But common.
I am not aware of how common that conversion is.
Visitors to this forum have been condemned for making one emission control modification and warned of large government fines.
This whole thread (and others) is about extreme modifications, where are the emission control alarmists? Something to consider before alienating the next hotrodder.
I watch high end auctions on TV (Barrett Jackson, Mecum) to see stock, exotic and modified cars. Many of them have LS swaps into Fords.
On the latest B-J auction it seemed like 80% of the cars had their original engines yanked and some new GM small block put in, including a couple of split-window Corvettes. Alway paired with a modern set of alloy wheels that did NOTHING for the looks. Got very boring, very quick.
Tastes will vary and everyone can spend their money the way they see fit . . . but for me, doing all of that would defeat the purpose of having some of those cars you mentioned
Were it mine, I might make a few concessions towards safety, such as disc brakes all around, but I wouldnāt change the whole look by dropping in an LS and slamming it on fat rims and tires
In the case of rare cars like split window Corvettes, they replace a trashed engine with an LS or BBC. If the original engine was fixable the car would be worth a lot more with it.
That, and the āresto-modā additions, wheels, etc. Not my cup of tea, but they sold for big $$, as did many of the high-cost modified āclassicsā.
Iām not interested in them either. These Auctions seem to be a place for restomod shops to connect with people that have way too much extra cash.