Best Platform for a Swap

Keith- You mentioned "almost anything into a Land Rover". Where do you find adapters for these? Does Kennedy have them?

In reply to Rumnhammer:

Can we see some pictures of that Z?

Another way to ask this question is what cars have great preforming chassis and have crappy motors. It could be that they blow head gaskets, are expensive to fix or just way underpowered. Most all good swaps fall into one of the above. But some cars just look cool and need a more modern motor to be fun and reliable.

Miata = under powered -- v12 Jag = to expensive -- RX7 = Apex seals --TVR = Just looks cool

oldtin wrote: bmw m20 motor in a 2002 american v8 in a 70s/80s ferrari (with broken ferrari engine) - very good for annoying ferrari people - that's gotta be worth something. I'm still thinking about that 308 gt/4 at auction

If you had said S14 into 2002, you would have been correct.

Then again, I have a thing for engines that love to rev. I think it's why I'd like to try out a rotary.

S14s in 2002s are great swaps - was thinking of one I could afford

oldtin wrote: S14s in 2002s are great swaps - was thinking of one I could afford

The owner of the shop where I buy most of my E30 parts is building a track 2002 with an S14. Sweet lookin' car. I can't wait to see it when it's finished.

JeepinMatt wrote:

Nashco wrote: The "best" car for a swap is the one you're mostly likely to finish AND still like at the end of the day. If you don't like it or you don't finish it, it's not much good to you. Bryce

That's quite a political answer We'll hear the same old ideas, maybe a few creative ones (old TVR Tuscan, anyone?), but who knows, maybe it'll get the creative juices flowing. Every time I see a sweet lookin' engine just sitting around, either by itself or in a busted up shell, I'm thinking of what it deserves to be dropped into. Besides, this board likes worms.

Well, I've done some simple swaps and I've done some very challenging swaps. I've started stuff I didn't finish and I've helped others with stuff they didn't finish. IMO, the "best" swap has little to do with potential and more to do with results. Here are some that suit my fancy today, they are the "best" for me:

LSx into an FD RX7
Quad 4 into an old Ford roadster/bucket
Ecotec into a Volvo 122
VW V10 TDI (or similar modern diesel) into a 50s-70s Caddy
Electric motor into the ass end of an AWD Civic Wagon
GM Atlas I6 into a "half ton" 2wd 50s/60s GM pickup
Older VW Rabbit diesel (or similar robust diesel) running on WVO in a first gen 4Runner

There's always some compromise that completely depends on your goals, limitations, and ambition. There's no such thing as "best" without defining things much more than you have.

Bryce

Whats your goal?
Whats your budget?
Whats your skill level?
Whats your timeframe?
Whats your passion?

Along with Bryces suggestions I will add:

Northstar V8 with Aztex AWD transmission in AWD Audi TT

4.2L stroked Super Coupe engine with T5 in a NA Miata

MZR engine in early RWD Mazda 626

DeadSkunk wrote: How about a Harley V-twin in a Crosley stationwagon ?

You mean like this?

http://www.angelfire.com/mi/MIRG/crosley.html

Jensenman, that looks like the same car I saw at Autorama in Detroit last year or the year before. Clearly, my suggestion wasn't an original idea, I stole it . At the time I thought it was a neat idea and talked to the builder for quite a while about the car. I had to chuckle at the 12" trailer wheels and tires. I guess it's hard to find proper car tires in that size any more. the other transplant I've seen is a Harley in the back of a "ratrod" VW Beetle.

I'd say SR20 into an S13 or S14.

Well, its not that practical, but one Ive been dreaming of for a few years now is an RB26DE into a Y2k or so Lincoln LS. Another favorite of mine is the same motor into an S13/14. An SR20 powered 510 would be fun, and I bet "fairly easy", and lastly, a 350 powered S10 would just be fun

I would first think LMx not LSx. Saves a boat load of $$$ and you can still get an easy 390-400HP for short $$$. (just add a cam). If this swap works out then add a LSx for the 500hp monster. Or just add forces induction to the LMx either way a boat load of fun. When I finish my turbo project I am going LM4 into a 951/S2. .

I know this sounds a bit dumb and really not all that much of a challenge but I was also just going to get a clapped out Z or Formula (f body) and add modern V8 goodness. Keeping it all in the family. Again looking at the LM option. This one I am sure I could get done for under 2K and I bet allot closer to 1.5K with proper shopping.

Older Fire-birds and camaros are cheep. .. .. Almost free in many cases. The LM motors are $500 all day with computer. go LM4 and a cam headers and open exhaust and you have good power. The only thing I see is the sold rear end as holding it back.

Is there any independent rear end setup that bolts in to the GM pony cars?

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the LM motor?

cwh wrote: Excuse my ignorance, but what is the LM motor?

4.8 or 5.3 iron block "Vortec" LS motors. They come in lots and lots of trucks. They have less favorable accessory positioning, extra tall intake manifolds, and deep oil pans, But they are cheap cheap cheap.

In reply to MrJoshua:

So is the L33 5.3 all aluminum version. I've seen them complete with low miles for $500 at salvage yards. The L33 is a 5.3 liter version of the LS6. Same heads and cam. 400 hp is easy with just a mild porting and a slight cam upgrade. So it would be a dirt cheap way of getting 400 hp in a light package.

edit:

Car Craft did some pretty good testing of the 5.3L. 1st, they put an intake with a 750 Holley and got baseline #s of 335hp and 350lb/ ft. Then, a cam and valve springs for a 96hp and I think 30 more lb ft of torque. Then they tested 3 different cyl heads all with the cam/spring upgrade with the best combo hitting 450 or 460hp with 396 lb ft. Back to the cam/spring upgrade. When they installed the cam/springs, the redline increased from 5250 to 6800. They also retained the stock compression ratio of 9.5/1 throughout their testing.

I would think you could dig up a 1st Gen SBC or LT1 for cheap as well.

One idea I had a few years ago was to drop an S/C H22A into a 3rd gen Accord, preferably a 3 door.

Some guys always try to go back to their first car