Engine Swap Preflight Checklist
A before-disassembly checklist that forces the engine, transmission, fuel, cooling, electrical and driveshaft decisions to agree.
Freeze the configuration
Write down chassis/year, engine exact variant, transmission, ECU/control method, clutch/flywheel, oil pan, mounts, differential, tire diameter and power/fuel target. If any of those are “decide later,” expect rework.
Measure the car
Record current driveline location, shifter position, available radiator/fan depth, hood clearance, rack/crossmember geometry and exhaust path. Photograph wiring and hose routing before removal.
Buy support parts before teardown
Critical-path items include mounts, oil-pan solution, clutch/flywheel, transmission hardware, driveshaft plan, fuel delivery, radiator/fans, ECU/harness strategy, exhaust solution and consumables. Waiting on one adapter can strand a project for months.
First-start readiness
Before cranking: fluids, oil-system preparation where required, fuel leak/pressure check, fused power distribution, confirmed grounds, throttle operation, cooling fill/bleed plan, visible fire extinguisher and ECU sensor sanity check.
Chassis condition, donor version, aftermarket geometry and local legal requirements vary. Measure your car and use the correct factory/component documentation before fabrication or safety-critical work.