Kinda scared asking this, non Fcar powerplant swapped into a Fcar? | FerrariChat

Kinda scared asking this, non Fcar powerplant swapped into a Fcar?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Trey W, Dec 29, 2009.

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  1. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
    41
    Northern Virginia
    It is probably frowned upon, just curious but has anybody done it? If so, links and pics are welcome :D
     
  2. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    Lots of 212's and 250's got Chevy V8's put in them in the old days. A number of 400's got Chevy motors too.
     
  3. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
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    And those were the old days, so let's keep them in the past.
     
  4. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    What car? Is this hypothetical or do you have a carcass? I have no issues with it but if I'm going to put in my .02 cents I want to know what we're working with. I think it would be an amazing irony to see a 308 or TR with a Fiero engine in it, although I believe there are better options.
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    I don't know about that. In a 400 I think its a real improvement.
     
  6. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

    Nov 23, 2006
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    My opinion is that it shouldn't be done, particularly with Chevy engines. Drop a Fiero engine in a 308 or TR and everyone will think you just have a kit car.

    I did meet a 308 owner who said he's not worried about timing belts; he could simply drop a Northstar engine in it if he trashed the 308 engine. . . I think he was kidding.
     
  7. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
    41
    Northern Virginia
    I was just curious...Sort of thinking of finding a clapped out fcar in the future to swap something in it to make a fun/less maintenance/reliable track car.
     
  8. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
    41
    Northern Virginia
    If the Ferrari wouldn't of had such a name behind it, that would be a good swap. Those engines have some ponies behind them.
     
  9. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    The engines are usually the stronger part of the drive train. It's all the other "cheap" bits that you have to worry about. You then worry about weight of the substitute motor and location, which could really upset the balance of the overall car. You're better off just spending the money on a good one.

    Besides, one of the best track cars out there is a 308 GT4. Relatively simple to maintain and still affordable.
     
  10. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    I think you need to drive a Ferrari first. The engine is kind of the whole point of it. They really are different.
     
  11. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Chevy small blocks have been placed in Mondials and 308/328s, in both transverse and longitudinal mode. A 308 running around somewhere actually does have a Fiero subframe and powerplant. There are multiple 308s running 355 drivetrains, and there's a 348 running a turbo 4 of some type. Northstar V8s are relatively popular too.

    If it can be conceived, someone has probably tried it.
     
  12. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
    41
    Northern Virginia
    Well if I ever done anything like this I would certainly find some room in there for 180* headers to hopefully make it sound somewhat like a true Ferrari engine.
     
  13. VisualHomage

    VisualHomage F1 Veteran

    Aug 30, 2006
    5,611
    San Antonio
    This can work for custom hot rods or lowriders.

    The upside of swapping in an American V8 is reliability and ease of repair and cheapness to run. You'd never be wanting or waiting for parts. You could go to Autozone or NAPA for your engine parts. This would make sense even more if your Ferrari body and chassis were coming from a car that was a salvage title, or a sad case of rust that you repaired and turned into a hot rod.

    Having a mint/stock looking Ferrari with an American V8... I'd stay away from that. It has to be a hot rod or drag car to get away with it.
     
  14. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
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    A Porsche 924 is a good well balanced track car without the expense of buying a Ferrari carcass. I also like X1/9s as fun get arounds if you want Italian.
     
  15. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    I don't see the benefit of doing this. Original is better.
     
  16. ND Flack

    ND Flack Formula 3

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    #16 ND Flack, Dec 29, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2009
  17. THudgins

    THudgins Rookie

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    #17 THudgins, Dec 29, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2009
    Not quite the same, but I remember someone in the mid 80's trying to fit a V12 from a wrecked 365 into a 308 GTS like the post above, but not as detailed IIRC. I always wondered how that turned out. Back on track: even though its heresy to think about, the idea of a modern powerplant from a ZR1 fitted to a restored Maserati Indy or a 365-400i is compelling. It would be faster, cleaner, get better gas mileage, start on the first turn of the key, be less tempremental and cheaper to fix. However, it just wouldn't sound the same....
     
  18. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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  19. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
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    Northern Virginia
  20. Trey W

    Trey W Rookie

    Dec 27, 2009
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    Northern Virginia
  21. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 TheMayor, Dec 29, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2009
  22. 95spiderman

    95spiderman F1 World Champ
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    i blew one of the heads on my ferrari within week of getting it and considered engine swap vs repair but only briefly. cost/effort would be same in end and never sound as good. enzo himself felt the motor was the most important part of his cars.

    those vettes do sound good but lack the high pitch scream of ferrari at redline. no one else has it and is THE key to the experience for me
     
  23. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    Feb 19, 2006
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    I know a guy a few towns over who has a 250GTE with a crate motor in it. He bought it that way along with the OEM drivetrain. Still looking for the motor. The car is SPECTACULAR! Just has an American motor in it. Someday he'll get it back to original. :)

    JIM
     
  24. robert_c

    robert_c F1 Rookie

    May 12, 2005
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  25. Ak Jim

    Ak Jim F1 Veteran
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    Dec 23, 2007
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    OUCH that hurts!
     

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