TR7 LexusV8 conversion

[Dan B]

I mentioned your solution to Jim while we were kicking ideas around.  I remember seeing it and did think it was pretty cool.  I do plan to go with a single exhaust too, but here is what we came up with on the coil packs:

[Dan B]

More pics

A shot from the mezzanine in Jim's shop.  

Modification of the 36-2 wheel by adding 2 teeth

A tooth needs cut off to make a 36-1

[Dan B]

[DiDueColpi]

You're like a magician or something Dan!
The way that reluctor transformed in your hand is awesome! :-)

Cheers
Fred

[Dan B]

Actually, that is Jim's hand. You know what a magician he is!

[DiDueColpi]

Yes sir I do.

[donkelly23]

An idea for mating that engine and sub to the Wedge.
I had this idea along with a friend Darrell who beat me to the purchase punch.
It's available at most of the usual places.
It's a hydraulic table that raises to 36"
That way you can drop the body and raise the engine. Easy to get under and stay on top of it

[Dan B]

A table like that would be handy!

[donkelly23]

I have my trans on it at the moment so that I can sit and work on it at my preferred height

[trseven]

Can't help but wonder about your progress!  Hope all is well.  I did come across a page with a Jeep or 2 that got this engine in a transplant.
 
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/videos/a29362/jeep-wrangler-yj-lexus-v8/

Pretty crazy!  Still have that extra engine?

Gerry

[BlownMGB-V8]

Progress is good. Last weekend Dan and I completed most of the wiring on the conversion so as it now stands there are still a few sensors to hook up, temp and such, and the exhaust pipes, then it is ready for pre-startup checks. We will schedule that for a weekend when we can get together with the Chump car crew since they all helped and will probably want to be there.

A few items, the IAC is a 6 wire connection but is a fairly standard 4 lead stepper motor with two power leads. The odd looking solenoid on the water pump is a hydraulic valve and is not needed, TPS is standard 3 wire. We went with the EDIS ignition which is pretty easy to do but it would be helpful to find a set of plug wires that are well suited to that use. The plug boots go way down a hole and of course the coil boots are unique. I'd post a photo but the car is back under wraps in the barn.

Jim

[Dan B]

Yeah, we should have taken some pictures last weekend.  I thought about that too late.  But with wiring you don't really notice much in wide shots.  I used the Lexus wires that came with the engine and put the Ford EDIS plugs for the coil towers on them.  Where we mounted the coils it caused the length of the wires to not exactly work out as I would have hoped, so a future upgrade will be getting a better job on the wires.  On the other side of that, the injector plugs that Steve and Carl wired up for me using the junk harness parts got upgraded with new injector connectors.  Jim did that while I was doing the plug wires.  He wired up the EDIS controller while I was hooking up the IAC and TPS.

Which extra engine are you talking about?  I do have the Lexus LS400 engine, but we have robbed a few parts.  If you were talking about the TR7 engine, I have a spare one of those in my parts car with about 30k on it.  Allegedly it is frozen up.

[trseven]

Thanks for the update!  Oh, your spare engine is out of a LS400.  I remember somewhere that you picked up a second 1uz and it had a even better leak down test.  Thought it was in this thread but I don't see it.   I'm not sure the difference in the two models but I remember the SC400 was the one to get.  I'm not serious about starting a conversion anytime soon.  I just don't have the time at the moment. (stupid house!)  And I have a spare TR7 engine myself, anyone want it?  

Gerry

[Dan B]

Yes, the second engine is the SC400 engine.  I was trying to get the rear sump pan and ended up buying the engine. You are correct, it had a much better leak down test, so we used it.  The LS400 engine is sitting in my garage with the sump off, valve covers off, front covers off, but most of it is there.  On the TR7 forum there are folks who have modified rover pans, used ford pans, etc. but the SC400 pan fits perfectly!

[Dan B]

Jim and I are making progress

[Dan B]

We completed the list of wiring, with only a couple of exceptions.  The Megasquirt was modified to control EDIS and IAC, but needs the firmware updated.  We squirted some gas into the intake in hopes to get it to fire in "limp mode" but it didn't hit.

Progress.

[Scott Costanzo]

Looking good Dan!!

[BlownMGB-V8]

The wiring is done. (Finally!) The controller needs flashed and installed, then we should be ready for final checks and startup next time Dan can come for a visit. Do a little tuning, and he can take it home to have the exhaust installed.

He and I did the last couple of weekends unassisted because for wiring it's hard for more than two people to coordinate working on it and distractions have to be minimized, but now with that part finished if the regular crew wants to be here for the start-up it's just a matter of coordinating the weekend, and I'm sure we can find things to do on the Chump Car, though it may have to be after Townsend, we'll see.

Cranking it sounded good, and we used chain-saw gas which should be good for the rings. Dan also installed a shifter kit in the transmission, and he's looking for a speedo cable adapter. He needs a pair of A/C compressor fitting adapters and will be able then to charge the A/C system. After that it's shake-down and tuning.

Jim

[Dan B]

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[Scott Costanzo]

Outstanding Dan!!!

[Dan B]

We had a plumbing error and were not getting fuel. In the process of replumbing, the pump fell and broke.  The car is running on gas from a squirt bottle

[dwtr6v8]

Sounds Good. Sorry about the pump! Maybe you need a good hands man like me.

[Dan B]

You working for State Farm now?

[Dan B]

Plans are to work on the TR7 this weekend and bring it back to WV on Sunday. Then I can take it to a local muffler shop here and get exhaust put on it.  Jim says it runs, so we need to do a little tuning.  Also the HTOB needs a seal kit, so the tranny will have to come out this weekend.

[MGBV8]

Looking forward to it, Dan!