Talk to a mechanic or turn to Google for tips on upgrading your car’s performance, engine swap is frequently recommended. Indeed, swapping your existing engine with a quality used engine with better power output can upgrade your car’s performance. However, it’s not something you can do over a weekend and definitely not if you are an amateur.

An engine swap is an elaborate proposition that requires you to consider cutting, fabrication, wiring, electronic control units, mating the transmission, or installing a new one. Besides, there are other units like cooling and fuel systems to consider. Moreover, if you’re doing it to add power, you need to make sure that the whole drivetrain can take it. Thus, raising the question of compatibility.

That said, it’s not impossible. If you keep it simple by finding used car engines for sale that are compatible with your vehicle and affordable, you can easily get the complications out of your way. So, the following is a list of engine models people frequently use for engine swaps.

Best Used Engines Replacements Ever in The History of Swapping 

General Motors LS Series

The LS engine swap is so popular in America that you can easily find at least one person around with experience in doing so. LS series by General Motors has some of the best used engines. Moreover, these engines were featured in many GM cars, including the Camaro, Impala, Cadillac's CTS-V, and many more. So, it’s easy to find a compatible engine.

LS series has a variety of engines, including the 5.7-liter LS1, which is the oldest & most adaptable, and the 7.0L LS7, LSX, which are the most powerful, and then the 6.2-liter LS9, which is supercharged.

Almost every car can be possibly equipped with an LS engine. Whether you want to generate a mild power boost or build viscous drag strip rippers for an engine, this is the ideal choice.

Rover V8

The Rover V8 resembles the Buick 250 engine in many ways. It is just as good as LS engines. The Rover V8 has a long-standing history as it was first launched in 1967 and stayed in production until 2006 while being used in a large variety of cars.

It is mostly known for its use in Land Rover and Range Rover models, but there have been many European production cars over the decades that use Rover V8. Its lightweight aluminum design makes it the favorite engine of enthusiasts for engine swaps.

It has been used to swap many engines in the past anything with a rear-wheel drive can use a Rover V8 engine.  

Honda V-TEC B-Series

Honda’s reliability takes it to the list of best engine swap options. Its B-series engines are still one of the most powerful ones even 15 years after Honda stopped producing them. The aftermarket for B-Series engines is strong as they are tunable.

Moreover, usually one has to spend a lot for an engine generating 350+ hp. But Honda makes it affordable for everyone through this powerful engine. Its affordability and reliability are key qualities of Honda engines for a swap.

Nissan SR20DET

For drifters, Nissan's SR20DET turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is a favorite as it has a well-proven platform for tuning and can be made to work in transverse & longitudinal form. Its adaptability increases the variety of platforms it can be made to work on.

Though it has been out of production for a long time and is now considered a rare engine, it is undeniably still one of the best. Of course, when it comes to the rare engine you need an experienced seller on your side like Used Engines Inc. They usually have rare engines in their inventory.  

Nissan RB26DETT

If you have some experience with engine swaps, a loose budget, and the heart to take on a mechanical adventure, Nissan's almighty GT-R engine is right for you. As it does not fit into other chassis easily and is a straight-6 engine, it’s not an easy process to swap this. 

However, there are a lot of benefits to this engine swap as well. The amount of power this remarkably strong engine generates is worth the headache.

Honda K-Series

Honda’s B-series though already made it to the list, but the only Honda engine to outperform that is the K-Series engine. These engines were quite common in the 2000s as they were mostly seen in the Acura RSX Type-S, Honda Civic Si, European Type R, and other performance models.

Since these are 4-cylinder engines, a direct swap is better, especially as they are naturally aspirated. However, the total cost doesn’t end up being on the cheaper side of the band.

Mazda 13B

Mazda's legendary rotary is rare to find and a high-in-demand engine that everybody wants. It is a twin-turbocharged 13B-REW from the third-generation RX-7. Since it’s a rare engine, it is also not utterly cheap to swap as rare finds have price tags attached to them. So, the single-turbo 13B-DEI can be found in the second-generation RX-7, but when you buy it consider exploring the market to find a seller with an affordable alternative. You can also check your neighborhood engine sellers to find this rarely used car engine for sale near you. This rotary engine also needs dedicated maintenance care.

Conclusion

Lastly, we’d like to point out that there's no simpler, more reliable way to increase a car’s 

performance and power output than an engine swap. People have been swapping engines for a long time now, but the increased drive to DIY everything has given swapping a big push in today’s automotive market. So, if you're considering an engine swap, these engines are a good place to start.

Also, if you need help finding these used car engines with a warranty, consider Used Engines Inc. They are one of the most experienced used engine suppliers in the industry and have a good record of satisfying client requirements. Additionally, their massive inventory is your gateway to acquiring rare engine models that are compatible with your vehicle.  

Check out their website or give them a call to know more about their used car engines for sale.