Engine swap revelation

I had a moment of clarity a little while ago.

I decided (months ago) that it would be a good idea to do an engine swap. Well-documented swap, plenty of support for both platforms, roughly double the horsepower and torque, for less than $2k total investment.

What I did was take a car that took 3 minutes to get to highway speed, was only just short of terrifying to drive at anything above the maximum intended speed (about 55mph), that got decent fuel economy, and was pretty low-key and turned it into a car that gets to highway speed as fast as the skinny tires will let it (wheelspin in 3rd gear), is no less frightening to drive above 55mph (and will EASILY blow past 90 with plenty of gear left), and is a tail-happy, obnoxiously loud little demon.

In short, I took a car that I'd have to drive like an absolute psychopath to get in trouble with the local law or the laws of physics, and made a car that I'll have to drive very, very carefully to NOT get in trouble with BOTH the local law AND the laws of physics.

I'm sure it'll grow on me, but I'm a little like this about my decision.

Wannabe engine-swappers be warned.

So, you're saying that you advise onlookers to record video, and when you you start the car you say "Hey y'all, watch this!"? I approve.

Get more tire under her and you'll be fine ;)

I knew you guys would understand.

what kind of a car are we talking about here, and what kind of engine was swapped into it?

if we know this, we can tell you how to get more power out of it..

and the problem with all of this is????

I noticed you didn't mention the "after" fuel economy.

I know, right, who cares? ;-)

I'm guessing he dumped a SBF into a Sunbeam.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I noticed you didn't mention the "after" fuel economy. I know, right, who cares? ;-) I'm guessing he dumped a SBF into a Sunbeam.

or an LS into a Miata..

WPWP

@ the OP

So when you going to add boost?

This is roughly synonymous to somebody crying and wanting to talk about their feelings after their first time... It really wasn't anything earth-shattering, just seems like it to someone who's never done this before.

I can't access photobucket at work, or I'd post pictures.

Base-model Subuaru Legacy engine (2.2L) in a '72 VW Beetle. No plan for boost in the foreseeable future .

Just ordered a set of wheels; 15x8 in front, 15x10 in back. Should help some.

OP said,

"yadda, yadda, yadda, (and will EASILY blow past 90 with plenty of gear left), yadda"

http://s869.photobucket.com/user/aussiesmg/media/RX50/MVI_0579.mp4.html

EJ-somethingorother into a Beetle...

Edit: Fun fact: I actually didn't see the post stating this before I posted

I'm not even gonna attempt a swap unless I'm sure the end result means my sphincter will get a serious workout.

JohnInKansas wrote: In short, I took a car that I'd have to drive like an absolute psychopath to get in trouble with the local law or the laws of physics, and made a car that I'll have to drive very, very carefully to NOT get in trouble with BOTH the local law AND the laws of physics.

I thought that was the entire point of an engine swap.

Curmudgeon wrote: I'm not even gonna attempt a swap unless I'm sure the end result means my sphincter will get a serious workout.

+1.

If my next creation doesn't make either myself or my passenger E36 M3 ourselves in a reflexive manner, then it sucks.

Curmudgeon wrote: I'm not even gonna attempt a swap unless I'm sure the end result means my sphincter will get a serious workout.

could be an engine swap, could be a drug mule, could be playing for the other team. i'd probably choose engine swap.

Swank Force One wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote: I'm not even gonna attempt a swap unless I'm sure the end result means my sphincter will get a serious workout.

+1. If my next creation doesn't make either myself or my passenger E36 M3 ourselves in a reflexive manner, then it sucks.

+1 to both

Curmudgeon wrote: I'm not even gonna attempt a swap unless I'm sure the end result means my sphincter will get a serious workout.

No need to swap anything. You can get that workout just by tappin' your toes the right way in the airport bathroom.

I want to swap my W123 drivertrain into a contemporary Mercedes offering, preferably something AMG without a drivetrain, and let the hilarity ensue.

'sperience... ???

JohnInKansas wrote: This is roughly synonymous to somebody crying and wanting to talk about their feelings after their first time... It really wasn't anything earth-shattering, just seems like it to someone who's never done this before. I can't access photobucket at work, or I'd post pictures. Base-model Subuaru Legacy engine (2.2L) in a '72 VW Beetle. No plan for boost in the foreseeable future . Just ordered a set of wheels; 15x8 in front, 15x10 in back. Should help some.

Only if you make the car a mid engine.... So what if you lose the back seat. BFD.....

Scott

Should I not be stuffing this in a 2100lb car then?

No no... you SHOULD.

Hehe. I have the adapter and all the fixen's ready to hang a vnt turbo mopar engine on the back of my rail buggy. This thread is motivating.