2003 Nissan 350Z
We swapped the stock V6 automatic drivetrain for a home-built Chevy LS1 V8 and a Tremec Magnum six-speed. Follow along as we build a blisteringly-fast track car.
Latest updates
Jan 18, 2021
Cutting down a wiring harness can be useful when it comes to trackside maintenance, but it's easy to get ahead of yourself and cut too much.
Jan 12, 2021
Now that the Z's interior was painted, we had to put back everything we took out.
Dec 23, 2020
Believe it or not, painting the interior of our 350Z means we are actually on the home stretch.
Nov 19, 2020
Before we could return to the track, we needed to upgrade our brakes and make our suspension adjustable.
Aug 28, 2020
In an effort to make our Nissan 350Z faster, we cut out a bit of weight–and learned a valuable lesson on rule interpretation along the way.
Jun 26, 2020
We had more to do before our 350Z was ready to enter its first time trial event. To start we need to reconfigure the interior for racing.
Mar 20, 2020
Ask five racers how to remove sound deadening, and you’ll get five different answers. Our answer? Liquid nitrogen.
Nov 1, 2019
Better safe than sorry.
Sep 6, 2019
We install Prothane bushings, MCS shocks and an OS Giken limited slip in our LS1-swapped Nissan 350Z.
Jul 16, 2019
We try drifting with our LS-swapped 350Z.
Apr 12, 2019
We build our own exhaust with parts from Summit Racing.
Dec 20, 2018
We get our LS-swapped 350Z running.
Sep 27, 2018
We finally drop our homebuilt LS1 into our Nissan 350Z.
Sep 24, 2018
We prep our drivetrain for installation into our 350Z.
Aug 24, 2018
We remove our 350Z's VQ35DE and prep our car for its new V8.
Jul 20, 2018
We meet LOJ Conversions, our stewards for this swap.
Apr 30, 2018
We install a MSD Atomic Airforce intake manifold on our 350Z.
Mar 20, 2018
We finally put it all together
Mar 19, 2018
We find and assemble a set of 243 Chevy LS1 heads for our LS-swapped Nissan 350Z.
Mar 18, 2018
Yes, it's possible to change your crank's reluctor wheel at home.
Mar 15, 2018
We weigh our V6-automatic Nissan 350Z.
Mar 12, 2018
Before we shoved a V8 under the hood of our tired Nissan 350Z, we needed to complete some laps on track.
Mar 9, 2018
Time to get our Nissan 350Z ready for its first track day.
Feb 5, 2018
We choose a victim to receive our LS1.
Jan 11, 2018
We assemble our LS1's bottom end.
Jan 5, 2018
We install and adjust the cam bearings in our LS1.
Dec 22, 2017
We balance the crank for our LS1.
Dec 5, 2017
We try–and fail–to beat the system with a set of used 799 heads.
Mar 20, 2017
We hone our LS1's cylinders
Feb 15, 2017
We get our LS1 block ready for honing.
Jan 25, 2017
Shiny new parts start arriving for our LS1
Jan 9, 2017
We clean our low-buck LS1's threads.
Dec 16, 2016
We dissect our Chevy V8 to see what's broken.
May 24, 2016
We crack open our 350Z's new heart.
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