Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

My '68 2000 came with no engine or transmission, so I feel swapping in something different makes more sense for me. Currently I have an L16, an L18, an L20b, and a KA24E. Ideally, I would like to use the L18. Of the L-series options it is the most fun choice. It looks like there will be some of the same issues using the L18 as there would be using the KA24E (crossmember interference, etc), so the choice only becomes more muddied...

But the reason for this thread is not so much to help me choose between the L18 and the KA24E as much as I am hoping someone out there has experience with swapping in an L-series engine and could guide me a bit as to what would be involved with getting it in the car?

I hate asking to be spoonfed information, as I am sure I can figure it out on my own eventually, but a head's up about the most common problems with the swap would be nice.

Stan aka fossil used to make a kit to install a L series....The L20 is a little too tall.....
If you have an SSS SU kit for the L-series, that would make a great conversion....I am pretty sure you just need to notch the cross member for the oil pump.

The KA24E with EFI is a more powerful set-up.....I think all you need is to modify the oil pan.

fj20spl311 wrote:Stan used to make a kit to install a L series....

I've heard there was an off-the-shelf mount kit available at one time?

fj20spl311 wrote:The L20 is a little too tall.....

Heard this many times also.

fj20spl311 wrote:If you have an SSS SU kit for the L-series, that would make a great conversion....

That was the idea. That way it stays stock looking at least...

fj20spl311 wrote:I am pretty sure you just need to notch the cross member for the oil pump.

I'm hoping that's all there is too it, aside from building mounts...

fj20spl311 wrote:The KA24E with EFI is a more powerful set-up.....I think all you need is to modify the oil pan.

The KA24E has the same oil pump, in the same location, so...

fj20spl311 wrote:The KA24E with EFI is a more powerful set-up...

Oh, and I have already built a dual sidedraft intake for the KA24E, so...

One of the fastest cars I saw running at SIR yrs ago was a 240sx running a 12valve KA engine with side drafts. Granted, it was a race car/engine, but it had NO problem passing V8 Corvettes down the straights. In the long run, while the KA is not a rev happy engine, it will have A LOT more power than the L18.

No expert at all but what I've gleaned from reading the Forums for so long is that the KA swap doesn't require frame mods (?). I've also noticed that it seems the L swaps are few and far between because they don't fit that well in the envelope.

I think that a Ka swap is better for fitment, performance and parts concerns.

From what I have read L series motors are as hard, or harder, to find parts for than U20s.

Just my uninformed 2 cents

Roman wrote:I think that a Ka swap is better for fitment, performance and parts concerns.

Again, I'd be glad to be wrong, but the KA24E has the same oil pump, in the same spot. I really can't see how you'd need to mod for one and not the other? And the KA24E is a tiny bit longer as well...

Roman wrote:From what I have read L series motors are as hard, or harder, to find parts for than U20s.

You can easily buy all the parts to rebuild an L18 for about $300-400, so...

They are infinitely easier to get parts for than a U20. And I have stacks and stacks of L-series parts in the shop. Hence, why I am considering it.

But you are correct that the KA does have better parts availability than the L18. I can buy KA bits locally. Any L18 parts would have to be shipped...

I was wrong about the KA24E......I did not know it had a different oil pump from the KA24DE.....

Looks that you would have to cut the frame for both.......I have been told its a minor cut for the L-series.

Did you look in the wiki under engine swaps?
Dan

greydog wrote:Did you look in the wiki under engine swaps?
Dan

As far as the L-series goes? Yes. It basically just says "I made the notch in the cross member exactly like the drawing that comes with the kit."

And unfortunately the KA section is blank.

L series will also need some steering column adjustment...

Datsun.David wrote:L series will also need some steering column adjustment...

Shaft fouls the exhaust manifold?

I believe so... I saw it at the "now what" phase of the project, and to be honest I don't know whether it ever got finished... The guy building it had bigger fish to fry... At least a dozen projects on the go - most notably an all aluminum bodied Maserati from the 60's that left an indelible mark in my mind... Wonder if that one ever got done... It was completely stripped to bare metal and on a rotisserie last I saw 15 years ago...

Datsun.David wrote:I don't know whether it ever got finished...

The thing I want to avoid most of all...