Building an L motor.

[Porterhausen]

Ok, I've been searching for the last week trying to learn about these engines, what I want to do, etc. I have been into S13's for years and am diving into the z I just bought.

 

I have an early 260z. For now fixing rust and brakes, and throwing on a pair on non-emmissions SU's we have at the shop and getting rid of all that crap. I'm looking into building the motor, and haven't quite figured out a few things.

 

1) E88 head. I have one, and it seems like most people are using N or P heads these days. Is that an availability issue, or for an N/A build are they better? From what I understand, I should get good compression with that head on a flat top piston L28 block, but is the quench good for the flat top pistons?

 

2) Is there a good source of information for strokers and such? I'm having a hard time figuring out my plan of attack, because most of the info I find is based on base information I don't know. I was looking at the L28 with the E88 head for now, and throwing in KA24 forged pistons.

 

So if there is a good source of basic L series information out there, I would be stoked to know where it is. and if the E88 is a good head to be using. It seems to me to be so, but I'm not positive....

 

Thanks in advance.

[johnc]

Here's a good book to start with. Technology has moved on but this will teach you the basics.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Modify-Your-Nissan-Datsun-Engine/dp/1931128049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236184973&sr=8-1

[Porterhausen]

Ahhh, All right cool, I will defiantly pick that up.

 

I hate it when people don't search, but trying to figure out almost 40 years worth of ♥♥♥♥ is a little hard.

 

Thanks!!!

[JMortensen]

Read the stickies in this forum.

[Porterhausen]

Yea, I'm reading through. Trying to figure out the quench thing, and also trying to figure out whats going to be a good revving combo. Would rather build something relatively high strung than a torque monster with no revs.

[Daeron]

Yea, I'm reading through. Trying to figure out the quench thing, and also trying to figure out whats going to be a good revving combo. Would rather build something relatively high strung than a torque monster with no revs.

 

its an OHC japanese inline six.

 

 

 

it will rev high (unless you put a head from a non-Z car on it, like some JDM or australian vehicles had with much smaller ports; there ARE heads out there that were designed for torque at the expense of horsepower but you have to go outside the US to find them.) and it will be high strung... BUT it will still have the torque where it is needed. Thats why the I-6 is Superior.

 

Read the stickies, and don't forget to check the bottom of the page on any interesting thread.. there is a feature down there called Similar Threads and that frequently turns up things that the search didn't highlight for you.

[ozconnection]

its an OHC japanese inline six.

 

 

 

it will rev high (unless you put a head from a non-Z car on it, like some JDM or australian vehicles had with much smaller ports; there ARE heads out there that were designed for torque at the expense of horsepower but you have to go outside the US to find them.) and it will be high strung... BUT it will still have the torque where it is needed. Thats why the I-6 is Superior.

 

Read the stickies, and don't forget to check the bottom of the page on any interesting thread.. there is a feature down there called Similar Threads and that frequently turns up things that the search didn't highlight for you.

 

Porterhausen states he wants a revver. That's the natural behaviour of the L Series! Don't discount the short stroke L24 or L20 cranks for your L28 block. That'll make it rev even more!!

 

Small port heads will change the character of your engine as will displacement, cylinder head type/mods, camshaft type, induction choice, exhaust system mods and compression ratio. Don't isolate small port heads as an achilles heel just yet, Daeron! I still have a lot of work to do!

[Daeron]

Porterhausen states he wants a revver. That's the natural behaviour of the L Series! Don't discount the short stroke L24 or L20 cranks for your L28 block. That'll make it rev even more!!

 

Small port heads will change the character of your engine as will displacement, cylinder head type/mods, camshaft type, induction choice, exhaust system mods and compression ratio. Don't isolate small port heads as an achilles heel just yet, Daeron! I still have a lot of work to do!

 

..but, it is work that intimidates the likes of me, is a task for many, and is probably something best to avoid for someone looking to get their feet wet. My point was, its hard to go wrong, especially given some patience and time reading both here, and in a handful of immensely helpful books (honsowetz et al) In the end, the point was that its hard NOT to build an L-gata that doesn't fit his requirements.