This is an off topic discussion but i am wanting to see people point of views.

It’s pretty much a guarantee that whenever we post a Japanese car with an American V8 under the hood, a big argument will break out in the comments section. It’s a touchy subject, with some arguing the affordability and ease of power of a V8 swap while purists view the move as nothing less than sacrilegious.

Let’s not forget though that this idea sometimes goes both ways.

What im asking you guys is what is your take on this, taking an American muscle or Australian muscle and giving it that Japanese twist with an engine like a fully built JDM 2JZGTE or vice a versa, taking a chev small block and putting it into a Japanese car. (note - does not need to be a Datsun for this discussion i.e Silva ect.)

Let the discussion begin.

Yep but why not just use Jap v8,s too.
vx 45 series of Nissen v8 or the Toyota u series.they are just more efficient versions of us v8,s.

There was a zoom article of a v8 into a jz81 supra. The car was engenieered for v8 when designed but it never happened. Would be awesome.

But then us cars with Jap engines is also good. Ff4 rb26 mustang is prime example.

Shame merc v8,s so expensive

What about Japanese mucle. The japs built some nice v8 engines to.

You beat me

Jap in muscle is nice in my opinion (rb in mustang in tokyo drift) but taking an Ls1 and droppin it into a datto or the like, just ruins the essence of the car, then again, muscle car lovers probably think the exact opposite of wht i have just written, so its all opinion i guess.

There is a guy on auszcar puting a supercharged amg merc motor in a 260z 2 seater. It is going to be an animal.

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This is true as well but you don't see a whole lot of these Jap engines like the RB series going into a muscle car mainly a swap into an already Japanese car like a skyline or supra. Don't get me wrong there certainly are a few swaps for drag but still mainly a swap for an already Japanese car.

Me personally i don't like to see a muscle car rocking a Jap engine like a 2JZ even tho it is putting out some great power with some work i just don't see the appeal. That much the same as taking a Japanese car like a old KE70 corolla and throwing in a 1UZ as cool as it is and may be an absolute drift/drag machine its not a practical swap and won't exactly be a street cruiser you will see down at the local bottle shop on a Friday evening on the way home.

Putting a large engine in a featherweight like the datto 1200 will change the character of the car. In a purpose built car like dat383 has done (a very well put together car in my opinion), they will do well. A nice lightweight four, or V6 where a lot of cutting doesn't have to be done will put out plenty of power, and be easier to live with.

A Japanese car with a Japanese V8 seems natural but given the cost of a Chevy or Ford small block it's hard to justify. Couple that with you can get a small block Ford down to 350lbs with aluminum heads and then add in wiring up a modern engine..................it's just easier to use the good Ol Amar-Can V8. Also they've been developed to point that they make huge power for low bucks.


I have to be honest if there wasn't such an issue with getting the V8 back far in enough to to trash the balance of the car I'd do it in a heart beat.

Tom