1st Gen Datsun Z car LSx Swap In-Progress by Ford_Assassin

4 minute(s) of a 10 minute read

1st Gen Datsun Z car LSx Swap In-Progress 

Compliments of Ford_Assassin @ https://ls1tech.com

7-29-2009

In August of 2008 I sold 'BBZ' (Big Block Chevrolet 454 powered Datsun Z car) to a HybridZ member and I have been without a Z car ever since. I vowed to buy another S30.  

Last month I picked up a 1975 Datsun 280z in trade for a rifle I had collecting dust. The car bone stock except for a set of aluminum vintage Enkei 14" wheels (they look just like old school 2-piece Centerlines). Soon after I got it home I pulled the factory motor and trans and sold them.

The original plan was to yank the low mileage 5.3 LSx (from a 2004 Escalade) and 4L60e (from a 2004 GTO) from my '69 Chevy C10 and transplant them into my newest Z. The EFI combo is already to go since it was modified for stand-alone operation.

This car is nicknamed LSZ.

As fate would have it I ended up scoring a 2005 LQ4 6.0 that needs some attention, but otherwise a better platform to start with since it has the LS2 full-floating rods, coated piston skirts, etc.

While the motor is on the engine stand I planned on swapping out the stock cam in favor of a LS1 Hot cam. However after some issues I ended up buying a Lunati Voodoo 60511 cam instead (.567/.567", 222/228 [email protected]", 113 LSA) online for $295. After tuning the Voodoo cam should provide a reasonable power increase. Ultimately the car will have a 100-150 HP wetshot of nitrous.

LSZ itself has received a few personal touches as well. First I ditched the huge and heavy 5 mph bumpers (155 lbs total). Next the old carpet and insulation got removed, floors cleaned and then covered with POR-15 paint.

Just like BBZ, LSZ's body will be shaved of all chrome side trim, marker lights, emblems, antenna hole, etc. Although I might add a GM emblem 'LSx' to the fenders or hood after paint in the distant future. Also is the return of BBZ's 4" cowl hood. BBZ's owner didn't care for it, so I bought it back. The cowl hood will allow me to keep the truck intake (for the time being) and still close the hood.

BBZ was more toward a race type interior down to no carpet, coverless racing shifter, no A/C or heater, and Auto Meter Sport-Comp gauges throughout. This time I'll still use Auto Meter Sport-Comp gauges, but carpet and nicer aftermarket shifter and stereo will be used along with all the creature comforts as if the car was going to used as a daily-driver.

I already have the same rims/tire combo as before, Sportmax 16x8 rims with 245/50/16 tires on all 4 corners.

Right now the body work is being done since I am waiting for other swap parts anyway. Due to alot of damage to the tail light and roll pan areas, they are all being cut out and replaced with new sheet metal. I am also going to build my own custom tail light setup, just to be different. The enginecompartment has already been stripped and painted flat black. Soon the whole car will be wearing new paint.

Then of course as time passes and funds allow, LSZ will receive many of the same upgrades that BBZ had like a Q45 R200 diff and CV's, with custom built Moser axles, adjustable coilover suspension, larger slotted/crossdrilled rotors, 4 piston calipers, and of course the paint and A/C.

Questions/comments?

Thanks for reading guys!!

EDIT: Sorry for the crappy pics (taken with my phone)