Weekly Megathread: Project Car Purchasing and Engine Swap Questions
Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 16 comments
As a reminder, all requests for recommendations or advice on "if this is a good project car to buy" or inquiries on what engine swap will fit your vehicle go here!
Individual posts that are not about specific issues with engine swaps will be removed and redirected here.
Please let all top level comments to this post be related questions so that threads stay organized. Thanks for posting/advising!
YesIreadDoujinshi@reddit
Hello! I'm looking to buy my first project car and I really want something that turns eyes and is a bit of a classic. Right now I'm stuck between getting a bmw e36/e46 or a subaru impreza. Which one would you recommend? Right now I've found both for around 4-5k. For a bit of context I live in Europe and part availability could be a potential issue for the impreza, but I just think it looks better. I'm really torn between the two and would really appreciate some advice, as well as other suggestions.
Stronze@reddit
4fae swap out for 95 corolla 1.6l
4gae is not realistic due to junkyard availability and online pricing. I can blow 10k on far better things.
A lexus fwd v6 appears it could fit in the compartment without modification from onine images but how much rewiring would be required?
hamburglerorjeff@reddit
I’m looking to get an Rx7 FC as my first project car. I do understand the issues with getting a rotary engine and I am willing to work with it. However, any that run are at least a state over from me. Rebuilding the engine would only be an option once I got back to my state. Is there anything other than an oil change and keeping it higher in rpms that I should look out for/do?
Voidyouentertain@reddit
I'd like to buy a 4th,5th,6th gen Honda Civic, but in my area they are stupid overpriced. Anyone know of a car that's cheap, available, preferably 4cyl, manual, good aftermarket, that can make some power with a turbo?
TomGissing@reddit
Scion TC. Fantastic value for money.
Voidyouentertain@reddit
This is honestly a really good one. My buddy had one in manual. Thank you.
Goproguy27@reddit
Looking at this 1976 GMC Sierra (seller listed it as a Chevy K25 but I suppose it’s similar). $3k, rust but not a rotbox and not on anything important. Runs and drives, auto with 4wd and a camper shell. Anyone have any experience on these? It’ll be my first car project, not looking to fully restore a car but more home my mechanical skills and give me something to focus on and be able to work on without being complex and super expensive. Any advice is appreciated
BubbaDogSlaw1@reddit
Hello! Looking to get my first project car. Any recommendations for models/makes/years? New to working on cars and want something easy to learn on. Already seen suggestions for Toyota Camry, Honda Civic and Jeep XJ Cherokee. Any other suggestions appreciated, would love to work on American or Asian cars in particular!
TomGissing@reddit
What cars are you excited about? Start there then find a version of that type of car that is project car friendly. Being motivated to work on something is a huge part of project cars so buying something purely because it has readily available parts and is easy to work on is not the right starting point.
booped1@reddit
hello im trying to swap an 84 v8 ford motor into a 2000 f150 frame and wondering what id need to do to get the motor mounts to fit or if i need a specialty part, ive a welder so if i need to fabricate a mount i think i can
SeymourBoobeez@reddit
Just happened to stumble upon here, perfect timing too. I’ve got a 67 Riviera, currently has all original everything, but a misfire on cyl 1 and low compression. I was originally planning on taking out the 430 and having it rebuilt, but I’m not entirely sure who to bring it to. I’ve never rebuilt a motor before, so considered also just taking my sweet time with it and doing it myself. If I do end up doing it myself, I think while it’s out and I’m learning about the 430, I’m considering throwing in an LQ4. My biggest worry is will Microsquirt work for this application? I have absolutely 0 tuning experience and knowledge, so I’ll be getting a tune done. I’ll also be looking to grab the pre-fab harness for the LQ. After MS, my biggest concern is engine mounts. I have 0 experience fabricating anything like that. Would the adjustable LS swap mounts be something to look at? Or would I have to have something custom made?
Temporary-Win-1523@reddit
Is this a good project car to buy? Seller is asking 7500. Is this appropriate price?
Temporary-Win-1523@reddit
Picture of interior
GronkiMonki@reddit
I am looking to build a modified W222, specifically a C217 from 2018 (4Matic S560). This C217, like other S560s, comes with a M176, which to my knowledge is a modified version of the M177, the M177 being the version fitted into the AMG S63, E63S C63 etc.
I want to buy an inexpensive 2018+ C217 and swap its engine with a M177.
Specifically, I want to swap the M176 engine of a 4Matic S560 with a 4Matic M177 from eBay. The engine has 4k miles, and is from 2023. The seller says I may have to remove some oil pans, get a new transmission, tune ECU etc to make it work in my 2018 S560. Please ask me any questions that will help with your responses, I’m brand new to the car world so here is what im looking for from this post:
TL;DR: trying to purchase an S63 by buying a lower trim and engine swapping.
Please correct me on wherever I am wrong, like I said im brand new to cars. I will add more questions as they come to mind, any and all suggestions are appreciated, thank you in advance for your input!
John12553@reddit
I wanna do a 60s muscle car as my first real project car. I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on a car? I was looking a 70 barracuda but was wondering if there are any other better options?
87eebboo1@reddit
I work in a fab shop and we deal with old stuff. Mustang/camaro and other popular classic cars have a ton of aftermarket and reproduction support, however you get what you pay for. Cheap repops end up costing more in labor and time to fit properly. We have a 67 fastback in the shop and the owner got a new hood, fender and doors cheap, but has spent more on labor for us to make them fit properly than if he got high end new or original parts. There is also the “mustang tax” as we like to call it. Mustang parts are usually way more expensive than parts for other similar cars.