Published 2009
ENGINE SWAP TECH TIPS
TIME FOR A CHANGE?
Keeping the stock 1600 or 2000 motor would make the most sense. The 1600 is not as costly to rebuild as the 2000. Many of the 2000 parts are getting harder and harder to find. That leads to higher prices. There has long been a debate on the engineering of the 2 liter motor as being inadequate due to the jack shaft between the lower and upper timing chains. Indeed the L series motors were designed much better but for the time period the 2 liter motor was a screamer. A well maintained 2 liter motor will last as long as any other well maintained motor.
Another option is to build a push-rod 2 liter stroker motor. I did this on my 67.5 and really like the performance with no major modification required. You can read about my stroker stroker here.
Now we get into the swaps but first let's touch on the obvious problems. The following items may in some instances require custom fabrication or at the very least creative alterations.
- Motor Mounts
- Exhaust Manifold
- Oil Pan modifications
- Clutch linkage (hydraulic is much easiest)
- Cooling: radiator & heater hose connections
- Transmission Mount
- Shift linkage
- Drive shaft
- Steering linkage
- Electrical: wiring including alternator and associated mounting hardware.
- Tachometer hookup
- Gauges
- Cutting frame(modifications)
- Removal of inner fenders
- Rear end replacement
NOTE-this is not an all inclusive list
An easy swap candidate that comes to mind are the L series motors consisting of the L16,L18, and L20. This is a relatively easy swap and there are a few of these conversions out there. The cross member needs to bit modified for the oil pump in order to lower the engine to keep the valve cover from hitting the hood. You can also use the Z 5-speed transmission with these engines. These motors are getting harder and harder to find. You can go here to read more about this swap.
Mark Sedlack completed installing a GM 229 V6 with a 5 speed transmission swap into his 1966. Talk about power. You can check this monster out by clicking here! Very nice job indeed!
Michael Spreadbury has done quite a few SR20 swaps into a roadster. You can read a bit about it by clicking here! This link takes you to Zparts.com. Pretty sweet looking conversion. I am working on an SR20 swap. Slowly but surely I am getting things done. You can read more about it here!
Also, Travis Rowe installed an SR20DET turbo model into a 66. You can read about that by going here!
There are other swaps out there but I have no first hand knowledge on them. They include the VG30 (300ZX), FJ20 FI and aspirated engines. With lot's of time and money the possibilities are endless. Personally I like the R16 as it is a durable little motor with plenty of pep for sports car type driving on twisty roads but as I stated above I am installing an SR20 into a 1965. To each their own I say!