When it comes to improving your engine’s performance, cold-air intakes and headers can help a little. If you want to go further with the modifications, you can tune the ECU (electronic control unit) or install stronger internal components. However, swapping your vehicle engine is another way to transform your car’s performance.
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So, what exactly goes into swapping a car engine?
An engine swap is both as simple and not as simple at the same time. At its core, it is just about replacing a car’s original motor with a different one. However, as engine swaps have risen in prominence and popularity, they’ve also gotten more complicated.
Firstly, swapping out a gas or diesel engine for an electric motor is now possible. Several companies are even developing modular ‘crate’ motors for this purpose. But even if you’re exchanging one gasoline engine for another, it’s not quite as easy as loosening a few screws.
New engines need radiators, air intakes, exhaust pipes, etc. Plus, depending on the kind of engine swap you’re doing, it may require its own transmission. Then there’s the little issue of figuring out how all these parts come together into your existing car.
Also, modern powertrains have many interconnected electrical components. And not simply the ECU and the O2 sensor. As Road & Track describes Flyin’ Miata’s V8 ND Miata, “The headlights chat with the steering rack. The windshield wipers talk to the driveline. The fuel gauge relies on calculated [sic] fuel economy to project an accurate tank level. Vehicle engines are a delicate structure, and pulling one piece can crash the whole system.”
But why would anyone go through all this effort to swap a car engine?
The reason most people swap engines is due to performance. But, many Nigerians are now considering vehicle engine swaps due to the increase in fuel prices. However, performance has always been the major reason why many swap their engine, even though engine swap adds more than just performance to a vehicle.
Another many reasons people carry out engine swaps is when the engine of their vehicle starts misbehaving and needs a new engine. In this case, it’s best that you carry out the engine swap if you can afford to.
Can I Do the Engine Swap By Myself?
An engine swap is not included in the car DIY activities. If you are not an experienced professional in maintaining car engines, then there’s no reason why you should carry out your vehicle engine swap by yourself. It’s the work of a specialist mechanic who is also experienced with working with engines of your car type.
While a car engine swap will provide you with the result you’re looking for, it’s important to note that swapping a car engine in Nigeria costs a lot of money. The price for purchasing a new engine and the swapping fee ranges from N100,000 and above (depending on the vehicle type and model year).
