BenTerrible Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 L16 is bone stock. Original plan was to dump in the SR20DET S15. Car is one of the cleaner ones out there and I am unsure at this point if I want to put it through a motor swap. Anyhow, suspension is also in the works. Would like to get a little more out of the stock motor. Considering twin 40 mikunis, ignition upgrade, exhaust, and possibly a 5 speed dogleg trans. Just wanted to start a thread to get input on the Mikuni setup, tuning, performance, reliability, so on. Thanks in advance, -BT 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 All that work will still not make the L16 fast. Swap in L20B if you want faster but still with a stock look. * Ignition: Upgrade to Datsun electronic ignition and ditch the maintenance-requiring points * Header: L16 & L20B are already fitted with free-flowing cast iron header from the factory * Exhaust: It's for looks, not for power * 5-speed: Doesn't make your car accelerate faster or have a higher top speed. Just lowers noise and engine wear when crusing on the freeway * Dual-Mikuni PHH: Looks sick and sounds wild. Go for it! Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 All that work will still not make the L16 fast. Swap in L20B if you want faster but still with a stock look. * Ignition: Upgrade to Datsun electronic ignition and ditch the maintenance-requiring points * Header: L16 & L20B are already fitted with free-flowing cast iron header from the factory * Exhaust: It's for looks, not for power * 5-speed: Doesn't make your car accelerate faster or have a higher top speed. Just lowers noise and engine wear when crusing on the freeway * Dual-Mikuni PHH: Looks sick and sounds wild. Go for it! You're right about the header and the L20B swap. I would be sure to re-curve the distributor and the exhaust will make you power, just don't go too big. For a stock L20B, I'd go 2.25" and a turbo muffler. Unless you want loud, then a straight through or "lazy s" muffler like a Magnaflow or Borla. Borla straight through mufflers are worth 5hp on a ITC L-16 so maybe a little more on an L20B. And I wouldn't run Mikunis on a stock L motor. Mild porting of the ports and bowls, larger valves and a cam are needed before Mikunis help in HP. If you get lucky and find a L20B with one of the desired heads (like a W53 or U67) this would help. If you got really lucky and found a 219 head that would be huge. A DGV Weber on a stock motor is all you really need. But yes, Mikunis do look and sound cool!!! 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Your first Datsun? 510? Everyone name drops the SR or the KA or VG then they find out how much work there is to do it and how much more work it is to do it right. Any experience swapping motors? Well helping a bud swap a civic motor won't help here. Many many things are one offs... custom made parts to make the motor fit. All the above motors are EFI going into a car that only had carbs so the whole fuel system needs changing. The power is so high that only a fool would run a 510 with stock brakes and suspension. Better to just drive it. Fix the small things and upgrade the brakes and suspension while you enjoy it. Get it 'sorted out' and over the winter look for an L20B motor and build it. Slip it in next summer. The L20B is just the L16's big brother and not a lot of mods needed to slip it in. By now you have the car handling and stopping properly and maybe time for a bit more power (it's ok now) Maybe a KA24 E or DE. They're cheap and plentiful and make good power. Convert to EFI. 1 Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Brakes stop a 510 from 60mph with an L20B or a SR20. More HP doesn't make the car harder to stop. More weight does make it harder to stop. Bigger brakes are a good idea! Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 ... Bigger brakes are a good idea! SR20 makes it a rocket ship. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. At any time or place chances are you will be going faster than if you had the stock L16. The 510 brakes were adequate..... 40 years ago. Today they are a joke. (I mean no disrespect saying this) ... a car's braking performance should far exceed any of it's other abilities. 1 Quote Link to comment
slingshot532 Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 As far as carbs go check this out. It is long but has lots of good info on using motorcycle carbs. http://community.rat...s-lots-of-pics/ All you need is a manifold, throtle cable and a good jetting. Best part, they are cheaper than twin sidedrafts. Dogleg trannys are cool but reverse is where 2nd should be soooo.... it takes some getting used to. I went through 2 dogleg 5speeds in my old 310. I kept shifting into reverse at like 20 mph. Quote Link to comment
BenTerrible Posted November 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Sweet...SR20VET it is! Quote Link to comment
KlassicMotion Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 All that work will still not make the L16 fast. Swap in L20B if you want faster but still with a stock look. * Ignition: Upgrade to Datsun electronic ignition and ditch the maintenance-requiring points * Header: L16 & L20B are already fitted with free-flowing cast iron header from the factory * Exhaust: It's for looks, not for power * 5-speed: Doesn't make your car accelerate faster or have a higher top speed. Just lowers noise and engine wear when crusing on the freeway * Dual-Mikuni PHH: Looks sick and sounds wild. Go for it! Actually with the correct gearing, the 5spd will make your car accelerate faster, and with an overdrive, it will give you a higher top speed if your car can handle higher speeds. Most cars are limited on top speed by aerodynamics. Everything factors in: Rear diff gearing, tire and wheel combo, and the trans you use will offer different gearing options. Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 If it is a stock L-16, a L-20-B cam will liven it up a bit. Make sure the rocker arms stay in position. Check the basics first. Timing, Valve adjustment, air filter. Do not be afraid to let the L-16 rev. My opinion, FIVE SPEED WILL NOT MAKE THE CAR GO FASTER, unless you change the rear axle ratio. As with any engine, are the rings good? Are the valves in good shape? How is the compression? Stock L-16 should be 159 to 171 PS. There are benefits in changing the exhaust system after the stock L-16 exhaust manifold to something more free flowing. Quote Link to comment
KlassicMotion Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 If your 5spd has a lower gear set (higher numerically) than your 4spd, then yes, it's just like putting a lower geared (higher numerically) rear diff in your car. It will make the car quicker. You can argue how quick, but it will help. The lower geared 5spd I put in my '65 Mustang took one second off my 1/4 mile time. It's a ratio of numbers, you have to get the ratios correct. With that though, I will stop pushing my opinion. Quote Link to comment
ggzilla Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Agreed. With the correct gearing, the Four Speed will make your car accelerate faster. Yes, the differential gearing has the biggest effect on acceleration. And with a more powerful engine it will give you a higher top speed. The most popular 5-speed for the 510 has the same ratios as the 4-speed along with an extra "overdrive" gear. But since 510 is HP limited for top speed, 5spd alone won't make it faster. You could fit the longer truck 5-speed and get lower 1st 2nd and 3rd gears. Quote Link to comment
Ratwagon1600 Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Mikes first post pretty much summed it up. Sort out the little things, get some good wheels, tyres and suspension. Do your research for a bit longer and decide if you really want to go through the cost of an engine swap to a non L series, compared with upgrading to an L18 or an L20. Theres benefits in engine swaps although it depends on how much money you have to spend. Down the track you may find someone who has a complete long motor for sale( L series) with the twin carbs and other goodies you want. Daniel also gave some good advice I.e. don't be afraid to rev the L16! My two cents worth. Quote Link to comment
KlassicMotion Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 I will be the first to admit when I'm wrong.... ggzilla made a good point that I wasn't considering, and that is for the most common Datsun swaps the 4spd does have the lowest gear set. Here is what my research found, hopefully this is helpful for other people: KA24(D)E & SR20DET (S13/S14): 1st- 3.321 2nd- 1.902 3rd- 1.308 4th- 1.000 5th- 0.759 SR20DET (S15) 1st- 3.626 2nd- 2.20 3rd- 1.541 4th- 1.213 5th- 1.000 6th- 0.767 280zx 1st- 3.062 2nd- 1.858 3rd- 1.308 4th- 1.00 5th- 0.864 ('78-79) 5th- 0.773 ('79-80) 5th- 0.745 ('80-83) 510 1st- 3.382 2nd- 2.013 3rd- 1.312 4th- 1.00 optional 510: 1st- 3.657 2nd- 2.177 3rd- 1.419 4th- 1.00 200sx 1st-3.382 2nd-2.013 3rd-1.312 4th-1 5th-0.854 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Your first Datsun? 510? Everyone name drops the SR or the KA or VG then they find out how much work there is to do it and how much more work it is to do it right. Any experience swapping motors? Well helping a bud swap a civic motor won't help here. Many many things are one offs... custom made parts to make the motor fit. All the above motors are EFI going into a car that only had carbs so the whole fuel system needs changing. The power is so high that only a fool would run a 510 with stock brakes and suspension. Better to just drive it. Fix the small things and upgrade the brakes and suspension while you enjoy it. Get it 'sorted out' and over the winter look for an L20B motor and build it. Slip it in next summer. The L20B is just the L16's big brother and not a lot of mods needed to slip it in. By now you have the car handling and stopping properly and maybe time for a bit more power (it's ok now) Maybe a KA24 E or DE. They're cheap and plentiful and make good power. Convert to EFI. Sweet...SR20VET it is! SR20VET??? I see a 510 for sale next spring with an unfinished SR swap. Lack of planning, money, research, time and skills leads to loss of interest in the whole car. Quote Link to comment
Silvester Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 SR20VET??? I see a 510 for sale next spring with an unfinished SR swap. Lack of planning, money, research, time and skills leads to loss of interest in the whole car. Agreed! Nostalgia gets thrown out the window too. Quote Link to comment
gypsy punk Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 As far as carbs go check this out. It is long but has lots of good info on using motorcycle carbs. http://community.rat...s-lots-of-pics/ All you need is a manifold, throtle cable and a good jetting. Best part, they are cheaper than twin sidedrafts. Dogleg trannys are cool but reverse is where 2nd should be soooo.... it takes some getting used to. I went through 2 dogleg 5speeds in my old 310. I kept shifting into reverse at like 20 mph. Correction 1st is where 2nd should be. And reverse is where 1st is on a standard transmition. It is confusing at first but I like it better. I have a dog leg in one car (love it) and a 4sp in my wagon and I haven't ever messed up by trying to put it in reverse. Have started in second a few times in the wagon though. 1 Quote Link to comment
EricJB Posted November 2, 2012 Report Share Posted November 2, 2012 Correction 1st is where 2nd should be. And reverse is where 1st is on a standard transmition. It is confusing at first but I like it better. I have a dog leg in one car (love it) and a 4sp in my wagon and I haven't ever messed up by trying to put it in reverse. Have started in second a few times in the wagon though. And when a friend needs to borrow it, dont tell him. Instead just stand there and laugh at him like he's an idiot who cant drive a stick. If it runs and drives, dont tear it apart. As stated above tune it up and sort out it's other issues. drive it while finding a good deal on an L20/5 speed, and swap it over a weekend. Dont turn it into a "someday" project. Someday never comes. Quote Link to comment
BenTerrible Posted November 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 SR20VET??? I see a 510 for sale next spring with an unfinished SR swap. Lack of planning, money, research, time and skills leads to loss of interest in the whole car. Sounds like you are speaking from personal experience... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 :lol: no, not yet, but I see this happen here from lack of any plan, lack of money, lack of time, lack of experience. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 SR20VET??? I see a 510 for sale next spring with an unfinished SR swap. Lack of planning, money, research, time and skills leads to loss of interest in the whole car. speaking from Experience? well more than 220 posts no just ck the Dime Quarterly "for sale" section or here every now and then Gregslist also is a good donor of projects Quote Link to comment
EricJB Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 SR20VET??? I see a 510 for sale next spring with an unfinished SR swap. Lack of planning, money, research, time and skills leads to loss of interest in the whole car. speaking from Experience? well more than 220 posts no just ck the Dime Quarterly "for sale" section or here every now and then Gregslist also is a good donor of projects i go to craigslist/ cars and trucks/projects all the time. It is pretty disturbing to see how many cars get completely disassembled, stripped of paint, and the just sit. A nice heated, well equiped shop, and a very understanding GF or wife is also mandatory. Being a gearhead has made me a single guy more than once. How many for sale ad's have you seen that start with "the wife says it has to go" Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 In regards to the cylinder head, I do have an old race 219 head that has a crack in it. I would sell it... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted November 3, 2012 Report Share Posted November 3, 2012 .... How many for sale ad's have you seen that start with "the wife says it has to go" Or forsed to sale g/f pregant Quote Link to comment
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