L24E or L28E

[Mad Mechanic]

Ok, I know these have been beaten to death...I've seen them on these forums before, but so far I have not found the answers that I am looking for.

 

I'm in the planning stages of an "economy" Z build. My plan is to take a 240Z and install either a L24E or L28E into it along with a 5-speed transmission and tune the ECU.

 

So, I have heard of people managing to get 28-30 mpg highway out of L28E's, and this is appealing to me; however, I have not heard much in the way of using an L24E from a 810/Maxima.

 

My final goal is to create a car capable of 28-30 highway cruising mpg but with the ability to get-up-and-go if necessary (this would probably be accomplished with a good ECU map).

 

But first I want to compile as much information as I can on these two engines and which one would be the preferred engine to use for a build such as this.

 

Useful information would include the approximate weight of both engines (I found the weight of the L28 engine on this forum already), which engine has more parts readily available, and which engine is better suited to provide the performance that I have outlined.

 

Thanks guys, and please no flame wars.

 

-MadMechanic

Edited May 9, 2011 by Mad Mechanic

[Tony D]

Make that 32+mpg on L28eT's

 

Mapping isn't a big issue---when it goes to light cruise lean the heck out of it just like stock.

 

Weight is the same as they will have the same equipment, this is a non-issue...

 

Look to General Motors and their GENIII3800 in the Bonnevilles and other humongo cars, which regularly get mid 30's at highway cruise. Torque is your friend, and that nod goes to L28. And if it's turbo, even more torque.

[Mad Mechanic]

Ok, so stick with the L28E or a L28ET.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Any real suggestions on the transmission to use? I had been planning on grabbing the Borg-Warner 5-speed from a later 280ZX (or something equivalent) but if there is a better option I'd like the hear it.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Mad Mechanic

[Tony D]

Why? Overdrive is almost identical.

[HowlerMonkey]

Then there's that converting the L24e to rear sump issue.

 

Whatever you do, don't throw away that maxima cylinder head.

[19762802+2]

A L24E from a Maxima made into a turbo motor might be pretty cool as well

 

Maybe a LD28 Turbo?

Edited May 15, 2011 by 19762802+2

[Mack]

I would say an L28E with a late 280ZX 5spd. I had a turbo car with the borg warner and it was garbage. I did not like it AT ALL. To quote my English freind in reference to shifting gears..... It felt like waving a stick around in a bucket of mud looking for stones.

 

L28E with a bump in compression, a mild street cam and megasquirt.

 

oh, an TonyD those big 3800 v6 also have a ridiculious overdrive that puts them around 1700rpms at cruise, which they can do because of the torque they put out. My buddy was into fieros for a while ( an addiction he cured himself of, thank god) and when you put one of those 3800 series 2 drivetrains in the back of a fiero, you got sub 6 sec 0 to 60 and in some cases 40mpg on the highway.

[Tony D]

Yep, the 3800 is an amazing engine, with lots of torque so you can gear accordingly. First time I got one in a Regal I was shocked. I commented that 'it accelerates like it's angry at something!'

For years I lamented the GEN2 3800 was not an option in the V6 Mustang!

Gawd Ford's V6 sucked compared to the GM 3800!!! For YEARS. They finally got it right this past year...kinda!

[twofouroh]

Your mileage won't like a 4.11 rear end nearly as much as a 3.7, either.

[Mad Mechanic]

I had a turbo car with the borg warner and it was garbage. I did not like it AT ALL.

 

Now this is new, I've never heard anything bad said of the Borg/Warner T-5 transmission.

 

Since torque seems to be the primary factor mentioned here, what should I be looking to do to an engine to maximize torque output and lower the revs at highway cruising speed (besides the aforementioned 5-speed transmission swap).

 

I see some mention of rear end ratios, so lets investigate that for a moment. The 240Z came with an R180 rear end (as far as I know), and it would seem like most people swap this for a later R200. Is there a rear end gear ratio I should be looking for if I perform the same R200 swap? Or is there another rear end I could be looking for instead?

 

A L24E from a Maxima made into a turbo motor might be pretty cool as well

 

I agree, that might be interesting, and it would mean keeping a 240Z a 2.4 liter car. However, I should think I would have to fiddle with the compression ratio of the engine to make this happen for an economy car, right?

Edited May 18, 2011 by Mad Mechanic