NOFX said:
We've seen plenty of cars get their front ends stolen and have the front ends replaced with the theif's old one. I hardly think this is unusual.
i think what you said is different that your current situation however...there are plenty of money makers on your car that are easy to take off and do not leave a trace, like your cf hood....its just weird as hell that they wouldnt take this...
this sounds like someone who knew you had it, wanted the engine but because they probably knew you, and knew insurance money could get you another engine, they decided to not f**k you over completely and leave you everything else but the engine.
this looks like those 2 for 1 deals in the store....someone jacks your s**t so they can have one too knowing youll be able to get another one with insurance money...too fishy, for even the dumbest thief would take the hood.
EDIT: search around online for engines being sold with seller being from around your area...the smart thief would not put that engin into his car but would sell it..use the money to buy the same but different engine. and then he can come out in public and say he saved enough money to buy a swap.
EDIT: i would look into people who had recently talked about getting a swap...this is what a thief who had planned to take your engine would do in my opinion. they are setting up the situation before the crime takes place so their swap does not come as a surprise because it makes people think they had been planning a swap even before yours was stolen.