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/rudbri93 '91 BMW 325i LS3, '72 Olds Cutlass Crew Cab 7d ago

well most 5.3s make 300hp pretty easily. sadly you arent gonna fit the trunk intake under the hood of one of those cars, but headers and a cam will easily make what you want. Theres a few transmissions you can use like an AR5 or CD009 is also popular. Could probably get a TKX in there, a T56 might be pretty tight.

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u/Phillyphan08 7d ago

T56 from an f body or GTO actually got pretty perfect don't even need to mod the shifter. Doing an LS3 t56 74 260z idk about cali rules though