The Ten Craziest Automotive Engine Swaps Ever Attempted

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Oh you swapped an LS1 into a Miata? That’s cute.


10.) Nash Rambler – Ferrari V8

The reason you see so many different LS engine swaps is because those motors are cheap, plentiful, and durable. A V8 from the Ferrari 360 isn’t any of those things, which makes this mid-engine Nash Rambler with one all the more amazing.

It even has a gated six speed!

Suggested By: Myself, Photo Credit: GP Imports via Carscoops


9.) Chevrolet Corvair – Jaguar V12

Chevrolet’s Corvair was GM’s attempt at making a Volkswagen-inspired car, with its rear mounted, air-cooled flat four. One owner decided his Corvair lacked power, so he decided to stuff a Jaguar V12 in the front.

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Using a heavily modified 4-speed transaxle from a Tempest, the builder was abled to wedge the stroked Jag V12 in the frunk, and gave his Corvair 370 hp.

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Suggested By: smalleyxb122, Photo Credit: Corvair Corsa


8.) Toyota Prius – Harley V Twin

The loons who race the 24 Hours Of LeMons give us plenty of crazy engine swaps, but one of our favorites is this Harley V-Twin powered Prius.

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I can’t think of a better engine for a Prius than this. Well done.

Suggested By: Bonhomme7h, Photo Credit: Mr. Spank via Oppositelock


7.) Ford Granada – Koenigsegg V8

The Granda was never exactly, uh, what you’d call a fast car. You might decide you want a little more go out of it, so you decide to swap in a Ford Modular V8, an appropriate, sensible choice.

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Or, you could swap in an insane Modular V8, like the twin turbo from a Koenigsegg CCX. This guy actually did that, because his 600 HP Cosworth YBT wasn’t up to the task.

Suggested By: alwaysmiata, Photo Credit: jr


6.) Fiat 500 – Lamborghini V12

There are many great variations on the “stick a giant engine in the back of a subcompact car and give it fender flares” theme, but the most amazing is this original 500 with a V12 from a Lamborghini Murcielago.

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Check out this feature from Speedhunters. It’s as ridiculous as you think it is.

Suggested By: AntiLag, Photo Credit: Ommedi Meccanica


5.) Ford Capri – Rolls Royce Merlin

They call this Ford Capri “The Beast.” Considering it has a 27 liter Rolls Royce Merlin engine under that absurdly long hood, the name seems appropriate.

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Old Top Gear did a film about it, and it’s well worth a watch.

Suggested By: 365Daytonafan, Photo Credit: The Beast


4.) Triumph Spitfire – Allison Turboshaft

Sticking with the airline theme, we now have a dainty Triumph Spitfire with an Allison turbine engine from a helicopter built by college kids with a budget of $3,000.

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Engineering students at the University of Arizona built it simply to test a digital turbine controller, and it’s amazing.

Suggested By: Garland, Photo Credit: godzillus


3.) Saab 9-3 Wagon – Viper V10

The Saab 9-3 is a FWD car. The Dodge Viper is a RWD car. You would think that it would be impossible to stick a Viper motor in a 9-3, but you’d be wrong.

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It looks like it took a hell of a lot of work to make, but the end result seems to be well worth it.

Suggested By: Danny.Radomski, Photo Credit: via Jalopnik


2.) Lexus LFA – NASCAR V8

Normally I’d shun anyone who would swap out the orgasmic V10 in the Lexus LFA, but this one was flood damaged and they put a NASCAR V8 in it. I’ll give them a pass.

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Oh, and to make it even better it’s a drift car now.

Suggested By: evoCS, Photo Credit: HY DY via YouTube


1.) Toyota MR-2 – Kinner R55 Radial

Aircraft engine swaps are always amazing, but I haven’t seen anything more amazing than this MR-2 race car with a vintage radial engine standing proud out the back.

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It’s certifiably insane.

Suggested By: JayHova, Photo Credit: Frankenstein Motorworks

Welcome back to Answers of the Day - our daily Jalopnik feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day’s Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It’s by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!

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Top Photo Credit: Ron Patrick http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/ (New Beetle with a jet engine)


Contact the author at chris@jalopnik.com.