Nissan A engine
Encyclopedia
The Nissan A series of internal combustion gasoline engines have been used in Datsun
, Nissan and Premier brand vehicles. Displacements of this four-stroke engine family ranged from 1.0 liter to 1.5 liter and have been produced from 1967 to the present. It is a small-displacement four cylinder straight engine
. It uses a lightweight cast iron block and an aluminum cylinder head
, with overhead valves actuated by pushrods.
The Nissan A engine design is a refined, quiet and durable gasoline engine. It appears to be a modern replacement of the earlier iron-headed Nissan E engine
and is of similar dimensions. The 1960s E series was an all-new design inspired of Nissan's improvements to the BMC A-Series engine
design in the 1950s (Nissan was a licensee of Austin Motor Company
technology).
1974 and newer A-series engines have different block castings, with relocated motor mount bosses.
Datsun 1000
. The A10 featured a three main bearing crankshaft. Bore was 73 mm and stroke was 59 mm (same as the Nissan C engine
). With a 2-barrel Hitachi
carburetor
and an 8.5 to 1 compression ratio this engine produced 62 bhp (46 kW) @6000 rpm and 61.5 ft·lbf. of torque (83 Nm). The Datsun 1000 Coupe introduced in Sept 1968, was equipped with an uprated A10 engine boasting a free flowing dual outlet exhaust manifold with increased compression, now 9 to 1. With a revised carburettor, this engine produced 66 bhp (49 kW). Later versions of A10 produced 59 hp (SAE).
Applications:
(94.9 Nm).
A special version of the A12 called the "A12 GX" engine, was available (A12GX or A12T for front-wheel drive applications). With twin Hitachi sidedraft carburetors, a longer duration camshaft and 10:1 compression ratio, the engine accomplished 83 hp @6400 rpm, up 20% from standard A12 engines. The GX engine was offered in Japanese Domestic Market
Nissan Sunny
1200 GX sedans and coupes. The identical specification A12T engine was offered in the front-wheel-drive Nissan Cherry
X-1. http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1832
An overbored version of the A12 was used in period race cars, including Nissan factory (works
) racing Sunnys
. Many were bored from the original 73 mm to 76.76 mm using Tomei forged pistons for a displacement of 1296 cc while others used the Datsun Competition forged pistons of 76 mm to displace 1270cc. These legendary engines competed in Japan's Touring Sedan (TS) class races against the 1200's archrival Toyota Starlet
. http://datsun1200.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=36
Perhaps the most interesting variety of A series engines was the AY12 engine. This was a special race-only Nissan factory (works
) racing version with a Crossflow cylinder head
. (photo)
The AY12 was used in an under 1,300 cc class with a 76 mm to 76.8 mm piston. The intake valve was 40-41 mm and exhaust valves were 33 mm or 34 mm. The pistons were also a special design and the valve rocker system was different to the standard A12 due to the crossflow layout.
Applications:
This "new" A12 retained the same bore, stroke and most other specifications of the previous A12.
Applications include:
The A12A shared a common block and crankshaft with the redesigned A12 and A13 engines.
Applications:
This engine features a "tall-block" with a deck height 15 mm (0.59 inch) higher than previous A-series engines.
Applications:
Making this engine a 75 hp. An important fact is that this model (B210) just existed in 1974.
through current year as of 2008. The bore was increased to 76 mm, up from 73 mm of previous A-series engines. Like the previous A13 engine, the A14 is a "tall-block" variant. It was produced in various ratings from 50 Horsepower
to 85 hp.
A twin-carburetor "GX" version of this engine (A14T) was available in some markets.
Applications:
A fuel injected version (A14E) was offered in Asian markets in the B310.
This engine was used as the base for a number of Formula Pacific & Formula 3 race engines
Applications:
A fuel injected version of the A15 (A15E) was offered in Asian markets.
Applications:
Datsun
Datsun was an automobile marque. The name was created in 1931 by the DAT Motorcar Co. for a new car model, spelling it as "Datson" to indicate its smaller size when compared to the existing, larger DAT car. Later, in 1933 after Nissan Motor Co., Ltd...
, Nissan and Premier brand vehicles. Displacements of this four-stroke engine family ranged from 1.0 liter to 1.5 liter and have been produced from 1967 to the present. It is a small-displacement four cylinder straight engine
Straight engine
Usually found in four- and six-cylinder configurations, the straight engine, or inline engine is an internal-combustion engine with all cylinders aligned in one row, with no offset...
. It uses a lightweight cast iron block and an aluminum cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
, with overhead valves actuated by pushrods.
The Nissan A engine design is a refined, quiet and durable gasoline engine. It appears to be a modern replacement of the earlier iron-headed Nissan E engine
Nissan E engine
The Nissan E series name was used on two types of automobile engines. The first was an OHV line used in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The second was an OHC version ranging from 1.3 L to 1.6 L and produced from 1982 through 1988.-First series:...
and is of similar dimensions. The 1960s E series was an all-new design inspired of Nissan's improvements to the BMC A-Series engine
BMC A-Series engine
Austin Motor Company's small straight-4 automobile engine, the A-Series, is one of the most common in the world. Launched in 1951 with the Austin A30, production lasted until 2000 in the Mini. It used a cast-iron block and cylinder head, and a steel crankshaft with 3 main bearings...
design in the 1950s (Nissan was a licensee of Austin Motor Company
Austin Motor Company
The Austin Motor Company was a British manufacturer of automobiles. The company was founded in 1905 and merged in 1952 into the British Motor Corporation Ltd. The marque Austin was used until 1987...
technology).
1974 and newer A-series engines have different block castings, with relocated motor mount bosses.
A10 - The First A-series Engine
The A10 is a 1.0 liter (988 cc) engine, released in September 1966 in the 1967 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
Datsun 1000
Nissan Sunny
The Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
. The A10 featured a three main bearing crankshaft. Bore was 73 mm and stroke was 59 mm (same as the Nissan C engine
Nissan C engine
The Nissan C-series was a straight-4 automobile engine produced in the 1950s. It displaced 1.0 L and produced 37 hp and 47.7 to 49 ft·lbf . It was a pushrod engine and used single- or dual-26 mm carburetors.Applications:* 1957-1960 Datsun 210/114* 1957 Datsun Truck* 1959...
). With a 2-barrel Hitachi
Hitachi, Ltd.
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company is the parent of the Hitachi Group as part of the larger DKB Group companies...
carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
and an 8.5 to 1 compression ratio this engine produced 62 bhp (46 kW) @6000 rpm and 61.5 ft·lbf. of torque (83 Nm). The Datsun 1000 Coupe introduced in Sept 1968, was equipped with an uprated A10 engine boasting a free flowing dual outlet exhaust manifold with increased compression, now 9 to 1. With a revised carburettor, this engine produced 66 bhp (49 kW). Later versions of A10 produced 59 hp (SAE).
Applications:
- 1967-1970 Nissan Sunny B10, B20 (Datsun 1000)
- 1971-1976 Nissan Cherry E10 (Datsun 100A)
- 1986-1990 Nissan Pulsar N13 (labelled Cherry/Sunny)
A12 (1200) - Further Refinements
The A12 is a 1.2 liter (1,171 cc) engine with 73 mm bore, like the previous A10 engine, but the stroke is increased to 70 mm. With five main bearings on a forged steel crankshaft, the engine is extremely smooth and durable. The 2-barrel Hitachi carburettor was significantly improved with the addition of a power valve circuit. It produced 70 hp (51.45 kW) and 70 ft·lbf.Foot-pound force
The foot-pound force, or simply foot-pound is a unit of work or energy in the Engineering and Gravitational Systems in United States customary and Imperial units of measure. It is the energy transferred on applying a force of 1 pound-force through a displacement of 1 foot...
(94.9 Nm).
A special version of the A12 called the "A12 GX" engine, was available (A12GX or A12T for front-wheel drive applications). With twin Hitachi sidedraft carburetors, a longer duration camshaft and 10:1 compression ratio, the engine accomplished 83 hp @6400 rpm, up 20% from standard A12 engines. The GX engine was offered in Japanese Domestic Market
Japan domestic market
The term Japanese domestic market refers to the local market in Japan for Japanese-made motor vehicles and components. Within the car and motorcycle hobbyist import scene, this term, and the related term Japanese domestic model, most commonly refer to Japanese-brand automobiles and parts designed...
Nissan Sunny
Nissan Sunny
The Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
1200 GX sedans and coupes. The identical specification A12T engine was offered in the front-wheel-drive Nissan Cherry
Nissan Cherry
The E10 generation featured four-wheel independent suspension.The E10 was fitted with two types of inline four-cylinder Nissan A-series OHV engines:* 988 cc A10* 1171 cc A12...
X-1. http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=1832
An overbored version of the A12 was used in period race cars, including Nissan factory (works
Factory-backed
Factory-backed is a term commonly used in motorsports to describe a sponsored racing team, car, motorcycle or driver that competes with official sanction and financial support, or "backing" from a manufacturer. As motorsports competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is...
) racing Sunnys
Nissan Sunny
The Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
. Many were bored from the original 73 mm to 76.76 mm using Tomei forged pistons for a displacement of 1296 cc while others used the Datsun Competition forged pistons of 76 mm to displace 1270cc. These legendary engines competed in Japan's Touring Sedan (TS) class races against the 1200's archrival Toyota Starlet
Toyota Starlet
The Toyota Starlet is a small automobile manufactured by Toyota from 1973 to 1999, replacing the Publica, but retaining the Publica's "P" code and generation numbering. The Starlet was marketed as the Publica in some Toyota export markets.-40 Series:...
. http://datsun1200.com/modules/nsections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=36
Perhaps the most interesting variety of A series engines was the AY12 engine. This was a special race-only Nissan factory (works
Factory-backed
Factory-backed is a term commonly used in motorsports to describe a sponsored racing team, car, motorcycle or driver that competes with official sanction and financial support, or "backing" from a manufacturer. As motorsports competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is...
) racing version with a Crossflow cylinder head
Crossflow cylinder head
A crossflow cylinder head is a cylinder head that features the intake and exhaust ports on opposite sides. The gases can be thought to flow across the head...
. (photo)
The AY12 was used in an under 1,300 cc class with a 76 mm to 76.8 mm piston. The intake valve was 40-41 mm and exhaust valves were 33 mm or 34 mm. The pistons were also a special design and the valve rocker system was different to the standard A12 due to the crossflow layout.
Applications:
- 1971-1973 Nissan Sunny B110, and B120 (Nissan Sunny Truck)
- 1971-1973 Nissan CherryNissan CherryThe E10 generation featured four-wheel independent suspension.The E10 was fitted with two types of inline four-cylinder Nissan A-series OHV engines:* 988 cc A10* 1171 cc A12...
E10 (Datsun 120A) - 1970 Nissan 270X Concept
1974 redesign
For the 1974 model year, the A engine was modified, and all subsequent A engines use the new block style. Since there was increasing need for accessories like air conditioning, anti-pollution air pumps and the like, the distributor was moved from the front side of the engine to the middle of the block to make room for these accessories. Additionally, the motor mount positions were moved slightly.This "new" A12 retained the same bore, stroke and most other specifications of the previous A12.
Applications include:
- 1974-1978 Nissan Sunny B210 (Datsun 120Y) (not used in the US model B-210)
- 1974-1976 Nissan CherryNissan CherryThe E10 generation featured four-wheel independent suspension.The E10 was fitted with two types of inline four-cylinder Nissan A-series OHV engines:* 988 cc A10* 1171 cc A12...
E10 (Datsun 120A) - 1980-1982 Nissan Sunny B310 (Datsun 120Y) (not used in the US model 210)
- 1974-1995 Nissan SunnyNissan SunnyThe Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
Truck - 1978-1982 Nissan PulsarNissan PulsarThe Nissan Pulsar is an automobile that was produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978, when it debuted as a subcompact car, to 2007, when it was replaced in all markets by the Nissan Tiida. It was originally conceived as a replacement for Nissan's first front-wheel drive platform, the...
N10 / Nissan CherryNissan CherryThe E10 generation featured four-wheel independent suspension.The E10 was fitted with two types of inline four-cylinder Nissan A-series OHV engines:* 988 cc A10* 1171 cc A12...
N10 (Datsun 120A)
- 1978-1988 Nissan Vanette (C120) - 64 PS at 5,400 rpm (called Datsun Vanette/Nissan Sunny Vanette/Nissan Cherry Vanette, depending on dealership channel)
- Premier 118NE sedan, made by Premier in IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
A12A
The A12A is a 1.2 liter (1,237 cc) engine. It used a casting similar to the A12 and same stroke, but used a 75 mm bore (up from 73 mm), for an increase of 66 cc capacity. It too was of an overhead valve design.The A12A shared a common block and crankshaft with the redesigned A12 and A13 engines.
Applications:
- 1977.11-1980.11 Datsun Sunny B310 - 70 PS at 6,000 rpm
- 1979-1982 "Datsun 210", USA and Canada version of Sunny B310.
- Datsun Cherry N10
A13 (1974) - the First Tall-Deck A Engine
The 1974 A13 is a 1.3 liter (1288 cc) engine with 73 mm bore like the A10 and A12 above, but stroke increased to 77 mm, and compression ratio reduced to 8.5:1.This engine features a "tall-block" with a deck height 15 mm (0.59 inch) higher than previous A-series engines.
Applications:
- 1974 Nissan SunnyNissan SunnyThe Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
Datsun B-210 (USA and Canada)
Making this engine a 75 hp. An important fact is that this model (B210) just existed in 1974.
A14 - The Engine that Powered Millions
The A14 is a 1.4 liter (1397 cc) engine produced from the 1975 Model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
through current year as of 2008. The bore was increased to 76 mm, up from 73 mm of previous A-series engines. Like the previous A13 engine, the A14 is a "tall-block" variant. It was produced in various ratings from 50 Horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
to 85 hp.
A twin-carburetor "GX" version of this engine (A14T) was available in some markets.
Applications:
- 1975-1978 Nissan Sunny B210 (140Y or B-210)
- 1978.11-1982 Datsun Sunny B310 (aka Datsun 140Y or Datsun 210)
- 1977-1982 Nissan PulsarNissan PulsarThe Nissan Pulsar is an automobile that was produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978, when it debuted as a subcompact car, to 2007, when it was replaced in all markets by the Nissan Tiida. It was originally conceived as a replacement for Nissan's first front-wheel drive platform, the...
N10 (aka Datsun/Nissan Cherry, Datsun 310) 92 hp (JDM) - 2007 Nissan LDV 1400 (model B140). See Nissan SunnyNissan SunnyThe Nissan Sunny is a small car from Nissan. It was launched in 1966 as the Datsun 1000 and although production in Japan ended in 2004, it remains in production today for the African, American and Sri Lankan markets. In the US, the later models were known as the Nissan Sentra; in Mexico, the Sunny...
. - 1978-1988 Nissan Vanette (PC120) - 75 PS at 5,400 rpm (originally only in 'Coach' passenger versions)
- Datsun Forklift models (including turbocharged variant). Replaced the A15 normally aspirated engine due to emission controls implemented in the Asian markets.
A fuel injected version (A14E) was offered in Asian markets in the B310.
A13 (1979-1982) - Short-Deck Engine
The redesigned A13 is a 1.3 liter engine. It used the same basic block casting as the A12 and same stroke of 70 mm, but used a 76 mm bore for a displacement of 1,270 cc.This engine was used as the base for a number of Formula Pacific & Formula 3 race engines
Applications:
- 1980-1982 Nissan Sunny B310
A15 - Stroker Motor
The A15 is a 1.5 liter (1,487 cc) engine produced from 1979 through 1998 (and still in production in 2009 for the Malaysian built Vanette C22). The stroke was increased by 5 mm from the A14 engine to now measure 82 mm, while the bore remained 76 mm. It produces 80 hp. It used only a different block casting number, but retained the same "tall-block" deck height, measurements and BMEP as the A14. In the Nissan B120 Sunny "RoadStar" truck it is capable of 49 mpg (17,3 km/L).A fuel injected version of the A15 (A15E) was offered in Asian markets.
Applications:
- Nissan Sunny B310 ("Datsun 210")
- Nissan CherryNissan CherryThe E10 generation featured four-wheel independent suspension.The E10 was fitted with two types of inline four-cylinder Nissan A-series OHV engines:* 988 cc A10* 1171 cc A12...
F10 ("Datsun F10") - Nissan B120 Pickup ("RoadStar" and "SportStar") in New Zealand
- 1985 - 2009 Nissan VanetteNissan VanetteThe Nissan Vanette is a van produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan Motors since 1978. The van has also been sold as the Nissan Sunny-Vanette or Nissan Van. There was formerly a separate model sold in Europe under the same name, however it was unrelated instead being based on the Nissan Serena...
C22 - Datsun 310 N10 in United States
- Nissan forklift: Replaced the commercial J15 engine from 1974 - 1978