Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

In my quest to find a different engine for a swap, I found that there are not many resources available. Also, many questions regarding engine measurements are asked online but usually not answered. You will find someone that says "I have that engine in my garage. I'll measure it tonight and post the results." And that will be the end of the thread.

One good resource I found is this one: Engine Dimensions

And some more good info on GM powertrains: GMPowertrain.com
And More GM

I can't find similar resources from Ford, Honda, Nissan, etc. People on forums will say "Yes, it will fit" or "No, it won't fit" but they don't post actual measurements. And most of the wikis with "everything you wanted to know about engine X" will have details down to the rod bearing size, but they don't have exterior measurements.

If you have any more resources or other known engine measurements, please add to this. It will save time for anyone else looking for an engine swap. I was mostly focused on the engine height since that is our most restrictive factor IMO.


GM Ecotec LCV 2.5l 4 cyl, 200hp, exhaust on the left:
27.8" from pan to top of oil fill cap.

Honda R18A1 height 26"
Honda K24A2 height 25.5"
Honda K20 height 25"

Zetec 2.3
19.7" long
23.6" tall
14" wide

My 66 1600 has about 5.5" of ground clearance under the pan.

And the underside of the hood (when closed) measures about 30.5" at the front of the engine and about 32" at the rear of the engine. This is from the floor running the tape up by the engine until it hits the underside of the hood.

Slackline wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 12:05 am My 66 1600 has about 5.5" of ground clearance under the pan.

And the underside of the hood (when closed) measures about 30.5" at the front of the engine and about 32" at the rear of the engine. This is from the floor running the tape up by the engine until it hits the underside of the hood.

Those dimensions, while helpful are dependent on tire size and suspension mods. Although if you do the math you can figure the engine height.

Well, by my math, the tires don't matter:
Distance from ground to top of engine: 32" (Tallest Point)
Distance from Ground to bottom of engine: 5.5"
Since your measurement point of reference is the same, 32"- 5.5" = 26.5" Engine height, or am I missing something??

Correct, sort of.

tire/wheel diameter will change the overall available height to work with. So will suspension and the clearance between the valve cover and hood.

And, if the engine is heavier than the stock one, you might lose another 1/2" or more in ground clearance from suspension compression.

I didn't know you were considering FWD (native) applications!
Results from my Google Search

Mitsubishi 4G63:
25" high from bottom of oil pan to top of cam gears
22" wide from outside edge of exhaust manifold to the back of the intake manifold
20" long from front to back.


VW EA888
Height: 26"


Mustang/Focus RS 2.3L Ecoboost
Height: 29.6063"
width: 26.1"
https://www.mustangecoboost.net/attachm ... -png.4585/


RWD:
Honda F20C
height: 25.5"
length: 20"
width: 14.5 inches
we already know this "fits"




The K-swap is amazing, it gets my vote 100%. I'm sure you have seen K-Miata, a company that specializes in K-swapping Miatas:
https://kpower.industries/
Incredible NA power (stock). New. Plentiful.

Good luck in your quest. Choose your engine and make it fit!

Alvin wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:33 pm I didn't know you were considering FWD (native) applications!
Results from my Google Search

Mitsubishi 4G63:
25" high from bottom of oil pan to top of cam gears
22" wide from outside edge of exhaust manifold to the back of the intake manifold
20" long from front to back.


VW EA888
Height: 26"


Mustang/Focus RS 2.3L Ecoboost
Height: 29.6063"
width: 26.1"
https://www.mustangecoboost.net/attachm ... -png.4585/


RWD:
Honda F20C
height: 25.5"
length: 20"
width: 14.5 inches
we already know this "fits"




The K-swap is amazing, it gets my vote 100%. I'm sure you have seen K-Miata, a company that specializes in K-swapping Miatas:
https://kpower.industries/
Incredible NA power (stock). New. Plentiful.

Good luck in your quest. Choose your engine and make it fit!

Thanks Alvin!

I have seen the Kpower site and was looking at the K24A2. If they can make the K fit in the Miata, and the Miata powertrain fits in the 311, then there is a good chance the K will fit in the 311.

And, that F20C is awesome. I did look at the F20/22 but it is around $4,000 for a used long block.

Slackline wrote: ↑Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:18 am And, that F20C is awesome. I did look at the F20/22 but it is around $4,000 for a used long block.

What is your budget fort he engine swap?

I’ve seen you’re asking a lot about engine size but you should also be looking at transmission sizes in relation to the given engine
With some of them the engine may fit relatively easy however the size of the transmission will require you to widen the tunnel which is a lot of work

True. Good point.

Miata 5 and 6 speed seem to fit.
Depending on the engine, I'll see if others might be needed.

Of course, you never really know until you get there...

I don't have a hard budget.

Prices I was given for rebuilt U20 and rebuilt 5 speed were well over 8k.
Making my R16 put out 200hp (flywheel) was about 10k.

Some "conversion" parts that I priced for the K swap were about $4500 plus engine and trans.

I am assuming I will be $10k into this. Probably more, maybe less.

I have an affinity for the Ecoboost 2.3 but at 29" that looks like a big nope, but maybe there is height to be lost. Here is an excellent drawing. https://performanceparts.ford.com/downl ... nsions.pdf

The K swap could be my end game however.

If you are going to go through the agony of a radical swap, go F20C. That’s quite an engine. I can assure you though you will have far more time and money in it versus a U20 or a stroker.

With almost every swap there are 100’s or 1000’s of details to attend to. Every one costs time and money.

If you want a low cost swap, it’s KA24DE. Probably the most power/dollar depending.

F20C is quite an engine. I spoke with the gentleman that did the swap.

I seriously thought about it because it is such a cool and somewhat uncommon motor. I have a habit of attracting uncommon projects and then when something happens to them I have trouble sourcing parts at a reasonable (loosely used) cost.

I am probably going with a K swap. Parts are on the way. A thread will be started when work begins...