6 Mad Engine Swaps We've Seen Recently

From an LS-swapped DeLorean to a motorbike with a Maserati V8, there have been some crazy engine swaps doing the rounds lately! You guys gave us some of your suggestions, and we added a few of our own. Which is your favourite?
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The DeLorean’s original PRV V6 isn’t exactly a powerhouse. In fact, some models would struggle to crack 60mph in 10 seconds. But this DMC-12? It’s a tad faster than that, all thanks to an LS4 V8 dumped in the back, sending a healthy 300bhp or so to the rear wheels. Through the original Renault gearbox, too, while the suspension and brakes are still stock…

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We’re yet to see the finished product of drifter Ryan Tuerck’s bonkers Ferrari/Toyota mash-up project, but already we can tell it’s going to be epic. The team behind the car have sourced a Ferrari F136 V8 not from a front-engined California, instead opting for the more highly strung version found mounted in the middle of the 458.

Naturally, an engine designed for a mid-ship configuration isn’t going to be an easy fit in a front-engined car, and part of the GT86’s windscreen surround has been removed to fit in the air intakes, which point toward the cabin.

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From one engine-swapped GT86 in the works to another, we have this monster. Belonging to Street FX owner Mark Trueno, this GT86 has lost its 2.0-litre boxer in favour of a VR38DETT Nissan GT-R engine, stroked to 4.1 litres.

6 Mad Engine Swaps We've Seen Recently

As with the F136 GT86 project, this is not an easy fit - the VR38 is three times the height of the FA20 boxer. The team has managed to cut the height down by a massive 150mm though, thanks to the removal of the front differential (no longer needed since this is going to be rear-driven) and a conversion to dry sump lubrication.

Once it’s finished, it’ll put out over 1000bhp to the rear wheels. Cripes.

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The work of coach builders Lazareth, this magnificent chunk of madness is a motorcycle powered by a 470bhp Maserati V8. Except it isn’t a bike - it has four wheels. Then again, the wheels are sandwiched together and operate using a mechanism similar to what you’d find on the front of one of those three-wheel Piaggio scooters, so you still lean and ride it as you would a bike. So it kind of is and isn’t a motorbike.

Confused? Don’t worry. Just be glad that someone out there is crazy enough to build something like this…

Viper V10-engined BMW Z4

6 Mad Engine Swaps We've Seen Recently

The car that inspired this list started off life as a Z4 Coupe, a car we know and love. However, some lunatic got hold of it, and decided its 3.0-litre N/A straight-six needed to be replaced with something damn near three times as big: an 8.3-litre Dodge Viper V10.

Thankfully, the builder decided that a 540bhp Z4 needed a few other alterations, which arrived in the form of Audi R8 brakes, a rollcage, bucket seats and a litany of bespoke parts.

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The new Porsche Cayman has - controversially - dropped a couple of cylinders, but this one has undergone the opposite journey. Yep, it’s now powered by a V8.

Sat in the middle is a 5.0-litre Ford Coyote V8 crate engine, putting out well over 500bhp at the crank. And from what we hear, the weight gain over the original flat-six isn’t quite as significant as you might expect. Another one to watch out for.

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Comments

PhillipM

We put a BMW V10 in the middle of some Kevlar and scaffolding poles once, that was pretty, errr, interesting:

09/28/2016 - 08:39 |
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Maty_Vip

Feel like this FnF car should have been mentioned

09/28/2016 - 09:20 |
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Anonymous

And the engine swap that make me mad
LS SWAPED ROTARY

09/28/2016 - 11:24 |
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Anonymous

Porsche engined Golf, anyone?

09/28/2016 - 14:31 |
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Hevar

There’s actually a Saab with a Viper engine.

09/28/2016 - 15:31 |
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Anonymous

2jz a 04 stang on a budget a little sacrilegious but would be intresting to see an in depth build out of one instead of pictures

09/30/2016 - 03:15 |
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Anonymous

Just LS swapped my commodore.

10/02/2016 - 04:04 |
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Flatbush (အစဉ်မပြတá

my brother is giving his isuzu truck a new engine swap. Currently it has a DA120 diesel 6L but he’s putting in a 5.9L 6BD1-T Turbocharged diesel. It’s hella dope, his name is Salvatore the icelandic

02/26/2017 - 03:46 |
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