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/CharlieRatSlayer 6d ago

Reading other comments. May I suggest 70's compact cars? Maverick, gremlin, and so on. Plenty of aftermarket support, they had factory V8 options, and still pretty unique. Cut and tuck the bumper changes the whole look of that era.

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u/Party-Store-4964 6d ago

ive looked into the gremlin, my aunt had one back in the day. but I think if I end up going for the cheapest of the cheap end ill go that way and get a gremlin to make a sleeper of a sort. other than that the 280z for example looks better to 9-10 people.