Okay, well im kinda looking for a car thats a hatchback. The thing is i dont want one with a SOHC engine. Im kinda looking for one with DOHC swap or better. My question is has anybody had any problems with their swaps after buying it? What do i need to look for when i go to take a look at one.

 

Trustable? Reliable is what you want. Any swap that retains most of the factory equipment will be the most reliable. Stay away from the TOHCs.

 

A reliable drivetrain swapped into a similar car is still a reliable drive train.

 

its up to you...the only thing you can visually look for under the hood are oil leaks, corroded wires or missing grounds and cracked radiator hoses. if the car is lowered try to get a glimpse at the header if you can. maybe the car your looking at has a crushed header where it bends. the thing about buying a car that already has an engine swap is you dont know how the guy selling the car drove it and how well he took care of it. not all sellers are going to be completely honest with you. ask him to start it up listen to how it idles and stand behind the car when he starts it to look for blueish smoke or a huge cloud of white smoke. you can also go to the the front of the car when he starts it to smell/look for gasoline that might be leaking. make sure you ask to test drive it. if he doesnt let you take it out i would ask him to take you for a drive and have him to open it up to see how it pulls in all gears (listen for grinding and gears popping out) and if possible have a friend follow him while hes doing this so your friend can look for any black, blue, or excessive white smoke. also, ask him to give the brakes a good stopping test. just be aware of what you buy. watch out for people selling cars that say, "as is" there may or may not be something wrong with it. you gotta be vigilant, good luck