This week’s Throwback video features a mean looking 1978 Datsun 280Z that has been granted the power of a built LS1 V8. The result is one smoking fast classic Nissan Z car that packs the power and roar of an American muscle car while maintaining the classic Japanese sports car look.
The LS1 engine packed into the engine bay of this 1978 280Z has worked cylinder heads, a custom camshaft, a FAST intake manifold and a built T56 manual transmission. That power is put to the road via a stock Nissan R200 rear differential with custom half shafts and custom axles to stand up to the 450 rear wheel horsepower produced by the LS1 V8.
The result of this big, powerful LS1 engine in a tiny little 1978 Datsun 280Z is a car that blasts through the 8th mile in the low 7 second range – with runs of 7.13 and 7.11 shown in this video. Those times would likely put this GM-powered Datsun into the deep 11s or maybe even the high tens.
This goes to show what would have happened if the Japanese had put real performance engines in their sports cars…and that the best choice when making a classic Japanese sports car fast is to install a GM LS1.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
