Mongrel engine swaps: improving classic cars

Labcoatguy

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Lots of classic cars have engines that are woefully outdated by modern standards and are just begging for a swap with something modern. Sometimes it happens for real, like with the Toyota-Yamaha 2ZZ-GE that went into my Mk1 MR2. I'm also thinking about those mongrel cars like the Iso Grifo and various de Tomasos that combined European design with American muscle, and how even they would be improved with modern versions of the V8s they were given. This thread is meant as a pub conversation just pondering combos of classic cars and modern motors.

Facel Vega HK500 (originally powered by various Chrysler V8s)
7e234863ad2397d8e282ba13ac5498fa.jpg

+ Chrysler Hellcat engine
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=Facel Vega HC707

de Tomaso Mangusta (originally Ford powered)
de-tomaso-mangusta-07.jpg

+ Ford flat-plane crank V8 from the GT350R
2016-Ford-Shelby-GT350-Mustang-V-8-engine-03.jpg


Chrysler TC by Maserati (stay with me here)
tc.jpg

+Dodge SRT4 drivetrain
Blue%20SRT4%20Engine.jpg

...finally giving it (some of) the performance cred it aspired to.
 
How about a Jeep Patriot with an SRT4 drivetrain!
 
How about this one I saw last summer

PmovoX8.jpg

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Basically, I'd put a Coyote into anything. Or better yet, the Roadrunner.
 
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LS everything! :p

Along the De Tomaso lines, the Pantera also came with Ford engines (Cleveland then Windsor). I'd like to see one stuffed with a Terminator engine from a 2004 Cobra. A few upgrades and you could make 500 horsepower.



 
de Tomaso Mangusta (originally Ford powered)

+ Ford flat-plane crank V8 from the GT350R

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In a similar fashion, I would like a Maserati Bora with a V8 from the Alfa Romeo 8C.

1971-1978-maserati-bora-front-left-view.jpg
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Keeping it Italian, a FIAT Cincoecento with a 1.4 TB Multiair.
fiat-cinquecento_brown_4.jpg

ET012_044EP.jpg

And for something German, and not exactly a mongrel engine:lol: a BMW 3.0 CSL with the S54B32HP from the M3 CSL, just for an update.
73_BMW_3-CSL_Batmobile-DV-11-RMM-03.jpg
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Matra murena with alfa 3.0v6

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The staple of the fast Anglia scene is always a Zetec in an Anglebox. Or a Zetec in a Cortina. Or a Zetec in a Corsair...

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Zetecs work well in old Fords...
 
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I have seen a Buick 3.8 turbo from a Grand National/T Type stuffed into a Chevy Chevette.
 
Since Fords were brought up.. :mrgreen:

 
You put the Voodoo in that Pantera and that car will vibrate itself to pieces before you can say Qvale Mangusta.
 
How about a Voodoo engine in a certain 1987 Mercury wagon with a 10-speed auto?
 
At just over 17k, that's rich.
 
BRUH
 
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