Video: New Family Car? Consider A Turbo LS Swapped Infiniti

TheSmokingTire recently released a one-take video on this turbo 5.3 liter LS V8 swapped Infiniti J30, which is owned by Mike McCarthy out of Pine Beach, New Jersey. This car has an interesting, yet completely awesome build story.

The car came about when McCarthy needed a family car, in preparation for a new-born on the way. McCarthy had previously owned a VH45DE (Infiniti 4.5 liter V8) swapped Nissan 240SX S13, but the vehicle had no creature comforts or amenities for daily driving. McCarthy comments on his WheelWell page that the car originally started off as another VH45DE swap – which eventually, evolved into the turbocharged all-aluminum 5.3 liter LS V8 we see today. Aside from the Borg Warner S366 turbocharger, the new engine has become a host to numerous modifications, as shown below.

The new aluminum 5.3 liter V8 incorporates some new modifications, such as an OEM Z06 camshaft, a Mishimoto aluminum radiator, and a Tial blowoff valve and waste-gate, just to name a few. What’s interesting about this car is that no one would ever give it a second look. Apart from the Nismo LMGT4 wheels and the Falken and Nitto tire combination, no one would guess this car has a turbocharged V8 under its hood.

Thanks to a host of custom fabricated components from LOJ Innovations, such as an accessory drive kit, heater-core bypass kit, and a modified swap kit for a Nissan Z32 car, the swap became a lot easier to complete. Additionally, McCarthy comments that a lot of custom fabricated components were also necessary – as the car was basically turned into a research and development tool at that point.

Check out the image below of McCarthy’s awesome sleeper on Hoosier slicks below. That’s his family-hauler running a 11.5-second quarter-mile! And if you’re interested in learning more about the swap, head over to McCarthy’s WheelWell page and check out the description on his car there.