DailyTurismo

January 5 2021

LSX Frontyard Swap: 1998 GMC Jimmy

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, GMC, Jimmy, LM7, LS1, LS1 Swap, V8 Swap 3

The seller of this next car describes it as “not a hackjob backyard swap”…which makes me wonder, where would you do an LSX swap into a 90s GMC Jimmy? In the realm of places to do swaps, from a Jay Leno style climate controlled garage to a dirt patch behind the Waffle House in Woooostaaaa, I’m gonna lean towards doing my Jimmy swaps at the latter, but I love waffles more than Jay Leno. And I mean that exactly how you might interpret it. Find this 1998 GMC Jimmy offered for $5000 in Northbridge, MA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

December 24 2020

Happy Christmas Eve V8: 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy 500 Pace Car

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 'Murica, 305, Fiero, Indy 500 Pace Car, Pace Car, Pontiac, V8 Swap 5

If you had a limited edition Indy 500 “Official” Pace Car Pontiac Fiero and wanted to maintain maximum sellable value, you’d think it would be best to keep the original iron duke 4-banger, but you’d be dead wrong. That is because an upgrade to a Chevy 305 small-block V8 is indeed an upgrade in value to the market, even if said 305 V8 has an air cleaner that is smaller in diameter than the average toilet bowl cleaning brush. Find this 1984 Pontiac Fiero Indy 500 Pace Car offered for $8000 in Topeka, KS via facetrash bigbrotherbook Tip from Jason.

December 22 2020

Some TLC Needed: 1970 Jaguar XJ V8 Swap

DailyTurismo Classic 'Murica, British, Chevy V8, Series 1, V8 Swap, XJ 12

The series 1 Jaguar XJ was built from 1968 through 1973 with a standard inline-6 engine and an optional V12 (introduced for the 1972 model year). The XJ12 was the “fastest” 4-door car in the world when it was introduced, but keeping one running will make you the “brokest” person on your block…so…swap in a Chevy V8 and cruise into the sunset…or until you IROC V8 siezes and then sell it for pocket change. Find this 1970 Jaguar XJ V8 Swap offered for $2000 in Albany, NY via craigslist.

December 7 2020

V8 Engine Power: 1978 Lotus Elite

DailyTurismo Classic British, Chevy V8 Swap, Elite, Lotus, Right-hand-drive, V8 Swap 6

The Lotus Elite had the distinct honor of being the world’s most expensive 4-cylinder powered vehicle when it was launched in 1974. The fiberglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis was an evolution of the Europa…but it took a turn in the other direction by being front-engine. The end result is a car that isn’t quite as mid-engine tight as the Europa, but with engine bay room that makes it way easier to convert into a V8 powered beast. Find this 1978 Lotus Elite offered for $6,500 in Lexington, SC via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

November 24 2020

LS Swapped Wagon: 1998 Volvo V90

DailyTurismo Modern Classic 960, Letterman, LS1 Swap, Paul Newman, Sleeper, V8 Swap, V8lvo, V90, Volvo, Wagon 3

The 900-series platform was the final iteration of Volvos front-engine rear-drive sedan/wagon platform that started with the 140-series in 1967 (which itself was derived from the Amazon/120 platform which launched in 1956 based on the previous PV444…you see where this is going). Regardless, the V90 was the final name put on the back of a rear-wheel-drive Volvo with properly positioned drivetrain and the only logical choice if you want to shove a V8 under the hood and chew anybody’s ass from 20 to 100. This might not be the legendary third Newman-Letterman V8lvo, but it is offered for a price that isn’t insane and should be great to haul around your family. Find this 1998 Volvo V90 with LS-swap offered for $13,900 in Laguna Niguel, CA via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

November 3 2020

GTO Powered: 1989 Jaguar XJS V8 Swap

DailyTurismo Modern Classic Chevy V8, GTO, Jaguar, Swap, V8 Swap, XJS 2

There are two types of V8 swapped Jaguars out there roaming around the streets. The first is the carburetor fed Chebby 350 powered versions — these are built by sellers who are sick of paying crazy Jag V12 maintenance costs and can be fun. The second type of swap is the paradigm presented by KWE Cars, which is where you upgrade and make the entire package better with technology and a steady stream of cash. The sell claims $40k to convert it and if that is true, then paying less than $15k is a smokin deal. Find this 1989 Jaguar XJS V8 Swap offered for $14,500 in Wickenburg, AZ via craigslist.

October 1 2020

Wood and Iron: 1973 Triumph TR6

DailyTurismo Classic British, Chevy V8 Swap, Fast, Thumbsup, TR6, Triumph, V8 Swap 1

Over the years, various people have answered the question; what happens when you shove a big V8 into a small car? But today’s custom answers the question; what happens you put a lot of Chevy into a little bit of Triumph and the answer is something special. I love the wood dash, the minilite wheels, and the small roll hoop, and I just hope the exhaust is subtle enough that most people won’t notice the burbling 6.6 liter menace under the hood. Find this 1973 Triumph TR6 offered for $24,000 in Long Island, NY via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

September 2 2020

E55 AMG Swap: 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG

DailyTurismo Modern Classic AMG, C43 AMG, E55 AMG, German, Mercedes-Benz, V8 Swap 3

This next car almost got thrown to the bottom of DT’s email trash bin because it didn’t look like much. The wheels are too flashy, the seats are ripped, and the paint is flaking like a Texas sunburn, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a C43 with an E55 engine swap. The original 1998-2000 C43 AMG was a capable and fun with its 4.3 liter 306 horsepower V8 — but shoving the 5.4 liter V8 from the E55 AMG for 349 horsepower should be a nice upgrade without ruining the car’s character. Find this 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG with 5.4 liter V8 swap offered for $7000 in Mascotte, FL via craigslist. Tip from Cory.

August 5 2020

V8 Powered: 1968 Volvo 122 Amazon

DailyTurismo Classic 122, Amazon, Thorsday, V8 Swap, Volvo 1

The Amazon (called the 120-series outside of Sweden) is a 50’s styled classic Volvo that makes a compelling case for a starter classic due to its simple ruggedness and basic reliability. Today’s example has ditched the simple B-series 4-cylinder for a small block Chevy V8 mated to a TH350 slushbox…which is the basic formula for every hot rod ever built, but gets the job done. Find this 1968 Volvo 122 Amazon bidding for $3050 in Bradenton, FL via eBay.

July 31 2020

Ford 5.0 V8 Swapped: 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE

DailyTurismo Modern Classic Ford 5.0, Japanese, Mazda, RX-7, V8 Swap 0

I know that the RX-7 rotary purists (Wankers as they call themselves) will cringe at the average pushrod V8 swapped RX-7, but they’ll be decidedly appalled that the builder used a GSL-SE to turn into a piston pumping pavement pounder. However, despite the vintage Cali sunset plate, the car itself is pretty ragged — rust appears in bubbles all over the paint and the seller reported having a blown engine…so this wasn’t some cherry collectors item, this was an RX-7 that needed some love…which it got in the form of a Ford V8 swap. Find this 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE offered for $3100 in Palo Alto, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

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