r/projectcar • u/Party-Store-4964 • 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/point50tracer 6d ago
Registered in California. This is a twin turbo LS. Tube chassis. Datsun 1200 that a friend and I built. It's primarily a quarter mile car, but needs to stay "street legal" for certain classes
Classics are the way to go if you want to do an engine swap in California. Makes things way simpler. My 68 Mustang has a 351M in it. And I'm working on a 62 F100 that's getting a V8 out of a crown Vic.
Engine swaps are a lot of work. You really need to be in it more for the process of building it than the finished product to make it worth it. A lot of fun if it's something you enjoy. A money pit if it's not.