Author Topic: Just out of Curiosity (Read 1267 times)

new_guy · « **on:** July 21, 2005, 04:05:45 pm »

Lets say I wanted to take the engine out of one car and put it in another, is this possible? If so what factors what have to go into choosing the engine and stuff like that?

exserviceguy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:34:57 pm »

Hi New Guy,
Swapping engines can be a great do-it-yourself project provided you've got some basic tools, a safe place to work, a little knowledge, and a few friends. For the easiest swap, stick with the same make, model, year, and engine size. Run a compression test to make sure it's worth the trouble. Spend a few dollars, change the belts, hoses, plugs, and filters and rent an engine hoist. That's only a few to start, others will pile in with some good tips too.

AVToller · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2005, 08:53:21 pm »

Just as a follow-up, swapping to a different make or model can creat nightmares or challenges, depending on your point of view. In addition to the problem of finding proper clearances and creating adapters, putting in a heavier (or lighter) engine is going to significantly change the balance and handling characteristics of the car. If brakes and suspensions are not altered, one can wind up with a very awkward and potentially dangerous car. Done properly, you can wind up with a unique sleeper.

tpl · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2005, 09:13:51 pm »

and... as the new engine gets more and more different from the original the toolkit gets bigger as well. Welder for engine mounts, machine tools for "adjusting" the fit of, for instance, bell housings to engines etcetera and the place to work and time and skill level goes up as well.

When Barrie answers he'll tell you that a Chevy smallblock will go almost anywhere and he is probably correct, if you have the facilities of "two guys garage" and similar tv shows.

But it aint easy. If you insist, start with a car on which other have done the job.
V8 in a Miata being a perfect example
M3 engine in a 320i
V8 in an MGB ( although they are far too old and frail now)
Almost anything in a pickup truck

note that all my examples are rear wheel drive... much easier... maybe the only special part would be a custom drive shaft

my 2c

barrie1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2005, 10:26:01 pm »

Yes you can change an engine out but which engine and vehicle do you wish to work with. What type of vehicle are you planning to build. There is many different combinations that can be done. I would suggest you visit a car show in your area which will give you idea's for your vehicle. You will also see many different builds with many different engine swaps.

new_guy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2005, 12:22:32 am »

Well right now I have an 87 Nissan Pulsar, the engine is kind of small but that isn't the reason I want to put a new engine in it, although I would love more power. I want to do it so I can say "I put that engine in" and so it will give me something to do. So I figured I would buy a scrap car that can only be used for parts with a slightly bigger engine and put it in. I knew it would be difficult. But now im thinking that for a guy with my experience it is better left alone.

But since can't do that. Are there any other ways I can get more power from my 1.6 4 cylinder engine?

tpl · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2005, 05:51:20 am »

Lots of ways to get more power... sadly most of them are of dubious legality nowadays 'cos they ALL will disturb the emissions state of the engine.

1. Good old fashioned tuning. Headers,exhausts, intake, polished inlet ports, reshaped valves, more fuel and air( easier with a carburetted engine than with FI ..well cheaper anyway)

2. Supercharger.

3. Turbocharger

4. Nitrous

5 1+ 2 or 3

But I would not start with an 87 Nissan Pulsar...seriously... I'd start with a much more commonly available vehicle that others work on...as per Barrie above....

barrie1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2005, 01:11:14 pm »

There are some things you can do with this engine such as a Cold airbox on the intake, A aluminum Head with trick valves and a much hotter ignition. All of these parts add up in cost and you may not see that much response in return for your efforts. Most racing parts are rather expensive and will lower the value of the vehicle when you eventually sell it. Many possible buyers are leery of a modded up vehicle as they figure it has been driven very hard. That is usually true as why do folks build them up if not to run them a little.

safristi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2005, 03:36:20 pm »

How come ya never hear of anyone wif a great engine they wanna put inna crappy car!!!!?

?

.....oooppps.....

(Message edited by safristi on July 22, 2005)

barrie1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2005, 10:18:19 pm »

Thats usally what is called a sleeper, something that don't look like anything and then it kicks your Butt off the line real bad. Thats why they put real good engines into older cars.

new_guy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:16:07 am »

Well I don't necessairly want it to be a great engine. I just want a little more power...

The Mighty Duck · « **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 02:51:50 am »

It's common enough in the Honda world... people pulling the CRX engine out of their rusted bodies and dropping it into a Civic, for example.

If it's done RIGHT, modding your engine can be fun and, while not inexpensive, a good past time. I would suggest that you don't try and "just" add (for example) a Cold Air intake. Do it right, pull the engine out and rebuild it in its entirity... popping a CAI on an engine might sound easy enough, but it can have adverse effects. Example: more air fed into engine disrupts fuel/air mixture, effects performance and mileage... *shrug*

I've thought about doing the same thing, buying an old car and rebuilding it. But I don't have the funds, and selling my perfectly able 99 Civic to buy a junker seems a step in the wrong direction.

Some day.