Hey everyone, Josh here! We just dropped Episode 9 of our podcast, and man, it feels good to be back at it. September was a whirlwind, with back-to-school craziness and kids’ sports. You know the drill! But we managed to squeeze in some serious garage time, and this episode is all about the wild world of unconventional engine swaps.
We kicked things off by admitting we’re a little behind schedule. It’s October 4th, and we’re just releasing September’s episode! But hey, life happens, right? We’re committed to getting back on track, especially since I already filmed October’s episode yesterday.
Speaking of garage time, I’ve been wrestling with a ’77 Buick Electra. And let me tell you, it’s been a ride. We decided to drop a 472 Cadillac engine into it – a beast of a motor with 385 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque. It was a three-day thrash, but totally worth it. Check out the video to see the madness!
One of the biggest hurdles was the lack of documentation. It felt like we were charting uncharted territory. We had to fabricate a lot of stuff, and things didn’t always go smoothly. Let’s just say, “preparedness” wasn’t exactly the word that came to mind when we first tried to turn that motor over. But hey, it runs now, and that’s what matters!
On a more positive note, Alex managed to drive four of his project rigs in the same day. That’s a win in my book! Meanwhile, I have been making progress on the Big Chief, building a sweet fold-down windshield frame.
But let’s get to the meat of the episode: unconventional engine swaps. We started by defining what we consider a “conventional” swap. Think LS swaps, small block Chevys, and Coyote swaps – basically, anything with readily available kits and parts. We have nothing against these swaps, but we wanted to explore the more… eccentric side of things.
Why go unconventional? For me, it’s all about the cool factor. I love seeing something unique under the hood. Like my dad’s Model T with a Buick nailhead, or that Cadillac Herse 6×6 with a Detroit diesel out of a tank. We also talked about a Bumpside Ford with a 4BT Cummins, and a bunch of other wild swaps.
We also discussed the dollars-per-horsepower aspect. Sometimes, an unconventional swap can give you more bang for your buck. For instance, we got that Cadillac 472 for $750, which is a steal for that kind of power.
But there are things to consider before diving into an unconventional swap. Aftermarket support is crucial. Finding parts for some of these engines can be a nightmare. We learned that the hard way with the Cadillac 500 oil pan. And don’t even get me started on the cost of performance parts!
Availability is another factor. Some engines are just harder to come by. And then there’s the fabrication aspect. Be prepared to get creative with motor mounts, oil pans, and everything in between.
Despite the challenges, I’m a firm believer that the rewards of an unconventional swap are worth it. There’s something special about having a vehicle that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
So, if you’re thinking about doing an engine swap, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. You might just end up with something truly awesome.
Wheel it Wreck it Wrench it Repeat, until next time, see ya!
– Josh
Generate Audio Overview
Days of Pain and Victory 
Leave a comment