1UZFE Lexus V8 converstion

[240m3srt]

I love the idea of a Toyota/Lexus v8 as id like to keep all Toyota parts. Hope one of you guys here in the US puts a build thread in these forums if you decide to go through with it. Im not sure the power would make it worth the money for me. Nor would the v6 supercharger which is intercooler limited(or lack there of) IMO...they only seem to put down 240rwhp and heat soak quickly. Then theres turbo...the only turbo v6 ive seen was a guy around here putting down 360-380 but i think the engine had a problem because it was a stock bottom end or something(dont quote me on that).

I wonder what it would take to put something GM related for a better bang to buck ratio. Yes i know i didnt really like the idea at first either...but what if you could score an LS1 w/tranny, ecm, tranny, wiring harness for a reasonable price(i found these on ebay for $3-3.5k)...i wonder what a shop would charge-turn key working a/c and all. Heck it might not even clear the hood, steering rack or let alone even fit. I guess im just dreaming.

But an LS1 with a roots type blower in my 3rd gen would give me a stiffy.:boink:

 

[97-4xFunner]

Love the idea of a V8 in a third gen. Does sound like some work.

 

[Jon]

I love the idea of a Toyota/Lexus v8 as id like to keep all Toyota parts. Hope one of you guys here in the US puts a build thread in these forums if you decide to go through with it. Im not sure the power would make it worth the money for me. Nor would the v6 supercharger which is intercooler limited(or lack there of) IMO...they only seem to put down 240rwhp and heat soak quickly. Then theres turbo...the only turbo v6 ive seen was a guy around here putting down 360-380 but i think the engine had a problem because it was a stock bottom end or something(dont quote me on that).

I wonder what it would take to put something GM related for a better bang to buck ratio. Yes i know i didnt really like the idea at first either...but what if you could score an LS1 w/tranny, ecm, tranny, wiring harness for a reasonable price(i found these on ebay for $3-3.5k)...i wonder what a shop would charge-turn key working a/c and all. Heck it might not even clear the hood, steering rack or let alone even fit. I guess im just dreaming.

But an LS1 with a roots type blower in my 3rd gen would give me a stiffy.:boink:

If I was to do a V8 swap I'd use a domestic V8. I love the Ford 302. and its also the smallest external dimensions, therefore easiest to fit. Throw a good old T5 behind it, 9" read and Dana 44 up front custom drive shafts and it's done. Of course I wouldn't leave the 302 stock. It end up as a 400+HP 347 stroker. And all that's gonna need wiring is the starter, alt, distributor and choke. That brings the price down to $5-6K. I've already done the research to do this to my old Subby wagon (it was just gonna be 2WD).

There's always the right way and an easy way, mine of course being the latter of the two.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I've been involved with a 350 Chevy swap into a Jeep before (arguably much easier than this swap) and it's a lot of work.

As stated above the electrics are a pain, and getting all the driveline geometry correct was also a lot of work.

If I were going to try this, I would start with a good body with a clapped out motor and make sure you have EVERYTHING from the donor car (ECU, wiring harnesses, etc..). You probably are going to end up fabricating a lot of things like mounts.

A lot of these projects get started and never get finished because of how involved they can be to do right.

I think it would be a cool project, but I wouldn't attempt it on your daily driver because its going to take a lot longer than you might think.

Now, if you have good skills, go for it, but if you are depending on somebody else to do the work open up your checkbook. It's going to dig deep.

I know a guy that put the entire drivetrain AND interior from a late model Camaro SS into his '65 Rambler 2 door convertible. It took him 8 months of weekends and everything had to be custom fabricated (and yes, that engine is TIGHT in there) but man, is that car cool.

 

[024RunnerSE]

This swap isn't as hard as one might think. I'm doing this engine swap with a 5 spd M/T in my daily driver/track Cressida. My buddy did this in his Toyota pickup in a matter of weeks and he wasn't even spending a lot of time on it.

The whole donor 97 LS400 only costed me $600 and the adapter plate and misc parts all together are about another $600.

Heres a pic mating the 1UZ to a W58 out of a Supra.

And here's my buddies hilux with a JDM 96 1UZ he bought complete from Venus for $800

And this pic shows his full stainless steel exhaust. Notice the pickup W57 tranny mated to the 1UZ Auto bell housing.

And here's a video of him making me laugh.



And here's a video of Rear wheel horsepower and torque.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Very cool 024RunnerSE.

But my point is, and I think you'll agree - this is not something for the mechanically challenged to attempt.

Not saying the thread owner falls under that category, but it's not like changing spark plugs.

If you know what you are doing, it could be a really cool project. But it can also be a bottomless pit and source of major frustration if you don't.

Agree?