Ep 4. Extreme Elco Engine Swap!
- TVPG
- May 11, 2012
- 56 min
-
7.2 (288)
In Roadkill season 1 episode 4, titled "Extreme Elco Engine Swap!", co-hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan attempt to pull off the ultimate engine swap on their 1970 Chevy El Camino, affectionately referred to as the "Elco."
The duo has been tinkering with the car for a while, but now they've decided to swap out the old 350 engine for a bigger, badder 454. Unlike most engine swaps, which involve ordering the new engine from a supplier and simply bolting it in, this one will be much more challenging.
First, they have to find a 454 engine, which they manage to do by scouring Craigslist ads for junkyard cars with the right engine. They end up finding a good candidate and set off on a road trip to retrieve it.
Once they have the engine in hand, the real work begins. The Elco's engine compartment is too small to accommodate the massive 454, so they'll have to do some serious modifications to make it fit. They also have to contend with the fact that the new engine is carbureted, while the Elco's original engine was fuel-injected.
Despite the challenges, Freiburger and Finnegan dive in headfirst, fabricating custom motor mounts and a new transmission crossmember. They also install a custom exhaust system and a new fuel system to work with the carbureted engine.
Along the way, they encounter various setbacks and challenges, including a stripped bolt and a broken welder, but they manage to soldier on and eventually get the new engine successfully installed.
Of course, the ultimate test comes when they fire up the engine for the first time. It roars to life, and both hosts can't help but smile at the sound of all that power. They take the Elco out for a spin, and it performs beautifully, with plenty of power and an incredible sound.
In the end, the Extreme Elco Engine Swap is a triumph for Freiburger and Finnegan, showcasing their skills as custom car builders and mechanics. The episode is a thrilling look at the many challenges involved in custom engine swaps, and is sure to be a hit with fans of the series.
