The Heart of the Beast

The engine we use is the Nissan FJ20 naturally aspirated. Although this motor comes in turbo form as well, we have chosen to stay with a naturally aspirated engine to compete in the under two litre class. The FJ20 is a 2L engine with twin over head cams and 16 valves. The old engine (pictured) was direct from an importer, and as such utilised stock internals. To improve performance of this 15 year old engine, we added a pair of modified 45mm Webbers, a nissan pulsar electronic distributor, hurricane headers and 2.5inch mandrel bent exhuast (Exiting in front of rear wheel).

The FJ20 is renown for being an incredibly strong engine, however, there is only so much a stock, 15 year old engine can take. Over the Christmas break our spare engine, which blew a head gasket earlier in the year, was stripped down and rebuilt.

The new engine uses a re-freshed, but still standard bottom end. New rings, bearings, timimg chains and seals being replaced through out. The head also has been serviced by BRS Motorsports.

The head while utilising standard cam shafts, has had all valve springs replaced with heavier items, new valve seats and some porting work done also. This has all resulted in a little more horsepower, which will certainly help at the horsepower circuits such as Eastern Creek.

For those with a keen eye, you may have noticed the modified water inlet. The standard engine uses a piece of steel pipe, pressed into the alloy timing case, which has a tendancy to leek over time. To avoid the problem, we removed the steel pipe and replaced it with an alloy piece of piping, and TIG welded it in - no more problems.

While the engine was out, we thought it would be a good idea to have the clutch and pressure plate serviced. The clutch we use is a 3 button clutch, which has had new material placed on it, while the pressure plate is a much heavier item than standard. Both the clutch and pressure plate were rebuilt by Stewart Wilkens motorsport in Mcgraths Hill.
Since installing the new engine, there is a huge difference with the new pressure plate, we certainly will not be experiencing any problems this year.

Choose from the following for more engine details.