Heavy car, what to swap in?

[Jay2TheRescue]

A GM (Buick) 3.8 in a Ford product? Why not just put a Ford 3.8 in? It will make mating the engine to a Ford transmission a lot easier, unless you wanted to put a GM transmission in as well.

[spotaneagle]

2003
Main article: Mazda 6

The 626/Capella was replaced with the GG platform Mazda6 (called the Atenza in Japan) in 2002. The Mazda6 is now sold across the world in 3 different body styles: 4-door Sedan, 5-door Hatchback and 5-door Wagon. World sales have been good for the 6 despite a slower take off in North America, and resale value has proven to be far stronger than the 626's.

Few would disagree that this is a vast improvement over the 626 in terms of interior room, styling, or powertrains. Mazda's new 4-cylinder engine is a much-improved 2.3 L. Inline-4 engine with 160 hp (119 kW); the V6 is a 3.0-liter 220 hp (164 kW) unit from the Ford Taurus, but with reworked cylinders, valvetrain components, and variable valve timing. Though not the fastest with either engine, the 6 is still the most agile of its peers by a long shot, thanks in part to its new double-wishbone front suspension. Wagon and 5-door hatchbacks were added for 2004, and the Mazda6's platform served as the basis for the 2006 Ford Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ and Mercury Milan.

The first Mazda6 rolled off the Flat Rock, Michigan assembly line on October 1, 2002, one month after production of the 626 ended.
[edit] References


Model Years Engine Power Torque
Europe 1998–2002 1.8 L F I4 100 hp (75 kW)
Base 1998–1999 2.0 L F I4 125 hp (93 kW) 127 lb?ft (172 N?m)
2000–2002 2.0 L F I4 130 hp (97 kW) 135 lb?ft (183 N?m)
V6 1998–2002 2.5 L KL V6 170 hp (130 kW) 163 lb?ft (221 N?m)

Model Years Engine Power Torque
European 1993–1997 1.8 L F I4 104 hp (78 kW) 127 lb?ft (172 N?m)
Base 1993–1997 2.0 L FS I4 118 hp (88 kW) 127 lb?ft (172 N?m)
V6 1993–1997 2.5 L KL V6 164 hp (122 kW) 160 lb?ft (217 N?m)

[Jay2TheRescue]

What does all that Mazda crap have to do with an engine swap for a 76 Gran Torino? Surely you are not suggesting that the OP put a Mazda engine in such a heavy car.

[spotaneagle]

its just an idea I'm more trying to suggest that those engine might fit ford models... I don't have a clue what that old ford is btw.

[Jay2TheRescue]

The most famous Gran Torino is the Starsky & Hutch car.

[spotaneagle]

ok well my mazda idea might work in a taurus but would make no sense cause the engine is the only good thing about the car

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

If that car has a 351 Cleveland (which, IIRC, was spoken of with reverence in my younger days), why change it at all? Take the money you'd spend converting that car, use half of it to fix the car up nice as-is, enjoy it for what it is...take the rest and buy a cheap used small car or an older model modest bike to drive everyday.

[bobc455]

Yeah, for some reason the inline 6 engines have completely different (and better) torque characteristics than the v-configured engines. It should do fine, even with a tall rearend ratio.

-BC

[spotaneagle]

modssss!??!?!

[GasSavers_JoeBob]

Originally Posted by bobc455

Yeah, for some reason the inline 6 engines have completely different (and better) torque characteristics than the v-configured engines. It should do fine, even with a tall rearend ratio.

-BC

Most of the inline engines, especially back in the day, were long stroke engines. These tend to be higher torque engines than today's higher revving, short stroke engines.