When the Datsun 240Z first went on sale in the US market, it shipped with a 2.4-liter inline-6 engine, good for some 150 horsepower. That was a respectable power level for the time, and more than enough to propel the lightweight coupe with some gusto.
However, when the guys from “Roadkill” on the Motor Trend channel purchased this ratty Datsun 240Z way back in episode 25, that 2.4L Nissan motor was nowhere to be found. Instead, this $500 hooptie – appropriately dubbed the “Rotsun” – had a 4.3-liter GM V6 from an S-10 pickup tucked away under the hood, and it’s been trouble ever since.
That’s why, in the latest episode of “Roadkill,” the guys have decided to rip out the troublesome GM V6 and replace it with the 5.0 Windsor from a 1987 Fox-body Ford Mustang. In stock form, the Windsor probably wouldn’t provide much more grunt than a factory GM 4.3L, but since the “Roadkill” guys have slapped on the same inappropriately-sized turbocharger they’d had on the old V6, their Datsun 240Z “Rotsun” should be plenty fast.
Be sure to catch “Roadkill” episode 64 on the Motor Trend channel above to see how this Datsun 240Z engine swap shakes out.
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