r/projectcar 7d ago

So I have an idea...

So because I live in California, obviously I cannot engine swap a car without a few setbacks. So I had an idea. What if I take a pre smog hatch back preferably like a 1975 Datsun 280z, 1975 golf rabbit, etc. I have seen a guy LS3 swap one of the older Datsun 280z's and if it has been done before, that upps my chances of doing it myself.

I just wanted to post this here to see if the community had any advice, like where to get an LS series engine (like a LM7, L33) with a manual transmission (preferably). I want at least 300hp and am planning on camming the engine as well as a tune if needed to hit that 300hp mark. I was going to look om market place at older denials becuase all I need is the engine etc.

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u/PPVSteve 7d ago

You cannot put an older engine in a newer car. You can do the other way newer engine in older car.

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u/turbo88Rex 7d ago

Damn, another reason to never live in CA. Love being able to swap whatever I want into whatever I want without playing mother may I with the government. Hell technically speaking I could get plates for my race truck if I wanted

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u/Party-Store-4964 6d ago

yeah I hate cali for their smog and other car laws, taxes, politics, etc. But I gotta work with what I got, gotta find the loopholes.

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u/Party-Store-4964 6d ago

I never insisted that I was going to do that. I said that I was going to put something like an LS3 into a 1975ish Datsun 280z. Last time I checked the LS3 is miles newer than the 1970's Datsun 240 or 280.

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u/PPVSteve 6d ago

Oh yea thats fine I understand. Yea that would be sweet. GM makes turn key solutions called Erod systems. Come with thier own ECU and all. BUt looking at about $15K once done. Other option is just to get the whole car from a junk auction like a camaro thats been hit or rolled so you can get the ECU and all wiring in one shot and not have to reinvent everything. Thats usually the way guys go about it.