Yesterday we took a look at Lancia Flaminia to make a case for how to spend $40,000 on a Lancia. Today's 16V-swapped Lancia HF Integrale is how we imagine a lot more folks would approach this hypothetical exercise. There's a lot to like here too - can we change our response?

Let's get into some armchair engineering to understand why someone would go through the trouble of swapping in a new powertrain to increase peak horsepower by 15hp. When a waste gate spring would very likely bring about a similar result, why go through the trouble of swapping in the 16v mill? To us, it looks like most of the benefit is in the top end. The 8V turbocharger can't overcome restriction as well past 5300RPM, whereas the 16V breathes better, allowing it to increase torque by 4% at 5500RPM compared to the 8V at 5300RPM. We've never driven either, so we're curious to know if the difference is noticeable.

Year: 1989
Model:  Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  51,400
Price: $30,000
Location: Barranquitas, Puerto Rico

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V Swap

Used car in amazing condition for its year. Imported from Spain comin from a private collection in Madrid according to the broker who I bouht it from. A TOTAL headturner. This is an EUROPEAN market car and VERY FEW are in the US. Excellent interior with recaro seats (Almost as new). Paint has very few details. Rebuilt engine with new tires and battery. Refinished wheels. Only thing missing is the radio. AC is not installed when they swaped the 16V engine. Power windows work. Gauges work. New fuel line with custom fittings just installed. Rebuilt T03 turbo. New OEM NGK Spark Plugs. Piper X foam air filter. New intake silicone hoses in black (not shown in pictures). White Evo replica wheels in aluminum made in Italy (not shown in pics)

Serious buyers will need much better photos than are currently offered by the seller. Notably absent are any shots of the underside to help assess rust. And on an engine-swapped car, it's important to show photos of the swap so that buyers can get a feel for how neat the work was performed. We don't love that A/C wasn't carried over, but a rebuilt engine could be a real benefit if documented well.

The reason that we like this particular example is the condition (as far as we can tell from our computer screens) and the relatively sane price. We don't know the market on these too well, so maybe it's a bit optimistically priced, but we think that it's basically a 16V car priced like an 8V. With a decent number of miles on the clock, this car was never destined to sit in a collector's garage, so we can appreciate the upgraded engine. And that hood? Fine by us.

-Graham