Each time we feature a car with unconventional engine swap, it’s responded to with a mix of opinions. Some love to see people thinking outside of the box with a strange swap or dropping in a proven motor like the GM LSX. Purists on the other hand cringe and that thought of a cross-maker or even a cross-continent engine swap. Then there are those who fall somewhere in between.
Today’s poll and discussion is about engine swaps. Where do YOU stand?
Vote and discuss below.
-Mike
[polldaddy poll="6533247"]
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I really enjoy crazy and unique engine swaps. As much as I can appreciate the appeal and use of the LS engines, I'm sorta worn out on 'em. Seems like everywhere I look someone's throwing one into something.
As long as the engine swap is well executed for the purpose, then i'm fine with whatever.
if you build a track eg with a j-series you are asking for a hard time, the car becomes unbalanced with all the extra weight up front.
but if you build a drag/show eg with a j-series fine.
i remember the first time when v8s become all the rage in formula d, people were putting huge 5.8L nissan v8s in small 350z.
they looked like the engines were mounted high, and really upset the balance of the car, most of them did poorly.
if your going to do a swap, do it right =D
Funny, I sat around with my friends tonight talking about this. While we talked about engine swaps, the pattern seemed to be RB26/13B/SR20/2JZ + anything was instant win, but an LSx into anything, (which, sorry guys, is pretty good) is ridiculous. We all know the parameters, the benefits, but this is the "religious"-style debate among cars where the rules of religion apply here; "do what you do, but stay out of my business" kind-of-deals.
Honestly, if it makes sense to you, do so with the means that you have to do it and don't let anyone tell you different. I'd like to see anyone walk up to Matt Powers or Joon Maeng and tell them how bad their cars perform or how little sense dropping the lightweight V8 into a lightweight chassis is. But no, we drop in a "bulletproof" iron-block xJZ motor, throw off the weight balance and blow it with 900 hp, suddenly we've got a higher quality build than the LS.
If this seems like it's running off on random tangents, my bad, lol. I'm just still really hyped that my friends wouldn't listen to reason.
Not two weeks ago I saw a S15 with a V10, and a Subaru with a RB26. Not quite conventional, but I loved it, even though I am a little bit of a "purist".
The crazier the better! saw a 13b 4 door r32 a couple days ago, cool shit
The crazier the better! saw a 13b 4 door r32 a couple days ago, cool shit. People put 13 and 20b's into anything and everything over here aha
I'd like to remember that back in the 60's, one guy put an American V8 into a small British coupe and created what is known as the Shelby Cobra.
Al least it should be an engine from the same maker, in my opinion.
Don't like those swaps when they put a LS into a RX7 for example, yeah it's a good engine but it doesn't quite fit that kind of cars if you know what I mean...
I think that if you swap a V8 into a car it needs to have the looks to back up the sound. It has to be as evil as possible.There was only one car I know of that pulled this off. An S14 from Australia. They fucked it up now by painting half of it green. Don't know the drivers name sadly.
Every swap is game as long as it's a well though out job..
Anyway it all comes down to personal preferences..I didn't like the NASCAR powered Skyline from Gatebil, somehow it didn't fit the character of the car..on the other hand I loved the Silvia GT 300 with the Calibra ITC engine, that looked like a perfect match!
Or, if I had an RX7 I'd never even think of putting in it anything other than a Wankel, let alone a V8!
Anyway, I do not mean to bash on people fitting LS or Viper V10s in their car, I mean, everybody's free to do what they want with their car..just a personal opinion.
anything goes, love engine conversions. i personally have build my own vvti 1jz S14 and currently drift a AE86 with a nitrous fed SR20DE.
I have a B3 Audi coupe quattro i would not mind having a Porsche 996/997 motor in it front mounted if it did not restrict the steering? It's just down to fabrication.
Go with what ever is available to you at a cost efficient price. I am planning for a LS1 swap into a Datsun 240z in the future
I only tend to like swaps if they're for the right reasons. A Chevy V8 into a V12 Jag annoys me in particular. It's nothing to do with performance, as the Jag V12 can be brought to silly-high horsepower. It's all to do with lazyness: 'it's easier/cheaper to maintain'.
Also, if an engine swap is detrimental to the character of a car, then I tend to be repulsed by them too. This means that almost all LS swaps are out. You just end up with a generic engine in a slightly different shaped body. Exactly the same as every other LS-swapped car: boring.
i love seeing people who dislike the LSx motors. not because i dislike them, but because they don't realize the reason most people like them. the fact that they're generic makes them even more desirabe to drifters and anyone else making a car.
i love seeing people who dislike the LSx motors. not because i dislike them, but because they don't realize the reason most people like them. the fact that they're generic makes them even more desirabe to drifters and anyone else making a car.
i love seeing people who dislike the LSx motors. not because i dislike them, but because they don't realize the reason most people like them. the fact that they're generic makes them even more desirabe to drifters and anyone else making a car.
i love seeing people who dislike the LSx motors. not because i dislike them, but because they don't realize the reason most people like them. the fact that they're generic makes them even more desirabe to drifters and anyone else making a car.
@GraysonParker Yeah we don't "realize" why you oh so clever dime a dozen LS lovers pick the most common, white trash engine you can find. Its couldnt be the fact that you guys are lazy, cheap, and too afraid to use something new or unique.
You aren't real enthusiasts, you are the car equivalent of the guy who buys a Big Mac and then goes around claiming he is a real burger lover. Or a beer "fan" who insists that Budweiser is the best. LS swaps are for herd following plebes. The people who do them are either too dumb or too lazy to do an original swap. You want an LSX so bad go get a shitty F-body and quit ruining Japanese cars.
@GraysonParker Yeah we don't "realize" why you oh so clever dime a dozen LS lovers pick the most common, white trash engine you can find. Its couldnt be the fact that you guys are lazy, cheap, and too afraid to use something new or unique.
You aren't real enthusiasts, you are the car equivalent of the guy who buys a Big Mac and then goes around claiming he is a real burger lover. Or a beer "fan" who insists that Budweiser is the best. LS swaps are for herd following plebes. The people who do them are either too dumb or too lazy to do an original swap. You want an LSX so bad go get a shitty F-body and quit ruining Japanese cars.
@GraysonParker Yeah we don't "realize" why you oh so clever dime a dozen LS lovers pick the most common, white trash engine you can find. Its couldnt be the fact that you guys are lazy, cheap, and too afraid to use something new or unique.
You aren't real enthusiasts, you are the car equivalent of the guy who buys a Big Mac and then goes around claiming he is a real burger lover. Or a beer "fan" who insists that Budweiser is the best. LS swaps are for herd following plebes. The people who do them are either too dumb or too lazy to do an original swap. You want an LSX so bad go get a shitty F-body and quit ruining Japanese cars.
@GraysonParker Yeah we don't "realize" why you oh so clever dime a dozen LS lovers pick the most common, white trash engine you can find. Its couldnt be the fact that you guys are lazy, cheap, and too afraid to use something new or unique.
You aren't real enthusiasts, you are the car equivalent of the guy who buys a Big Mac and then goes around claiming he is a real burger lover. Or a beer "fan" who insists that Budweiser is the best. LS swaps are for herd following plebes. The people who do them are either too dumb or too lazy to do an original swap. You want an LSX so bad go get a shitty F-body and quit ruining Japanese cars.
in competition isn't running the most tried and true method what normally gets you the win? fear has nothing to do with my choice of engine. i'm sorry if you think putting a fairly lightweight powerful, torquey, cheap, reliable, and mean sounding engine into a japanese car. I think anyone can agree, whether they like LSx motors or not, that an LSx beats a ka24de any day
in competition isn't running the most tried and true method what normally gets you the win? fear has nothing to do with my choice of engine. i'm sorry if you think putting a fairly lightweight powerful, torquey, cheap, reliable, and mean sounding engine into a japanese car. I think anyone can agree, whether they like LSx motors or not, that an LSx beats a ka24de any day
in competition isn't running the most tried and true method what normally gets you the win? fear has nothing to do with my choice of engine. i'm sorry if you think putting a fairly lightweight powerful, torquey, cheap, reliable, and mean sounding engine into a japanese car. I think anyone can agree, whether they like LSx motors or not, that an LSx beats a ka24de any day
in competition isn't running the most tried and true method what normally gets you the win? fear has nothing to do with my choice of engine. i'm sorry if you think putting a fairly lightweight powerful, torquey, cheap, reliable, and mean sounding engine into a japanese car. I think anyone can agree, whether they like LSx motors or not, that an LSx beats a ka24de any day
An engine is just as much what MAKES a car as the chassis and exterior looks and interior feel. You are losing a very significant part of what makes a car special when you switch its engine. So if you are doing that it seems to me you don't really love the car in the first place, that you think you need to replace its original engine. You don't really embrace the true essence of that car.
That said, there are essences not worth preserving. On the other hand, Jaguars, AE86s, rotaries.... they all came with great, unique, groundbreaking, and legendary engines in the first place. Swapping those engines shows a massive disrespect to what the car IS and where it came from. Why the hell did you purchase the car in the first place then? The oem engines is what makes those cars what they are.
An engine is just as much what MAKES a car as the chassis and exterior looks and interior feel. You are losing a very significant part of what makes a car special when you switch its engine. So if you are doing that it seems to me you don't really love the car in the first place, that you think you need to replace its original engine. You don't really embrace the true essence of that car.
That said, there are essences not worth preserving. On the other hand, Jaguars, AE86s, rotaries.... they all came with great, unique, groundbreaking, and legendary engines in the first place. Swapping those engines shows a massive disrespect to what the car IS and where it came from. Why the hell did you purchase the car in the first place then? The oem engines is what makes those cars what they are.
An engine is just as much what MAKES a car as the chassis and exterior looks and interior feel. You are losing a very significant part of what makes a car special when you switch its engine. So if you are doing that it seems to me you don't really love the car in the first place, that you think you need to replace its original engine. You don't really embrace the true essence of that car.
That said, there are essences not worth preserving. On the other hand, Jaguars, AE86s, rotaries.... they all came with great, unique, groundbreaking, and legendary engines in the first place. Swapping those engines shows a massive disrespect to what the car IS and where it came from. Why the hell did you purchase the car in the first place then? The oem engines is what makes those cars what they are.
An engine is just as much what MAKES a car as the chassis and exterior looks and interior feel. You are losing a very significant part of what makes a car special when you switch its engine. So if you are doing that it seems to me you don't really love the car in the first place, that you think you need to replace its original engine. You don't really embrace the true essence of that car.
That said, there are essences not worth preserving. On the other hand, Jaguars, AE86s, rotaries.... they all came with great, unique, groundbreaking, and legendary engines in the first place. Swapping those engines shows a massive disrespect to what the car IS and where it came from. Why the hell did you purchase the car in the first place then? The oem engines is what makes those cars what they are.
@GraysonParker actually if everybody did "run the most tried and true method", cars would have never evolved! I'm sure Colin Chapman is spinning in his grave right now..
@GraysonParker actually if everybody did "run the most tried and true method", cars would have never evolved! I'm sure Colin Chapman is spinning in his grave right now..
@GraysonParker actually if everybody did "run the most tried and true method", cars would have never evolved! I'm sure Colin Chapman is spinning in his grave right now..
@GraysonParker actually if everybody did "run the most tried and true method", cars would have never evolved! I'm sure Colin Chapman is spinning in his grave right now..
Don't need an engine from a specific continent or make, just that it suits the car.
For instance, a e36 M3 engine in a E30 bmw is ok, but a 2JZ i think is wrong!
Don't need an engine from a specific continent or make, just that it suits the car.
For instance, a e36 M3 engine in a E30 bmw is ok, but a 2JZ i think is wrong!
Don't need an engine from a specific continent or make, just that it suits the car.
For instance, a e36 M3 engine in a E30 bmw is ok, but a 2JZ i think is wrong!
Don't need an engine from a specific continent or make, just that it suits the car.
For instance, a e36 M3 engine in a E30 bmw is ok, but a 2JZ i think is wrong!
@Fede very good point
@Fede very good point
@Fede very good point
@Fede very good point
that old school escort the the vetec swap is so sick and im almost certain there was a feature about a mini with a gsr engine swap. thats the type of shit that needs to happen more! next i want to see a pulsar or something with a s2k swap!
that old school escort the the vetec swap is so sick and im almost certain there was a feature about a mini with a gsr engine swap. thats the type of shit that needs to happen more! next i want to see a pulsar or something with a s2k swap!
that old school escort the the vetec swap is so sick and im almost certain there was a feature about a mini with a gsr engine swap. thats the type of shit that needs to happen more! next i want to see a pulsar or something with a s2k swap!
that old school escort the the vetec swap is so sick and im almost certain there was a feature about a mini with a gsr engine swap. thats the type of shit that needs to happen more! next i want to see a pulsar or something with a s2k swap!
Anything a builder is capable of i say go for it. Except an LS motor in an s13. My god. if you dont follow formula drift you may not understand our troubles when it comes to people sticking v8's into the s13 chassis.
Anything a builder is capable of i say go for it. Except an LS motor in an s13. My god. if you dont follow formula drift you may not understand our troubles when it comes to people sticking v8's into the s13 chassis.
Anything a builder is capable of i say go for it. Except an LS motor in an s13. My god. if you dont follow formula drift you may not understand our troubles when it comes to people sticking v8's into the s13 chassis.
Anything a builder is capable of i say go for it. Except an LS motor in an s13. My god. if you dont follow formula drift you may not understand our troubles when it comes to people sticking v8's into the s13 chassis.
The one car that should not have an engine swap is the RX7.
The one car that should not have an engine swap is the RX7.
The one car that should not have an engine swap is the RX7.
The one car that should not have an engine swap is the RX7.
I voted for "anything goes" because there shouldnt really be any 'rules' as long as it's done well. However, there are some swaps out there that are done to collectible cars that I really dont like. It all depends on the car, how special it is, and how tastefully done it is. I'm not really fond of the V8 swap in the Hakosuka pictured, I dont hate it, but I wouldnt own it. If it really changes the original character of a collectible car, i'm probably not a fan. (for instance, i really did not like the RB26 into the Mustang from Tokyo Drift)
I voted for "anything goes" because there shouldnt really be any 'rules' as long as it's done well. However, there are some swaps out there that are done to collectible cars that I really dont like. It all depends on the car, how special it is, and how tastefully done it is. I'm not really fond of the V8 swap in the Hakosuka pictured, I dont hate it, but I wouldnt own it. If it really changes the original character of a collectible car, i'm probably not a fan. (for instance, i really did not like the RB26 into the Mustang from Tokyo Drift)
I voted for "anything goes" because there shouldnt really be any 'rules' as long as it's done well. However, there are some swaps out there that are done to collectible cars that I really dont like. It all depends on the car, how special it is, and how tastefully done it is. I'm not really fond of the V8 swap in the Hakosuka pictured, I dont hate it, but I wouldnt own it. If it really changes the original character of a collectible car, i'm probably not a fan. (for instance, i really did not like the RB26 into the Mustang from Tokyo Drift)
I voted for "anything goes" because there shouldnt really be any 'rules' as long as it's done well. However, there are some swaps out there that are done to collectible cars that I really dont like. It all depends on the car, how special it is, and how tastefully done it is. I'm not really fond of the V8 swap in the Hakosuka pictured, I dont hate it, but I wouldnt own it. If it really changes the original character of a collectible car, i'm probably not a fan. (for instance, i really did not like the RB26 into the Mustang from Tokyo Drift)
Yeah, im a little tired of seeing 240 Ls swaps, but i understand it. It makes since for competition and the street versions do sound great when they drive past you. In some ways I'm glad american engines into japanese cars has become so popular. Growing up i definitely felt like you were either into domestics or imports. I always hated that pressure to go with one side or the other when i liked cars from both sides. Hopefully the Ls swapping trend helps to blur those lines. I even noticed a Ls swapped 240 autocrossing in hot rod magazine last month.
Yeah, im a little tired of seeing 240 Ls swaps, but i understand it. It makes since for competition and the street versions do sound great when they drive past you. In some ways I'm glad american engines into japanese cars has become so popular. Growing up i definitely felt like you were either into domestics or imports. I always hated that pressure to go with one side or the other when i liked cars from both sides. Hopefully the Ls swapping trend helps to blur those lines. I even noticed a Ls swapped 240 autocrossing in hot rod magazine last month.
Yeah, im a little tired of seeing 240 Ls swaps, but i understand it. It makes since for competition and the street versions do sound great when they drive past you. In some ways I'm glad american engines into japanese cars has become so popular. Growing up i definitely felt like you were either into domestics or imports. I always hated that pressure to go with one side or the other when i liked cars from both sides. Hopefully the Ls swapping trend helps to blur those lines. I even noticed a Ls swapped 240 autocrossing in hot rod magazine last month.
Yeah, im a little tired of seeing 240 Ls swaps, but i understand it. It makes since for competition and the street versions do sound great when they drive past you. In some ways I'm glad american engines into japanese cars has become so popular. Growing up i definitely felt like you were either into domestics or imports. I always hated that pressure to go with one side or the other when i liked cars from both sides. Hopefully the Ls swapping trend helps to blur those lines. I even noticed a Ls swapped 240 autocrossing in hot rod magazine last month.
I always loved the idea of putting a SR20DET in my old Mercedes W201 .. but I sadly didn't have the money or the skills to pull it off... maybe some day
I always loved the idea of putting a SR20DET in my old Mercedes W201 .. but I sadly didn't have the money or the skills to pull it off... maybe some day
I always loved the idea of putting a SR20DET in my old Mercedes W201 .. but I sadly didn't have the money or the skills to pull it off... maybe some day
I always loved the idea of putting a SR20DET in my old Mercedes W201 .. but I sadly didn't have the money or the skills to pull it off... maybe some day
Whoever thinks that a Chevy V8 in a Nissan is sacrilege should check out the Nissan R381.
Whoever thinks that a Chevy V8 in a Nissan is sacrilege should check out the Nissan R381.
Whoever thinks that a Chevy V8 in a Nissan is sacrilege should check out the Nissan R381.
Whoever thinks that a Chevy V8 in a Nissan is sacrilege should check out the Nissan R381.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is a motor, albeit a different one. That's all.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is a motor, albeit a different one. That's all.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is a motor, albeit a different one. That's all.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is a motor, albeit a different one. That's all.
Unless the car is very rare or limited production, go nuts! I always prefer to see same manufacturer engine swaps as it shows someone is dedicated to keeping it in the family, but doesn't bother me if they don't. Go with what you know!
Unless the car is very rare or limited production, go nuts! I always prefer to see same manufacturer engine swaps as it shows someone is dedicated to keeping it in the family, but doesn't bother me if they don't. Go with what you know!
Unless the car is very rare or limited production, go nuts! I always prefer to see same manufacturer engine swaps as it shows someone is dedicated to keeping it in the family, but doesn't bother me if they don't. Go with what you know!
Unless the car is very rare or limited production, go nuts! I always prefer to see same manufacturer engine swaps as it shows someone is dedicated to keeping it in the family, but doesn't bother me if they don't. Go with what you know!
I'm still choosing to keep a variant of the original 4A-GE in my MR2, albeit a 1900cc stroker turbo 20-valve with distributorless ignition, liquid to air intercooler, and lots of other stuff that Toyota never dreamed of putting in an MR2
I'm still choosing to keep a variant of the original 4A-GE in my MR2, albeit a 1900cc stroker turbo 20-valve with distributorless ignition, liquid to air intercooler, and lots of other stuff that Toyota never dreamed of putting in an MR2
I'm still choosing to keep a variant of the original 4A-GE in my MR2, albeit a 1900cc stroker turbo 20-valve with distributorless ignition, liquid to air intercooler, and lots of other stuff that Toyota never dreamed of putting in an MR2
I'm still choosing to keep a variant of the original 4A-GE in my MR2, albeit a 1900cc stroker turbo 20-valve with distributorless ignition, liquid to air intercooler, and lots of other stuff that Toyota never dreamed of putting in an MR2
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is just a motor, albeit a different one. There's always something to appreciate in an engine swap, even if you're not the one who owns and drives the car. If the owner wanted a particular swap for whatever reason, then it's justified to him, and not you.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is just a motor, albeit a different one. There's always something to appreciate in an engine swap, even if you're not the one who owns and drives the car. If the owner wanted a particular swap for whatever reason, then it's justified to him, and not you.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is just a motor, albeit a different one. There's always something to appreciate in an engine swap, even if you're not the one who owns and drives the car. If the owner wanted a particular swap for whatever reason, then it's justified to him, and not you.
Why should there be any "rules" to engine swaps? A motor is just a motor, albeit a different one. There's always something to appreciate in an engine swap, even if you're not the one who owns and drives the car. If the owner wanted a particular swap for whatever reason, then it's justified to him, and not you.
i don't care what people do, but i do wish that people would stop thinking they're so clever and original because they put an LS_ in any car that didn't have one
HEY GUYS CHECK OUT MY LS1 PINTO, LOL I AM SO CUTTING EDGE
i forgot to mention, there IS one thing about engine swaps that really irritates me. all those idiots with RB26DETTs in any nissan ever except the skyline, a few years ago, deprived a bunch of skylines of their engines so they could make their stupid versa a little more "unique." i don't care about the stupid versa but it's annoying that there's a lot of cars sitting without engines because they were sacrificed to the god of "hold my beer, i got an idea"
Anything goes. The crazier the better. - Anyone who doesn't agree on that should look up Gatebil and what those crazy scandinavians are doing to their cars and what are the results from it.
Rocky Auto complete KPGC10 ! check here: http://www.rockyauto.co.jp/stock/comp_detail.php?id=11090
BUYERS ?
Not really into the LS swap but I understand why people do it. The want to run hard the most cost effective way. The supply of SR20det, KA24de, and rotary engines are running thin.
"purists" are fascists. Their world view depends on the hierarchy stemming from an ideal. Anything different from the ideal is to be ridiculed or attacked. That mindset is responsible for most of the misery in the world. It's high time we all evolve.
i personally enjoy the creativity that people come up with and some of the cars that are ridiculous in nature but people are out there driving them my personal favourite is the s15 with the v10 dodge
I personally like the idea of people being different, it opens up doors for future tuning and it does create a bit of originality (although at this time, pretty much originality is dead). It does allow people to think outside the box and creates new "technology" for future tuning. I understand that you have the die-hard "purists" that would consider it butchering a car, but at the end of the day it becomes a car by car experience. Something that works with one car/motor might not work well with another. It all just depends on how you look at things. But at the end of the day I still think that some very sick cars can be "frankensteined" together (As the picture above clearly shows). But that's just my 2 cents. -j0nes-
Engine swaps from the same maker because you can still have fun while keeping it within the family.
GT86 + LFA V10 engine = Total. Death. Machine. Period. Period(one period just isn't enough).
TROLOLOLOLOLOLOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The real issue with this debate is that an engine is not something to be taken lightly. Every car has a soul. It comes through from its original design and intent. When you say, take an American V8 and slap it into a lightweight European/Japanese car, you destroy the original purpose that the car's designer spent his time working on. Seeing as how you chose that car for your platform, you owe your respects to the person that made that platform available. Not only that, but without serious re-engineering, the car is all but ruined based on the variables of weight distribution, drive-ability, etc. Sure it's possible and can be sorta cool, but what's the point really?
Now, I also can see how in many cases, the vehicle platform needs serious loads of power. The common way of solving this issue is to build your own platform from the ground up. Sure, the body panels may represent something (IE, a Toyota pickup), but the actual structure and drivetrain of the vehicle is original and made for a purpose.
That being said, I think there is great validity in cool swaps. I prefer the original (or some variant) of the original engine personally. For example, a 152e (2-TG race variant) would be the coolest engine ever to have in my TE-27. It's still the same basic design from the original, just beefed up, and exclusive.
With the relative ease and availability of getting powerful and inexpensive engines from other Marques, it's no surprise to see that people "bastardize" their platforms. I think a good compromise is to keep it in the family. I also think it's a shame when I see a cool car that is personally ruined for me because there's an engine in it that sorta ruins it. V-8's are a two edged coin because they are compact and powerful, but also just kinda tacky.
In closing, which would you rather see for an all-out Gatebil-esque build? A Toyota Supra chassis with the Toyota 1GZ-FE 5.0 L V-12 all souped up? Or the same car with an LS series V8, or a Viper V10, or something along those lines?
Engine swaps from the same maker with the added criteria of "Engines from other makers of related cars"
A Honda B-series is okay in a MG ZS for example, as is a European market Honda Civic Aerodeck with a Rover T-series.
@Slipway And over here there are almost no rotaries left...
I loved my red top SR20!
Where I grew up it was more common to see KE70 Corolla's with Rotary engines than with the original Toyota motors, nowadays they'll stick 'em into anything. Anything goes for sure.
@MaxMotter A well reasoned response. Though an AC/Shelby Cobra is perhaps the definitve example of big American V8 engine into a lightweight British Chassis and it certainly has soul! A very different soul to the original AC Ace certainly, but a soul nonetheless.
I agree that for a swap to be successful all other aspects of the car need to be considered/modified as well as the engine swap itself.
I can appreciate any car that is built well, regardless of the style. I can understand the bang for your buck idea. But don't force your view on me, if I wanted a cheap, easy vehicle, I would have bought one.
I have a 306ci sbf in my e30. Whoops, guess I'm doing it wrong
We wouldn't have Shelby Cobras if it weren't for Frankenstein-like engine swaps. My dad built a Jag XK120 Coupe with an old school Corvette motor, T-5 wc trans and 9 in axle with a 3 link a few years ago. Projects that don't make sense and are commonly unreasonable are usually the most fun,
i've got a 26b rotary in a 240z that i have been working on for a while
if it wasn't for people thinking outside of the box than we wouldn't have a lot of the stuff we have today same goes for engine swaps. I remember reading an article about a V8 twin turbo (I think anyways) AE86 Corolla that was built top quality and looked as mean on the outside as it did with that insane motor. I don't see whats wrong with putting a different motor inside the car as long as in the end you are the one that is happy with the car. if you build a car to please other people than you've missed the meaning of building a car for yourself and should have just bought a car straight from a dealership.
I'd love to build a 240z with a RB25DET just because its a single turbo straight six with a 6speed manual from a 370z, I'd also like to put a small ford or chevy v8 and treat the car as a redlight/highway sleeper to embarass corvettes and other factory speed demons (plus i know it would make my dad happy since he's currently building a Model T rat rod with a Pontiac V8 because the 6 that was originally planned was seized up lol)
but I can also see how the purists would say keep the stock engine since the rarer the car the more rare it will be if it has the original motor or the same type of motor. How many Hemi powered cars hit high six figures because it had the original numbers engine and other Hemi cars that didn't sell that high because it wasn't a numbers car.
So in the end I think it depends on both the car you want to build and the rarity of the car. but i still get a smile on my face when i think about a v8 powered 240z that can smoke corvettes and look better too
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Im all for whatever people want to run. However i was the first person to comment why would you use a 1UZ in that skyline. My reason behind that is because legalities aside if you're going to run a N/A V8 to me its a poor choice. Yes it may be strong and cheap but they are getting on in age now and don't make much power in stock form, aren't particularly cheap to get power out of either.
voted same maker, i have slight ocd so it makes me a purists, FOR MY OWN TASTES. In other words i wouldnt drive a hybrid, but I do enjoy seeing other people with crazy swaps
Voted anything goes. But its more style to have a same make engine.
Bonus points if you stick with the original engine. It adds to the wow factor.
Lately i got impressed by a Volvo 240 that had keept the orginal 8v 2.3 engine. had 700+hp or something. wow
Voted anything goes. But its more style to have a same make engine.
Bonus points if you stick with the original engine. It adds to the wow factor.
Lately i got impressed by a Volvo 240 that had keept the orginal 8v 2.3 engine. had 700+hp or something. wow
I voted different continent. Why should other countries get better engines?
I voted different continent. Why should other countries get better engines?
I'm not really bothered, it don't have to look tidy, or like a professional build, as long as it gets the desired effect for the owner. i consider myself open minded about these sort of things, they say 'variaty is the spice of like'.
I'm not really bothered, it don't have to look tidy, or like a professional build, as long as it gets the desired effect for the owner. i consider myself open minded about these sort of things, they say 'variaty is the spice of like'.
I've really enjoyed reading your different articles. They are so informative and interesting. This post give truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. thank you so much.Keep up the good works.
I've really enjoyed reading your different articles. They are so informative and interesting. This post give truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. thank you so much.Keep up the good works.
unless its a numbers matching, all original car, i say swap away!
unless its a numbers matching, all original car, i say swap away!
v8 swaps are what bothers me really. It becomes popular, and then in like the drift world errrrrybody starts doing it. It's just gotten boring for me as a blog reader to see LS swaps in every compact car on the grids. If you wanted a car with a v8 you should have bought one to begin with and then just mod it from there.
No problems with engine swaps though, its just literally this v8 trend that is so very stale for the eyes.
v8 swaps are what bothers me really. It becomes popular, and then in like the drift world errrrrybody starts doing it. It's just gotten boring for me as a blog reader to see LS swaps in every compact car on the grids. If you wanted a car with a v8 you should have bought one to begin with and then just mod it from there.
No problems with engine swaps though, its just literally this v8 trend that is so very stale for the eyes.
after reading comments: cost effective shmost effective. buy a broken corvette and fix it.There you go, LS power and quite "cost effective" for the package.
after reading comments: cost effective shmost effective. buy a broken corvette and fix it.There you go, LS power and quite "cost effective" for the package.
Swap away. I don't understand why anybody gives a shit what engine is in a competition drift car. Not like you see the engine anyway when it's out on course and not like its even your car. Hey SpeedHunters, maybe do this pole again, but make age groups along with the available responses. It would be interesting to see the responses spread across age groups. Maybe it's futile, but could make for interesting data in this ongoing ridiculous debate.
EXACTLY! why not take some corvette and make it "unique" or whatever the goal is, instead of completely ruining it so you can destroy the balance of your civic or versa or whatever else
Agree with the whole V8 in drift cars being its getting too over rated. Yeah they got power, no surprise there but id rather watch and hear real jap engines like MAD MIKEs 4 rotor, Curt Whittaker making heaps of smoke with his 2JZ R34, Gaz Whiter in his SR20 pulling 4xx kW. LS drops just dont make for good spectating anymore unless they get beat by a jap engine. Its always good to see and hear a none LS making a heap load of power.
My opinion is go with the same maker. I don't dislike random swaps but it just doesn't feel right.
I don't really care what people do with their cars as long as it tickles their fancy. I would stick with same maker engines.
Any and all swaps are fine by me, but keeping with the spirit (or design for you non sentimental types) of the chassis is the difference between crass or class. A Toyota ae86 with an F20 Honda motor is totally fitting and okay! Its a 4 cylinder, high revving motor similar to a 4age but better in every way except price.
Thats where the v8 drift car differs. Its cheap, both in skill required to drift and in price. A torque deprived sr20 s13 manji'ing, scandinavian flicking, clutch kicking, and ebraking its heart out is infinitely more exciting to watch than a LSx s13 staying between 2000-4000 rpm in tight corners trying not to spin out. At long beach it sounds like theyre blipping the throttle like the guy at the muffler shop trying to feel out your clutch would.
I personally love the way the Japanese mod their vehicles. Tuners such as Spoon and Mines all speak on having a well-balanced chassis - no part of which being stronger or weaker than the rest. I agree.
As long as its tasteful and done right I say anything goes. FYI... Any non rotary swap in any originally rotary powered car is not tasteful.
To all the people complaining about putting LS motors into Silvias did you ever stop to think why that would be more attractive than putting an RB or SR into that car? I live in the vicinity of 5 GM dealers and that's just within a few miles in any direction. I could drive blindly and get to one beyond my area in a matter of minutes. If I needed to order an OEM part I'd be able to very easily. If this was the same for SR's or RB's it's silly to think that I wouldn't have already done one of those swaps. I refuse to be at the mercy of parts availability and shipping if something were to happen to my car.
Had nissan brought over SR's or RB's to the US this would be a non issue. There's just no way an SR20DET can give me my goal of ~ 400HP as reliably as an LS, and the RB26 being as rare as it is (especially since it's been out of production and didn't see nearly the same run as the SR) it would be stupid for me to consider them. I won't even entertain talk about building the KA because I am not a fan of that motor in its current form and I don't need to be constantly making sure it doesn't blow.
When you balance money, parts availability and power goals the unwise choice would be the motors that were never brought over and made in comparatively small numbers (RB).
Also before anyone starts getting on about money to "do it right" just remember why we do what we do. We get these cheap or average cars and take them beyond their original capabilities. If we were all loaded some of us probably wouldn't even do this and those of us that would still do it would have much more expensive factory performers as daily drivers.
Over 67 percent voted anything goes yet the only people who reply are the national purists/ vh8aters saying the lsx is played out. Like forced induction isnt? Just an interesting trend I noticed: people who are open to any swaps don't hate on other peeps that got stock motors. Just the purists who bring the hate. Maybe they aren't purists at all. Maybe they are just fans of the 2jz, rb's, sr20s, and 3sgtes. Anything that isn't a naturally aspirated v8.
Not tasteful as defined by you and everyone here trying to define what their limits are. The rotary sounds great and is fun to drive but because of its unreliability it's almost more of a novelty to me. The rx7 is the most agile and flexible chassis that the Japanese have made. To dismiss people's efforts into making it a reliable performer for the sake of novelty is not very good sportsmanship in my opinion.
@Mechne YOU ARE STUPID, end of conversation. If you reply you are even dumber!
@Mechne i hate people who call the rotary unreliable, iv owned 3 rotary cars, and they are very very reliable. lend me the keys to your piston popper for the day, i wont "smash" on it, ill drive it the same way i do as my 88 rx7 with its original engine, and i guaranty ill blow it up for you. nothing like driving home from work not letting the revs drop below 5k at any time and usually being higher.
@BLK_S13 Also, compare the weight behind an iron-block RB or JZ and an alloy-block LS
@MrCool00236 If they are so reliable then how come craigslist is full of rolling chassis due to apex seals?
@Mechne incompetence, lack of proper maintenance, and lack of knowledge on the owners part. the biggest down fall on the rotary is the oil metering pump, it goes silently and kills the engine be cause hey how long will yours run with out lubrication? much less at 7000+ rpm. premix is the way to go, people are just to lazy to take the extra (literally) 10 seconds to premix at the gas station. they rather risk there engine then take 10 sec to do it right.
Ugh, doing an engine swap just seems like cheating to me.
There was a Starion at JCCS with Lexus V8, that was rad. haha. I just don't get why some of the really old Skylines there had new turbo motors, part of what I would want out of one of the older Skylines is a nice smooth I6 with carbs. Such a nice sound.
I hate the LS swaps into Japanese cars, I love Japanese cars for what they are and love the Japanese style of tuning. An LS swap defeats the
purpose of owning a jap chassis. I guess you cant expect many people out side of Japan to understand.
MERICA fuck yeah!
What ever floats your boat, BRA!!!!!!
@MrCool00236 @Mechne Haha, You would be surprised how long a no-compression 250 xflow can go without oil, plus 2k rpm past the redline (though that still woundn't be 7k)I'm a massive rotary fan though, just sayin'
@KE20 What is the purpose of owning a Jap (sic) chassis?
@ORS Cheating at what?
@ComJive Um...they aren't doing it to be clever. They are doing it to go fast.
@Melvin H An LS is only slightly heavier than an SR
@OysteinTeigland Why?
@GraysonParker Are you serious? Go weigh an iron-block RB or JZ and then go weigh an alloy-block LS and tell me which will make you go faster.
@BiTurbo from oppo So if someone wants to enjoy their Jaguar 100% of the time instead of some of the time...its lazy?
@EvolveWRC RX7 looks just like a Corvette, how does it not "quite fit with that kind of car"
@Absolution Exactly! I think people just assume the LS is heavier because it is a V8. Also, "Oh you make 1000hp...where? Ohhh, between 7500-8000RPM, thats cute!"
Love all engines, but if you want to go fast for cheap, the LS is hard to beat....and I'm a FORD guy!
Just no Ford/Chevy cross breeding.
I dont give a fuck what goes into what, if it works and its making the OWNER happy, thats all that matters.
To me it completely depends on your needs. If you're restoring a classic or building a street car in accordance to some specific style, that's completely different from trying to be competitive in motorsports where the cost to results ratio is more important than satisfying people you'll never meet.
1uzfe?
1uzfe?
The exception would be cutting up rare parts when an alternative is available or butchering a clean car when bodies and non-matching-numbers motors are around.
The exception would be cutting up rare parts when an alternative is available or butchering a clean car when bodies and non-matching-numbers motors are around.
@ORS People have asked me I can build my motor or swap for a more tunable / supported and larger / more power productive block. I always say swap. If you build a motor whats the next step? Sell your $10k engine for $4 and look for the swap? If you swap first you can build it later.
Cheating at?..... you'll have to clarify please. Cheating at making power? Not going broke? If it's your money it's your rules, breaking someone elses rules isn't cheating!
@ORS People have asked me I can build my motor or swap for a more tunable / supported and larger / more power productive block. I always say swap. If you build a motor whats the next step? Sell your $10k engine for $4 and look for the swap? If you swap first you can build it later.
Cheating at?..... you'll have to clarify please. Cheating at making power? Not going broke? If it's your money it's your rules, breaking someone elses rules isn't cheating!
i guess i just dont like seeing the manufactures vision and purpose being destroyed or forgotten. like the miata for example, mazda built it as a perfectly balanced agile roadster. or the ae86 is known for its light handling easily controllable and how insanely light it is. i just hate to see all of that ruined by like an ls1 swap and hear the owner talk about how much horsepower it has. power isnt everything. but on the other hand i do think swaps like an rb26 in an e30 or a 2jz or 1jz in the hachi is dope. and if your drag racing then go ahead and put the biggest fucking engine you can find in that shit. theirs no replacement for displacement.
The way I se it, it's all relative. No, I don't like the idea of someone taking a perfectly preserved Toyota 2000GT and putting an LS1 in it. There are some that need to be kept relatively stock or historical. But there are rusted out shells or low level chassis that can be made great with an awesome engine swap. Like the one pictured, it was a base skyline that has been given more moxy than it ever could as a preserved example. I'm getting stuff together for a 1UZ into an '81 Celica right now, and I don't feel bad because it's not in perfect shape and has no historical significance. Anyway, that's my two cents.
Honestly, NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS A FRIGGEN V8 IN IT. There are plenty of other motors out there that make the same if not greater power bands then a V series motor, and some are a lot easier to work on and build up.
It has occurred to me that the popularity of the LSx motor swap is done out of a cost vs performance/reliability perspective. People who don't know cars start bringing up arguments about originality and how the Chevy powered anything is getting lame. I am partially biased toward Chevy V8 swaps due in part to my track rat. In my nearly 10 years of beating an LS6 (The same damn engine) around a race track, it has never failed, misfired, leaked, squeaked, groaned, shivered, puked, or stalled once. I don't baby it either. The tach is usually stuck on the limiter. The fact is, people are allowed to use whatever the hell they want and they shouldn't face grief from other people. You stick to what you know best. If you know your way around a 2Jz but want it in a damn camaro, I am completely fine with that. If it's wild thats cool, if it's not so wild thats cool too. The only person that can judge which one is better is the driver/owner.
If it fits, it ships!
I dunno why all the hate on the LS motors (imo) pushrod kings...i mean it kinda makes sense....tall heavy I6 that makes a shit ton o power till it breaks...OR run an LS which will do the same till it breaks...as for you "balance of the car" guys its simple dry sump it and shove it into firewall as far as your skill/$ lets you not to mention i member reading some where that the LS has MAYBE a 50lbs. difference from a turbo I6 once all the plumbing etc... was included hell the name of this site is SPEED hunters not speed haters so if it makes it faster easier cheaper and more reliable shove what ever in that bitch fuck its your's anyway haters gonna hate im out.
PS my Fav motor is 2JZGTE =P
Variety is the spice of life. Thus engine swaps are ok with me unless the car or engine is of historical importance. However there are a few caveats.
Engine swaps in a way hinder development of other engines. If everyone just swapped in the same proven engine then there will be no progress. Why work on gas engines when steam engines work just fine? Why work on rotary engines when piston engines work just fine? Why work on that small little turbo four banger when V8's work just fine?
I find that some of the best racing done are when teams utilizing different configurations makes it that much more interesting like in Le Mans or GT300 class in SuperGT. To me running the same engine in everything gives off a spec racer feel like Nascar, Daytona Prototypes, and even GT500's in SuperGT. While they both have great racing going on, the idea of one team with a small turbo 4 beating larger V8 engined teams(dyson racing), petrol vs diesel vs hybrids, or a newly developed, unorthodox chassis taking on traditional designed cars and making them sweat when they see it in their rear-view mirrors (deltawing at Le Mans) is just that much more exciting and different.
Engine swaps are great and can be innovative, but a wise man once said "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.". There are things yet to found on the road less traveled.
@suju89 I meant it sort of as a figure of speech, in a way it seems lazy to me if you just swap out an engine because its too hard to make power with the current set up you might have. If you dont want to tune the engine you start with why buy it in the first place?
@suju89 I meant it sort of as a figure of speech, in a way it seems lazy to me if you just swap out an engine because its too hard to make power with the current set up you might have. If you dont want to tune the engine you start with why buy it in the first place?
@Pancakes Yeah people always tell me I should swap an evo engine into mine and yes it would be easier to tune etc but Im not keen to as then I'd just end up being very similar to anyone else thats built an evo engine for their car. Id rather have something different than take the easy way out and do a swap but each to their own I guess.
The reply to the post above explains what I meant.
@Pancakes Yeah people always tell me I should swap an evo engine into mine and yes it would be easier to tune etc but Im not keen to as then I'd just end up being very similar to anyone else thats built an evo engine for their car. Id rather have something different than take the easy way out and do a swap but each to their own I guess.
The reply to the post above explains what I meant.
@ORS Because when it comes to the chassis, the looks of a car, that is mostly subjective. Is there anything wrong with wanting your own car to look AND perform exactly the way you choose? Engine conversions are by no means easy, so to suggest that it is lazy doesn't logically follow,
@LavarBowers LS motors actually are LIGHTER than RBs due to being all alloy as opposed to iron (unless you go for the iron LS truck blocks, but that is only if you are trying to make over 2000hp)
@KellanHeatley But lets say someone just absolutley loves the 2000GT, but they want it to perform to their specifications....is it so bad that someone would want their own vehicle to both look AND perform EXACTLY as they desire? I think that is totally fair.
@zamm3333 Wait, you do realise that putting an iron-block-tall-long JZ motor into a Hachi would mess it up way more than a short-compact-all-alloy LS V8 yeah? You are right power isn't everything, thats why they go the LS route; power delivery, packaging, reliability and availability are all the other reasons beside horsepower.
@suju89 It's not about the looks, the RX7 it's a lightweight car and it needs a lightwheight engine, not to mention the fact that the sound of a high revving engine it's part of the philosophy of these cars.
@ORS Totally see your point and when people don't get the swaps others have done the confusion normally comes from crossed priorities. They look at what you might do and think there's easier ways to get that power.... where you may have been looking for some feature other than just power in your choice and that is where it comes down to the person spending their money and their time getting what they want out of the finished (are they ever rally finished?) package.
@EvolveWRC HAHAHAHA, go find out how much an aluminium/plastic LS1 weighs compared to an all-iron 13B twin-turbo, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised!
As a disclaimer since I have been supporting the LSx series of V8s throughout this thread... I'm a Ford guy, and even I can see how good the LSx is, Ford has a chance now with the Coyote though, so keep your eyes peeled for Coyote powered track cars soon!
when it comes to swaps , who cares? not you're car,not you're problem, everyone needs to stop looking so much as to what is done to the car, and needs to step back and think about how much work the person has put in to it, if you dont like the swap ? okay cool, but dont hate on it, think about the hard work,blood ,sweat and tears that person has put into building it..
@suju89 touche' Suju89 touche' =)
Engine swaps are great and all. But everyone putting in crappy GM LSx engines into every car under the sun has gotten old. Do something different, like a M5 engine in a 240z. Or a GM 3800 V6 on a go-kart. Or really just any engine that isn't overly used and put it into something that isn't overly swapped into.
@suju89 Computerized, complicated, overused, there is no gain in swapping in either of those junk engines into any car.
@LavarBowers If I wanted something fast cheap and reliable I'd use a old carbureted engine before I did any LS swap. Since the average person can't afford a 2000 dollar tuning computer, as well as the ECU to run the engine. Then all the wiring and 30 pounds of wires and sensors that need to be connected and calibrated.
@Lastspark Junk engines? Explain.
@Lastspark A version of the Coyote motor is currently the worlds most powerful V8. Complicated and Computerised? You suggest using an M5 engine, how is that less of those things then either of the aforementioned engines. Overused? Well, there is a reason for that. No gain by swapping either of those engines into any car? How? Explain? You make zero sense.
@racecarshots Thanks for giving our "rad" 1uz sleeper Starion mad props man
@Lastspark @LavarBowers Umm, dude, Carby conversion LSx is super common and super easy.
@Lastspark @LavarBowers Like super-duper common; http://tiny.cc/googleimagesearchs
COSWORTH YB ALL THE WAY HAHAHA OR 4G63 THATS GUD TOO,
@Lastspark @LavarBowers $2000 tuning computer? What the hell? It doesn't have to play Call of Duty at Max Settings. I tune with a 3 year old netbook. If you can't afford that $100, you can't afford the swap. The flash software for the V8 ecus is ridiculously overpriced, BUT megasquirt is still dirty cheap and there are several other standalone systems that are cheaper than a carburetor itself.
@Lastspark sounds like you just hate tech....you gotta tune a carb plus it isnt as efficient as a fuel injection set up but id bet lots o $$ that you couldn't make as much power per dollar with antiquated carbs....but to each his own i wouldn't come near a carb if you paid me to.
@LavarBowers @Lastspark Go look at NASCAR and drag racing to see what carbys can do.
depends on what it's in and what it's used for