Christian's 1975 Datsun 260Z LSA Swap

Christian · Datsun 260Z

Datsun 260Z (S30)7-page write-up

Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Read the full write-up at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

Photo: Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

A 1975 Datsun 260Z rebuilt around a supercharged LSA V8

Christian, in Gothenburg Sweden, documents swapping his 1975 Datsun 260Z's inline six for a Cadillac CTS-V sourced LSA engine, along with extensive brake, suspension, fuel, electrical and bodywork done to support it. The thread tracks years of fabrication, including custom brackets, wiring, a drive-by-wire Arduino-controlled power steering and fan system, and the hurdles of passing Swedish modified-vehicle inspection.

Specs

As stated in the original write-up.

Engine: LSA supercharged V8 (from a 2012-era GM platform), later run with supercharger removed and an LS3 intake fitted for inspection
ECU: E67 from a 2012 Camaro ZL1 with added FPCM for fuel pump control
Gearbox: T56 manual (heavier than the Datsun box)
Rear axle: R200 fitted with Quaife limited slip
Front brakes: Porsche Boxster S calipers with BMW F30 335i discs on custom brackets, S13 hubs
Steering: Vauxhall/Opel Corsa electric power steering rack, flipped and relocated, controlled by an Arduino with CAN board
Cooling: Corvette C7 radiator and fan, PWM controlled via Arduino
Wheels: Widened Rota RB wheels, 9.5in rear and 7.5in front, painted gold
Tyres: Nankang 255/40-17 rear, 225/45-17 front
Suspension: BC coilover shocks, narrowed rear track with new control arms and shortened half shafts, polyurethane bushings
Interior seats: Cobra Nogaro seats
Clutch: Sachs clutch with custom-made flywheel
Weight: About 1270 kilos with driver and full tank

Parts used

Parts named as used in the original write-up, grouped the way the Parts page groups them. Where one of the shops we index lists the same thing for this car, it is shown underneath with a link to the shop.

Engine 2

LSA supercharged V8
Donor engine swapped into the 260Z, later run without the supercharger for inspection
LS3 intake manifold
Fitted in place of the supercharger to meet inspection power requirements
In the shops
V-6 Intake Manifold ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $14.72 USD
Intake Manifold, Mk VII ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Intake/Exhaust Manifold Gasket ↗bpnorthwest.com· $8.99 USD

Fuel & Ignition 2

FPCM fuel pump control module
Added for PWM control of the fuel pumps
In the shops
DeatschWerks DW400 Fuel Pump Module [06-11 Civic Si] ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $539.00 USD
DeatschWerks X1 Series Fuel Pump Module with DW400 Pump ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $519.00 USD
DeatschWerks X1 Series Fuel Pump Module with DW300 Pump ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $439.00 USD
Carter LP fuel pump and Lingenfelter HP fuel pump
Fuel module built with spin-on filter and pressure sensor, mounted between tank and rear crossmember
In the shops
Mechanical Fuel Pump - Chevrolet/GMC 292 (Carter M3122) ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $119.00 USD
Fuel Line, Fuel Pump to Carburetor (1966 Cadillac 429 Carter) ↗Original Parts Group (OPGI)· $26.99 USD
Mechanical Fuel Pump M4643 (Carter) - Cadillac DeVille, Eldorado, Fleetwood 1968 ↗Belcher's American Auto Parts (UK)· $49.00 USD

Cooling 1

Corvette C7 radiator and fan
PWM controlled cooling fan driven by an Arduino
In the shops
Radiator Fan Control Module ↗British Auto USA· $89.13 USD
Fan Switch for Lower Bypass/Radiator Pipe ↗TRGB· £10.95 GBP
NB Fan Mounts for Crossflow Radiator (Pair) ↗Flyin' Miata· $12.99 USD

Gearbox & Drivetrain 3

Sachs clutch
Fitted with a custom-made flywheel for the LSA swap
Quaife limited slip differential
Fitted in the R200 rear end, backlash adjusted after noise appeared
In the shops
Quaife ATB Limited Slip Assembly for R-180 Differentials ↗Motorsport Auto (The Z Store)· $1,279.87
Quaife Ford 7 Helical Limited-Slip Differential (Escort Cosworth) ↗C Bradley Motorsport· £926.90 GBP
Rear Limited Slip Differential ↗Motomobil· €563.00 EUR
New custom propshaft
Bought ready-made instead of self-built for accuracy

Suspension & Steering 4

Nissan S13 front hubs
Replaced homemade aluminium hubs to fix brake pedal flex
BC Racing coilover shocks
Fitted with new tyres as part of suspension refresh
In the shops
Skunk2 Racing Pro-ST Coilover Shock Absorber Set (01-05 Civic/Integra) ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $1,050.37 USD
Tein Super Racing Coilovers ↗JDMuscle — Mazda MX-5· $3,126.00 USD
Chevrolet Camaro BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,122.18 USD
Vauxhall Corsa power steering rack
Flipped and relocated with homemade brackets, converted electric via Volvo V50 pump
In the shops
Power Steering Rack (Mk1 NA) ↗MX5 City· $483.72 USD
Power Steering Rack (Mk3/Mk3.5) ↗MX5 City· $553.40 USD
Power Steering Rack and Pinion Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Volvo V50 electric power steering pump
Controlled by an Arduino with CAN board for speed sensitive assist
In the shops
Power Steering Pump ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $0.00 USD
Power Steering Pump Seal Kit ↗Moss Motors – Triumph TR6/TR250· $29.99 USD
Power Steering Pump Delete Kit (NA/NB) ↗Flyin' Miata· $229.00 USD

Brakes 2

Porsche Boxster S calipers
Front brake calipers fitted with custom brackets
In the shops
Porsche Boxster 986 BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,176.20 USD
Porsche Cayman/Boxster 987 BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,176.20 USD
Porsche Cayman/Boxster 982/718 RWD BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,176.20 USD
BMW F30 335i brake discs
Paired with Boxster calipers on custom brackets
In the shops
Brake disc pads Mintex road front BMW min ↗Motaclan Limited· £44.09 GBP
BC Racing Coilovers - BMW 3 Series Sedan F30 RWD ↗Paramount Performance· $1,218.06 USD
BMW 3 Series Sedan F30/F31 AWD BC Racing Coilovers ↗Paramount Performance· $1,122.18 USD

Wheels & Tyres 2

Rota RB wheels
Widened and painted gold, rear 9.5in and front 7.5in
Nankang tyres
255/40-17 rear and 225/45-17 front fitted

Interior 1

Cobra Nogaro seats
Replaced original seats

Electrical 3

E67 ECU from 2012 Camaro ZL1
Controls the LSA engine swap
LSwiring harness and ECU/FPCM
Wiring harness purchased along with ECU and FPCM for the swap
Arduino Uno controllers
Used to drive the PWM cooling fan and the speed sensitive power steering pump

Photos

178 pictures collected from the write-up, in the order they were posted, shown from Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion. A picture opens larger here, with the way through to the page it is on.

christianmoller 5this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

Photo: Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

christianmoller 5this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 10this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 8this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 4this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 7this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 8this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 4this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 8this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 7this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 5this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 8this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 7this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 5this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

inside frame railsPhoto: Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

christianmoller 7this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 4this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

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christianmoller 7this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 2this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 1this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

christianmoller 3this post at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

How it was done

Starting condition

Christian had owned the 260Z for a few years, driving it with its original inline six before deciding on an LSA V8 swap. He began by addressing poor brakes before starting the engine work.

Brakes and suspension

Porsche Boxster calipers and BMW discs were fitted with custom brackets and twin master cylinders. He built narrowed rear control arms and shortened half shafts for wider wheels, moved from aluminium to S13 hubs for stiffness, and fitted BC coilovers with polyurethane bushings.

Engine bay and fabrication

The LSA was bench tested before installation, paired with a Camaro ZL1 ECU, FPCM, Corvette C7 radiator and fan, and homemade stainless headers. He stripped and repainted the engine bay in Emerald green, rerouted AC and heater lines, relocated the battery and coils, and built many custom brackets.

Fuel, steering and electronics

A fuel module using a Carter low pressure pump and Lingenfelter high pressure pump was built, along with new stainless fuel lines. He converted to a Vauxhall Corsa electric power steering rack and used Arduino controllers for speed sensitive steering assist and two-speed fan control.

First start and tuning

The car was started on stands then driven for the first time after years of work. Tuning issues followed, including rich running, ECU power supply faults, rear end whine, and injector problems, worked through with help from an outside tuner.

Inspection and compliance

To meet Swedish modified-vehicle registration rules, the supercharger was removed and an LS3 intake fitted to reduce power for the initial inspection, with the supercharger stored for a possible future return. The car passed its first inspection with minor items to fix, with five years allowed to complete the build for final approval.

Progress so far

As of the latest updates the car has done over a thousand miles of logging and tuning, with ongoing small fixes such as oxygen sensor codes, fuel pressure anomalies, and chassis reinforcements.

A summary in our own words. The full account, with all its detail, is in the original write-up: read it at Datsun 260Z LSA Swap - LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion ↗

Worth knowing

Zip-tying stainless header wrap is difficult even with the proper tool
Narrow track rear control arms needed rebuilding again after switching from R180 to R200
Cheap thermocouple loggers from Ikea and Amazon are handy for tracking engine bay heat