V8 into 2002

[jmiller]

A friend sent me these photos last year when he stopped by a mechanic.  Said the mechanic was not thrilled about the transplant; sacrilege!  Anybody have an idea whose car this is and what the result was?  Photos taken last July somewhere in south SF Bay area.

[Conserv]

The blue car is an e21 (single headlights, so perhaps Euro-spec). I believe the e21 engine compartment is slightly wider than an '02's. But still... I'm guessing that particular V-8 was chosen because it was cheap, not because it was the best match for an e21... ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited July 13, 2020 by Conserv

[Lorin]

6 minutes ago, Conserv said:

The blue car is an e21 (single headlights, so perhaps Euro-spec). I believe the e21 engine compartment is slightly wider than an '02's. But still... I'm guessing that particular V-8 was chosen because it was cheap, not because it was the best fit for an e21... ?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

That appears to be a small block ford, definitely the most compact American V8 and a very good choice for a small car transplant.  
 

The Buick/Olds/Rover 3.5 liter V8 is the only thing smaller but it’s a bit oddball. 
 

A good friend of mine had a Morgan with a 289 Ford in it, fun car !

[steve oneill]

I would have gone for a 283 Chevy, fi, Duntov cam, etc. etc.  Leave that Ford in the dust.

[jmiller]

Doh!  E21!  My bad...should've looked more closely.  Maybe not sacrilege, though.

[rcf925]

I woulda pulled a Ford  inline 4 Eco-Boost from junkyard with all the computer stuff, 300 plus HP with reliability, If your going to all the trouble why not

[jp5Touring]

FAQ Member built a s62 2002,

 

 

[Vicleonardo1]

If Audi can cram a 4.2L V8 into an A4.....why not a 2002? 

Love my RS4. 

Hate Audi $ervice.....

 

 

[Son of Marty]

8 hours ago, steve oneill said:

I would have gone for a 283 Chevy, fi, Duntov cam, etc. etc.  Leave that Ford in the dust.

That small block ford and it's offspring has 150 f1 wins and over 350 podiums from 1966-1987 and it also has 155 indy car wins over the same time line, not even going to go into endurance racing or formula 3000. don't see Chevy anywhere on the win list in this time line.

[steve oneill]

I was referring to the 1/4 mile dragstrip in the late 50's early 60's.

 

Do you by chance know Marty Roach(sp)?

[Son of Marty]

Don't know him but the name rings a bell, 

[Vicleonardo1]

Doesn't Chevy make a 2.0L crate engine? The LTG.  It can be mated with a 6 speed RWD tranny.

Just don't know if it would fit with all the turbochargers etc. 

 

They dropped one in a Nova: 

https://www.chevrolet.com/performance-parts/1967-nova-ltg

 

[2002iii]

12 hours ago, Lorin said:

That appears to be a small block ford, definitely the most compact American V8 and a very good choice for a small car transplant.  
 

The Buick/Olds/Rover 3.5 liter V8 is the only thing smaller but it’s a bit oddball. 
 

A good friend of mine had a Morgan with a 289 Ford in it, fun car !

That in fact is a Buick/Olds/Rover 3.5lliter V8 or a later Buick 300 v8. Hopefully the first since it's all aluminum vs the later cast iron block with aluminum heads.

[tzei]

If one chooses to put an Ford engine in there then it should be Barra. Nothing else makes sense lol.

[AustrianVespaGuy]

I'm not sure even an LS1/2 or S62 V8 could turn an E21 into a good car. . . being bracketed by the absolute apex 2002 and almost-equally-fantastic E30 I'v just never been able to find any love in my heart for the E21.  Some gratefulness, sure, for 245s, LSDs, radiators, wheels, sport steering wheels, seats, and so on, but yeah.  Parts E21 >> driving E21 as far as I'm concerned *shrug.*