Swapping Engines

Swapping engines is one of the most common and impactful modifications in hot rodding. In the 1930s and 1940s, early rodders began pulling out stock four-bangers and dropping in more powerful V8s, like the legendary Ford Flathead, to go faster on the street and dry lakes. The practice evolved over the decades, with rodders installing everything from Cadillac and Oldsmobile mills in the 1950s to small-block Chevys and modern crate engines today. Engine swaps remain a rite of passage for hot rodders, combining creativity, mechanical skill, and a need for speed.