Autoblog

Corvette ZR1-powered Chevrolet Silverado has us feeling sleepy

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Truck, Etc., Videos, Chevrolet

Here we have the kind of sleeper that'll wake you up no time: a short-bed, four-wheel-drive Chevrolet Silverado with an LS9 from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. With dyno numbers of 510 horsepower and 504 pound-feet of torque, there's a jump of at least 205 hp and 169 lb-ft over the most powerful factory engine you can get in that truck.

The result? Sound and fury, both of which you can get a taste of in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Corvette ZR1-powered Chevrolet Silverado has us feeling sleepy

Corvette ZR1-powered Chevrolet Silverado has us feeling sleepy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is what a Coyote 5.0L V8 looks like in a 2011 Ford Ranger

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Ford

Ford Coyote 5.0L V8-powered 2011 Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, this certainly sounds ~~dangerous~~ awesome. What you are looking at is a brand-new 5.0-liter Coyote V8 - you know, the one found in the Ford Mustang - shoehorned under the hood of a 2011 Ford Ranger pickup. Talk about a Danger Ranger.

This engine swap comes to us courtesy of S197Forum.com member John, who works for Blow By Racing in Delray Beach, Florida. John states that one of his customers brought in this 2011 Ranger and brought it to the shop for a serious power upgrade. As if the 5.0-liter V8 wasn't enough, this Ranger will also be fitted with a Kenne Bell Mammoth supercharger and a Tremec Magnum T-56 transmission to handle all of the extra grunt.

The finished product should be a total hoot to drive. Let's just hope the suspension (and brakes!) are getting a solid improvement, as well. Head over to S197Forum.com to see the build process.

This is what a Coyote 5.0L V8 looks like in a 2011 Ford Ranger originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Videos, Lotus

1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO conversion - Click above for high-res image gallery.

Strap yourself in, kids - we're in for a whole new fresh batch of awesome. In the world of motor swaps, the Chevrolet 350 will slide its way into anything with four wheels (and some with just two). The Yamaha 3.0-liter V6 found in the first-generation Ford Taurus SHO, on the other hand, is a completely different story. That little bit of kit is only content to power the world's most capable platforms, and since it boasts one of the sexiest intake arrays to ever roll out of a Detroit/Hamamatsu mashup, it looks right at home in the engine bay of, say a 1980 Lotus Esprit.

Which works out, since that's exactly what one intrepid eBay seller has managed to create - a SHO-powered Esprit. The engine uses all of the periphery associated with the front-wheel drive Taurus, including the engine management, but is bolted to the Lotus five-speed gearbox. The seller even says all of the factory gauges remain in place and work accordingly - something most Esprits of this era can't boast - even without a heart transplant. Assuming the Taurus mill is still churning out the same 220 horsepower it made from the factory, you're guaranteed a modest bump over the factory output. Buy it now sits at $15,000.

Sounds like good Mr. Neff has found the perfect replacement for his flawless SHO. Hit the jump for a video walkaround, including the chance to hear this odd British/American/Japanese hybrid firing up.

Gallery: Lotus Esprit SHO

[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos]

eBay Find of the Day: 1980 Lotus Esprit with SHO-under-glass engine swap [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: PIA/Cobb Tuning give the full STI swap treatment to Subaru Forester

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Videos, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru STi-into-Forester swap - Click above to watch video after the jump

Pacific Import Auto (PIA) came across a Subaru Impreza WRX STi that had been removed from service by a telephone pole. With a new Subaru Forester at their disposal the Pacific Northwest tuning shop decided to marry the two, throw in a generous number of Cobb parts, and the result is a mean white wagon with 295 horsepower and 325 ft-lb. of torque - at the wheels. For comparison, a 2010 Forrester's engine is rated at 224 horses.

The man behind the project said he wanted "a nice looking car, something that nobody else had," so little has changed outside. Underneath, in addition to the beating-again heart of the STi, Cobb contributed a downpipe, front and rear sway bars, and AccessPort ECU remapper. In back, an SPT exhaust is responsible for that deep down sound. Follow the jump to watch the video story.

[Source: StreetFire]

Continue reading VIDEO: PIA/Cobb Tuning give the full STI swap treatment to Subaru Forester

VIDEO: PIA/Cobb Tuning give the full STI swap treatment to Subaru Forester originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Nissan, Specialty

1972 Datsun 510 with VQ35DE power - Click above for image gallery

This eBay listing has been dubbed "the perfect swap" by some of our bloggers. From the outside, it looks like any other lovable Datsun 510 with some funky wheels. Pop the hood, however, and the reason for our lust becomes obvious. Shoehorned into the slot previously occupied by the L-Series lump is a red-hot VQ35DE. Yep, the very same sweet-revving engine you'll find in a 350Z or G35. In fact, we'd love to pick this thing up and do a comparo with a Infiniti G37. Better yet, whoever buys it, get in touch with us and we'll give you the details on how to drop it off with one of our trained staff. We promise we'll treat it well.

The seller says this is the only known VQ35 510 swap in the U.S. and that it was a labor of love. Love - and $25,000, that is. The owner claims he could have built his hybrid a lot cheaper, but he overbuilt it just in case he "caught the boost bug." He reckons it'll handle up to 500 horsepower, although it's currently generating pretty close to the stock 287. Don't let that fool you though. The list of mods on this thing is almost as long as HR 3200. We've pasted them in after the jump along with a video clip of this little beast in action. Click through for the full rundown and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: Datsun 510 VQ35DE swap

[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari engine served Sunny side up

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:05:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Nissan, Ferrari

Some auto enthusiasts happened to be walking past their local Nissan dealer and were surprised to see a Ferrari badge peaking out at them from a crumpled wreck in the corner of the shop. On closer inspection they noticed the car was a complete write-off, but that it was also missing its drivetrain. Then they noticed a group of five mechanics huddled around a sporty looking Sunny (Sentra) on the other end of the garage. You can probably guess what they found when they sauntered over for a closer look. The newly-mid-engine Nissan Sunny has had quite a power upgrade. With twice as many cylinders and roughly 380 hp to play with, this F355-engined pocket rocket should be quite a wild ride. We hope they add a little rear ventilation in the extreme makeover. Revenge of the '80s, it's the return of the killer Bs.

[Source: Hemmings]

Ferrari engine served Sunny side up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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V6-powered Nissan Sentra--insane engine swap

John Neff — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Budget, Sedan, Performance

If it weren't for those people with a lot of free time on their hands we wouldn't get to marvel at such a mechanical masterpiece as this--a B15 Sentra (current gen.) with a VQ35DE engine. The VQ engine used for this project is the same venerable six-cylinder found in the Altima, Maxima, 350Z, G35... you get the picture. The VQ makes those cars fast, but it makes this car ridiculously fast. Try passing the traps in 12.9 seconds at 105 mph in a FWD pocket rocket normally restricted to 15.7 seconds at 88 mph.

Credit for the engine swap goes to a member of the SR20 Forum by the name of unlucky who eventually plans to offer his swap as a kit for not only the B15 Sentra, but the B13 (1991-1994) and B14 (1995-1999), as well. He's looking for a donor car on which to prototype those kits, so if you're insane and have $4,500 to donate to the project, you'll end up with a Sentra whose front wheels turn to the tune of 250 wheel-horsepower. That's as crazy a combination as the 300-hp, FWD Caliber SRT-4.

[Thanks Dave for the tip!]

V6-powered Nissan Sentra--insane engine swap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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