On the subject of Engine swaps...

[Jrscobra]

Curious as to how complicated it is to swap in a current model Ecoboost engine from a Ford into a Spider.

They're small.

As the salvage yards pile up these cars with 1.5 ltr Ecoboost engines, I wonder if anyone has thought about trying something like that?

Most of the swap posts are old.

Any new ideas with these new turbocharged engines?

Jaime

[nelsonj]

From what I've seen, unless you're swapping to another 124 engine (say 1800 to FI 2000), very few projects ever make it to completion. Very few. That's why most opt to improve existing engines (carbs, compression, cams, FI, blueprint...)

Are there any RWD Ecoboost setups?

[70spider]

Are there any RWD Ecoboost setups?

yep the mustang has a 2.3L ecoboost.

[vandor]

I think he meant the 1.5 liter mentioned above. Ford calls all their turbo engines Ecoboost, like the V6 in the F150.

As stated, engine swaps involve such complexity that it is far beyond the capability of the average home grown mechanic. That, plus the Fiat twin cam is a real sweet engine that responds very well to mods.

[zachmac]

Just my two cents but if you want a faster Fiat buy a new one or build up the engine you have. Lots of engineering goes into matching hp and torque to chassis and transmission, springs to weight, etc. etc. etc. Like stated above unless you re-engineer the car holistically you will most likely end up with less than a satisfactory result. I think a good example of the challenges is the electric powered Fiat recently much discussed here. It is clearly being done by professionals with lots of money and expertise and they still haven't produced anything other than an $85 k test mule that breaks the stock drive train if you jump on it, won't go more than about 150 miles before needing an 8 hour charge and has performance numbers worse than a $24k new Fiat Spider.

BUT, as Diesel Spider will attest, there are swaps that work, just with a lot of work.

[MIGHTY 8]

I would cede the floor to V6spider, I believe he's been going at it for close to 15 years at this point!

[DRUMMOND]

Just to keep the conversation interesting

I swapped a V4 for a leaky rotary engine. Can you guess which make? (hmm)
I swapped a 750 cc for a 1000 cc race bike engine.(H**ly Sh*t)
I swapped a 50cc four stroke for a 100cc two stroke Race Kart engine (Its ok cough!) a round with Mike Tyson couldn't have done any worse

It is not a complicated as some would make it out to be. Just meticulous planning is required.

Its all fun & exploration. Some results can be quite exhilarating. Once you have done it, Its hard to shake it!

[70spider]

It is not a complicated as some would make it out to be. Just meticulous planning is required.

My son owns a '73 Toyota Celica and has swapped a 3SGE Beams motor and 6spd trans, that was 2 years ago and it still hasn't made the road. Issues include the header not clearing the steering, trans not clearing the steering linkage, driveshaft, new rear end to take the extra 130hp over stock, etc, etc,..... You get the point. I know eventually he will get it done and it will be an awesome car, however for the amount of money he has spent he could have got a real nice sports car.

[v6spider]

I would cede the floor to V6spider, I believe he's been going at it for close to 15 years at this point!

Thanks Mighty8! Yes it can be done! You have to be determined..and don't go for a lesser power engine. Being as the spider's twin cam engine is a front sump engine..that limits power plant choices unless you are willing to do as I did and redesign the steering and crossmember for a rear sump engine..That opens up possibilities..but none of it is easy.



Here's a video of it running too.
https://youtu.be/4bjyLxJEOG4

Cheers!
Rob

[baltobernie]

From what I've seen ... very few [swap] projects ever make it to completion.

This would be the deal-breaker, IMO. And if you had a beautiful, straight Spider chassis and interior to begin with, well, you should probably think about finishing it with the easy part ... the Fiat power train.

But the 2.3 Ecoboost is a very compact, powerful package. Miata and MG forums abound with swap threads. And as you've discovered, salvage engines are plentiful. With 310 HP, you'd need to upgrade everything back to the rear lug nuts, but what a spectacular result!

[bobplyler]

A guy I used to work with was (is?) swapping a Iron Duke engine into a old Triumph Stag.

He had been working on it for about 5/6 years when he retired about 3 years ago. I don't think it's finished yet.

But, when I was in high school, some guy swapped a small block chevy into a Spitfire.
The car actually broke. Not broke-down. Broke.

[narfire]

A fellow north of me in Kelowna stuffs Chev V-6 into mg's and Tr's. His price is $30,000( cdn $) or so. upgrades the suspension and underbody/frame, replaces rear axle, tranny, upgrades the brakes including the booster and MC, more things as well if I remember but a lot of work and money involved.
Take a look at used Honda 2000's or BMW Z3M (2000-2001) for that extra power with a car that is engineered for that power. Crap thing though is those cars don't have behind the seat room to put the dog(s)
Just my two bits on the engine swap thing...