Nissan L engine
The Nissan L series of automobile engines was produced from 1966 through 1986 in both inline-four and inline-six configurations ranging from 1.3 L to 2.8 L. It is a two-valves per cylinder SOHC non-crossflow engine, with an iron block and an aluminium head. It was the engine of the Datsun 510, Datsun 240Z sports car, and the Nissan Maxima. These engines are known for their reliability, durability, and parts interchangeability.
| Nissan L engine | |
|---|---|
1971 Skyline 2000GT engine bay | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan (Nissan Machinery) |
| Production | 1966–1986 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | Straight-4, Straight-6 |
| Displacement | 1.3 L; 79.1 cu in (1,296 cc) 1.4 L; 87.1 cu in (1,428 cc) 1.6 L; 97.3 cu in (1,595 cc) 1.6 L; 97.5 cu in (1,598 cc) 1.8 L; 108.0 cu in (1,770 cc) 2.0 L; 119.1 cu in (1,952 cc) 2.0 L; 121.9 cu in (1,998 cc) 2.3 L; 138.0 cu in (2,262 cc) 2.4 L; 146.0 cu in (2,393 cc) 2.6 L; 156.5 cu in (2,565 cc) 2.8 L; 168.0 cu in (2,753 cc) 2.8 L; 170.4 cu in (2,792 cc) 3.1 L; 188.9 cu in (3,096 cc) |
| Cylinder bore | 78 mm (3.07 in) 83 mm (3.27 in) 84.5 mm (3.33 in) 85 mm (3.35 in) 86 mm (3.39 in) 87.8 mm (3.46 in) 89 mm (3.50 in) |
| Piston stroke | 59.9 mm (2.36 in) 66 mm (2.60 in) 67.9 mm (2.67 in) 69.7 mm (2.74 in) 73.7 mm (2.90 in) 78 mm (3.07 in) 79 mm (3.11 in) 83 mm (3.27 in) 86 mm (3.39 in) |
| Cylinder block material | Cast iron |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminium |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, DOHC |
| Compression ratio | 7.4:1, 8.3:1, 8.8:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Carburetor, Fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Gasoline, Diesel |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 65–570 PS (48–419 kW; 64–562 hp) |
| Torque output | 103–170 N⋅m; 76–125 lbf⋅ft (10.5–17.3 kg⋅m) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | G |
| Successor | Z, CA (Straight-4) RB (Straight-6) VG (V6) |
The L16 four-cylinder design was influenced by the Mercedes-Benz M180 engine that the Prince Motor Company developed in four- and six-cylinder displacements called the Prince G engine.
The six-cylinder L20 was rushed into production by Datsun in 1966 and was designed prior to the Prince merger using the Mercedes overhead cam engine as a model. Due to design and reliability problems it proved short-lived, and was replaced by the L16-based L20A.
The four-cylinder L series engines were replaced with the Z series and later the CA series, while the six-cylinder L series engines were replaced with the VG series and RB series.