Any good info on modern engine swaps?
Mr Whippy - 12/9/12 at 12:01 PM
Hi I have got hold of a low mileage Almeria with a great engine and gearbox but totally rotten bodywork. My Plan is to swap Bluebirds asthmatic 80’s
style engine for this modern twincam fuel injected thing, mainly for better economy and some more power.
Mechanically the swap is a doddle but the electrics and how to remove and mate the new engine loom to the old one is something I have not done before.
My plan is to cut the engine bay and bulkhead off the Almeria and then carefully remove the loom while identifying and discarding anything to do with
lights etc. With care I should have just the wiring I need then hopefully still be able to start and run the engine before taking it out to
transplant.
Anyone know of a website that goes through all this or similar swaps that would help
Thanks 
flibble - 12/9/12 at 01:42 PM
All I can remember about my Almera was that the NATS was a pain in the bum and kept immobilizing my car, I have no idea what NATS is all about though
as I sold it after a week (hated it ), just thought I'd mention it, worth looking it up incase it's key/instruments/magic related.
Good luck with the swap
mookaloid - 12/9/12 at 01:50 PM
Isn't NATS (Nissan Anti Theft System) just a transponder immobiliser with a sensor near the ignition barrel and a transponder in the keys?
Mr Whippy - 12/9/12 at 02:29 PM
Hi
No immobilizer or alarm on this car, just a basic key so hopefully that won't rear its head but thanks for mentioning it
Not Anumber - 12/9/12 at 02:58 PM
so long as the engine and gearbox mount up, the clutch can be made to fit and you take as much of the wiring from the donor that you can you should be
ok.
Make sure you take photos of just about everything and from several angles; it's scary how immediately you can forget the location of things,
which way round etc.
You plan of removing the bulkhead and dashboard to free the loom up whilst keeping everything electrically intact and working is a good one.
Check for casting difference in the block which could require modifying or fabricating engine bearers etc.
So ong as they aren't like early and late Honda engines (that rotated in different directions!) you should be ok.