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Trying to get more HP out of an L24.


CGraves

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I wanna start this off by saying I know you can get more HP out of an L28 but I don't have an L28 and I don't want to go buy one just to tear it down.

 

I've currently got an L24 with the E88 head that is completely stock as far as I know.

 

I've got a couple thousand to throw at this thing and I'd like to get around 200 to the wheels or as close as I can get and keep it fairly reliable and streetable.

 

From most of the research I've done it seems most people that have built an L24 are just doing bolt-ons but I'm prepared to buy new pistons/cams/headwork etc. I know rebello makes a stroker engine and I thought about it but I can't seem to get anyone over there on the phone so if anyone has any info on them I would be ecstatic.

 

If anyone has experience then I'd love to hear from you.

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One way to making more is more compression, more cam, and more induction & exhaust.

The other is turbo.

 

Both will require better pistons & rods (or pistons, and prepped rods with better bolts).

A turbo conversion requires a lot more expense due to having to revamp fuel delivery, adding things like an intercooler.

 

There are turbo conversions floating around Japan, but they get pricey these days.

I had imported several of the old SK sets that used a turbo adaptor that bolted to the stock exhaust manifold, but there are very few of them left.

 

Not 100% sure, but don't the L24 rods have the little 8mm bolts ?

I have a set of ARP bolts for them, that I'll never use.

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I know the guys at Rebello very well. David the owner, and Bryan his son are the people you want to talk to, so drop their name if you leave a message. The summer season is SUPER busy for those guys, and with Bonneville and Laguna Seca classics, there's a strong chance they're closed. Keep trying and be patient is my best advice. These guys have more big money race team work than they can handle so they can afford to be choosy  about who they work with.  Do your homework, first, show them you mean business and aren't just another window shopper with a bunch of ammeter questions and they will get back to you.

 

Once you're in the door, these guys are the real deal. Super honest, unreal quality, and helpful to a fault. 

 

The secret to getting serious power out of the L engine is HEAD WORK, and that cost money. I hate to say it, but couple thousand isn't going to get you a Rebello Stroker engine. that's not to say they can't help you get to your goals. For the street I would not waist money on hyper performance internal parts. 200hp is not going to stress the L240 much. Send your head to them for porting, bigger valves, springs, and a mild street cam. That with side drafts, and a header on a stock bottom end will shock the hell out of you. The thought of the sound alone makes me drool. 

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Not 100% sure, but don't the L24 rods have the little 8mm bolts ?

I have a set of ARP bolts for them, that I'll never use.

Yes, but they also have the longest rods in any L6.

 

I worked for Rebello for 10 years and I will back up Paradime by saying that you just need to keep calling. This is the middle of the road racing season for them and they get very very busy

 

I will also add that 200hp to the rear wheels for a couple grand with an L24 is not a great place to start. Pick two. Couple grand + L24, L24 with 200hp, or 200hp for a couple grand. You will put multiple thousands of dollars into a L24 to get 200hp to the rear wheels.

 

The best and cheapest way to get 200hp into a Z car is to have Rebello build you a 3.0 liter. No it doesn't use an L24, but it does use the L24 rods, so your core won't go to waste.  You could sell off the cylinder head to recoup some of the money spent.

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I appreciate all the responses guys and it seems like the stroker is the best route to go so I will keep trying to get them on the phone. 

 

Also I guess my word choice was a bit poor, I was thinking something like $6k+ not $2k if it makes a difference.

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For that get an RB26TT

$6K for an RB twin turbo swap? Now who's being unrealistic.

 

If you want to make an honest #s matching 200rwhp go with a Rebello 2.7 purest. 

 

If you want a reliable 200+, it's hard ot beat their 3.0

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True, but rough on a stock engine and it isn't 'there' at all times when driving. A turbo or SC would be there at all times but also rough on a stock engine. A lot would need to be done to increase longevity and make it reliable. Best thing is a larger displacement engine that already makes 200 hp and does it all day... and doesn't go into overtime to do it. 

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Okay so it seems the general consensus is this isn't really feasible which isn't horrible news I suppose so I'm gonna change my goals.

 

If any kinda of work is needed like headwork, boring the cylinders, etc I have access to a full machine shop so I can get the work done cheap or free depending on how my buddy is feeling that day.

 

I guess a L28 might be the way to go. In the event that I do decide to get an L28 is there a reputable place I can buy one from or is my best option to keep prowling craigslist hoping one pops up? If I want to hit 200 at the wheels with the L28 what's the best way to accomplish that?

 

Also I don't want a RB or 2J swap because I want to keep the motor NA.

 

Thanks for all the replies and opinions so far guys!

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VG with R1 carbs. Pathfinders and D-21s are everywhere in the junkyards. $50 for scrap... get several. Rebuild by over boring and over size pistons. Some head work, cams, compression, convert an L28 matchbox for use in a VG and turf the EFI, get six R-1 carbs on cross ram intake. The 5 speeds for these are unbreakable. NA ands sexy as hell.

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Alright small update. I got someone on the phone at Rebello and he was very helpful. I also talked to someone at CaliforniaDatsun and it's probably gonna be significantly cheaper to buy an L28 from CaliforniaDatsun since I'd need to do a lot of work on the head to support that kind of power on the L24.

 

Anyone have any opinions on either option?

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Although I've never dealt directly with Cali Datsun (because I was warned off by an employee) Rebello has an impeccable reputation. They've done a lot of work on my car and I've never been let down. There is a reason they are so busy in a relatively small market.

 

I was impatient when putting my car together and took my 510 to another garage in Santa Rosa. It turned out to be a very costly mistake and after 8 months there after attempting a start up they told me I needed a new motor. At that point I knew they were full of shit and I took it to Rebello. As soon as I pulled up with the trailer 3 guys jumped on the car, including Dave and his son Bryan. In twenty minutes they had the car running and were dialing things in. Sense then Bryan has done all the tuning no my car, including programming the ECU to produce a continuously variable tune through an ethanol sensor. I will NEVER take my car anywhere else PERIOD.

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Hey guys thanks for all the opinions here. I'm glad Dolomite pointed me in the direction of that thread.

 

I think I'll go with Rebello for this project because he seemed very confident in his quality and numbers!

 

I should be placing the order for a stroker kit in 2 weeks so hopefully there will be a build thread on here before too long.

 

I also have one last question, would the stock 240z 4 speed and R130 LSD be able to reliably handle 200 HP assuming I don't do launches from a dig?

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