The Ultimate Engine Swap & Rebuild Guide by JT | Outlaw Engines Blog

Written By Faith Talor

If you're dreaming about an LS, Coyote, or Hellcat swap, or you're considering a high-performance engine rebuild, you're in the right place. This isn't fluff or theory — this is decades of wrench-turning, dyno-breaking, history-making experience from the man himself, JT of Outlaw Engines. Let's break down the most searched, most asked, and most misunderstood questions in the engine building game — with real answers.

🔧 What Is an Engine Swap and Why Do People Do It?

An engine swap is the process of replacing your factory engine with something meaner, cleaner, and often way more powerful. Think 700hp Hellcat into your tired Dodge Magnum or an LS into your square-body pickup. It's about transforming a car into something that outperforms its era, or even its category. At Outlaw, it's a lifestyle.

🚗 Are Engine Swaps Legal?

Short answer: yes, if done right. Long answer: it depends on your state. Emissions, safety, and registration laws vary wildly. Some states care a lot (hello, California), others less so. We don't promise emissions compliance, all laws are the responsibility of the consumer.

⏱️ How Long Does an Engine Swap Take?

Expect 4-8 months for a full custom swap (depends on project - historic first of its kind swaps may take significantly longer with fabrications and custom mods) . That may sound long, but quality takes time, especially when you're building something one-of-one. We're not bolting up crate motors and calling it a day. Fabrication, wiring, plumbing, integration, tuning — we do it all, and we do it right.

💲 What Does a Hellcat Swap Cost?

You're not just paying for an engine. You're buying:

  • A donor drivetrain (Hellcat engines alone go for $18K+)

  • Electronics, cooling, exhaust, mounts, fuel upgrades

  • Custom labor (100+ hours)

Typical Hellcat swaps range $30K to $60K+, depending on the platform and complexity. Anyone quoting $15K is dreaming (or cutting corners you don’t want).

💥 What Vehicles Can Handle a Hellcat Swap?

We’ve swapped Hellcats into Magnums, 300s, Chargers, Challengers, trucks, and more. The key is:

  • Engine bay space

  • Drivetrain compatibility

  • Chassis strength (you better reinforce!)

If you're not sure your car can handle it, contact us. We’ll tell you what’s possible.

🪨 Are Hellcat Swaps Safe & Reliable?

Only if done by pros. A Hellcat makes over 700hp and 650+ lb-ft of torque. That’s not something you slap in over a weekend. We build for strength, reliability, and longevity.

  • We reinforce rear ends

  • Use forged driveshafts

  • Custom fab everything from mounts to cooling to wiring

🌍 What About LS Swaps?

LS swaps are the king of engine conversions because they're affordable, modular, and well-supported. We've done:

  • 5.3L budget swaps

  • 6.0L and 6.2L forged track builds

  • LS7 and LSX monster motors

Why LS?

  • Compact size

  • Tons of parts

  • Great aftermarket support

  • Perfect for trucks, hot rods, old school builds, and even imports

🚀 Why Do a Coyote Swap?

The Ford Coyote engine is a modern 5.0L DOHC beast. Makes insane power up top and loves boost. But it’s big and can be tricky to wire.

Popular in:

  • F-100 restomods

  • Mustangs

  • Off-road rigs

It’s high-revving and high-tech, and we love making it scream.

⚖️ Engine Rebuild vs. Custom Build

  • Rebuild = Restore to stock (fresh internals)

  • Custom Build = All new internals, forged everything, tuned for nitrous/turbo/blower

We build crate motors too, but custom is where we shine. Track builds. Drag builds. One-off motors that break records.

❓ Most Asked Engine Questions

  • Do you dyno test? Yes, if requested.

  • Can I use my own parts? Yes, but we don’t warranty them.

  • Do you ship engines? Absolutely. Nationwide.

  • Do you offer financing? No, but we can help plan.

🏆 So Who Is the Best Engine Swap Shop?

We let our work do the talking. Outlaw Engines is known coast-to-coast for:

  • Hellcat swaps

  • Custom crate builds

  • History-breaking motors

  • Iconic engine bay craftsmanship

We don’t just build engines. We build legends.

Ready to start your build?
Contact JT & Outlaw Engines ➤

Stay tuned and subscribe for exclusive shop stories, first-look builds, and behind-the-scenes footage from the Outlaw Garage.

Faith Talor