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There is a 5 series with a turbo 5.3 on CL near me, says everything works but the a/c (which just needs lines), but I dunno anything else about it. I'd like to do a Mercedes R class van. I like the looks - for a van - but loathe Mercededs mechanical quality.
Mercedes 400 SEL, 1993ish. I was behind one of these in traffic today, would probably be a nice choice. Roomy, classy, already RWD. I'd rework an older Benz before any other European car.
Cadillac Brougham. Not as heavy as you think either, about 4100lbs. Would weigh even less if you dropped an aluminum motor in it. The one to buy would be a 90-92 with the 350, they had a beefier rear end in them. Or an 80-81 Deville or Fleetwood, TH400 and big beefy rear end standard. 82-84 Deville or Fleetwood with the 4.1 V8 would be another good candidate, but they had smaller rear ends in them that might not survive a serious beating. You can buy a drop dead beautiful car for $3-5k now days.
As for the Lexus, I kind of hate to hack them up if they run good. The 2JZ and 1UZ are great motors that will last 300-500k miles. The engineering on those cars is top notch, I kind of hate to ruin a perfectly reliable old car.
I've always wanted to see a swapped and turbocharged Benz SL, don't know if anybody has done that one yet.
A number of the older benz's had turbo 400 transmissions in them. Not sure if they have the stock GM bellhousing bolt pattern. But might make the swap easier.
^ Just say no to the J30. That car is styled after the inside of a toilet bowl. Seriously, it looks like somebody took a mold of the inside of a toilet, then cast the car's shape from that. The designer even admitted that was the design inspiration. For those not familiar with this car inspired by a crapper:
Cool Nissan V8 but they only came in automatics. If they're like the earlier Q45s, they have the same suspension as the Nissan sports cars (300ZX/350Z)
I still go back to old D-body Cadillac swap though. Cars are cheap, parts are cheap, wiring is simple, lots of room to work under the hood. Plus they don't look like anything else on the road today, if you're into the vulgar disco era styling.
Cool Nissan V8 but they only came in automatics. If they're like the earlier Q45s, they have the same suspension as the Nissan sports cars (300ZX/350Z)
It had the motor from the z at the time but the rest was just Cedric. RWD is about the only thing it has going for it. The Ms are nice, but you can already get them with a decent V8 so not sure an ls would be an upgrade.
I still go back to old D-body Cadillac swap though. Cars are cheap, parts are cheap, wiring is simple, lots of room to work under the hood. Plus they don't look like anything else on the road today, if you're into the vulgar disco era styling.
That was my project (87 Brougham). It is true it is different but sometimes I wish I had something lighter. Also, as weird as it sounds, I did not have place to fit an AC compressor. It can be done but I need to find the time. Also my electronic climate control is not working anymore since the swap. But I only use it on sunny summer days so don't really need it. But a Cadillac without all the bells and the whistles is a bit annoying. Eventually I'll be able to fix that.
I used to have a 73 Sedan Deville. Great old barge. It was like driving a living room with two leather couches. I too wan my next swap to be more "luxury" but I am not sure if I want to do an import or just an old Caddy (or other GM big car).
I used to have a 73 Sedan Deville. Great old barge. It was like driving a living room with two leather couches. I too wan my next swap to be more "luxury" but I am not sure if I want to do an import or just an old Caddy (or other GM big car).
Andrew
Yeah after giving it some more thought and thinking about how much work I really want to put into it I'm leaning towards a either an early 2000s 5 series (e39) or a 7 series (e38)/XJ. I can't decide if I want the still somewhat sporty e39 or the bigger bodies of the 7/xj.
I'm leaning towards the BMWs as they have a more "modern" look but the XJs have kind of a cool timeless thing going on.
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Luxury Candidates for Swap? 
