Engine Swap Forum

Hi, I just joined this group looking for information on putting a newer engine into my 1950 Hudson body. Can anyone out there tell me how much hassle it is to install , say a late 90's early 2000 model engine and transmission into my ride? I can do all the swap part such as motor mounts , transmission mounts and so on but I know NOTHING about trying to hook up this new computer stuff? I like my old dash and instruments but I'll gut them if I have to? I've been looking at the Volvo 4 cylinders , or maybe an Audi engine and transmission to put in but the darn computer scares me. I don't want some racer. Just a dependable motor and trans. that will get me to where I'm going with cruise control and maybe a few other things. If anyone out there can steer me in the right direction please contact me at warrenoie@bresnan.net

Warrenoie,

   Don't let the computer scare you too much, all they care about it being plugged in to their harness and getting power and ground.  If you go too new on your donor car (like 2002+) some (but definitely not all) computers will require a few more things to run like body control modules and key transponder rings. 

The very best thing you can do though, to make your life easier, is to buy a complete donor car (can be wrecked).  That way you know for sure you have everything you need.  A lot of times you can get a complete car with a perfectly acceptable motor/tranny for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand.  Check your local car auctions, insurance holding lots, wrecker lots, local paper and craigslist and local auto salvage yards.

Is it as easy as just pulling the whole wiring harness,and all the plugged in items out of donnor?  We want to pull a 5.0 frm 1990 town car.

Yup, pretty much, just pull the whole shebang out of there.  You might find a plug or two that go into other wiring harnesses.  At that point you have to decide 1. Should I pull that harness also or 2. Just figure out where those wires were going and make your own harness from that point out.  That will make a lot more sense when you get to that point!