Good Cars w/ Questionable Engines

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 12/09/2016 at 11:32 • Filed to: Engine Swaps

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I like the idea of a “good” car with a “bad” engine (in terms of power, maintenance, parts, reliability) because it could be made into a “great” car for the small price of swapping in a better engine. Like how I could be an awesome all-around student of automotive design if I could trade brains with Ian Callum or Adrian Newey.

Some cars that come to mind immediately include the Nissan 300ZX, due to poor availability of parts for the VG-series V6 engine. It’s a great-looking car, but a difficult companion if daily driving is your goal:

Also any car with a rotary engine could be made less maintenance-intensive with a different powerplant swapped in. The FD RX-7 is another great-looking and high-performing car, just a heart transplant away from being perfect...*

*Not to say rotaries can’t be perfect too...

I’ve only described two-door Japanese coupes from the ‘90s but I’m sure there’s more variety out there. What other cars’ most problematic features are their engines?

crowmolly > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:35

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Make all the RATT and Quiet Riot jokes you want, but these things can be great with some extra power.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:36

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Not a bad engine per se, but it’s no fun having to explain to people that it comes from a Lexus RX.

Wacko > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:36

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RX-8

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly 12/09/2016 at 11:39

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305 V8's were the F body’s biggest problem in the 80's.

HammerheadFistpunch > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/09/2016 at 11:40

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Still stupid high on my want list. I don’t even want the S, just a normal evora please. The 2GR is actually a great sounding, well rounded, and eager revving motor.

Berang > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:41

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way2blu does a rev update > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/09/2016 at 11:42

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I’d be all kinds of all over one of those if it had an inline-5 or a V8... Not sure either would fit though.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/09/2016 at 11:42

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My fiancé has the 2GR in her Rx350... that sucker is fast but torque steers like crazy. My dad and I are talking about finding a W20 Mr2 and putting the 2GR in the back. Would be fantastic.

Wacko > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:43

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not not only is the engine rubbish, the transmission is also bad

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > HammerheadFistpunch 12/09/2016 at 11:43

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With prices for the early base models/S (which are the ones I’d want, before they cluttered the styling) getting so low, I’d certainly consider one if I were in the s$40,000-$50,000 market.

way2blu does a rev update > Wacko 12/09/2016 at 11:44

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That facelifted model with the wheels from the MazdaSpeed3 looks so much better than the original:

HammerheadFistpunch > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/09/2016 at 11:44

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yeah, I have been in love with these from the first time I saw one. They look so great in person.

Pickup_man > crowmolly 12/09/2016 at 11:46

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I still miss my ‘89. It was pretty worn out but it was a blast, that 305 though, just no.

way2blu does a rev update > Berang 12/09/2016 at 11:48

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I recall reading the early Fieros came with a 4-speed manual transmission which would have to go as well. If there’s a transverse 5/6-speed manual gearbox that would fit (and maybe a V8 too) it could be epic...

jasmits > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:51

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Mine. Every part of the second gen 4Runner is well designed and well excecuted besides the (by Toyota standards) not terribly reliable and not at all powerful V6. 150 horsepower out of a 3.0 V6??

way2blu does a rev update > Wacko 12/09/2016 at 11:51

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Does the DeLorean have any redeeming qualities besides the looks and the gullwing doors? Even handling characteristics? I’ve never seen one on a racetrack or at autocross, ever.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:53

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I think I’ve seen a Fiero on a thread somewhere with a Northstar V8

way2blu does a rev update > jasmits 12/09/2016 at 11:55

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Your 4Runner deserves better... Will a 1UZ-FE V8 fit in there?

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:56

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Not really, it was slow and heavy. Even though John Delorean got Lotus to work on the handling, they ignored much of what Lotus said in pursuit of safety.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 12/09/2016 at 11:57

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LOL03!

Wacko > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 11:57

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Stainless Steel?

but we can’t forget it’s a product from another time.  

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/09/2016 at 11:57

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N* Fieros are surprisingly common, but not as common as 3400 V6s.

way2blu does a rev update > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 12/09/2016 at 11:59

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Was it this one?

It looks like they removed the trunk space in the back for MORE ENGINE!

Wacko > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:01

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the original does have a sucker fish vibe to it.

Mercedes Streeter > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:02

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First generation W450 smarts (1998-2007)

The diesel engine makes this car absolutely perfect. Slow as hell, but nearly 80 mpg.

The petrol engines are...unfortunate. They have an average lifespan of only 40,000 miles before they have to be rebuilt. Basically a rotary engine without the rotary fun.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:03

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Should have been hailed as a return to its roots, but instead they put a wheezy base Corolla motor in it. Drop a 2ZZ and you got yourself a baby Lotus.

TheJWT > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:06

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My car has a truck engine...

way2blu does a rev update > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/09/2016 at 12:10

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It looks like a Boxster but without the maintenance costs... I assume the chassis can handle more power than what Toyota deemed it worthy of?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:11

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Iirc an LS4 fits nicely.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:11

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The V8 lotus Esprit.

It has the looks (except the pop up headlights), it’s great engine until something goes wrong.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:12

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2ZZ swaps are fairly common, but not as common as putting a turbo on the original engine since even though it’s underwhelming, it’s pretty bulletproof. These things decimated my local autoX in South Florida.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:15

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Old School edition:

Mid 80's BMW 318i

Maybe the most colossally underpowered car e-v-e-r. If you’ve driven one you may have noticed how it redefines “glacial” lol How did they ever sell millions of these??

>and<

Sibling E28 528e

Not *quite* as woefully underpowered as the 318i but still a pitiful engine in an amazingly rigid/solid body and chassis deserving far better

Maybe not the all-time winners but worthy members of the “good-car-bad-engine” club

djmt1 > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/09/2016 at 12:17

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The engine was fine it was the garbage gearbox that was the problem with these.

CalzoneGolem > Wacko 12/09/2016 at 12:25

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They should have just kept making these. Minimal visual changes and the biggest v6 they can fit in it.

Bytemite > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/09/2016 at 12:29

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Why they didn’t have a trim level with the 2zz is beyond me.

Could have gone GT - 1ZZ, GT-S - 2ZZ, just like the Celica, but noooo.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Bytemite 12/09/2016 at 12:31

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Could have just made it a 2ZZ only like how the OG MR2 is 4AGE only.

Bytemite > HammerheadFistpunch 12/09/2016 at 12:32

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Why would you want this over the Exige though?

Blind Willie Tyresmoke Namington IV > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:33

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I actually prefer the original. It’s kind of more elegant I guess?

HammerheadFistpunch > Bytemite 12/09/2016 at 12:37

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Because I wouldn’t use it as a track day only toy. The Exige is to hardcore to use daily.

My bird IS the word > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:42

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Porsche 944. 35k timing belt changes. Ls swaps are popular.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Bytemite 12/09/2016 at 12:43

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2+2!

Noodles > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 12:53

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Saab Sonett. Beautiful and slow.

DynamicWeight > Wacko 12/09/2016 at 12:57

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The engine is the whole point of the car! Grrrr booooo hisssss!

LongbowMkII > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 12/09/2016 at 13:03

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Enough 3500 and 3900 engines should be floating around to find themselves in the back of these

LongbowMkII > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 12/09/2016 at 13:04

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Except? Get out.

LongbowMkII > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 13:06

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I’ll go ahead and toss out the KA powered S13/14s

Tareim - V8 powered > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 13:12

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anything will fit if you’re brave enough :D

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > LongbowMkII 12/09/2016 at 13:14

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Because they are a terrible inefficient design that ruins great body lines.

Sam > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 13:26

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My 95 530i. The 3.0L V8 produces the same power as the I6 in the 535i, but consumes waaaaaaay more gasoline. So it literally has 0 reason to exist.

jasmits > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 13:34

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It’s pretty much plug-and-play if it were an auto but mine isn’t(thank god). The price for an adapter bellhousing makes it not worth it over a 5VZ V6 and TRD supercharger from the next generation 4Runner which will match straight up with my tranny because they still used it in the next-gen 4Runner.

All that said once I graduate college I’ll be at a crossroads in deciding if I’m going to build up the 4Runner as a dedicated overland/off-road rig or choose something else as a starting point.

nerd_racing > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 14:36

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Dusty Ventures > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 16:10

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Can’t believe everyone forgot about this.

Imagine if this thing drove (and sounded) the way it looked

Nauraushaun > way2blu does a rev update 12/09/2016 at 16:21

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I’ve daily driven two Z32s with very few issues :) I don’t think they’re so bad at all. In fact I’ve never heard people complain about parts availability, usually it’s difficulty in wworking on the cramped engine bay. Particularly the turbos