Many years ago I remember seeing what I still think is one of the best looking CA18DET’s ever put together. It was posted on a forum, and I liked it so much I pm’d the person who’d posted the image. That CA18DET wasn’t bound for the usual S13 Nissan or Datsun 1200 ute, it was built for Glenn’s MK1 Escort, hence the name “Niscort”. Apart from the crossbreed engine conversion, the little Ford receives a full rotisserie build with plenty of rust repairs and custom suspension work. Unfortunately it’s not quite finished yet, but I’ve been checking for updates for so many years I thought I should just go ahead and feature it, enjoy!
Tag: engine conversion
4-cylinder Turbo ’68 Mustang
Wait…what? Yep, a 1968 Ford Mustang on any automotive website (or magazine for that matter) would have you assuming that a stove-hot V8 would be hiding under the bonnet, and 99% of the time you’d be right. When Beau submitted me his ’68 Stang, he pointed me to a certain page on his build thread, and when I got to it I knew why it had to be featured. Beau neglected the 302ci V8 he had waiting to drop into the car and instead opted to go down an unorthordox route, slotting in a 2.3lt turbo 4 cylinder from a Ford Merkur (Sierra). Make no mistake though, this car is more than just an engine swap, with attention paid to suspension, brakes, and interior, stereo, and many other details.
WRX-powered tube-framed Porsche 914
It wasn’t that long ago that I featured another Porsche with a Subaru engine swap, but while the titles may seem similar at first glance, they are two completely different cars. Here we have a Porsche 914 with a Subuaru WRX engine swap, and while that might seem interesting enough on it’s own, this car is about much more than the motor that powers it. Dana, the very talented man behind the build, has had is paws on every part of the car, creating removable tube frame front and rear sections that can be quickly detached from the tub via a trick coupler system, enabling the car to be split into 3 pieces at will. Be sure to check it out in detail.
MotoIQ.com – Project V8 RX7
One of my favourite websites, MotoIQ, has just finished up one of their staff builds, Project V8 RX7. As it’s title suggests, it’s a Mazda RX7 receiving a V8 engine transplant, an California Smog-Legal E-Rod LS3 to be precise. The build is documented in trademark MotoIQ style (more signal, less noise) so head below to check out the build.
Click here for more V8 builds.
B18C Powered Mini
What do you do when your classic Mini no longer provides you with enough forward velocity to quench your desire for speed? Well you could supercharge it, but what if you’ve already tried that route? How about getting your hands on an aftermarket subframe conversion kit and slotting in a DOHC Honda B18C? Thanks to Michael from JDMST for submitting.
For more Mini builds, click here.
1JZ Nissan Cefiro
When I first stumbled across Liam’s Cefiro build it was still in it’s infancy, and I remember thinking to myself “I hope he goes through with this”. As we all know, time and time again build threads are started but sadly not finished, however this was not to be the case. In a matter of months the thread detailed the transformation of a very stock looking Cefiro into a 1JZ powered, kitted and slammed drift/street machine. The updates came in thick and fast, with great photography and a very cool shared workspace, the build is now close enough to completion to be enjoyed by the masses…
Subaru powered Porsche Boxster
Following-on from the last build, here’s another Subaru powered build for your reading pleasure. The only difference is this time the turbocharged flat-4 isn’t sitting in the front of another Impreza, it’s in the back of a Porsche Boxster. This Boxster was bought with a blown motor, so the swap was intended from the get-go. The car is being built to be competitive on the circuit, while at the same time testing the reliability of the engine conversion for future public release.
Thanks to Ben for submitting. Wanna see more Porsche builds? Click here.
LS3 NC MX5
In the past I’ve seen plenty of pictures of NA MX5’s with their windscreens chopped off, hurling around a race track with a minimal amount of metal left on the car in the interests of faster lap times. But I have to say, this would be the first time I’ve seen the same treatment being given to a newer, NC model MX5. Not only has it been put on a healthy weight loss program, it also now has an LS3 V8 sitting in front of the lucky driver, new custom front and rear subframes, plus a whole lot of other stuff you should definitely check out below.
Thanks to Jon for submitting.
F20C TA22
As far as cross breeding goes, I’d say this is pretty subtle. An F20C 2.0L from a Honda S2000 gets transplanted into a 1973 TA22 Toyota Celica. That classic Japanese shape reflects the golden years of JDM styling, while the contemporary heart hailing from a different manufacturer – yet the same country of origin – showcases just how far 4cylinder technology has developed. The owner has managed to capture the best of both worlds, old and new, without going so far as to make a Frankenstein out of the car.
Submitted by Jimmy, a fellow ex-S15 owner from MelbS15.com.
AMS 280Z 2JZ
Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you had/have a great day and all the best for the holiday season, be safe on the roads.
Remember the AMS EVO X? Well the same workshop is now turning their attention to a Nissan 280Z in the form of a 2JZ transplant. The build isn’t finished yet but it’s just too good to wait. It’s being pieced together with the incredible quality of work that you can only expect from a top quality builder such as AMS Performance.
Thanks to Kyusha Kai for submiting, make sure you head over and check out his blog, it’s full of oldschool jdm goodness.