Engine swap options

[missinglink]

First, thanks to all of you who make this website possible. I am learning a lot.

I intend to replace the G63B in my 1987 Mighty Max. Living as I do in the leftist paradise of California the new engine must be 1987 or newer and come from another vehicle classified as a light truck.

It would be nice to keep my KM 132 manual transmission. I would also like to keep the new engine within the Mitsubishi family. This website has taught me enough about narrow blocks like mine to conclude that won't be possible. Am I correct or have I missed something?

4G64's from 93-96 Mighty Max's are available at salvage yards out here but I'm guessing being as they are wide blocks I will need the transmission as well as the engine from the donor vehicle to make it work.

I have some other non-Mitsubishi engine ideas but I'll save them for another discussion. Thanks in advance for any knowledge you care to share.

[geezer101]

Unfortunately narrow blocks are relegated to FWD cars. The Max is one of those rare exceptions that either has the luxury of being converted to a twin cam DSM or Evo power or ends up being a donor vehicle to do the conversion in another car. Swapping both engine and trans from a later Max is easily do-able. They're configured the same. The 2.6 is a wideblock engine as well so, unless there's an engine swap regulation that prevents you from changing the transmission this should be an authorised swap.

[BradMph]

Have any family living out of state. Have your registration address changed to maybe out of state? Not sure, since it's been so long since I lived in California about their laws. But, do they check engine codes now also when getting station checked? Hell, it seems they are pretty damn nosey nowadays and replacing the engine IMO is none of their business as long as it passes test. So glad I moved from that place to WA.
After a car turns 25 years old here, you can put twin blowers or jet boosters on your own car if you like. Smog checks are null after that period and beyond.

[silverjoel]

You may be able to do a 4b11 or a 4b12 as it may have the narrow bolt pattern.
http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=127213&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

I think the 4b12 would be a nice engine in the truck and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a RWD version of the 4b11t, so there should be parts to make any of the theta engines work.
I wish I had access to the parts needed to check. If anyone gets bored, has access to the parts (or just feels like taking stuff apart at the junkyard), and wants to check it out, please let me know.