Just some random thoughts/questions I had about the C10 generation Skyline...
I know that real S20 GT-R's are (ahem) a bit hard to come by, but I was thinking: what are the odds of finding a S20 engine without a home? I mean, are the engines as rare as the cars themselves? I'm kind of new to the whole JDM scene.
Supposing one got really lucky and found an S20 engine, what are the different drivetrains for the different versions? Does a L20A GT or GT-X use the same 5-speed as a GT-R, or are they totally different? How about a 4-speed from a GT? Of course, I wouldn't chop up a good L20A car anyway; I'm just curious. How about the G-series 4-bangers? Those are probably completely different bellhousings/lengths, right?

Also, what exactly is the difference between a GT and a GT-X? And what year did they start getting the L20A engine? Wikipedia (yeah...) makes it sound like the 2000GT-X was coupe(KCG10), and got a 120hp L20 starting in 1971, while the 2000GT was a sedan (CG10) and got a 106hp L20A "the following year".
But I found a site that lists detailed specs for cars sold each year, and it lists both sedan and hardtop 2000GT's with L20A engines @ 118hp, starting in 1968. For 1971, you could get H/T or sedan 2000GT's with either 118 or 123hp L20's, or a GT-X H/T or sedan with a 128hp L20A. So is that what makes a GT-X different, that it's more powerful and can be had with a 5-speed? Although oddly enough, the 4-speed is listed as having better acceleration, since all the gears up to 4th (1.00:1) are lower.

1968-70:
Hardtop 2000GT, 4-speed/3-sp auto, 118hp L20A (118hp L20A w/ Hitachi 2-bbl)
Sedan 2000GT, 4-sp/3-sp auto, 118hp L20A
1971:
H/T 2000GT, 4-sp/3-sp auto, 118hp L20A
Sedan 2000GT, 4-sp/3-sp auto, 118hp L20A
H/T 2000GT, 4-sp/3-sp auto, 123hp L20A (123hp L20A w/ Hitachi DAF342 2-bbl)
Sedan 2000GT, 4-sp/3-sp auto 123hp L20A
H/T 2000GT-X, 4-sp/5-sp/3-sp auto, 128hp L20A (128hp L20A w/ "SU" (?) carbs)
Sedan 2000GT-X, 4-sp/5-sp/3-sp auto, 128hp L20A

So which do you think is more accurate? Can't imagine Wikipedia being wrong, or anything....

There are shops that sell S20 engines in Japan. I see them advertising in G-Work magazine pretty regularly. You're looking at a pretty expensive engine, though. The one I have in front of me now has an ad for an S20 used engine for 1,050,000 yen.

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86 Toyota Corolla GTS
85 Toyota Corolla GTS
72 Honda Z600

Unless you are made of money good luck getting an S20. I search for them all the time on YAJ and a few other places. The cheapest I found was 5000/usd and that was for only a short block. That should give you an idea how much a complete engine will cost you.

Maybe Alan could help answer the other questions.

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http://www.HistoricJ.com

I found just the valve cover on YAJ one time and it was like 3000US.

GT-X is basically the luxury-spec, so it had a twin carb engine (similar setup to the zeds with twin Hitachis) and blingier trim and grille etc. Interior colours were plain black in the GT but the GT-X would get say brown seats with dark green carpet. Also the GT-X had power windows and a/c.

AFAIK, the L20 6cyl was available in the C10 sedan pretty much from the get go in 1968 as a 105hp 4spd in the 2000GT. This was bumped to 120hp in 1969 (still with 4spd) and then in early 1970 you could get a 3spd auto. Then in late 1970, the coupe was released, with the same 120hp/4spd or auto and it wasn't until late 1971 that the 2000GT-X was offered, with the twin carb motor and that extra 10hp. Still 4spd tho, and then in 1972 you got the 5spd as an option on both 2000GT and 2000GT-X.

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Mating an S20 to a period gearbox will require a bespoke Nissan S20 bellhousing, unless you find a later B box/housing for an S20. They are both around, but expensive. You'll also need to find or manufacture a mount, but that's easy. JPY 1,000,000 for a complete engine sounds pretty good - I'd be surprised if that's the "done" price, as opposed to the "core" price.

Parts supplies for S20s are plentiful - plenty of aftermarket support there. The trick is finding someone who will buy it for you in Japan and then ship it to you - I've found it works better that way. Finding the parts is only 1/2 the battle. Convincing people to sell them at anything close to a reasonable price is tricky.

If you're not doing the work yourself, then next trick is finding a mechanic who will be able to do a good job working on it.

Many more issues to resolve, I'm sure Alan will chime in with some good knowledge.

Bottom line, everything is doable with money. If you have a $50,000 budget, I'm positive you can get it done. If your budget is $5000, you probably wont even get a decent engine block for that.

Update: just so happens I had a local Weber expert working on the proper jetting for my GTR today. Mine is over carbureted with DCOE 45s, and was running rich and fouling plugs. When he finished re-jetting, it screamed up through the revs like it is supposed to. What a glorious sound!

Also it should be pointed out that if you want an S20 to sound like the one in that Youtube clip around Fuji, then the budget should be more like $50k

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If you have video PLEASE do share! We would all love to hear that motor roar.

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http://www.HistoricJ.com

Wanna swap for 40s?

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Do they say "made in Italy" or "made in Spain"? I'd definitely swap for the right 40s Italian DCOEs, but they are not all created equal. . Feel free to pm me with details.

Man, you know you are like 1 hour from my warehouse. No excuses!

Made in Bologna "Weber Brevitatto" 40DCOE18Ks

Yours?

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Sounds pretty tempting! Send a pic of each if you can. I have new-in-box 45DCOE 152s if you'd like those.

Deal, tell me a time and Ill be there. Will pm you.

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http://www.HistoricJ.com