Customer Reviews

Engine Swapping Tips and Techniques (Hot Rod Shop Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As has been mentioned in previous reviews, this book is very dated. The copyright is 1989, but it appears to have been written in ~1980. Consequently, treat this as a classic book that outlined the engine-swapping scene of the late 70's - early 80's. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as it will still be useful for those starting out on their "old school" (rear wheel drive & carbureted) hot rod. If you are looking to stick an American big-block in an old car, this is not a bad read. On the other hand, it will be completely useless to the ricers in the world who want to replace one fuel-injected FWD engine with another. There are many useful tables in the book that give dimensions of different engines so you can check for space without actually having to go out and measure different engines yourself.

The majority of the book is about all the things you need to think about BESIDES the engine swap. For instance - the steering linkage, the suspension, cooling, etc etc. If you are a complete novice to this world, it gives you some things to think about for your own project. It also spends a good deal of time on transmissions, including manual 4-speeds such as the Muncie.

The downside to this book is the cheapness in the reproduction. The images are black and white and very poor in comparison to modern books. It almost has the feel of being replicated on a copy machine.

Even though this book is several years old now its still a good book that covers all the important factors to consider when planning any engine swap.There is plenty of information covering each topic.This will give you an idea why engine swapping can be expensive.Plenty of photos throughout.An old book but a good book.Good value.If you are thinking of modifying any car and considering an engine swap read this book first.

Putting a Rover V8 into anything? Want an ideal starting book? This is the one! Little american bias but very very useful for V8 transplants.

Although the book was well written and offered some good information about possible engine swaps, there were no Ford swaps whatsoever. I would have thought that a V-8 swap into an early Mustang or Falcon would have at least generated some interest from the author, but it seemed that if you don't own a GM or Chrysler product it's not worth the trouble writing about. However, the information contained in this book is worth reading, if for no other reason than just learning the various means and methods used to overcome obstacles encountered when swapping different engine/trans combinations into other vehicles.

I received this book quicker than expected, in great shape and at a good price. Very pleased with the book and the vendor for both turned out to be extremely good. Unless you were getting the book for free you couldn't ask for anything more.

This is a barely updated book published as a Peterson's title in the late 70s, and while the basics (as applied to RWD cars with front engines) haven't changed, the laws have and so have the reasons for swapping in most cases. The most popular subjects for engine swaps today are four wheel drive vehicles, particularly outside the USA where no off-road vehicle is taken seriously without a diesel engine.

A new edition of this book could be very good, especially if written with non-US readers as well as Americans in mind.