Top 5 Reasons Against Doing a V-8 Swap

[southernrock20]

13's are the fastest....lets see if we can improve on that..stay tuned

[venromero]

all i have to say is i have the best of both worlds. while i agree with the list, i was fortunate enough to swap in a fully built tpi into my s10 blazer and keep all the factory things like a/c. it is all perfomance with smog laws in mind. with that being said, v8 swaps are touchy and have to be done just right. i have about $16,000 into a ride that wont sell for more then $10,000,.the gas milage is better then a 4.3 as well. its great seeing the look on the other guys face that you just pulled away from. as for my 2.2, i dont mind cruising my lil gutless wonder everywhere! its loud and good for a stare when i tuck them wheels and shower sparks.

[Cauzin_Statik]

Crate Motor from Jegs $3000 +
Doing V8 Swap - 2 Much to bother with
Getting 300+ miles on a tank of gass because I have a 2.2L - Priceless...

[alkoholik]

I also own a 2.2L. would like more power. but happy with how its getting things done.

[chevysten]

I Was A V8 Guy For A Long Time.i Bought My 98 S10 2.2 2yrs Ago.plain Jane W/ac.wife Drove It For About 6 Months Untill I Bought Her A New Envoy.well I Put It In The Garage And Got On The Internet To See What I Could Do To It Of Course,my Buds Wanted Me To Do A V8 Swap,i Said No Way.i Wanted To Do Something Diff.so I Put A 2/3 Drop,replica 17/8 Wheels On Contitrac Tires.flomaster Exhaust W/gibson Stainless Slanted Tips,pace.header,aem Intake,msd Wires And Ing.coils,e-fan,t.b.,ngk Iridiam Plugs,centerforce Dualfriction Clutch.b&m Short Throw Shifter,installed A Eaton True Posi.unit,autometer Gauges On Tripod.but I Wanted More,so I Put A Turbo In It With Hptuners O.m.g.what A Diff.i Absolutely Love It.

[Daveman2]

I like V8 swaps but it is a lot of $$$, time, and work. Other than for sheer power a V8 doesn't really make sense, unless it's an LS motor, which I beleive is lighter than a V6, and probably not much heavier than a 2.2L.

Also you all missed a HUGE part of it. EMISSIONS/INSPECTIONS
I live in Cali so I have to swap in something that is a '98 or newer motor into my '98 Chevy blazer, so a cheap junker iron-block 350 is illegal.
For some of us it's a huge headache to try and stay emissions/inspections-compliant. Good thing I only have visual emissions inspections.

Any motor 98+ will probably be ALOT of $$$$.

I think the opposite side of this argument is educating people properly on the true potential of motors power-wise. Making a reliable 13 second 2.2L will take a lot more work than a reliable 13 second V8 swap will. As long we don't let people start telling people trying to learn about engines that a 2.2L is going to win serious drag races against an equally modded v6 or v8, or any car that is considered fast.

As mentioned before the point isn't about the 2.2L vs V8 argument, it's about not bothering people about something that clearly doesn't fit what they want.

[nova67]

I don't know how everyone is only getting low to mid 20mpg. i'm getting right at 30 mpg from my 2.2 with only a K&N filter and Mobil 1 5w30. If i just cruise i can get 500miles out of 16 gallons of fuel.