Where does the term Lump come from when referring to a car modified with an engine not originally from the same manufacturer?

I assume it's an acronym, but what does it stand for?
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Less Upkeep More Power


For as long as I can remember the word 'lump' has been used to describe the engine of any car. Not often, but I've heard it. Presumably because it's a big ol' lump of iron sitting under the hood.

However, 'lumped' used in engine swap context is, I'm pretty sure, a Jaguar only thing. I've never heard it used to describe engine swaps/conversons in any other brands. You're 'lumping' your Jag with a big ol' lump of American V8 under the hood. I first heard it used that way on the Jag-lovers discussion group many many years ago. Not really accurate, though, since many of the V8s weigh less than the Jag engines.

Just my take. Others will chime in.

Cheers
DD

 

'Lump' seems to be exclusively a US term applied as Doug has described.

I get the idea only from reading forums that its use is usually intended to be derogatory?

Graham

 

I always thought that it referred to the sound the engine made because of the timing that the cam had that made the car make the "erratic idle" sound, or a lump sound.

 

Thank you, Doug, that explains it Perfectly!

I've heard it in reference to another car recently about putting a Ford in something, but that was since I heard it about Jaguars. So maybe it's one of those things like Kleenex, becoming a generic term meaning any car converted to another engine.

Graham, it is a derogatory term, especially among the Purists. It's a bit like calling your wife a B***h, which of course some are and I could name names. I'm sure that's why most of us with converted Jaguars don't call them "lumps" but "Conversions."

Chris, I like your answer too. I wouldn't mind if mind sounded like that.
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