Ep 96. Parking Lot Engine Swap: More Power for the Draguar!

As the title suggests, Roadkill season 8 episode 96 titled "Parking Lot Engine Swap: More Power for the Draguar!" is all about upgrading the engine of a classic Jaguar. Hosts David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan travel to Arizona to modify a 1974 Jaguar XJ12 known as the Draguar. The Draguar has already undergone some customization, including the addition of a nitrous system, and it's won a few races at the track. However, the hood is too small for the massive engine and it's difficult to access for adjustments or tuning.

The hosts' plan is to give the car a more powerful engine using parts scavenged from other cars. In order to achieve this, they'll need to do an engine swap with minimal tools and in a parking lot. While they don't have an exact plan in mind, they're determined to make it happen. David and Mike start by stripping everything out of the engine bay and remove the original engine. They then proceed to try different engine configurations in hopes of finding the perfect fit.

The process of swapping engines is anything but smooth, with struggles and setbacks. But the guys persevere through the adversity, making adjustments to their plans as necessary. They're aided by the help of fellow car enthusiasts who are in the area to attend a nearby car show. Together they manage to not only pull the new engine apart and diagnose any damage but also cobble together the perfect engine for the Draguar.

As the show progresses, we see the hosts and their helpers grapple with various challenges. From struggling to remove the old engine to fabricating a new engine mount from scratch. They even encounter issues with the transmission. However, thanks to their expertise and ingenuity, they manage to overcome every obstacle that comes their way.

Once the new engine is in place, the team and the Draguar head to the drag strip to test out the new upgrade. As adrenaline-filled as it always is when racing, the drag races are a thrilling culmination of the team's hard work. Viewers can witness the drag races play out and see if the upgraded engine is worth its salt.

As with all episodes of Roadkill, "Parking Lot Engine Swap: More Power for the Draguar!" is packed with humor, excitement, and most importantly car culture. Car enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the Draguar transform into a more robust machine, while those who don't have the same passion for car mods will find this episode engaging because of the determination and resourcefulness demonstrated by the team. Viewers will also benefit from seeing some new perspectives, such as ideation and thinking outside the box to solve problems that would typically stump the average person.

While this episode does stand alone, regular Roadkill viewers will appreciate the show's overarching ethos of pushing limits and doing the impossible. Fans will recognize that this episode is on-brand for the show, given the ambitious nature of the engine swap. "Parking Lot Engine Swap: More Power for the Draguar!" is a fantastic addition to the show's already incredible lineup, and fans of the show are bound to enjoy the latest release.