Engine swaps we like and hate.

[Filthy Sanchez]

The sleeper thread got me thinkin'. What interesting engine swaps have you seen? Which did you like, which did you think was stupid or you just couldn't undertand why anyone would do it in the 1st place?

[Muscletang]

Hate - a rusty 46 Ford truck with a nice shiny LT-1, it isn't exactly stupid but just seems like a waste, guy never raced it, just went to car shows with it

Like - my friend and his dad put a Viper engine into a PT Cruiser, this was nothing but a drag car

[Filthy Sanchez]

My favorites, 5.0 Miata or 1st gen. RX7 especially if they put in a serious 5.0 stroked and well built. Small block V8 in an early Datsun Z (240, 260, 280, 300) take your pick. Mazda rotary in a Datsun 510. I'd like to take a 13B and put it in a first generation rear drive 323. There's some other cool ones I'll see if I can get some photos.

[Filthy Sanchez]

How do you post pics?

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Filthy Sanchez

How do you post pics?

There was an excellent thread on how to post pics in the Honda/Acura section a while back. Go there and try a search.

[tigermiata]

Over 25 years ago when I saw it and the project wasn't completed at the time, but a VW 'Kombi' pickup (think Microbus with the back cut open) with a 409 Chevy installed in the back.

[Andydg]

I don't remember where I saw it, but it was probably here, it was a video of a VW Bug with a 427 in it. It was a waste of an engine but that thing really moved!!!

I also saw a really nice looking Dodge Charger on TV with a Viper engine in it, I thought that was pretty kewl.

[lucki17]

you guys will probibly think this is lame but it is the most interesting swap i have seen, a 93 2 door metro with a built up 91' dodge spirte r/t turbo motor in it, i think it had some where around 400 hp, i got to ride in it and it is insane! it is basicly just an engine with some seats, but my favorite swap is a datsun 510 with a ttz32 motor in it, if you dont belive me check it out on cardomain.com , its crazy, wish i could drive it.

[freakonaleash1187]

the most interesting swap i have seen (i don't fully agree with it) is somebody put a LS-1 in a Z32. another one i have seen is a rb26det in a z32. my favorite swap will be a vg30dett into my car

[charlzneon]

i've seen a 95 toyota supra with an rb26dett engine, looked pretty wicked

[Filthy Sanchez]

Originally Posted by charlzneon

i've seen a 95 toyota supra with an rb26dett engine, looked pretty wicked

Help me out here an RB26DETT engine is from who and what? I've seen older Supras with newer Supra engines, a Toyota truck with a Supra engine, an RX7 with a Supra engine, and believe it or not a Supra with a Skyline engine.How about a Taurus SHO engine in a Fiesta seen it both mid engine and regular front engine applications. Also saw an Aspire with a new Focus SVT engine with a turbo kit, not my thing being front drive however interesting none the less. Also liked a Cadillac North Star 4.6 in a Fiero.One I hate was the 914 Porsche with a chevy small block, and all the Honda swaps never really peeked my interest. Though I'd love to put a VTEC in the little Fiat X19 sports car.

[Kurtdg19]

How about an LS1 swap into a miata (talk about hauls balls).

A good engine swap is one that was done correctly no matter what. I've seen some horrible swaps ex. an rx-7 with an L98 (third gen 350). The integrity of the vehicle was sacrificed immensley. It was faster, but the balance was way off, and the handling suffered due to it. So bottom line: If you plan on swapping, make sure you know what you want and what it will require, or the end result could be a dissappointment.

[curtis73]

Love: 5.0 V12 BMW into an E30 BMW



Hate: Any japanese swap; unless its a j-spec triple rotary. They're just fun.

Hate: Any swap where it costs ten times as much as the lb-ft of torque it makes.

Love: Caddy 500 in a 76 VW beetle

[Filthy Sanchez]

Originally Posted by Kurtdg19

How about an LS1 swap into a miata (talk about hauls balls).

A good engine swap is one that was done correctly no matter what. I've seen some horrible swaps ex. an rx-7 with an L98 (third gen 350). The integrity of the vehicle was sacrificed immensley. It was faster, but the balance was way off, and the handling suffered due to it. So bottom line: If you plan on swapping, make sure you know what you want and what it will require, or the end result could be a dissappointment.

Seen a sight where a guy tried the LS1 Miata, abandoned the project engine just wouldn't fit. It was easier with a 5.0 Ford. He did however turn around and stuff the LS1 in a BMW 325 which isn't much bigger than a Miata is it? That was a pretty cool swap.

[MadMac56]

I knew a guy years back had a blown 427 in a little English Ford Anglia...He sat in the back seat and drove this sucker on the street...If he went to the strip he just changed to slicks, uncorked the headers and blew everyone away...