I own a 2005 Santa Fe with the 2.7L V6 in it. It's just front-wheel drive, but it's loaded otherwise. I was wondering if the new 2.2L diesel will fit in the older Santa Fe's. I live in the US, so the diesels aren't available over here. Is it possible to do an engine swap and put either the 2.0L or the 2.2L diesel in my car? I wanted to convert it to 4WD also, if possible. I'm looking for an engine from an otherwise totalled vehicle. I still have to do the cost analysis to see if it would be cheaper to ship the engine over from where ever, swap it out with mine, and make my car 4WD vs. buying a new diesel vehicle (whether a Hyundai or other). Any one have any ideas if this is possbile, or am I just wasting time. I'm wanting to do this because of the better gas milage of the diesel, and I can run bio-diesel in it. Gas is getting to expensive.

You are probably better off trying to find a diesel one that can be shipped in. Trying to change all what would be required would be a nightmare. You would need the transmission/transaxel as the gearing in a diesel is different, fuel tank all the lines, computer, and maybe the speedo cluster. Plus the fact the dealer would not be able to work on it as they have no diesel mechanics over here if something major went wrong or the computer screwed up. Plus you would have to get the parts from overseas as I doubt that the dealer would be willing to bring them in.
Just my two cents

the above post is right, this would be a major expensive job and not worth the agravation

Dear Devil Puppy,

Concur with Montego and SantaFe 05. Forgetting the conversion from Gas to Diesel, the change from FWD to AWD is also a nightmare and not worth the trouble. You have to replace the entire drive train from engine back, and most of the suspension. Cheaper to buy a used AWD.

Also, be aware that the Santa Fe with the 2.4 liter is a slow dog. Switching to a 2.0 liter gas or 2.2 liter diesel would make a very slow dog.

Byron