complete noob, switching engines?

[Christy89]

I know next to nothing about engines so i was wondering if someone could answer my question on here, keep in mind i know like nothing.

I have a '94 Subaru Legacy (manual) that is pretty much done when it comes to being road legal, but i put a new-used engine in it a couple years ago that is still in good shape. I also have an old Mazda B2000 (automatic) but it needs alot of work before its driveable, but i'd rather be driving the truck. I was wondering if it was at all possible to put the Subaru engine in the Mazda with out too much trouble.

Thanks!

[vgames33]

It's more trouble than its worth.

The Mazda transmission won't bolt to the Subaru engine. You'd have to move the Subaru's tranny with the engine (or find an adapter plate), and then you'd probably have to make custom mounts for both. You'd also have to bring over the computer for the Subaru engine.

[MagicRat]

This swap is pretty much impossible. The Subaru has a very unusual horizontally - opposed configuration (seen only in old Beetles, rear engine Porsches, old Corvairs...... and Subarus)

This means the engine is quite low and wide.

The Mazda has a very common in-line configuration, so the engine is relatively tall and narrow.

Therefore, not only will the Subie engine not bolt up, there is likely physically not enough room for it in the Mazda chassis.

IMO sell the Subaru. Try to find the receipt for the newer engine to prove its not original. You may get a few more dollars for it that way. Then put the money in the Mazda.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

This swap is pretty much impossible. The Subaru has a very unusual horizontally - opposed configuration (seen only in old Beetles, rear engine Porsches, old Corvairs...... and Subarus)

Don't forget Alfa Romeos from the 70s and 80s, oh, and fast majority of piston engine aircraft.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Moppie

Don't forget Alfa Romeos from the 70s and 80s, oh, and fast majority of piston engine aircraft.

Yeah, and the Citroen Deux Chevaux, too...............
Motorcycles..........BMW, Dneper, Ural, Yangzee, etc.

[INF3RN0666]

Sorry to say man but nobody does custom work like that any more. People tend to buy "kits" for their cars now-a-days. You buy an engine that's meant to go in your car, whether it's a performance engine or the stock one, it was built to function in your current car. That's because it falls right into place onto the original mounts and transmission. Sometimes, they recommend you upgrade your computer's firmware to run your new engine smoothly. Even now, doing stuff like that is rare. You see people going from the V6 mustang to the V8 because there's a V8 option for the mustang, but you don't see them putting in a Viper's V10 because it doesn't just bolt on.

[KiwiBacon]

Originally Posted by INF3RN0666

Sorry to say man but nobody does custom work like that any more. People tend to buy "kits" for their cars now-a-days. You buy an engine that's meant to go in your car, whether it's a performance engine or the stock one, it was built to function in your current car. That's because it falls right into place onto the original mounts and transmission. Sometimes, they recommend you upgrade your computer's firmware to run your new engine smoothly. Even now, doing stuff like that is rare. You see people going from the V6 mustang to the V8 because there's a V8 option for the mustang, but you don't see them putting in a Viper's V10 because it doesn't just bolt on.

Depends on the crowd you hang out with.
Engine swaps are commonplace to enthusiasts, where your average clueless ricer would rather spend the time refining their exhaust tip.

[psychopathicdude]

Originally Posted by KiwiBacon

...clueless ricer[s]...spend [too much] time refining their exhaust tip[s].

(this quote has been edited to run in the time allotted, and for comedic effect)

Why you rippin on the exhaust tip, man? You're just jealous...

(note extreme sarcasm... as my exhaust tip is simply absurd... see photo)

Speaking of swaps, I want to put an Textron Lycoming AGT1500 Gas Turbine into a Semi-Tractor... anyone know where I can find engine mounts for that? Or where I can buy the engine? (come on, army surplus....I'm waiting!!!!)

_________________________

(may the gods of moderation forgive my necrothreadiacism... and smile on my witty banter....)

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Motorcycles..........BMW, Dneper, Ural, Yangzee, etc.

don't forget the honda goldwing....

in fact, that might not be a bad idea for this. 1800cc flat six, and its very compact

It even has a quasi-reverse gear

Might be a challenge finding one for cheap though

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by KiwiBacon

Depends on the crowd you hang out with.
Engine swaps are commonplace to enthusiasts, where your average clueless ricer would rather spend the time refining their exhaust tip.

So true too. It used to be that the "looks" of the car was secondary, and the performance was primary. Those were the haydays of stuffing bigblocks in Chevettes. These days most ricers have $8K into body work and paint jobs and leave the motor bone stock.

Something very wrong with that IMO