The Honda H22 motor was original found in either Preludes or Accords. For quite some time, before the K motor became the big boss, it was swapped into all sorts of cars.
But, I think there’s a fairly short list of Fiat’s sporting this motor. In Ontario I’d hazard a guess that this was the only one. If it wasn’t it was still probably the only one with a turbo slug off it.
Unfortunately, I spotted this car once, ten years ago, and never again.
Taking it way back to Scrape By the Lake with this Chevrolet big block powered Grand National. Unfortunately, being over a decade ago, information on this car is rather scarce.
But heck, big block, twin turbos, in an awesome G body? I couldn’t not repost it.
Local legend Liam Kirby completed this 1988 Nissan Cefiro back in 2013. Cefiro’s are not common cars in North America and from jump Liam had no intentions of keeping his stock.
Using his S chassis roots Liam used most of the suspension from the car he parted to buy this one. But, before putting all that in he made sure to clean it all up.
The Toyota 1JZGTE was treated to a Driftmotion 57 trim buro kit, GReddy timing belt, a Blitz blow off valve and various new houses and fittings to make it all work.
The body got wheel tubs and aero and the wheels were gorgous SSR Gartmaiers. Sadly the car was parted and sold, but Liam is still out slaying tracks today in his Skyline.
Rotary fans, avert your eyes. John of Akii Tire put cost effectiveness above brand loyalty when building his KA24 powered FC Mazda RX-7.
The car’s exterior is fairly traditional street drift styling. GP sports style bumpers, Shine Auto over fenders and fitting, yet unidentified rear over fenders cover Weds Kranze Bazreia wheels.
While I’ve mostly seen the car at shows, don’t worry, it’s built to perform as the Instagram videos below show.
The Chevrolet Cavalier is perhaps the last car you’d ever expect to see an LS V8 motor in. But, the LS4 was a horizontally opposed engine, so why not get a little wild.
This Cavalier is definite show stopper.
Suzuki GSXR1000 power in a Volkswagen Beetle. The NFKSGVN plate might just be for show, but it accurately describes the ethos behind this build.
Oh did I mention there’s a Turbonetics turbo tucked in there on the passenger side?
A Honda B18 motor just fits in a Mini. Add a turbo to the mix and you’re not only fighting for physical space, you’re fighting for traction.
If you can believe it, every time I’ve seen this car it’s been that much more complete, and that much more insane.
This 1JZ swapped Toyota Tundra is a little bit elusive. Driven by an older gentleman who likes to keep a low profile it’s one of the coolest sleepers cruising the streets of Toronto.
I’d absolutely love to know more about the truck if anyone has more information or owner contact information.
Want to make your Cadillac Fleetwood a bit more fuel efficient? Swap a 6.6L Duramax Diesel in the car and let ‘er eat.
Air suspension and Detroit Steel wheels will take care of the looks department as well.
I feel like I you all a bit of an apology. The site has been incredibly quiet lately with no real sort of explanation. I’d love to say that I was working feverishly on new content for the site, plugging away on Project Why Wait, or doing some freelance work but alas it was none of the above.
Right before Motorama I completely ruptured my left Achilles Tendon. I’ve tried to convince myself this isn’t a serious injury in reality it is. I carried on as best I could for a bit, with the help of a mobility scooter, but my desire to do much of anything was at an all time low.
Not being able to put weight on your foot, get around without crutches, or sit without it swelling up will do that. When I was given the go to walk in the cast I focus nearly all my free time towards physiotherapy so I could get back into a shoe.
I’m happy to say that I’m now out of the boot. However it’s not all sunshine and roses. I’m pretty damn slow which makes getting from place to place quite trying.
I’m not sure how many of you have re-learned how to walk but it’s not easy. Both mentally and physically it’s perhaps one the toughest challenges I’ve been dealt.
I say all of this only because the 2019 Toronto Cars and Coffee season opener was absolutely massive and I was only able to cover a very small part of it.
I had actually considered sitting the event out, but what sort of Ontario media guy would I be if I did that?
Engineered Automotive has been growing this event, quite successfully I might add, year after year and the deserve their props for that. This event had to be the largest yet, with the turnout being absolutely staggering.
What that drone photo above doesn’t show is just how many of the surrounding lots were also packed to the gills with cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Spring 2019 has had a few stops and starts and a lot of rain so the fact that Sunday was beautiful certainlt didn’t hurt. People were eager let their summer toys, or winter projects stretch their legs.
Gil of the Scraped Crusaders was one of those people. He picked up an e46 Touring sometime over the winter and wasted no time jamming it on BBS wheels, which seems to kind of be his thing to do.
Brett Lyver, previous owner of one of my absolute favourite Lexus LS400s recently finished putting together this 325 e30 cabriolet.
Fit with some MTECH II style lower valances, ARE wheels and a healthy drop this car looks fantastic.
It’s a pretty simple in all honesty but that is what makes it so timeless. The fact he pulled up with his two kids riding along with him didn’t hurt the car’s case either.
Brett didn’t have the only e30 at the meet, there were several, but the only other one I managed to catch was this 325is.
Yes, I said 325is. I know it looks like an e30 M3 but it’s not, however it’s done pretty damn well for a clone. From memory a turbo M50 sits under hood as well, which is more reliable and makes more power than the temperamental s14 anyway.
Speaking of done well, Jag’s now Hemi powered bagged Jeep is the automotive representation of that. He’s already netted two best of show awards this year with spring hardly sprung.
I do believe this was the first event he drove the car too and from after the swap.
Inside, Infract Customs was posted up with both his small block powered mini and turbo GSXR1000 powered Volkswagen Beetle.
You want chaos with steering wheel? Then this is sure to be the ticket.
Also inside the EA facility was this twin turbo, big block, first generation Camaro. I’m sure this car is also a bit of a handful to drive.
A car that was really nice to see complete was this long-term Cyrious Garageworks Datsun build.
The last time I saw the car, during a shop visit for Speedhunters, it was well on its way to completion but not quite done yet. Looks like it’s all finished now.
Fans of detail would love this car, literally no bolt left un-turned bring the car to this standard.
However, of all the builds at my favorite was (surprise surprise) a truck. Cars and Coffee is one of those events where you’ve really got to keep an eye on the stock looking vehicles with their hoods up.
The inter-cooler gives the motor swap on this one away a little but, but that really can’t be helped.
Looking under the hood it’s clear there was very little room for the 1JZ in the stock first gen Tacoma engine bay.
I was hoping to get to talk to the owner about the build but I wasn’t able to track him down on the few occasions I revisited the little green truck. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time I see it.
Words wise, that’s pretty much all I’ve got for this first event, but there’s a few more photos of this and that below.
Hopefully by the next event I’ll be in a bit better shape to do some more holistic coverage. That, or I’ll get my knee scooter back out and use that to get around.
Though that thing is pretty sketchy outside…
