Buying a completely burned-out Nissan 350Z sounds like a pretty terrible financial decision. Spending $1,900 on one might seem even worse, especially when there’s barely anything left of the interior.
However, YouTuber ScrapLifeLee had a good reason for taking the gamble, because this particular 350Z was hiding a twin-turbocharged LS V8 beneath its badly damaged bodywork.
The engine wasn’t the only interesting part of the build, either. The Nissan also featured a carbon-fiber widebody kit, aftermarket brakes, expensive wheels, and plenty of other performance upgrades.
The big question was whether any of those components had survived the fire. After stripping the car down, the team discovered that their questionable purchase might actually have been a bargain.
A Burned-Out 350Z With Some Expensive Parts
The fire had destroyed much of the Nissan’s front end, interior, and carbon-fiber bodywork. Fortunately, some components farther from the worst of the heat had survived.
Among the discoveries was a Rolloface big-brake setup, with front and rear kits listed at approximately $1,900 each when new. They also recovered carbon-fiber side skirts, rear wheels, suspension components, and a Holley Terminator X ECU that appeared promising.
There was another pleasant surprise underneath the car: a Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission. Its fluid looked clean, and the gearbox shifted through its gears during inspection, making it another potentially valuable find.
The Twin-Turbo LS Wasn’t Completely Toasted
Under the hood sat an iron-block 5.3-liter LS-based V8 fitted with two BorgWarner S257 turbochargers. The engine also featured aftermarket components, including a Texas Speed camshaft and upgraded valvetrain hardware.
Initially, things looked grim when water and sludge came pouring out of the engine. Some cylinders had rust, and the crankshaft wouldn’t turn freely until they worked it loose.
However, further disassembly revealed surprisingly clean internal components, including what appeared to be stock pistons and connecting rods with upgraded bolts. The camshaft was also in good condition, considering what the engine had been through.
A $1,900 Gamble That Might Pay Off
Between the brakes, transmission, and other salvageable parts, ScrapLifeLee believes the Nissan could easily justify its purchase price. Of course, the original retail prices of those components don’t guarantee what they’ll fetch secondhand.
The biggest surprise is that the LS engine might be worth rebuilding rather than simply stripping for parts. ScrapLifeLee is now considering using it in a future budget project, potentially involving an old Camaro or Firebird.
There’s no guarantee the engine will run reliably again, but that’s part of the appeal of this unusual salvage-yard adventure. For $1,900, the team certainly found plenty to investigate, and now we’re curious to see what car the LS ends up powering.