Non-LS/Coyote Swaps - What are some of the other engines are you all putting in?

[Elemental Garage]

As the title states, I'm curious what you all are putting in your pro-touring builds outside of the usual LS/LT and Coyote engines. I guess I'd throw the modern Hemi's into that too. I might be taking on a 70's Jaguar build in the future and am considering doing something outside the usual paths. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm a big LS/LT fan (and have done a few builds with them already) and I know they're proven, robust engines. I'd just like to explore some other options and hear more about what others have done that may have some aftermarket tuning or ECU supportability (either an opened OEM which can be tuned or can run on a megasquirt or something similar.

Looking forward to learning more about what ya'll have done. Cheers!

[slimjim]

I’d rotary swap my Camaro if my balls and pockets were big enough.

I also like the ford ecoboost(3.5) swaps slowly getting traction. Think Ken blocks f150 hoonitruck.

[ryeguy2006a]

I know they are older engine's now, but I've seen a fair amount of 2jz-GTE builds too.

[Olds.PhD]

Viper V10s were popular for awhile.

There's a guy on the Corvette forums that dropped a BMW V12 in his C3: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/2576520-corvette-v12.html

[Elemental Garage]

Awesome, thanks for the replies. I like the idea of the ecoboost for this swap. It looks like they're not really lighter than the Coyote, which I was considering, but I'll have to look at the overall dimensions and see if it allows me to get a few more inches of weight behind the front wheels.

[JustJohn]

Which Jag are you working with? Swapping out the V12 for a big block actually saves a couple hundred pounds so you're going to come out ahead no matter what engine you pick.
For the straight six XK engines, I might look at the BMW M54 engines. They are solidly reliable and available if you're not looking for massive hp.

[Elemental Garage]

Will be looking for an early 70's XJ6 most likely. We don't have the car yet, but once I finish this C10 project I'll start looking. I've always wanted to build (for myself) a fun pro-touring retro XJ. My personal DD is an F01 Alpina (N63 - yikes), and I'd like to semi-use that as a benchmark in terms of intent of the build. Some strong acceleration, competent handling but not necessarily track-oriented, and comfortable effortless cruising. I still plan to mate whatever I put into to a manual though as I do miss that in my DD. I'm not altogether off something like a Coyote, but in thinking about the "feel," of the vehicle I think something with a bit more time sound profile might be better suited. As much hate as the N63 and its variants get, how it behaves when working well is actually what I'd love to have in here. The n54 from my old 2008 335i would be great too. I'd need to see if anyone is running those with a megasquirt or something similar. I don't think megasquirt can do direction injection yet though, but could be wrong.

I'm not that familiar with the M54 though. Any relation to the N54?

[FORDvsCHEVY]

Fuel injected 454 would be nice shoe horned in ther3.

[JustJohn]

Will be looking for an early 70's XJ6 most likely. We don't have the car yet, but once I finish this C10 project I'll start looking. I've always wanted to build (for myself) a fun pro-touring retro XJ. My personal DD is an F01 Alpina (N63 - yikes), and I'd like to semi-use that as a benchmark in terms of intent of the build. Some strong acceleration, competent handling but not necessarily track-oriented, and comfortable effortless cruising. I still plan to mate whatever I put into to a manual though as I do miss that in my DD. I'm not altogether off something like a Coyote, but in thinking about the "feel," of the vehicle I think something with a bit more time sound profile might be better suited. As much hate as the N63 and its variants get, how it behaves when working well is actually what I'd love to have in here. The n54 from my old 2008 335i would be great too. I'd need to see if anyone is running those with a megasquirt or something similar. I don't think megasquirt can do direction injection yet though, but could be wrong.

I'm not that familiar with the M54 though. Any relation to the N54?

Other than being a BMW straight six, I'm not sure if they share parts. It's the E46 3 series engine also used in the X3 and Z4. Very easy to find and get parts for. The M3 variant puts out a little over 300 naturally aspirated hp.

I've had an E type and a couple of XJS cars myself. I had one of the few Keisler Tremec conversions for the Jag V12 that were produced and his 2.5" exhaust. That was a nice sounding car.

If you're interested in keeping an XK engine, it was mated to a manual transmission in the later US spec XJS cars and should be relatively easy to get. I also bought several uprated V12 parts from here: https://aj6engineering.co.uk/ It's owned by Roger Bywater, who was one of the original Jag V12 development guys. The later straight six engines are essentially just half of a V12 - the DOHC 6 cylinder head will bolt up to half of the original V12.

[cornfedbill]

An oddball swap is an Ecotec 2.0L. If you get the supercharged 2.0L (LSJ) from a 2004-2006 Saturn Ion Redline, or a 2005-2007 Cobalt SS, they will support 500 horsepower on the stock long block, if you swap from the supercharger to a turbo. I have seen them exceed 800 horsepower with internal modifications.

The are light, not too expensive and fit in almost anything. I've seen them in Fieros, S10's, Miatas and BMW's.

The first gen Ariel Atom had the Saab version of this motor.

[Scott Atk]

Pretty sure I'm a 1 of 1 lol. Buick Grand National 3.8 Turbo in a 68 Camaro208562

[Elemental Garage]

Pretty sure I'm a 1 of 1 lol. Buick Grand National 3.8 Turbo in a 68 Camaro208562

Love it! How does it sound?

[Scott Atk]

Not bad in my opinion. Here's my wife cruising by the house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkfTht7Ak4I

[67-LS1]

I put a LFX V6 in my 66 Chevelle as a daily driver. 325 HP, direct injected, DOHC. It’s quiet, efficient and light.
208620208621

[ProTouring442]

I've been thinking about a Duratec 3.7 into my Fox Body Mustang. 300hp, high winding, good mileage, and light weight. I think the Holley systems will support it, but I need to check with Holly/Andrew (andrewb70) to see.

208622

[CTX-SLPR]

I have a 4.1L Buick Turbo6 in my '64 Riviera
208634

[Perry M]

How about an old school LT-5 in a 67 Camaro

[Olds.PhD]

How about an old school LT-5 in a 67 Camaro

Fantastic looking engine. Excellent choice.

[Richard454]

Viper V10s were popular for awhile.

There's a guy on the Corvette forums that dropped a BMW V12 in his C3: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c3-tech-performance/2576520-corvette-v12.html

Yep- that is me.

It's a 5.4L- aluminum block and heads- weighs in under 500lbs. I made a custom intake for 6 pairs of Jenvey 40mm Throttle bodies- Got rid of the twin distributors with (2) GM V6 coil pacs- made a 3 stage dry sump for pan clearance.
All controlled by a MS3PRO.

Before-

208685208686208687

[Elemental Garage]

Not bad? That sounds awesome! Nice work, I'd be proud rolling around with that sound.

[Elemental Garage]

Yep- that is me.

It's a 5.4L- aluminum block and heads- weighs in under 500lbs. I made a custom intake for 6 pairs of Jenvey 40mm Throttle bodies- Got rid of the twin distributors with (2) GM V6 coil pacs- made a 3 stage dry sump for pan clearance.
All controlled by a MS3PRO.



That looks awesome. Do you have a sound clip? I bet that sounds amazing.

[capri v8 driver]

I use a 3.0 v6 from a jaguar S type in my daily driven '69 Ford 20M with the stock ecu and with all the Jag electronics.

208690208690

[CTX-SLPR]

I use a 3.0 v6 from a jaguar S type in my daily driven '69 Ford 20M with the stock ecu and with all the Jag electronics.

208690208690Very nice!

I've been wanting a Daytona Coupe replica with an 3.0L AJ/Duratec V6 since having one in my '03 Lincoln LS daily driver.

[capri v8 driver]

Very nice!

I've been wanting a Daytona Coupe replica with an 3.0L AJ/Duratec V6 since having one in my '03 Lincoln LS daily driver.

Thank you. It turned in to be a nice daily drive. But if i had to do it again i would not have used the Jaguar electronics as it took almost 3 years to get every Jag part like the lighting, heater system ABS ect. working in the 20M without any fault codes.

Instead I should have go with a manual and a MS system to keep it simple. And in that case I might not have used the Jag engine at all but i would opted for a Mercedes M113 engine as these are smaller then the Duratec V6 and more common in Europe.

[79 Camaro]

So my .02 for what it's worth.
I've done a number of LS swaps and really like the power you can get out of them and they don't need to be radical cam wise.
But we have a 2014 Mustang GT with the 5.0/6 speed combo. It's great. The 5.0 at redline (7000 rpm) sounds great. Very fun to drive and I'm a big time LS guy.
I would use latest model 5.0/6 speed/10 speed auto crate engine or low mileage take out combo as you like. I think the latest 5.0 is rated at 460 FWHP.
The other thing to consider is if you ever plan to sell the car for a new project. An "oddball" engine/trans combo could make it really hard to sell and get your money out of it.

[capri v8 driver]

So my .02 for what it's worth.
I've done a number of LS swaps and really like the power you can get out of them and they don't need to be radical cam wise.
But we have a 2014 Mustang GT with the 5.0/6 speed combo. It's great. The 5.0 at redline (7000 rpm) sounds great. Very fun to drive and I'm a big time LS guy.
I would use latest model 5.0/6 speed/10 speed auto crate engine or low mileage take out combo as you like. I think the latest 5.0 is rated at 460 FWHP.
The other thing to consider is if you ever plan to sell the car for a new project. An "oddball" engine/trans combo could make it really hard to sell and get your money out of it.

A LS or a Ford V8 engine would make more sense however i live in Europe and on the European market these are expensive engines to buy and even stock parts are not so common. But we have plenty of Mercedes, Bmw and Jag V8's.