Datsunworks designed and created a twin cam cylinder head (KN20) to work with the Nissan inline-6 L-series engine! It is based on the incredible Honda K-series 4-cylinder engine with superior flow and modern valvetrain components turning the SOHC into a DOHC L-Series screamer.
I always wondered what a U20 would do with a twin cam crossflow head. Bet the cost of that head is more than the value of most our cars
Mike M
Old enough to know better, too old to remember why!
1969 2000 solex mine since 1972, under resurrection. (Finally resurrected as of spring 2019!)
1969 Porsche 911s -worth more, but not as valuable! Gone!
2017 Lotus Evora 400 - Oh my!!
theunz wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 8:15 am
I always wondered what a U20 would do with a twin cam crossflow head. Bet the cost of that head is more than the value of most our cars
Well ...just stick a turbo on it, the u20 and you'll know or more
The 2001 hodo K20 was copied off a 1990 4G63 head , they are/ look identical design wise
The 4G64 is a 16v single cam head 2.4 L
A tech at datsun had a 68 Alfa iINAZONE
it was a 4v head 1600., one of the 1st ? Minus a Italian exotic
Last edited by redroadster on Wed Oct 12, 2022 1:47 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
Wow, very cool. Power is in the head! Beautiful car in every way. It will be very interesting to compare output vs a stockish head, but of course that's probably hard to do as you have different induction and exhaust. Surely not easy or cheap to create a whole new head, cast it, machine it etc. I would assume they are making a few for the select lucky out there. I love the sound of the engine and exhaust in general. So many exhausts I hear on modern cars that folks have put on sound terrible to me, or just wrong for the car. I like that it's decently subdued until you make it bark, and then it's a nice mechanical rush sound, not blaaaaaaat.
Man, it must be damn fun to go and hang out at that shop.
Last edited by Gregs672000 on Sat Jul 31, 2021 9:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I met the owner of Datsunworks at a Cars and Coffee, he had an experimental version on his 240 Z. I was surprised to learn that he live in, and these are made in Ocala, Fl!
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.
notoptoy wrote: Sat Jul 31, 2021 4:03 pm
I met the owner of Datsunworks at a Cars and Coffee, he had an experimental version on his 240 Z. I was surprised to learn that he live in, and these are made in Ocala, Fl!
It'Z a small world! That is a nice coincidence and Derek is the mastermind behind the KN20. It's a good read if you are into foundry/casting etc.
Road & Track just posted an article on the Datsunworks cylinder head! It's a great read with origins of the 3D-casted design and plenty of technical information. Enjoy!
Very very cool head that adds a ton of power. By the time you're done it will run around $15,000-16,000 dollars... for just the head, not the motor That would make it impossible for me without a lottery win, but for others it's a game changer. How to create the ultimate L-series!
spl310 wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 5:22 pm
Sexy head. Too bad it isn't for a roadster
True. However, the head is probably not the limiting factor in a U20 from an airflow perspective. It's old technology for how it accomplishes the task of pumping air in and out, but it flows very well. I've heard it jokingly referred to as "a cylinder head looking for an engine/car". Being able to run a roller rocker/cam set up was considered to be the best idea for the "next stage" head as a viable or reasonable option. At this point now, I'm good!
Pretty damn neat. Very good engineering to get something like this done as cost effectively as he has.
Wouldn't it be cool if he applied the same principals to an r16? Probably have to do the race mods to the crank for oiling so it would live at 8000 but it would sure be fun. An S13 and a Ford Lsd along with an R16 or H20 with a similar head and intake......
Dan
SPL311 aka Skooter. Sold. Now wasting away in the SF area.
1990 Nissan 300zx. Sold this one too.
2018 VW Tiguan
Any fans of the Chevy 3.1 V6 1984 & up ?
The 'tuna can" eng ,
it was Chevy's way to deal with the swarm of 4 valve engines starting to take over sales from them . They, 4V , weren't such a dependable engine long term back then .
Damn , I made $$$$ repairing the stripped T belt Carnage
It has very good power similar to a 4 valve ,for it's 2 valve semi hemi setup , the head intake valve area has a tuna can shape , the valve centered in it so air is drawn from. All directions into the cyl , (but when the valves are carbonef up it's design doesn't help ) instead of coming down the narrow hallway setup I've a 96 Monte Carlo 3.1 it's got low- mid range torque that even 4v auto trans ( usually 500 #s lite r ) Do not
I knew a guy that had a S10 truck 5sp carbed long tube headers
It was bad @$$
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster
