L28ET into 240SX?

[shinrekka]

Has this been done before? I dont dont think the wiring would realy be a problem, putting that engine into a 240Z you only had to cut a hole for the ecu. I dont think it would be that much harder in a 240sx. Maybe it would bolt into the stock engine mounts. The KA was modeled off the L series engines. I think it would be a neat swap, and definitly something I would do if it wasnt that hard. Nice cheap old school turbo power.

[zanos]

old school all the way

[Redsunz916]

that wouold be awesome... raw power, rich smelling exhaust, never can get over that...

[shinrekka]

anyone? im very interested in this swap.

[theicecreamdan]

Its do-able, get the engine and start figuring out what it'll take to drop it in

[drift freaq]

why bother sticking a L28ET in ? L28's were never known for being engines that liked to rev. In fact they act worse than a KA in that department running out of steam around 5k. If your going to drop a straight six in your 240sx do it right. Drop a RB in!! They are descendants of the L series 6 cylinders and they are very smooth and they rev.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

The L Series Engines Can Be Made To Rev To 9k+. There Are 3.3l Race L Series Engines That Are Reving To 8500rpm Making Power All The Way To The Top. The Biggest Flaw In The L28e Is The Intake System. It Is Very Restrictive, Improperly Heat Protected From The Exhaust Manifold On The Same Side, And Has A Very Primitive Efi System. You Can Fix All These Problems With Cheap And Plentiful Aftermarket Performance Parts.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

On The Flip Side Of That Coin.... My 240z Has A Sr20det In It. It Drives Better, Gets Better Gas Milage (30 Compaired To 21), Has 125 More Whp, Weighs 178lbs Less, And Sits Completely Behind The Front Crossmember Making The Car A Midship (48/52 Weight Ratio) Platform.

[mellojoe]

Motor mounts are the same, I believe. or there is a farily inexpensive kit. I forget which. Basically, there are SR20's in 280z's, and even a KA-powered 280z. So, the other way around should go fairly easily. The wiring is your only problem.

[sr240mike]

400hp l28, do it
http://www.turbotom.com/images/LAMZ_small.JPG

[Airjockie]

where there is a will, there is a way. Enough duct tape, zip ties, a welder and a hammer...anything can be done....

But on a side note...it's not worth the effort....the old Z engines have a super heavy cast IRON Block that is huge. the extra weight in the 240sx will push hard when you want to corner...same can be said with the RBs...but I believe they may be slightly lighter..and they would also have the DOHC which makes tuning a little easier.

As for the rev comment...my Z has absolutly no problem jumping up to 8K's with a jab of the throttle. compared to 4 cylinder engines..its fast enough to rev up. 4clys rev faster than 6clys, and 6clys rev faster than 8clys...

My power band sits nice from 3500-8000.

But...if your after Torque...then an F54 block, a P90 head, 240SX pistons, 240Z con rods, Maxima Diesel crank, a bore job and you would have a sweet 2.8L that becomes a stroker 3.1L....and what you do with it after thats built...is tree stump pulling, tire smoking, raw power. :cool:

[drift freaq]

where there is a will, there is a way. Enough duct tape, zip ties, a welder and a hammer...anything can be done....

But on a side note...it's not worth the effort....the old Z engines have a super heavy cast IRON Block that is huge. the extra weight in the 240sx will push hard when you want to corner...same can be said with the RBs...but I believe they may be slightly lighter..and they would also have the DOHC which makes tuning a little easier.

As for the rev comment...my Z has absolutly no problem jumping up to 8K's with a jab of the throttle. compared to 4 cylinder engines..its fast enough to rev up. 4clys rev faster than 6clys, and 6clys rev faster than 8clys...

My power band sits nice from 3500-8000.

But...if your after Torque...then an F54 block, a P90 head, 240SX pistons, 240Z con rods, Maxima Diesel crank, a bore job and you would have a sweet 2.8L that becomes a stroker 3.1L....and what you do with it after thats built...is tree stump pulling, tire smoking, raw power. :cool:

Basically its like this. Putting a old L series engine in your 240sx at this point in time will cost you more money to build to decent HP vs putting in a RB that has a stock rating of 250HP . I have a RB in a Fastback as I speak . It does not make the car push in the corners. Until you have one and have driven it you cannot comment on that.

[drift freaq]

The L Series Engines Can Be Made To Rev To 9k+. There Are 3.3l Race L Series Engines That Are Reving To 8500rpm Making Power All The Way To The Top. The Biggest Flaw In The L28e Is The Intake System. It Is Very Restrictive, Improperly Heat Protected From The Exhaust Manifold On The Same Side, And Has A Very Primitive Efi System. You Can Fix All These Problems With Cheap And Plentiful Aftermarket Performance Parts.
you took my comment out of context, I was stating that the L28 in a relatively stock form will not rev. Yes L24 and L26's rev. Yes if you lighten everything knife edge your crankshaft and put crazy cams in the L28 it will rev. If you do this to the diesel crank it will rev too, but at the expense of all streetability. He will have no power below 3 or 4k!!This guy is not building a race engine . Its going into a street car. Lets get real here people.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

Ok If He Is Not Building A Race Engine, Why Does He Need To Rev Higher Than 6k Rpm?

If You Have Ever Seen The 3.3l Race L Series Engines They Make Over 200 Ft-lbs From 3500rpm And Upto 8500rpms, Thats Alot Of Power And Very Streetable. You Just Feel The Rb Is The Best Engine For These Cars And Sadly Coming From Owning Rbs They Are Not. No Engine Is Best As Its All About Preference And Goals. If He Wants To Be Unique, Make Good Power, And Do Something That Is Cheap And Easy To Mod Than The L Series Is A Great Engine. Ohh Btw You Can Build A 3.3l L Series For Under $5000.... So Thats About A Rb25/26 Swap.

[PROJECTRB240SX]

Rb Powered 240sx Handle Very Similar To Stock.... Although On A Race Track It Does Push At High Speeds.

[SR240DET]

sorry to be off topic... where can i find a diesel nissan engine in the US?

[drift freaq]

Ok If He Is Not Building A Race Engine, Why Does He Need To Rev Higher Than 6k Rpm?

If You Have Ever Seen The 3.3l Race L Series Engines They Make Over 200 Ft-lbs From 3500rpm And Upto 8500rpms, Thats Alot Of Power And Very Streetable. You Just Feel The Rb Is The Best Engine For These Cars And Sadly Coming From Owning Rbs They Are Not. No Engine Is Best As Its All About Preference And Goals. If He Wants To Be Unique, Make Good Power, And Do Something That Is Cheap And Easy To Mod Than The L Series Is A Great Engine. Ohh Btw You Can Build A 3.3l L Series For Under $5000.... So Thats About A Rb25/26 Swap.
dude, you are argueing for argueing's sake. trust me on this. I have owned 10 240z's .
I had a Japanese engine and transmission business back in the 80's I have vast experience with L series engines .
I started out with 510's and had a pumped L16 . Fact is a stock RB will put out over 250 ft lbs of torque stock!! no mods! pure reliability! It pulls from idle straight up to redline.
Pumping up a L series engines these days and doing it right is not cheap. Once its said and done, its less reliable.
I am sorry you have had such a bad experience with a RB most guys I know running RB's love them. I also do not care what you say L28's suck IMHO and the diesel crank deal is way overrated.
You want to talk someone into putting a way out of date engine into our cars go ahead thats ill advice IMHO. Go on though.
At this point in time its just

[PROJECTRB240SX]

Really? Because I've Never Owned An Rb In My Life.... I Love The Rbs Also! But They Are Not The Best Engine To Be Put Into A Late S Chassis. There Is No Best Engine!

I'm Just Saying You Can Build An L Series To Do Anything You Want And It Will Be Reliable If Done Right. Hell There Are L Series Racers That Are Racing Full Seasons Without A Rebuild And Thats Hard Driving. L Series Parts Are Dirt Cheap, You Can Find L Series Parts For Alot Cheaper Than Rb Parts Here In The States. The L28's Don't Suck Its Their Fuel Injection That Makes Them Suck.... Hell I Had A Triple Mikuni L28 That Ran Like A Champ From Idle To 7500 With A Head Swap, And It Was Making 220whp... I Went Sr20det Because They Are Lighter And More Fuel Efficient.

I'm Not Trying To Talk Anyone Into Anything.... I'm Just Saying Its A Feasable Option.

[shinrekka]

Motor mounts are the same, I believe. or there is a farily inexpensive kit. I forget which. Basically, there are SR20's in 280z's, and even a KA-powered 280z. So, the other way around should go fairly easily. The wiring is your only problem.


jesus guys, i personaly know someone with a 600hp l28et. I know they can make power and at that, i only want around 250hp. I want to do this 1. Because i love oldschool cars 2. I love Z's and 3. To be different. Not only that an L28ET comes turbo stock, that makes it even easier to upgrade. Please dont say "Just buy a 280Z then" I put so much work and money into my S13, took me so long to get it and even longer to buy it back after my parents forced me to sell it. I am NEVER getting rid of this car. But swapping in the l28 compensates and gives me exactly what i want.

mellojoe: do you have anymore info on this at all? I am still very interested in this. I am going to look up what it takes to put in a KA or SR into a classic Z and maybe it will help me on my way. But i do apreciate any more info you provide.
-Thank so much!

[mrmephistopheles]

3. To be different.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/79/The_Simpsons-Jeff_Albertson.png/180px-The_Simpsons-Jeff_Albertson.png
Worst.
Reason.
Ever.

[shinrekka]

How about this for a reason, i want to do it, that all that matters

[drift freaq]

Really? Because I've Never Owned An Rb In My Life.... I Love The Rbs Also! But They Are Not The Best Engine To Be Put Into A Late S Chassis. There Is No Best Engine!

I'm Just Saying You Can Build An L Series To Do Anything You Want And It Will Be Reliable If Done Right. Hell There Are L Series Racers That Are Racing Full Seasons Without A Rebuild And Thats Hard Driving. L Series Parts Are Dirt Cheap, You Can Find L Series Parts For Alot Cheaper Than Rb Parts Here In The States. The L28's Don't Suck Its Their Fuel Injection That Makes Them Suck.... Hell I Had A Triple Mikuni L28 That Ran Like A Champ From Idle To 7500 With A Head Swap, And It Was Making 220whp... I Went Sr20det Because They Are Lighter And More Fuel Efficient.

I'm Not Trying To Talk Anyone Into Anything.... I'm Just Saying Its A Feasable Option.


I see you have a habit of putting words in peoples mouths. I never said the RB was the best engine for our cars. I said it was a lot better alternative than sticking an ancient L28 in.
A stock RB already does have the kind of HP and torque you would have to pump the L series for. In the end that spells reliability. Add a boost controller and at 9-11lbs your around the 300 whp mark with reliability.
The only reason I am argueing this point is, because you guys seem to be stuck on this fantasy of stick an ancient not as efficient engine in the S series chassis because its different!! It did not even delevop the kind of per liter HP newer Nissan engines delevelop stock from the factory.
It was considered a dog in its days by 240Z owners and engine builders.
The only reason it was built and raced is because it had to be. It was the stock engine for the 280z and 280zx so per SCCA and other sanctioning body rules it had to be used.

[SHIFT_control]

sorry to be off topic... where can i find a diesel nissan engine in the US?

Late 70's early 80's Maxima station wagon had a L-series diesel engine. One of the techs I used to work with is building a L28 with a diesel crank, 80,000 overbore, total displacement 3795cc supercharged (15 psi), 315 deg, .64 lift cams. Over 800 hp. It's in a 240z so kinda off topic. Making it into a SCCA monster.

[shinrekka]

so what if the engines ancient, so is the L series which my SOHC KA is made after, i dont see how the L28 is any worse then my KA. After all the KA WAS an L series and shares many of the same parts even BLOCK as these "ancient" engines. Of course i'll rebuild it, I sure as hell dont want an RB because i wont be able to drive the car everday. Were the hell am i gonna get parts for it. The feul injection system may suck but if i dont go turbo which i may not, it will be built the carbs, high compression, and aggressive cams. These engines are monsters, i know what they can handle, i personaly know someone with a 600hp L28ET 280zx, he works at Z1 motorsports in smithtown long island, some of you may know him. Stock rods, forged pistons, very aggresive cam (sounds like a built v8 at idle) and a custom feul managment setup. I love these engines, only more then i love the KA is because they have more potential, they can surpass the KA in both N/A and forced induction forms with ease. All i asked is if anyone has done it before, and how hard is it to be done. I started to get some info, and then all the sudden i get "GET an RB" and "THAT ENGINE SUCKS", is not what i was looking for. Please only helpfull advice/info from now on, not ridicule from people who dont know shit. I dont have one of these engines on hand yet so i cannot see for myself if it fits/bolts in otherwise i wouldnt waste my time here. If someone knew wether or not it can be done, it would save me alot of time and or money.
-thanks to everyone who has added useful information

[mrmephistopheles]

How about this for a reason, i want to do it, that all that matters

Then say that. :-D

[shinrekka]

I just talked to my friends dad about this swap and it turns out he had a 1990 skyline with an L28ET. His dad owned a garage in japan when they still lived there. He said many people did the swap because the RB20 wasnt considered a good engine when the L28 was already a proven performer. I know the RB20 can bolt in on stock KA mounts so i asked him if he used stock mounts and he dosent remember if he fabricated them or not. :/ so close to finding what i needed to know

[shwyn510]

ok, i believe for one that the L series, whether it be from the 16-28, was an overengineered engine, much like the FJ20. i have a datsun 510 with the stock L16, and the odomoter reads somehwere around 32***, it could be 132***, or 232***, or even 332*** , so saying that the L28 is "ancient", that isnt relevant. the only problem i see with the swap is the crossmember. since the L series has the oilpan facing the opposite direction of the KA.

[shinrekka]

interesting, im going over my friends house to look at his L28 in his 280z. Im gonna take measurements and whatnot and take a look at that crossmember