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![Anything Is Possible At Daddy Motor Works](http://wernermotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/anything-is-possible-at-daddy-motor-works.jpg)
Welcome to Daddy Motor Works where your wildest engine swap dreams can become reality.
As you probably recall, we met up with Oto-san a while back when he showed us his soon-to-be-GR-Yaris-powered AE86 Levin drift car. As I touched in that story, engine swaps aren’t something Oto-san simply dabbles in – they’re what he does day in and day out, and it’s pretty much been that way right back to the time he was a mechanic at C&Y Sports.
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Oto-san is the sort of fabricator that Japan needs more of. Most modifying here revolves around bolt-on parts and kits ordered out of a catalogue, all fitted via an instruction booklet.
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A lot of it comes down to people only wanting aftermarket upgrades that been proven and tested countless times before, perhaps so that if it all goes wrong there’s a warranty or they can just complain to the tuner that did the fitting. That’s understandable I guess, especially when you’re talking about late-model or brand new cars, but it really does stifle creativity.
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Oto-san’s customers are different. They want something unique, and Daddy Motor Works is a company that can take all these ‘what ifs’ and make them come true.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_08](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000625/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_08-1200x800.jpg)
Not that every car that passes through the shop leaves with a motor swap; Oto-san will take care of any request. Take this SR311 Datsun Fairlady 2000 for example….
It runs the stock – albeit now worked – 2.0L four-cylinder.
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In was in for a little modern touch in the form of an electric power steering conversion. Oto-san does quite a lot of these, using compact steering systems from modern kei cars. They’re easily integrated to all sorts of Japanese classics, making them far more easy to live with.
The Swaps
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It didn’t take me long to notice the RPS13 in the corner of the shop.
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The eight aggressively-angled, shiny velocity stacks protruding from the center of the engine bay was instant confirmation that the Nissan’s original four-cylinder is gone.
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If you’re the type that doesn’t like cross-brand engine swaps, then this one’s probably not for you. But is there really anything wrong with a Toyota 1UZ-FE in a 180SX? This won’t be the most powerful S13 out there, but that wasn’t the goal.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_34](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29001131/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_34-1200x800.jpg)
The goal was reliability, smoothness and sound. That’s three boxes checked in my book!
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_04](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000602/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_04-1200x800.jpg)
A 1UZ would probably go quite well in this Toyota Crown Super Deluxe, but that’s not happening.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_33](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29001125/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_33-1200x800.jpg)
And neither is this 2JZ sitting close by – such a swap is far too predictable for Oto-san.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_32](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29001120/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_32-1200x800.jpg)
The Crown is getting a VQ25DET (that engine wrapped in plastic), the 2.5L single turbo V6 that originally powered the M35 Nissan Stagea. How’s that for unique? The DET version of the VQ was a strong motor that on paper had 280PS, but in reality made over 300 horsepower and bucketloads of torque. Mated to an automatic transmission, this old Toyota will soon be a real pleasure to drive.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_09](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000635/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_09-1200x800.jpg)
On the other lift were two more engine-less cars ready for heart transplants.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_10](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000647/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_10-1200x800.jpg)
First up, the BMW 2002. Can you guess what it’s getting? That subframe is a modified AE86 unit…
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_14](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000753/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_14-1200x800.jpg)
No, not a Toyota engine, but a Honda F20C from an S2000. When I think of a modified or race-ready 2002 I picture a high-revving four-banger, so this is a very cool swap in my opinion.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_27](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29001044/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_27-1200x800.jpg)
Oto-san reassured me that the Hakosuka was only in for an engine refresh, so will continue to run the stroked L-series that’s been powering it for a while now.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_18](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000825/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_18-1200x800.jpg)
On the floor next to the Skyline were the headers, exhaust system and intake setup.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_13](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000735/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_13-1200x800.jpg)
The SSR MKIIIs get a big thumbs up from me; the gold centers are a great look against the Skyline’s glossy red paint.
The Machine Shop
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There is very little that Oto-san orders from a catalogue – other than sheet metal and steel tubing that is. All fabrication is done in-house, and there’s enough machinery on the far side of the shop to bring all his ideas to life.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_22](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000851/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_22-1200x800.jpg)
From the lathe and drill bench to multi-axis drill machine and pipe bender – Oto-san has pretty much every tool he needs.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_19](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000832/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_19-1200x800.jpg)
He’s even modified this sheet metal bender with a Nardi steering wheel. He uses the bender so much that he figured it might as well look and feel special.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_20](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000839/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_20-1200x800.jpg)
The main workbench is where components are laid out and cleaned up when rebuilding or upgrading engines, transmissions, differentials, or anything else that needs attention.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_15](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000802/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_15-1200x800.jpg)
Like any shop that specializes in this sort of work, there is a seemingly endless array of parts laying around. From bits and pieces to be used on current projects….
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_16](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000814/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_16-1200x800.jpg)
…To stuff that will be stocked up and used another time on future builds.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_17](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29000819/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_17-1200x800.jpg)
Whatever it was, it was just fun finding out from Oto-san what things were.
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On each side of the workshop is a mezzanine level. One side is reserved for storage, and that includes a BBQ grille for those important shop cook-outs.
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The other side is where Daddy Motor Work’s air-conditioned office is located. Check out the old Speedhunters stickers I gave Oto-san when I first met him back in the day.
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This is where Oto-san meets his clients and sits down to talk ideas.
The setup really does maximize the available space.
![daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_45](http://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/29001307/daddy_motor_works_dino_dalle_carbonare_45-1200x800.jpg)
The large paved yard in front of the shop is where Oto-san’s donor cars are stored. They’re constantly giving up bits and pieces so that new projects can be completed and made functional.
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If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you can’t wait for Oto-san to finish the G16E-powered AE86. Hopefully we’ll get to see it before the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon in January next year.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
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