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My L20b powered Kombi


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#1 _studricho_

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Posted 07 August 2013 - 10:23 PM

Well after the UC was shortened by the camry pulling out I decided I needed a 6-8 seater car. With my 2 kids and girlfriends 2 kids we needed a car to fit them all. Ive had 2 kombis before and she has had 2 before aswell. We both dislike newer cars so the search was on.

 

First and foremost I couldn't believe how expensive they have became. Also not really keen on the VW engine, so when this one came up with the datto engine I just had to buy it. Flew down to Vic and drove it back on a permit.

 

I needed rust done, brakes, tires and the very back seat installed. They had removed it and place in a bed.

 

Like all projects bought with emotionally the list of things this car needed just grew and grew. Good news it's been on the road for almost a year now and is my daily driver. Running a DGV down draught weber on the nissan engine. Goes really well. Engine is a little rattly upon start up with problems picking up all pressure when cold. Ive been searching for a good replacement datto engine and they are getting very hard to find.

 

 

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#2 Potta

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Posted 07 August 2013 - 11:29 PM

That is fr0cking cool!!!

#3 UCgazman

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Posted 07 August 2013 - 11:40 PM

Nice bus, how about upgrading to a newer engine - SR20 maybe? Where is the radiator been fitted?

 

My brother owns a '72 lowlight with a Commo V6 crammed in it -

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#4 _studricho_

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Posted 08 August 2013 - 12:16 AM

Look into SR 20 and the CA18 engines. I'm leaning towards CA18 as the have better flow around water jackets and less likely to blown gaskets.

I've seen that commo engine before trolling through kombi forum me thinks.

Radiator is mounted under sliding door. The whole concept of the L20b was a great idea just the way things were done left to be desired.

Simple basic things over looked. Like who tries to connect full voltage to points ignition with no ballast resistor?

#5 DanWA

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Posted 08 August 2013 - 12:03 PM

The L20b is an interesting conversion into a Kombi.

 

The blacktop SR is a far more superior engine to a CA, check the ricer forums out for comparisons.

 

Commo conversion is a good choice to, very cheap to replace & very reliable.



#6 UCgazman

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Posted 08 August 2013 - 12:46 PM

I've seen that commo engine before trolling through kombi forum me thinks.

 

Ha yeah its become a bit of a forum whore! Its a good conversion but requires a lot of gearbox mods to get the revs down.

I actually quite like the CA18, they're a good little engine that often gets overlooked for the SR20...



#7 _studricho_

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Posted 08 August 2013 - 12:58 PM

The L20b is an interesting conversion into a Kombi.

 

The blacktop SR is a far more superior engine to a CA, check the ricer forums out for comparisons.

 

Commo conversion is a good choice to, very cheap to replace & very reliable.

 

Yes it is a strange conversion. I was at the kombi guru getting ball joints checked and the apprentice was staring at the engine from underneath for ages when it was on the hoist. Finally he blurts out,"What the hell is in this thing"

 

The good thing about the conversion is the engine hatch panel (on inside) has been made larger and makes working on the engine so simple.

 

Ha yeah its become a bit of a forum whore! Its a good conversion but requires a lot of gearbox mods to get the revs down.

I actually quite like the CA18, they're a good little engine that often gets overlooked for the SR20...

 

Yeah with the kombi gearbox they tend to rev a bit in 4th doing 100klms. The L20b doesn't mind the revs although a twin cam 4 would like it much better. I wouldn't think commo V6 would like high revs either.



#8 UCgazman

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Posted 08 August 2013 - 01:27 PM

It doesn't. We've got a Albins 0.70:1 4th gear and are looking at getting a tdi 4.14 r&p from the states to replace the stock 4.571:1 diff gears. Plus bigger wheels and tyres helps too.



#9 _studricho_

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Posted 10 August 2013 - 09:46 AM

I do have a set of mazda SP23 17" rims and tires for the kombi. The offset is perfect. I would have to get the centres bored out 66m to fit over the hubs and get new hubs to suit. Just more money so it's on standby.

 

I think the 17" rims will heap drop down revs on highway cruising.






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