Why I Abandoned my Rotary-Powered Datsun

My 13B Datsun returns for it's long-anticipated re-runs at the drag strip. We'll cover why it's been sitting - and what we'll update before taking it back to the drag strip! Every $5 spent on LZMFG.com DriftHQ.com and RTRVehicles.com gets you entered for a chance to win my RTR Mustang and $15,000 cash!

[@MeachPango]

the seat breaking with cleetus will forever be the funniest thig with drag racing that i have ever seen XD

[@Cubeee]

Me and my buddy talk about that everytime we see the car 😂

[@CitiZen1.0.1]

Helllyeah brUUthUR...that shit was hysterical 😂

[@richgwozdz8580]

For real it was not gonna i almost totally forgot about that video lol

[@Joebobinator]

​@@CitiZen1.0.1 George is the best color commentary man on the planet

[@GoogleAsho-sl7cs]

And it was a skit totally faked that shit

[@paulfitzgibbon4110]

Adam, you can put 280zx front struts in the car for better brakes. You need the lower control arms, ball joints & steering arms from a B310 Sunny (210 in America). You might also be able to find a five lug disc that would fit. Also, the steering box can be tightened by an adjuster on the top of it. Replace the idler arm bushing on the. Passenger side, plus all the tie rod ends. This should tighten up the front end. I circuit raced a 1200 sedan & then a coupe here in Aus, the steering always felt tight, so what you have is worn suspension. Looking forward to seeing what Cleetus can break next, (probably the gearbox).

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

bump for adam to see

[@slide_or_die]

Bump from another Aussie so Adam sees this yewwwww, straya!

[@Berm_Blaster]

Good shit, Aussies know their shit. I would say Cleetus would either break the gear box or blow the thing up. Grenading engines seems to be his forte.

[@josteincarlsen2905]

This

[@brandonsipe5038]

Bump for Adam

[@bonque7303]

You're tripping Adam we love Mike

[@Sh1tboxsaver]

The fender mirrors are sick, but I do like the chrome grille over the blacked out one tbh

[@Jacobtheunwise]

Bro a bit stole your comment and got more likes :(

[@tylerbradford5040]

Drag racing lz is slept on. I’m all in for it, love the Datsun content ✅

[@Joebobinator]

I just want more LZ x Cleetus content, they're both great drivers and awesome vibes

[@ianhoughton3349]

Dechrome the Datsun

[@dylanpatel5458]

This is my favorite build tbh I just love seeing and hearing it, just please make sure you keep it LIGHT

[@Joebobinator]

I vote they don't bother fixing all the exterior stuff, just make it fast. Get some good suspension under it, brakes, tires, and as much boost as the doritos will take on e85 then send it

[@griffinfaulkner3514]

@@Joebobinator How fast are we talking here? Because if he wants to really crank the thing up, it's gonna need the rotary Starlet treatment to keep it from backflipping.

[@gabrieltorres4576]

THIS

[@wyattbrunner8208]

chrome grill > black grill also paint that air dam and add strut supports to it

[@jckf]

Satin black the center of the OEM grille, and match the air dam and the fender mirrors to that 👌👌👌

[@tommy.eklund]

When you said $500 I was sure it was fished out from somewhere after the last hurricane.. I absolutely didn’t expect you to just turn the key and start it lol

[@notyourSauce]

Bro istg I’ve seen you comment this before

[@tommy.eklund]

@@notyourSauce Huh? what video would that have been? 😅

[@turbocateyeS475]

Im bout to spin LZs block over the Mike disrespect 😂 Love seeing the Datsun back! But its time for a dedicated drag build using a chassis you can actually fit in with a proper cage. The datty is for the streets😂

[@diiviinemedia]

🤣🤣🤣🖤

[@louwmyou]

Man, I love the interaction between you and Mike, it puts a smile on my face every time.

[@nolanmoore7682]

I met you at gtr fest and asked about this car. Not a week later I see a video of it pop up! Hell yeah dude. Love to see this getting back out there.

[@matticusrenwood]

I forgot all about Cleeter ending up in the back seat of the Datsun 😂 top 5 moment of the channel for sure

[@VernLeRoy1962]

No on the Mirrors! I remember a little silver datsun like your's leaving my 12'second 65 mustang behind, lmao

[@Ryan_Duncan1]

It's been a year and a half!?! I've missed this car. I think it is one of the best in your fleet. What a fun, low buck toy. Don't be afraid to put a little into it. I click every Datsun video faster than the rest!

[@danielpeck6269]

BMW technician here. That F30 is a disposable vehicle. Its the airport rental grade version.... IRS rear end. Turbo 4 banger with the worlds most underrated timing chain. The only part of that car thats worth a damn is the ZF transmission unless its auto start/stop then its a POS as well. The electric steering feels like dog water. The plastic parking brake cable clip breaks and they drag on the driveshaft when you turn. They're 1234yzf instead of R134a so the AC system is expensive to deal with. Beat the shit out of it mercilessly then give it to Whistling Diesel to shred when you hate it.

[@tturi2]

so the f30 is just a chassis for a good engine?

[@mohawpi]

From the sounds of it, they'll be stripping it down to bare chassis, give it the full drifthq treatment with carbon kevlar panels and all. Who knows, maybe future FD car.

[@MstreetDriver]

oh yeah because he absolutely cares about this crap from "bmw technician" when he got completely perfect chassis for 500$ and that's all he cares about...

[@turbocateyeS475]

The chassis will be the only part used. Even sounds like it's getting overfenders and doors plus a kit. All of what you said matters if you plan to make a legit daily. But he said 12 times he just cares about the chassis, as in the shell and suspension. It was also only $500. So none of that really matters. Also WhistlinDiesel isn't the only KZbinr destroying cars, he doesn't do that much currently and I doubt a $500 "rental grade" BMW is worth his time. It's cool that you're a tech and have all this supposed knowledge, I have no idea if any of that was accurate or not, but you picked the wrong time to use it homie.

[@turbocateyeS475]

​@@tturi2higher mileage ones that were abused and not maintained might be good for just a chassis. Who knows. Sounds like that's LZs plan anyway. But you can't buy any car for $500 anymore so there's really no loss

[@dwaynepowley]

The cleatus laying in the car because he’s broken then seat is fucking (GOLD) gets me every time 😂😂😂

[@joshuacrawford4319]

Im amazed how Adam remains chill and confident when we all cant begin to imagine how much stress he has. Big shout out to Adam for working hard and providing us all this content.

[@austinjohnston6857]

Definitely giving whistlindiesel vibes in the beginning

[@KiritoGekko]

I would love to have a video on a loop of just the rotary asmr to listen to while trying to motivate myself to get work done 😅

[@highland8264]

One of my favorite builds ever

[@jordanbaker2523]

Drag bug re-activated! Will be sick to see the dato back and the R32 run a 9 second pass

[@Brother2Jis_27s4]

May need to go individual cylinder fuel trim. It being the rear most cylinder it may be getting to much air and not enough fuel. I'd put a fresh set of plugs in and the do a full rip on the dyno and shut it off to inspect the plugs for timing marks and how much fuel youll need to trim/add. Get an amp clamp and a labscope and check the injector firing waveform under boost to verify its actually injecting for the amount of time you're requesting. The current ramp doesn't lie. Same with the ignition coil dwell time and firing line waveform, verify it's actually doing what you're asking it to do. You can also move the injector to a different cylinder and see if the misfire moves. There's ways to figure it out, I'd get a picoscope and step your diag game up. You got this 🤙

[@kylebehiels3963]

Chills ran up my spine when I heard the BMW chime. Thanks for including that in this video, sometimes I miss the E90 but if I ever hear that noise again I may never recover

[@blackmambashooter]

Blanquito PR is back🔥🔥🔥

[@SandraGreen-sq6qq]

It's obvious how much work went into this!

[@tiaanvandermerwe6639]

The Datsun is my favourite car on this channel… i just seem to love it !! The best part of all is that there is so much content and upgrades waiting to be done on it 😱

[@giovannifebus3700]

Yes! Datsun is back! Extrañe este carro! 🔥🇵🇷

[@lenin-media]

Genuinely can’t wait to see Adam in an F30 🥲

[@leoncarlier]

This is the best build you have. More rotary content now!!!

[@Christofo]

The Datsun desperately needs a cage, seems like a death trap with that power

[@turbocateyeS475]

Its fine. It probably does need a harness bar and some harnesses but part of the fun of street cars is not having to dodge a cage getting in and out or bumping your head on them. It's also made a lot stronger and tougher than modern cars, even being "Japanese".

[@Christofo]

@@turbocateyeS475 Haha, no - it is not "stronger and tougher" than modern cars, not even close.

[@Corey_T]

@@turbocateyeS475 you must be joking about built stronger/tougher than modern cars. The technology advances in metal alloys and how we design chassis today mean they are much safer and stronger. There is a famous crash test video between an old chevy impala and a modern one here on YT, and the old impala gets absolutely wrecked.

[@freikinpoptarts]

@@Corey_T that impala crash is completely biased and inaccurate. the old impala had the engine/transmission and crossmembers removed and other things compromising it's structural integrity. it probably had close to 1000lbs of mass missing which put it at a big disadvantage. really the only thing that unsafe about really old cars is the 1 piece steering columns become harpoons. if you care about that you can swap any of them out with an aftermarket universal collapsible column.

[@Corey_T]

@@freikinpoptarts I misspoke, it was a 2009 Impala vs a 59 bel air. There is a write up in the NYTimes with the iihs president about the bel air, which was in running condition and the 3.9 v6 in the car. What did disadvantage the bel air though is the weird frame design, which meant dissipating crash forces was never going to be is strong suit. I'm sorry, but if you think the only thing that made older cars not that safer is the steering column, that is simply not true. Metal technology, better crumble zones, chassis design, pillar strengthening and design, all have made newer cars much more safe.

[@skonny2985]

The Datsun is such a cool car, the exhaust note is perfect.

[@thealladin]

Thank god. I love the Datsun one of the most fun builds

[@JCBMG]

Thank you for providing such fun content for everyone to enjoy. I don’t know shit about working on cars but it’s always a great time when I see you post. Been watching you since you were bmxing at Woodward. Would hate to see this channel go and I hope you keep making videos forever😁👍

[@Blu__FRS]

Thank god it back! I asked you for this at New Jersey and I’m so glad it’s back

[@youtubeadmin3158]

Throwing shots at Mike at the end 😭😭😭

[@nathanduran9099]

fender mirrors go crazy!! used to have em on my old datsun and loved them

[@seanmorris1216]

The braps are absolutely perfect

[@matthewdeal3857]

That Datsun is the car I never knew I wanted

[@regno78]

Datsun content is the best content. I watched even if its only vehicle on channel.

[@nismoprince]

the spicy Dorito Datsun is the coolest car in the fleet. it works because it is everything you arent into, it is oposites day whenever you feel the itch

[@tturi2]

for the skyline, check the ignition barrel, that slowly dying causes intermittent misses in other 90s cars

[@TRY17T]

Been waiting for this day for ages absolutely loved the Datsun videos!!!!

[@erickther3d387]

petition to give the Datsun all the love like this

[@Berm_Blaster]

I would love for the Datsun to be a regular consistent content project. Keep on driving it while slowly upgading and fixing/improving the small things.

[@e.s.77]

The lip with the black grille🔥🔥 Thing rips too! Sick

[@te72garage]

I say no to the fender mirrors love you brought blanquito back

[@benwalker740]

Can't believe you got the f30 for 500, wicked deal. Stoked to see the datsun definitely one of my favourites. Like the grill and lip. So so cool 😎.

[@isaacmcclure7594]

So happy to see the datty back in action, I would suggest looking into nz and aus rotary scenes, kinda keeping the classic look but also with some jdm input, sacked out on small wheels etc look foward to seeing how this car goes

[@griffinfaulkner3514]

The other thing they could do is look at what Puerto Rico does with Starlets, and do a _slightly_ less insane version of those.

[@turbocateyeS475]

But it does need to keep a bigger, sticky, non-stretched tire on the back and keep the ability to weight transfer properly. He doesn't really need another low street car and this is already pretty close to being setup for a 1/4 mile car. I doubt LZ will ever build a purpose built drag car but some of us want to see that. So there's gotta be an in between where the car looks rad and still puts down good times.

[@citomatos5987]

Datsun is one of the coolest cars you have without a doubt!

[@josephmatuszak3855]

I dig the black grill (especially if done in a matching satin to the chin spoiler). Seems like a fun car to spend a lot of hours just touching up and dialing in. (Livery Concept - 1970 Challenger T/A 340 vinyl decal set but in RX theme)

[@sonic-motorway7]

Who else remembers his bmx days

[@Northwest95]

Definitely want to see the Datsun more that car is sick!

[@adz012345]

"I don't knowwwww - new car things" got me 🤣🤣

[@liamfeldmeier4222]

Glad to see it back, love the car

[@bradthacker9904]

I do have an f30 335 those panels would have been helpful when i smoked a dear. 😂 But 500 bucks for that f30 was an absolute steal. You are going to have to get Msport bumpers stat. Well, i guess it depends on what you are going to do to it. 😂😂

[@Ethan_-oj2lc]

i knew this would be the next video after the sedan on the strip😂😂

[@RestorationCar24]

Such a tough decision to make! The story behind abandoning your rotary-powered Datsun is really intriguing. 🚗🔧 I’m sure it was a hard choice, but I can’t wait to see what’s next for you and your projects. Keep up the great work! 👏 #CarStory #RotaryEngine #ProjectCars

[@Zhytox]

Saved from being bored again🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ThatandCo]

keep on track and make this a 1/4-mile car that can compete with the drag and drive community would be an awesome crossover for your brand.

[@Schiada95]

You gotta love that Datsun makes me laugh every time. 😂

[@SpoonMK3]

Been waiting on more Datsun content!

[@trevorsmith9251]

Electric Air Conditioning is the way, hidden components but expensive, but more importantly it’s very cool 🥶😜

[@kevinfromdevon]

Video starts at 7:30

[@avikz4425]

I was actually building the bmw in my head😂

[@hardbody_Santiago96]

We have that same setup in pr 🇵🇷 everywhere we love rotary 💪

[@christryba5536]

A smoke extraction fan on a hose is probably handy for every car shop, just for the health reasens alone. Overhead system on a pulley that just clips on to the exhaust. Maybe even one for every bay.

[@ChildrenOfWhistler]

I want a week of daily uploads of datson content

[@dylanhaxell8026]

Love Adam and the crew, from the Isle of Wight uk

[@LennySephora]

also isle of man UK :D

[@Berm_Blaster]

Isle of Wight is also know as isle of woman, secondary to the isle of man 😂

[@jeandrewagener3538]

yes we love adam x cleetus content can't wait

[@tylersecor4668]

All for the Datsun getting more love!

[@StavTech]

Datsun rotary is my fave car on your channel. I love stupid tiny little overpowered rowdy cars.

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Here for the drag racing.

[@SouperSoaker2003]

Adam was popping off in this one. Gave me some good laughs

[@brianhillger1922]

LFG. Keep killing the game lzmfg and drift HQ crews!

[@hfric1]

By far my favourite car your collection

[@isiahsiyam]

This thing sounds sweet, more videos on the rotary Datsun 🙌🏻

[@Smokey7186]

Any datsun is worth big money these days. All classics and all good. I learnt to drift in datsun 720 ute.

[@drew2616]

this is my favorite car on the channel

[@devonfernandez98]

Finally the Datsun is back.

[@juancmoralescruz70]

Yeahhh el blanquito its back 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@MGAFFY]

Hell yeah, I've missed the Datsun!

[@ImModeratelyBad]

I’d love seeing Adam do a drag build with Cleetus and add a fun drag car to the fleet and race against Collette’s

[@25Neo]

I pray Adam gets more and more into drag racing, would love to see more collabs with cleetus 🤣🤞

[@turbocateyeS475]

Been waiting for him to build a dedicated drag car. I think the Datsun needs to stay a mix of street and strip, especially since he wouldn't fit well with a cage. And more Cleet collabs would be rad! I still remember LZ hitting the bald eagle button in Leroy way back in the day and Cleet freaking out because it essentially pinned the gates shut and got all the boost 😂

[@ianm432]

@12:04 that protégé with ontario plates though lol

[@horacecupidVE]

I ran to the comments as soon as I saw it to ask who's is that 😂

[@ofthenearfuture]

I love the style of 1970's lips, the Datsun definitely needs it

[@michealjones7531]

Hell yeah brother only mentioned this beast in the last video

[@scottgiebler5858]

Had a similar misfire problem tuning a friends 2j. Was fine at 25lbs of boost, turning it up more had small miss. Changed grounds, plugs, plug gaps, plug types, coils and settings, checking timing on every cylinder with a timing light and for the light to drop out on full dyno pulls LOL. Ended up putting the ecu power straight to battery with a big relay all fixed. That's in the ecu user manual go figure.

[@finnd4298]

Team remember Adam when he had 5k subs 😢

[@pinecone1811]

Need to mansoary glue the datto together lol. Matt Armstrong crew knows what I’m talking about 👍

[@1990Redline]

More drag racing and also circuit racing like with the white Evo would be so cool. And Adam and Cleetus together are funny as f.

[@robertomorera1410]

Best car on the compound!

[@robertmoncriefglockrock8957]

I just bought the same car. Mine only has 60k miles so it hurts to see it being treated this way 😭😭. Can’t wait to see what he does with it. Also lmk I need some f30 parts.

[@henrynakaahik8255]

Blanquito is back 🎉

[@johnjoseph3908]

That toyota century looks clean as h*ll. Gadamn!!! Especially in the sun with the chrome pieces. Adam you need to step up your class game 😂

[@jaymarkmanalo4356]

Black grill looks good with the black lip

[@erievon1]

No to changing the wheels. The welds are iconic!

[@turbocateyeS475]

They also kinda age the car and it's fun to change stuff up. It needs to keep a drag pack but maybe there's a set that looks more JDM. Could always swap wheels back and forth

[@WigneyR]

19:40 shouldn’t have even mentioned the rocket bunny kit, shit would look like a whole different beast with that kit on. Do the roar!

[@joecosta3416]

I'm heavily in the camp of don't black out the chrome. New cars with fake chrome is bad, but old cars with real chrome I love. It's become a pretty unique look and feel these days imo. I might be biased since I own a 71 240z though

[@BLanczak]

The non-cookie duster LZ is a win 🎉

[@toddhatch3468]

Hell yeah, I was about to start an annoying count until we got the Datsun back😂

[@Travis-oo4gg]

🔥🔥Notification squad 🔥🔥