LS-Swapped Datsun 510 Is a Unique, Hand-Built Passion Project: Track Time Tuesday
Owner of this wild, vintage Datsun 510 fell in love with the boxy machine back in high school.
GM’s LS series of engines has inspired many unique swap projects over the years, including some vehicles that a lot of folks may not be very familiar with. The fact that one can use an LS to power just about anything, well, that’s one thing that makes it so special, and it also affords us the opportunity to show you one of the coolest swaps we’ve come across in some time – this vintage Datsun 510, owned and built by Marcus Fry of MFR Motorsports – which was recently featured by iconic parts maker Holley.
Fry has made quite the name for himself in the years he’s been wrenching on cars, including earning wins in prestigious events such as SEMA’s Battle of the Builders. He has experience building race cars as well across a variety of motorsports series, but for him, the Datsun 510 was around before all of that. Unfortunately, Fry had to sell the one he had owned previously to help pay for his shop, and the new owner crashed it while competing in a hill climb event in Sweden.
Fry fell in love with the 510 when he owned one in high school, and jumped at the opportunity to scoop up a bare shell not too long after he opened MFR Motorsports. From there, he increased the track width by three inches up front and swapped in an LS3 with a bigger cam, a fortified valvetrain, a dry-sump oiling system, a Hilborn ITB injector setup, and a Holley HP EFI system, with giant stacks sticking through the hood to attract some attention.
The resulting 500 horsepower from this combination wasn’t enough to satisfy Fry’s need for speed, however, and he wound up replacing the LS3 with an LS2 that’s been treated to a custom cam, AFR heads, and 13:1 compression. The new powerplant makes an impressive 700 horsepower – more than enough to move this 2,200-pound vehicle down the track swiftly – which flows to the rear wheels via a NASCAR-style Jerico four-speed gearbox and a Winters Performance quick-change rear end. Suspension goodies include QA1 double-adjustable coilovers and a custom fabricated rear setup.
Fry wasn’t quite sure what to do with his Datsun 510 once it was completed, as it isn’t eligible for Formula Drift. Now, he’s prepping it for the Optima Street Car Challenge, though time attack events and even Pikes Peak are in its future. But regardless of whether or not it finds success on the track, this classic Datsun is already a winner in our book.
Photos: Holley
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