Orange620 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I've been reading all the threads I can find on Frankenstein engines bit I haven't seen one that says whether an L20 head would go on a KA24 block. Will it? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Yes it could be done, the cylinder and bolt spacings are the same. But why would you? The KA has far superior breathing and EFI. You would have the same as an L24 using a Z block but it would weigh about 100 lb more and have insanely high compression of around 11.77!!! I suppose you could sub Z24 pistons into it for 9.4 Quote Link to comment
Orange620 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I'd like the look and simplicity of an L20 engine with the 2.4 stroke and forged crank and rods. It sounds like the main advantage over a Z block would be to not have to cut down the ounterweights, rebalance the crank and clearance the crankcase. I would use some kind of the dished pistons to lower the compression. Quote Link to comment
HRH Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 There was an Australian thread on another place I read a while back. Some of the water passages in the head need to be welded shut, and you will need to make a custom chain, which is another annoyance. I like the idea, but personally I'd go with the whole KA for all that trouble. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I'd like the look and simplicity of an L20 engine with the 2.4 stroke and forged crank and rods. It sounds like the main advantage over a Z block would be to not have to cut down the ounterweights, rebalance the crank and clearance the crankcase. I would use some kind of the dished pistons to lower the compression. If you put an L head on a Z24 you don't have to cut the crank down, same as a KA motor. You are only swapping the head. Z24 pistons have a 15cc dish and as stated would only drop the compression to 9.4 I would just use a Z24 block the pistons are already in it, same stroke as the KA and much lighter engine. Either one would make the exact same power so why the heavier KA block? There was an Australian thread on another place I read a while back. Some of the water passages in the head need to be welded shut, and you will need to make a custom chain, which is another annoyance. I like the idea, but personally I'd go with the whole KA for all that trouble. Yes but this was a KA head on an L20B block. There are two oil drain back holes on the back of the KA head. The one on the driver's side would connect with a coolant passage in the L block so we could assume that the L head would leak water into the KA block. One or the other would need welding shut. Quote Link to comment
Cuts metal like mad Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Would require some welding and machining of the timing cover also... custom chain... 2.4L L-series has been done, several ways... LZ24... search for that... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Would require some welding and machining of the timing cover also... custom chain... 2.4L L-series has been done, several ways... LZ24... search for that... Hang_510 has an LZ24 I believe. The L timing cover is 2cm short when fitted to the Z24 (or the KA) motor. Quote Link to comment
Orange620 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 If you put an L head on a Z24 you don't have to cut the crank down, same as a KA motor. You are only swapping the head. Z24 pistons have a 15cc dish and as stated would only drop the compression to 9.4 I would just use a Z24 block the pistons are already in it, same stroke as the KA and much lighter engine. Either one would make the exact same power so why the heavier KA block? Yes but this was a KA head on an L20B block. There are two oil drain back holes on the back of the KA head. The one on the driver's side would connect with a coolant passage in the L block so we could assume that the L head would leak water into the KA block. One or the other would need welding shut. What about the reputation Z24 blocks have for cracking. Is it overstated? Will the KA crank go in the Z22 block as is? Quote Link to comment
Cuts metal like mad Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Z22 is the same as a z20/L20... Z24/KA24 are taller. Rebello builds the crap out of some z24 blocks, both as a LZ24 and for KA24 race motors... I don't know why... Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I used to know a guy with a LZ24 he daily drove it in his wagon. All he did to deal with the front cover being to short was use some silicone. It leaked a little but what daily driven L series doesn't :D Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I used to know a guy with a LZ24 he daily drove it in his wagon. All he did to deal with the front cover being to short was use some silicone. It leaked a little but what daily driven L series doesn't :D mine is leak free ;) Quote Link to comment
Icehouse Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 mine is leak free ;) Your a bastard :D Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Your a bastard :D my last 2 have ben leek free that's just how i roll :lol: now transmissions those are another story :( Quote Link to comment
Orange620 Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 I think I'll go the LZ24 route. I looked up Rebello and they're about 40 minutes from me. I'll give them a visit. Thanks for the answers. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 What about the reputation Z24 blocks have for cracking. Is it overstated? Will the KA crank go in the Z22 block as is? The KA crank will not fit the Z24 block. The rod bearing size is the same but not the mains. Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 It leaked a little but what daily driven L series doesn't :D :eek: the leak around the Z24 cover/L head is minor and if put together well, took a while to be an issue. its a mismatch of parts...sooooo close and hardly any RTV! im having the Z24 cover modded... actully its done ;) just gotta go get it! :D the LZ22 wont leak! :fu: the L or Z block cracks are true, but the problem is overstated. unless your going high comp >10:1 or so, its not likely to even be an issue. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 ...the L or Z block cracks are true, but the problem is overstated. unless your going high comp >10:1 or so, its not likely to even be an issue. An L/Z owner hearing the work crack is like a woman screaming over a mouse. Sure the crack could be serious... and the mouse could run up your leg. But most of the time it isn't and it doesn't. Quote Link to comment
kaoss Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 What about the other way around? I am looking for the shortest motor possible. L20 block and KA24E head? I have both at my disposal is why I ask. I think I read somewhere in there that the l20 block is shorter than the KA block. Good lord you guys know so much! Quote Link to comment
kiznook Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 shortest would be l16/18 why shorter? bodydrop? Quote Link to comment
kaoss Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 Yes, 2.5" BD. I know that the KA should clear just fine, but a head swap should be easier than a motor swap. I need to work with what I have, and like the idea of one day it being able to haul a little ass. Quote Link to comment
benzo Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 If you use a KA head on a L block or Z block it wouuld not be so tall as the head from a KA is shorter than a L head. I myself was going to make a Z 24 block with a KA head as I hear it hauls ass if set up correctly. Quote Link to comment
Cuts metal like mad Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 KA head on an L20b could work... but the power gain from the twin cam setup would be negligible, plenty of power can be made with the L head. I will admit this sounded great on paper to me at one time, but in my case it turned out to be more work than its worth. Especially when theres complete KAs which already make way more power than an L20b already for super cheap. Quote Link to comment
kaoss Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 It's not a twin cam head. It's a KA24E, I did a little googling last night, and I think it can be done. I think I will be better off putting the entire KA in there, and if the hood doesn't close, go from there. Quote Link to comment
hang_510 Posted August 4, 2009 Report Share Posted August 4, 2009 and if the hood doesn't close, go from there. valve cover dent in the hood (mine was 'fixed' this way) or mod the x-memeber to lower it Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.