Engine swap

Existing brakes, transmission, and suspension components may be inadequate to handle the increased weight and power of the new engine with either upgrades being required or premature wear and failure being likely.

For the particular application of off-road vehicles, the high torque at low speed of turbo diesels (combined with a fuel economy advantage) makes these conversions particularly effective.

Some small businesses build conversion kits for engine swaps, such as the Fiat Twin cam into a Morris Minor or similar.

The Chevrolet Vega (and its Astre, Monza, and Skyhawk sisters) is a candidate for a small-block swap; some have seen big blocks as well.

Chevrolet engines have been used in such cars as Toyota Supras, BMWs, RX-7s, Mazda Miatas, Jaguar sedans, Corvairs, and Datsun 240s, 260s, and 280Zs.

Less common is the swap into a Mark 1 Golf or Cabriolet, giving an amazing power-to-weight ratio, even with minimally modified powerplants.

It is popular[citation needed] to take one of these small classic sports cars and add a more powerful engine.

The all-aluminum 215 cu in (3,520 cc) Buick and Oldsmobile V8 engines are a traditional choice for these cars.

The Ford 302 (5.0L) V8, with its cast iron block, results in spectacular power-to-weight ratios for straight-line acceleration.

If the Ford 302 is fitted with aluminium heads, intake, and water pump, the resulting engine only adds about 40 lb (18 kg) to the front of an MGB, and is substantially more powerful and lighter-weight than the iron-block six-cylinder found in an MGC or TR6.