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.
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.
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.
Ask five racers how to remove sound deadening, and you’ll get five different answers. Our answer? Liquid nitrogen.
Better safe than sorry.
We install Prothane bushings, MCS shocks and an OS Giken limited slip in our LS1-swapped Nissan 350Z.
We try drifting with our LS-swapped 350Z.
We build our own exhaust with parts from Summit Racing.
We get our LS-swapped 350Z running.
We finally drop our homebuilt LS1 into our Nissan 350Z.
We prep our drivetrain for installation into our 350Z.
We remove our 350Z's VQ35DE and prep our car for its new V8.
We meet LOJ Conversions, our stewards for this swap.
We install a MSD Atomic Airforce intake manifold on our 350Z.
We finally put it all together
We find and assemble a set of 243 Chevy LS1 heads for our LS-swapped Nissan 350Z.
Yes, it's possible to change your crank's reluctor wheel at home.
We weigh our V6-automatic Nissan 350Z.
Before we shoved a V8 under the hood of our tired Nissan 350Z, we needed to complete some laps on track.
Time to get our Nissan 350Z ready for its first track day.
We choose a victim to receive our LS1.
We assemble our LS1's bottom end.
We install and adjust the cam bearings in our LS1.
We balance the crank for our LS1.
We try–and fail–to beat the system with a set of used 799 heads.
We hone our LS1's cylinders
We get our LS1 block ready for honing.
Shiny new parts start arriving for our LS1
We clean our low-buck LS1's threads.
We dissect our Chevy V8 to see what's broken.
We crack open our 350Z's new heart.
