Phillip Jeez,I wouldn't go that far!! I'm not at all an accomplished fabricator, in my opinion.I can't even weld but fortunately there wasn't much welding needed.I might agree I was an acomplished thinker!
I totally understand what you guys are saying about giving warnings about how complicated things can be.I remember when I was younger and didn't know as much. I had big dreams.There was alot I wanted to try that I never did and looking back it's a good thing.The part that gets under my skin are the statements about how "this or that won't fit",that sound set in stone.If you told me my engine swap was going to be hard but I could use things like a stock oil pan,stock manifolds etc,that would make or break my decision to do the job.(and did)I don't even want to start fabricating that stuff.
I don't want a reputation as a modifier.I actually prefer most of my volvos stock for the most part.They are great cars the way they are,just slap on some wheels,maybe a little suspension and a go fast goodie or too.Most of the stuff I modify is related to safety (mostly brake upgrades).I just wanted to try something different with my 145 that I had been told couldn't be done for so long.I'm finding that unfortunately I'm falling between the Turbobricks crowd and brickboarders.Neither seems to want the "bastard child"!
As far as proof of the big block swaps you'd have to swing by Volpar in Santa Clara,that project was unfortunately not owned by me.I also didn't do it all myself,I was one of 3 people that worked on that project.The car got a carburated 396 first and then was stepped up to a 454 with fuel injection.The last I heard (I dislike volpar) the car was hit 5 years ago or so and the parts were transfered to another car.That was the same place the small block swaps were done and the guy from JTR was around alot checking it out.I think it was the inspiration for his swap manual.