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In car tuning culture, an engine swap is the process of removing a car's original engine and replacing it with another. This may be a like-for-like replacement, or to install a non-factory specification engine. Typically, an engine swap is performed for performance, swapping-in a more powerful engine; however, an engine swap may also be performed for maintenance, where older engines may have a shortage of spare parts, and so a modern replacement may be more easily and cheaply maintained.
Swapping the engine may have negative implications on the car's safety, performance, handling, and reliability. For example, the new engine's different weight balance over the axles and the overall weight of the car can adversely affect the vehicle dynamics. Existing brakes, transmission, and suspension components may be inadequate to handle the increased weight and power of the new engine with either upgrades being required or premature wear and failure being likely.
Insurance companies may charge more or even refuse to insure a vehicle that has been fitted with an engine that is different from its initial configuration. For instance, in jurisdictions such as California—with its strict smog rules—it may not be possible to register a late-model vehicle with an engine swap.