87 motor swap?

kupcar · kupcar's Garage

Anyone know if it's possible to put a 16v CIS motor into a 87 car that had a 32v motor? Just wondering if anyone has done this, and how difficult of a job. Why you ask? I am thinking of buying a car with a blown 32v motor. I have a 16v hybrid 5liter with euro heads and intake. Was hoping to put my good motor in the 87. Wiring harness differences? Thanks in advance.

Danglerb · 08-26-2014, 12:39 AM

If the 87 is an automatic the Euro hybrid is going to suck. The Euro AT used something like a 2450 stall torque converter instead of the S4 1950, because the Euro is all top end, and the S4 lots of low end torque due to 4v and flappy intake. Same for gear ratio's etc even with a manual.

Yes the electrical side would be a zoo, dual dist crank fire vs single dist with sensor, think drilling spots for sensors and lots of wiring.

kupcar · kupcar's Garage

Danglerb, Thanks for the input. The more I think about it, the more complicated it becomes. Really want to utilize that 5.0 euro motor but I think I need to find a 16v car to put it in. Too bad because the s4 could be bought relatively cheap.

Dean_Fuller · 08-26-2014, 07:24 AM

Why do you think the motor is "blown" ?

kupcar · kupcar's Garage

Hi Dean, The 32v motor basically has a cracked cylinder wall. Was ran until it seized. My guess is that it's scrap.

Dean_Fuller · 08-26-2014, 08:58 AM

Yep...blown. Are the heads, cams and valves still good?

Dean_Fuller · 08-26-2014, 09:02 AM

I could use the intake, valve covers and water bridge for a powder coat refresh for my car....if you part the motor.

The heads would be worth a bit if they are good but I don't need those...yet.

JK McDonald · JK McDonald's Garage

Hey Kupcar, Just a word of caution - I'm sure with enough time and money it is probably possible to retro-fit a 16 valve motor into an 87 chassis but be prepared for lots of issues. Several of us were involved in helping a buddy on a similar (multiple weekend) effort a few years ago but we hit so many road blocks that the owner abandoned it about half way through. After sitting dead in the water for a while, he finally went back with a good used 32 valve engine. Even after a shipping delay or two and a few missing pieces he was back on the road and happy.

I'm sure that the original idea was to save a little money with a K-Jetronic engine and could have been successful but it was not in the cards for that attempt. You may very well be luckier than we were with a CIS setup......

Michael

kupcar · kupcar's Garage

Michael, Thanks for the heads up. Probably not a good thing to get involved with. Originally I thought I could buy this 87 for $2500. I have a fresh 5.0 16v that I built that's just sitting on a stand. Too bad it's not a simple swap out. Best to find a earlier car and change motors. Want a car to do some DE events. Nothing's cost effective about racing. Problem with a early car is that suspension, brakes, etc need to be addressed. Even then you still have a dinosaur that has a tough time keeping up with technology. It least it's something different. Back to the drawing board.