Engines: Baseline Datsun L-Series.

So before we start talking about our options for a replacement engine I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what we would normally be replacing.

The Datsun L-Series Inline 6 cylinder engine.

This would have been the factory installed engine for our car. The L-series came in three sizes. 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 liter engines.  I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about all the difference in the three. Since we don't have one at all, I'm going to assume we are building a fresh L motor for our specific needs.

IF we were to use a Datsun motor, then we would want to build a performance engine. Due to the interchangeable manner of Datsun engines we can pick and choose our parts.

-Engine block and head from an 81-83 Datsun 280zx. This gives us 2.8l of displacement and a good flowing head.
-Aftermarket Carburetors. Three two barrel Weber units. This gives tune-ability and a sound that is hard to describe other than glorious.
-5 speed transmission from the 81-83 280zx.

Specifications

Assuming home built L28 with aftermarket intake and exhaust.

• 160-200hp at the flywheel depending on tuning and engine health.
• 475lb's fully dressed
• 2 valves per cylinder, Single Over Head Cam Shaft.

So lets break down the pro's and con's.

Pro's.

• Direct bolt in. This is the factory motor. No custom mounts, welding, cutting or fabricating.
• It can be made to be period correct. If your into that kind of thing.
• Stock and maintenance parts are still pretty easy to get. 
• People have been making 300hp L-series for the last 40 years. 3.1 and 3.2l stroker motors are fairly easy to build.
• Used parts are easy to find.
• The sound. The sound is insane. Listen.

Con's.

• The L-series started as a four cylinder in the 60's. It's a 45-50 year old design. A lot has changed and improved in that time.
• 2 valves per cylinder with one camshaft is all right, but horribly inefficient. 
• Any motor we find will need to either be rebuilt or we roll the dice and hope it's okay.
• Building a high output L28 is not cheap. The block and head would be cheap, but then your looking at getting the cylinder head rebuilt and modified. That carb and manifold setup is not cheap. Brand new your looking at about $1200-1400. Add another $250-300 for an exhaust header. Building this engine is a $2500-$3000 project. That doesn't include installing a transmission.
• Due to our mostly stripped chassis there's a lot of little things that have to be done making the cost even higher. With a modern swap that stuff has to be done too, but those bits would usually come with our engine.

There's another con that is more about me than the engine. I want a modern engine. This post is more about establishing a baseline to compare our new engines too. 

The only way this engine makes any sense for us is if we can get running engine and transmission complete from air cleaner to oil pan for insanely cheap. Like sub-$500 cheap. We can put it in and drive the car, but it would only be until the new engine was ready to install.

Starting tomorrow I'm going to talk about all the engine idea's floating around my head. I need to get them all in one place because I can't make up my mind. I've got 4 great engines and one pretty good one that can't be ignored.