L26 Cylinder Heads

[Brabham]

Hi,

  I am restoring (improving!) a 260Z 2+2 and wondering about what cylinder head to put on my L26 short block. I read that there is an older E88 and a later E88 with lower compression. Would I be able to use an early E88 on a late L26 and how could I tell the difference between the two? Also, did all 260's come with E88 heads? Which L26's came with P90 heads and what kind of extra power could I expect over the E88? How much should I pay for a reco'd P90 head? Thanks.

[pauly_adams]

yes you can use a early E88 on a L26. as for power difference you will find that the early E88 will produce more power and rev more freely due to the cam. as for the P90 it will fit but not too sure how it will effect your car you may find you will acctuly loose power due to such a loss in compression.

 

go for the early E88

 

cheers pauly

[Brabham]

Thanks Pauly,

                  Still wonder what did P90's originally come on? Was it early Patrols? I will probably get an E88. How can I tell the difference between an early and later E88 just by looking at it? Does anyone know the compression ratios for P90 vs early E88 vs later E88? Finally, were all 260's put out with E88's? Thanks for any info.

[pauly_adams]

im not too sure what the P90 come from, as for telling the difference heres a pic i have a spare early E88 but not to sure of the condition, if you cant get one let me know and ill get it checked for you as i have a mate that works in a machine shop. and with the compression a early E88 has the same compression as a E31 or very close to it should give you a comp of about 9.1, a standed E88 will give you a comp of 8.4 and a P90 dont quote me on this would be about 7.5 i would amgine. hope this helps.

 

cheers pauly

[Brabham]

Cheers Pauly PS is your early E88 complete? I am still a fair way off doing the engine as my panels are pretty rusty and will be fixing that for a fair while in my spare time. My car is pretty much a ground up rebuild and I will be trying to keep it as light as possible so definately no luxuries like carpets etc

[pauly_adams]

yeh it is complete it does need some new valve stem seals i think but have a new set sitting in my shed. as for the head it would require a tune up.

 

cheers pauly

[BenZed]

im not too sure what the P90 come from, as for telling the difference heres a pic i have a spare early E88 but not to sure of the condition, if you cant get one let me know and ill get it checked for you as i have a mate that works in a machine shop. and with the compression a early E88 has the same compression as a E31 or very close to it should give you a comp of about 9.1, a standed E88 will give you a comp of 8.4 and a P90 dont quote me on this would be about 7.5 i would amgine. hope this helps.

 

cheers pauly

 

 

Actually the P90 is a high-compression, big-port head and a better choice than the E88 if you can find one. They were used in the US L28 turbo engine (and others) and have good 'squish' in the combustion chamber. Here's a pic of my P90A combustion chamber.

[nat0_240_chevZ]

looks like thats had a lil taken of the face!!!

it still looks huge compared to the N42 with a slight shave, like all the area around the saprk plug is non exeistant on the n42 again especially after a light shave the P90 is an open chamber type head and the n seris is a closed head, P90 was for tubo motors and NA but with flat tops not dished.

if you took an N42/n42 head block combo and a f54/p90 combo ans swapped the heads you WILL end up with one high comp NA motor with f54 flat tops and tiny n42 head chamber ie 10:1 cr and one low comp 7.8:1 n42/p90 combo prime for turbo!!!!

nat0