L28 3.1

[dappastyle]

It's great to hear people giving different opinions about which avenue to proceed down and what is the best thing to do. I'm here to learn and happy to listen to what people suggest so that means finding out what's what.

I would prefer to keep the engine in the same period as the body in all honesty. As for tuning an engine, I daren't do that, that's for the experts.

thanks again.

 

[ben240z]

where are you in the uk?

 

[ben240z]

So that would be Brake Bird Power rather than Brake Horse Power, then?

Now Now count play nicely and don't rise to the bait

 

[SeanDezart]

where are you in the uk?

Asks another stroker builder !

Little known fact - around 5% of UK registered S30 2 seaters are strokers.

 

[dappastyle]

where are you in the uk?

Mainly based near junction 8 of the M25, London side with 2nd base on the borders or Northants/Leicestershire.

 

[Albrecht]

Now Now count play nicely and don't rise to the bait

I didn't realise it was "bait"...........
















..... I thought it was bird seed.

 

[SKiddell]

A well built 2.8 can produce a reliable 250+ (not 230 Sean) but it isn’t cheap...no well built engine is

300 hp will cost serious money, £7k upwards for something drivable for more than a few miles

320 is about all you can expect in mental tune state, there are claims of silly numbers like 340/360 hp but please use liberal sprinklings of salt between thumb and first finger

If you want bang for buck, look for a forced induction engine or V8 (or both) to stick in, if you want to stay true to the spirit of the S30 go L6 NA, normally aspirated power delivery is so rewarding and suits the car so well.


VPulsar
You may find a well sorted paltry 230 hp S30 around a track would be a handful...and is quiet capable of giving a fright to some seriously quick cars, with and without turbos


Sean
Yep I am going the stroker route but......its way way more than that, but it’s not for public consumption yet, suffice to say that it will be unique.

If we get the technical section of the site sorted out then I will post a detailed build up of the entire thing right from the acid dipping of the block to the design of the valves.

 

[vpulsar]

So that would be Brake Bird Power rather than Brake Horse Power, then?

Yeah sorry about that , I'm dyslexic and that was the only option the spell checker gave me, I sure you got my meaning though .

I wasn't trying to say that the L series was rubbish, Just that it seems like a lot of time/effort and expense for so little return, Even a standard SR20 has over 200 bhp, With some well thought out mods you could easily see 300 + bhp and matching torque more that enough power for an old Datsun to cope with I'm sure.

Plus it must be a massive weight saving as the SR20 is all alloy and missing two cylinders lol, Like suggested it could be mounted well back in the engine bay as well leaving plenty of room for inter coolers and such like.





Rob

 

[vpulsar]

500bbp Pulsars (again...) are all fine and dandy in a straight line but toilet on a twisty track or 'roads'

You do know that Pulsar's are four wheel drive don't you , They're actually very good in both the wet and dry on and off track .

Getting back to engine choice I personally don't have any preference regarding what engine I end up with as long as it does what I want it to, I only suggested the SR20 because I know from experience that it's a good strong engine and their is plenty of tuning options available, I love the thought of fitting a V8 but every car I've researched with a V8 fitted seems to be a right pig to drive.

I suppose it depends what you want from your own Datsun, I'm not bothered about originality myself but I understand and respect that other's do, Fitting a more up to date engine would probably make the car easier to keep running for longer and be cheaper to maintain, Just my opinion .

 

[240z]

320 is about all you can expect in mental tune state, there are claims of silly numbers like 340/360 hp but please use liberal sprinklings of salt between thumb and first finger
.

I would be interested in what you think of this site as-watanabe their drag car seems to support the numbers, but it is quite difficult even with google translate for me to see exactly what they are doing. And I am genuinely interested in opinions, I'm not wanting to contradict or discredit anyone here.

Let me know if this should be on a new thread though!

 

[zedhead260]

I would like to see an SR20 in a 240 (bet that surprised a few people). 240s are a lightweight car with a big heavy engine. A SR20 set well back and low should be good.

Plus it must be a massive weight saving as the SR20 is all alloy and missing two cylinders lol, Like suggested it could be mounted well back in the engine bay as well leaving plenty of room for inter coolers and such like.

But an S30 has near 50-50 weight distribution. By fitting a light 4 pot "well back" in the engine is going to make the front too light, it'll understeer like a bitch.

Why is that a good thing ??

 

[vpulsar]

But an S30 has near 50-50 weight distribution.

Not with my fat arse sitting in the drivers seat it doesn't .

I don't think it would under steer like a bitch personally, Their is quite a bit of weight to an SR20 install once you factor all the turbo gubbins in to the equation, I'd rather fit a lighter engine than a heavier one myself, Engine location depends on where the gearstick comes through the tunnel, The more I think about the more sense it makes.

S14's are pretty cheap second hand especially if you buy one that a drifter has fu*ked up lol.


Rob

 

[Rob Gaskin]

But an S30 has near 50-50 weight distribution. By fitting a light 4 pot "well back" in the engine is going to make the front too light, it'll understeer like a bitch.

Why would a light front end make it understeer, most racing cars are lighter at the front. That big old block just wants to fly off to the outside of the bend. Weight is the enemy. I rallied a Hillman Imp in my early days, that gripped pretty well at the front once I had negative camber instead of the positive camber built it to make it understeer for Joe Public!

I'd like to see this done as I said, then we might know how it handles.

 

[SeanDezart]

Fitting a more up to date engine would probably make the car easier to keep running for longer and be cheaper to maintain, Just my opinion .

Rubbish - an L-gata engine cannot be simpler to maintain and isn't as stressed as some of the engines that are being quoted here and therefore will live longer.

Jak - it's a straight six, not flat six - are you a closet Porker lover ?

This is what I said Skiddy mate :

L28 well sorted but driveable on the road on carbs 230bhp

More than 300 in an S30 is quite frankly ridiculous for the road and I'm sure is undriveable as a pleasure :

who said that "a sportscar should be an invitation not a challenge" ?

500bhp ? That's just a pissing contest and misses the REAL fun and beauty in owning and driving one of these cars.

I wonder sometimes if I shouldn't have a nice, chuckable 2.8 like Rob Gaskin has to enjoy.................................................................as well 'cos I couldn't live without my big yellow pisser now ! Big, hairy-chested Healeys watch out - Joe Bic the razor is about.

 

[vpulsar]

Rubbish - an L-gata engine cannot be simpler to maintain and isn't as stressed as some of the engines that are being quoted here and therefore will live longer.

Again I'm afraid you missed my point totally sunshine , What I meant was that getting parts for these old datsuns including the engine isn't going to get any easier or less expensive is it, I appreciate that people like Mike can supply parts at the moment, But we pay a big premium with this so called £1 per $1 we get charged once it arrives here .

I for one would rather have an engine that not only can I buy affordable parts from my local factors but it is also easy to find good second hand parts if need be to save money, Long term the SR20 would be a good choice for me personally living in the arse end of nowhere that is Aberdeenshire .



Rob

 

[rahail240]

Not with my fat arse sitting in the drivers seat it doesn't .

rob

love it.

 

[SeanDezart]

Again I'm afraid you missed my point totally sunshine , What I meant was that getting parts for these old datsuns including the engine isn't going to get any easier or less expensive is it, I appreciate that people like Mike can supply parts at the moment, But we pay a big premium with this so called £1 per $1 we get charged once it arrives here .

I for one would rather have an engine that not only can I buy affordable parts from my local factors but it is also easy to find good second hand parts if need be to save money, Long term the SR20 would be a good choice for me personally living in the arse end of nowhere that is Aberdeenshire .



Rob

Rob - if I missed your point it's because you didn't express yourself clearly.

If you don't like the 1 for 1 that Mike charges - order your parts direct - what you pay for with Mike is advice and a garantee. I know life is no charity but he has been around for a long,long (sorry Mike ) time and has helped countless Zs to stay on the road.

Fact - no parts get cheaper so apply that also to SR20 or any other engine and I don't follow you - the arse end of nowhere but parts from local factors....?

Surely these local factors could also disappear for all sorts of reasons then you'b be back on your "poultry ass" (bit of a hybrid or is that hybird that one).

All in all I think that you're overestimating the difficulty of sourcing affordable UK parts for the L-gata - have you looked - what do you think that can't be produced locally ?

What does add in extra cost is when engine builders/suppliers quote specific measurements (camshafts, piston cut-outs, head work etc) but these are based upon their experience (losses, failures, several blocks x-ray tested to find one good one) and I believe justified.

Any performance man is going to do that - don't begrudge people their experience gained over + 25 years.

Or do it yourself but as Ian P. says, don't expect the same bhp numbers - it aint the sum of the parts that counts.

 

[zedhead260]

Why would a light front end make it understeer,

Well it would do something as the weight distribution has become unbalanced. Sure the Z would benefit from a little less engine overhanging the front cross member - but not 2 cylinders worth.

 

[zedhead260]

I'm just thinking ahead really, I want a road car to be pushing about 250/300bhp. It's a weekend toy so would like a bit of poke to go with on spirited drives.

...... most racing cars are lighter at the front. ................. I rallied a Hillman Imp in my early days, that gripped pretty well at the front once I had negative camber instead of the positive camber built it to make it understeer for Joe Public!

Road cars / Race cars - there are differences between the two and this thread is about road cars.

 

[SeanDezart]

Road cars / Race cars - there are differences between the two and this thread is about road cars.

Indeed and as such, 200+ bhp is sufficient to have some serious fun.
Isn't fun to be had on the limit ?
And that's what I mean about my 'road' car, I can only really exploit (safely) the limits on a track.