How easy is it to just swap good engines on the fly?

[HermanM]

I have 3 engines (stock/matching numbers L26 and tranny to my car, duplicate engine and tranny, and an sr20) for my 74 260z and I was curious how hard/time consuming it would be in order to do an engine swap for a "track day" or "fun run" or even if it would be worth my time to keep my extra engines around

[tlorber]

If the plan is to swap back after the track day or fun run I wouldn't bother. However if you plan on keeping the other motor in, it is not a terrible job-depending upon how much smog/ac/etc equipment you have on.

[HermanM]

If the plan is to swap back after the track day or fun run I wouldn't bother. However if you plan on keeping the other motor in, it is not a terrible job-depending upon how much smog/ac/etc equipment you have on.

Yeah I was just planning on going back and forth bc I love the idea of being all original when it comes to the power train. As for smog on the sr20, I believe most has been taken off because it was used for competition not road before I owned it

[ZohanIsBack]

I had a triple weber setup and I could pull the motor in about an hour and a half. The right tools also really help. But as tlorber said, most of us probably wouldn't bother doing that on a regular basis. If you want a track car, by a shell for $800 and build one up. Just my opinion. But if you actually LIKE swapping motor.... What I think would be cool is two motor each setup with a quick connect master harness which hooks up fuel, electrical, etc all at once with a single connection. Then you could swap engine REAL fast. Ahh...dreams...

[Arne]

With the right workspace and tools, and assuming the other engine was properly prepped and ready to run, should be no more than an easy afternoon. I could easily see myself swapping back and forth for the right reasons.

[280~Master]

If you has some way to lift the front of the car high enough it could be really simple. Thats how the factory installed the engines was from underneath.

That would be the easiest way. Pull the drive shaft 4 nuts, tranny cross member 2 bolts, then the front cross member 4 bolts, radiator hoses, battery cables, fuel lines and bam your out.

I have thought about this same situation and if you could get quick disconnects for certain areas it would be even easier.

[HermanM]

If you has some way to lift the front of the car high enough it could be really simple. Thats how the factory installed the engines was from underneath.

That would be the easiest way. Pull the drive shaft 4 nuts, tranny cross member 2 bolts, then the front cross member 4 bolts, radiator hoses, battery cables, fuel lines and bam your out.

I have thought about this same situation and if you could get quick disconnects for certain areas it would be even easier.

That's kind of my thought. I have 1 car but 3 different engines and transmissions so I thought maybe build up the extra two for some fun and not wreck the stocker

[LeonV]

Sounds like you need another Z!

[HermanM]

Sounds like you need another Z!

Haha, yeah... I'm putting my time and money into one for now