The Nissan / Datsun L28E is a 2.8 liter (2753 cc) straight-six, four-stroke cycle gasoline engine from Nissan L-family.
The Nissan / Datsun L28E engine features a cast-iron block, a wedge-shaped combustion chamber, aluminum head with overhead camshaft and a fully balanced 7-bearing crankshaft. The cylinder block is cast in a single unit and features deep skirting. The L28E is equipped with electronic multiport fuel injection system, provided by Bosch using the L-Jetronic system.
It had an 86 mm (3.39 in) cylinder bore and 79 mm (3.11 in) piston stroke with a compression ratio of 8.3:1 for engines from 1975 to 1980 and 8.8:1 for engine models from 1981 through 1983. It produced from 137 PS (100 kW; 135 HP) to 155 PS (114 kW; 153 HP) of horsepower and from 195 Nm (19.8 kg⋅m, 143.8 lb⋅ft) to 231 Nm (23.5 kg⋅m, 170.4 lb⋅ft) of torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- L – Engine Family
- 28 – 2.8 Liter Displacement
- E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine code | L28E |
| Layout | Four stroke, Inline-6 (Straight-6) |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Production | 1975-1984 |
| Displacement | 2.8 L, 2,753 cc (168.0 cu in) |
| Fuel system | Multiport Fuel Injection |
| Power adder | None |
| Max. horsepower | 137 PS (100 kW; 135 HP) at 5,200 rpm 147 PS (108 kW; 145 HP) at 5,200 rpm 155 PS (114 kW; 153 HP) at 5,200 rpm |
| Max. torque | 195 Nm (19.8 kg⋅m, 143.8 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm 212 Nm (21.6 kg⋅m, 156.3 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm 231 Nm (23.5 kg⋅m, 170.4 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Dimensions (L x H x W): | – |
| Weight | – |
Cylinder block
The L28E engine has a cast-iron cylinder block, bore is 86 mm (3.39 in) and stroke is 79 mm (3.11 in). The cylinder block, a monoblock specially cast structure, employs the seven bearing support system for quietness and higher durability. The L28E was equipped with dish-top pistons from 1975 to 1978 and with flat top pistons from 1979 to 1983. The pistons are each fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The crankshaft of L28E engine is made of special forged steel.
| Cylinder block | ||
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.3:1 or 8.8:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 86 mm (3.39 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 79 mm (3.11 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2 / 1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 7 | |
| Cylinder inner diameter (standard): | 86.000-86.050 mm (3.3858-3.3878 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter (standard): | 85.965-86.015 mm (3.3844-3.3864 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter: | 20.993-20.998 mm (0.8265-0.8267 in) | |
| Piston ring side clearance: | Top | 0.040-0.073 mm (0.0016-0.0029 in) |
| Second | 0.030-0.063 mm (0.0012-0.0025 in) | |
| Oil | 0.023-0.070 mm (0.0009-0.0028 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | Top | 0.25-0.40 mm (0.0098-0.0157 in) |
| Second | 0.15-0.30 mm (0.0059-0.0118 in) | |
| Oil | 0.30-0.90 mm (0.012-0.035 in) | |
| Connecting rod center distance: | 130.35 mm (5.13 in) | |
| Connectin rod small end inner diameter: | 20.965-20.978 mm (0.8254-0.8259 in) | |
| Crankshaft journal diameter: | 54.942-54.955 mm (2.1631-2.1336 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 49.961-49.974 mm (1.9670-1.9675 in) | |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 39.50 mm (1.5551 in) | |
Cylinder head
The cylinder head is made of a light, strong aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. The camshaft is made of special cast iron and is located inside the rocker cover. Intake valves are 44 mm (1.73 in) in diameter and the exhaust valves are 35 mm (1.37 in). For the model year 1981 through the model year 1983, the L28E received flat-top pistons and a high quench head, raising the compression ratio to 8.8:1, and thus increasing the power rating. The intake manifold is cast aluminum.
| Cylinder head (1981-1983 specs) | ||
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV, chain drive | |
| Valves: | 12 (2 valves per cylinder) | |
| Intake/Exhaust duration: | For USA: 240° / 248° For Canada: 248° / 248° | |
| Valve head diameter: | INTAKE | 44.0 mm (1.732 in) |
| EXHAUST | 35.0 mm (1.378 in) | |
| Valve length: | INTAKE | 112.8-113.1 mm (4.4409-4.4527 in) |
| EXHAUST | 113.6-113.9 mm (4.4724-4.4842 in) | |
| Valve stem diameter: | INTAKE | 7.965-7.980 mm (0.3136-0.3142 in) |
| EXHAUST | 7.945-7.960 mm (0.3128-0.3134 in) | Cam height: | INTAKE | For USA: 39.95-40.00 mm (1.5728-1.5748 in) For Canada: 40.30-40.35 mm (1.5866-1586 in) |
| EXHAUST | For USA and Canada:40.30-40.35 mm (1.5866-1586 in) | |
| Outer camshaft journal diameter: | 47.949-47.962 mm (1.8878-1.8883 in) | |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | |
| Main bearing cap bolt | 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod big end nut | 44-54 Nm; 4.5-5.5 kg·m; 33-40 ft·lb |
| Flywheel bolt (M/T) | 127-147 Nm; 13.0-15.0 kg·m; 94-108 ft·lb |
| Drive plate bolt (A/T) | 127-147 Nm; 13.0-15.0 kg·m; 94-108 ft·lb |
| Cylinder head bolt | 78-88 Nm; 8.0-9.0 kg·m; 58-65 ft·lb |
| Cylinder head to front cover bolt | 8-14 Nm; 0.8-1.4 kg·m; 5.8-10.1 ft·lb |
| Pivot bushing bolt | 78-118 Nm; 8.0-12.0 kg·m; 58-87 ft·lb |
| Pivot lock nut | 49-59 Nm; 5.0-6.0 kg·m; 36-46 ft·lb |
| Camshaft sprocket bolt | 127-147 Nm; 13.0-15.0 kg·m; 94-108 ft·lb |
| Chain guide / tensioner bolt | 6-10 Nm; 0.6-1.0 kg·m; 4.3-7.2 ft·lb |
| Oil pump bolt | 11-15 Nm; 1.1-1.5 kg·m; 8-11 ft·lb |
| Crank pulley nut | 137-157 Nm; 14.0-16.0 kg·m; 101-116 ft·lb |
| Rocker cover bolt | 10-16 Nm; 1.0-1.6 kg·m; 7-12 ft·lb |
| Spark plug | 15-20 Nm; 1.5-2.0 kg·m; 11-14 ft·lb |
| Water outlet bolt | 12-20 Nm; 1.2-2.0 kg·m; 9-14 ft·lb |
| Thermostat housing | 10-16 Nm; 1.0-1.6 kg·m; 7-12 ft·lb |
| Distributor support bolt | 4-8 Nm; 0.4-0.8 kg·m; 2.9-5.8 ft·lb |
| Alternator bracket | 39-59 Nm; 4.0-6.0 kg·m; 29-43 ft·lb |
| Engine mouting bracket | 29-39 Nm; 3.0-4.0 kg·m; 22-29 ft·lb |
| Fuel pump nut | 12-18 Nm; 1.2-1.8 kg·m; 9-13 ft·lb |
Maintenance data
| Valve clearance (HOT) | |
| Intake valve | 0.25 mm (0.010 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.30 mm (0.012 in) |
| Compression pressure | |
| Standard | 12.0 kg/cm2 (11.77 bar, 171 psi) / 350 rpm |
| Minimun | 9.0 kg/cm2 (8.83 bar, 128 psi) / 250 rpm |
| Oil system | |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
| Oil type API | SE |
| Engine oil capacity (Refill capacity) | With filter change 4.4 l Without filter change 3.9 l |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | Cold: BPR7ES-11 Standard: BPR6ES-11 Hot: BPR5ES-11 |
| Spark plug gap | 1.0-1.1 mm (0.039-0.043 in) |
Vehicle applications
| Model | Years Produced |
| Datsun 280Z | 1975–1978 |
| Dome Zero | 1975–1986 |
| Datsun 280ZX | 1979–1983 |
| Nissan Leopard F30 | 1980–1982 |
| Nissan Patrol 160 | 1980–1984 |
| Nissan Cedric (330, 430) | – |
| Nissan Gloria (330, 430) | – |
Author:
I believe that the 1984 Nissan/Datsun Maxima also used this engine for its power train.