Engine swap opinions

catfishblues

catfishblues

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2005
Location
Pfafftown, NC
Alright. Not exactly tech here, but I'm looking for opinions and options. I've got a 1973 Ford Courier at the house. Original aluminum 1800, Weber carb, 4-speed with shite syncros. I'd like to swap it out for a fuel-injected aluminum 4-pot that will be reliable and simple to slap in there. I'd also like to put in a 5-speed in better shape. So far, the simplest option looks like the FE motor from 95-02 Kia Sportages. The block casting is the same as the 1800 Mazda in the truck, but it's a better alloy, dual cam, fuel-injected motor. Should bolt to the 4-speed or a later model 5-speed if I can find one. I might even have a lead on a good motor. However, I'm looking for other interesting options, maybe something with better aftermarket support.

Basically, what would y'all do? No V-8s. Not building a hot rod here, just a dependable driver. Trying to keep one more Courier from the crusher.
 
VW diesel. Simple, good torque, very fuel efficient.
 
jeepinmatt said:
VW diesel. Simple, good torque, very fuel efficient.
Click to expand...

On the table. I've worked on a few. Not the simplest motors, and hard to find parts/knowledge on the earlier ones. Also, really expensive to do right. Probably going to stick with gas unless I come across the right deal. There's a Samurai 1.6TD swap on the list right now with the transmission, but dude wants $2000 for everything.

1-tonmudder said:
Madza rotary.
Click to expand...

Shite gas mileage, potential can of worms, no low-end torque. If it was my truck for the long haul, I'd consider it, but it's only going to be mine for a few years, then it's going back to my less-than-mechanically-inclined friend.
 
4.0 v6 - early model (99 and under? Might include 0 or 1, one way to tell if the valve covers are plastic it's a late model) uses pushrods instead of two sets of chains, 2.5 i4. Both can be had with rwd 5 sp manuals.

FE motors aren't too bad, I thought the one I had in a sportage wasn't too great but then again that motor had been Cooked by the PO... Only thing that let it move well was the fact it was a 5sp and let it redline before shifting.. of course my daily is a 4.0 Cherokee so there isn't really a comparison since the sportage and Cherokee weigh about the same.. turbo would help..
 
Last edited:
Nothing to contribute except I learned to drive a stick shift in the woods at my grandpa's place when I was 11 in a 73 courier 4 speed. I drove that thing for hours once a month when we'd go visit from 11 to 16.

Vw diesel has my vote, because diesel. Though if it were mine it'd either be v8 swapped or a Ford 2.3 turbo but I have a problem where I value performance over reliability, LOL.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
A buddy in high school had a old Courier 4x4 rolling on 33's or 35's can't remember that was over 25 years ago. We use to tear up some trails in it when we would skip school. Thought it was bad ass just weak as shit due to the tires and the 4 banger. It was my favorite color at the time, redneck silver also known as primer gray.
 
3.0 V6 out of a late 90s early 00 Ford Ranger.


Or you could really dig deep and drop an Ecoboost in it
 
You're roughly the same weight as a NC-chassis Miata (roughly 2500 pounds), and that 170HP 2-liter and 5 or 6 speed manual trans would be a good option. You have 10 years worth of Miatas to choose from in that generation, so should be easy to find. There's your aftermarket support as well, including turbo or supercharger kits....

As light as that truck is, I'd get a car engine and not some slow revving 4-cyl truck anchor that starts gasping for breath at 4kRPM and has a massively heavy flywheel.

I would also say Subaru for fun torque, but there aren't any good RWD transmission options without needing to use a custom adapter or custom bellhousing, clutch, etc., so that's a separate decent project in itself.
 
Last edited:
Fabrik8 said:
You're roughly the same weight as a NC-chassis Miata (roughly 2500 pounds), and that 170HP 2-liter and 5 or 6 speed manual trans would be a good option. You have 10 years worth of Miatas to choose from in that generation, so should be easy to find. There's your aftermarket support as well, including turbo or supercharger kits....

As light as that truck is, I'd get a car engine and not some slow revving 4-cyl truck anchor that starts gasping for breath at 4kRPM and has a massively heavy flywheel.
Click to expand...

Miata motor is a possibility , but the Trans shifter is too far back to maintain the bench seat, and that's a deal breaker there. Also, Miata scrappers are proud of their parts.
 
catfishblues said:
Miata motor is a possibility , but the Trans shifter is too far back to maintain the bench seat, and that's a deal breaker there. Also, Miata scrappers are proud of their parts.
Click to expand...

Depending on the generation of transmission, you might be able to relocate the shifter. Some of them appear to mount the shifter box and shaft on top of the tailhousing similar to some of the Tremec stuff..

Actually, if you can find something to adapt a T5 to a Miata engine, you'll be set.
 
I got a buddy that is a diesel tech he just offered me a whole TDI swap engine transmission and every thing needed to swap in something for 1100$ if you're interested I can get some details

Sent from my Z963U using Tapatalk
 
I have no knowledge of this swap, but what about pulling the 4cyl motor and tranny out of a 2wd Tacoma?
 
Mercedes OM617, Much easier swap than a TDI
 
My Dad had one with a 1800 fuel injected Mazda engine. He got it from my Grandpa, who used it in his peach orchards.
Grandpa got it from another peach orchard owner.
Geared God-awful low and had 1 ton leaf springs under it .... so it may not have been factory.

Matt
 
IMG_20161109_160913.jpg
IMG_20161109_160902.jpg
My buddy said that it's a 02 with 260,000 and he would Give you any part off the car to do the swap for 1400$ it's his personal car the his dad let roll down a hill and hit a tree

Sent from my Z963U using Tapatalk
 
Bhudgins said:
View attachment 231036View attachment 231037My buddy said that it's a 02 with 260,000 and he would Give you any part off the car to do the swap for 1400$ it's his personal car the his dad let roll down a hill and hit a tree

Sent from my Z963U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I'll pass on that one. There's still a bunch of stuff to turn it 90° in an engine bay and convert the injection to a purely mechanical system. I've seen it done, but the 1.9TDi is a way more involved swap than I want to attempt on this.
 
drkelly said:
I have no knowledge of this swap, but what about pulling the 4cyl motor and tranny out of a 2wd Tacoma?
Click to expand...
the 2.7 4cyl is a pretty badass little motor
 
Back
Top