing some of these in UK. Please. 2 litre L series bottom ends have their uses.. ;D   |
|
|
|
Post by ruibevilacqua on Nov 11, 2012 17:14:50 GMT 1
The LZ are extremely rare and the Australian Rally Comission (FIA filiated) approved the FJ20 as a substitute engine if n/a, to save the few LZ´s that are still running, that was the main reason I opted for my FJ20. Attachments:
|
|
