page_title: Nissan L engine
hierarchical_section_title: Nissan L engine
caption_attribution_description: English: Nissan L20 engine 日本語: 日産・スカイライン 2000GT-XR仕様
context_page_description: The Nissan L series of automobile engines was produced from 1967 through 1986 in both inline-four and inline-six configurations ranging from 1.3 L to 2.8 L. This was the engine of the dependable Datsun 510, iconic Datsun 240Z sports car, and debut upscale Nissan Maxima. These engines are known for their extreme reliability, durability, and parts interchangeability. It is a two-valves per cylinder SOHC non-crossflow engine, with an iron block and an aluminium head. 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.
  The legendary L16 four-cylinder design is derived from the Mercedes-Benz engine Prince Motor Company was licensed to produce copies of in four- and six-cylinder displacements. By the time Prince merged with Nissan in 1966 it had altered the design to where it no longer needed licensing. The engine still resembles a Mercedes in many ways, particularly the valvetrain.
  The six-cylinder L20 rushed into production by Datsun in 1966 was designed prior to the Prince merger using the Mercedes overhead cam engine as a model.
context_section_description: The Nissan L series of automobile engines was produced from 1967 through 1986 in both inline-four and inline-six configurations ranging from 1.3 L to 2.8 L. This was the engine of the dependable Datsun 510, iconic Datsun 240Z sports car, and debut upscale Nissan Maxima. These engines are known for their extreme reliability, durability, and parts interchangeability. It is a two-valves per cylinder SOHC non-crossflow engine, with an iron block and an aluminium head. 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.
  The legendary L16 four-cylinder design is derived from the Mercedes-Benz engine Prince Motor Company was licensed to produce copies of in four- and six-cylinder displacements. By the time Prince merged with Nissan in 1966 it had altered the design to where it no longer needed licensing. The engine still resembles a Mercedes in many ways, particularly the valvetrain.
  The six-cylinder L20 rushed into production by Datsun in 1966 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.
caption: 1971 Skyline 2000GT engine bay
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