TR7 LexusV8 conversion

[Dan B]

We started work on the TR7 this weekend at Jim's shop.

This it the LS400 engine I was planning to use.

Along with this transmission

[Dan B]

Here is the subframe after we removed the TR7 engine and transmission, and pressure washed it.

Lots of bits in the background in buckets and on the floors.  Looks like some strut work is needed.

[dwtr6v8]

Man, that 4 cammer looks WIDE! I wish I was there to help, but you two are thankful I'm not. Good progress my friend.

[britcars]

Dan, that motor does look very wide and the plenum looks very high too but hard to tell without some reference point.  The oil filter seems to hang out there a mile as well.  Might take TWO shoehorns for this one.
Phil

[BlownMGB-V8]

Phil, you would be amazed at the room inside the TR7 engine compartment. The Aussies who have done this swap tell us they installed the engine by lifting it in from the bottom, the same way the engines were factory installed on the TT7 and TR8 and looking at the frame rails I see no reason to think it won't work just that way, The measurements look right. I believe it will go in with the exhaust manifolds attached, and a full compliment of accessories including low mounted A/C, alternator, and possibly even a P/S pump. We have two oil filter mounts but that is the least of our worries. We're told the stock double bump hood will clear just fine. The fresh air plenum however may be a different matter. We will see about that.

By all accounts this is a considerably easier swap than the Rover V8 and makes for a much nicer daily driver. Mounts should be quite easy and the only serious challenge seems to be the choice of radiator.

Jim

[britcars]

It looks like you have it figured out Jim.  Dan should be a nice ride when done.  I've ridden in Dan's TR7, he graciously chauffered me around during either the Raleigh or Indy v8 met.

take care,
Phil

[Dan B]

Phil, you can understand the need to do this!  We struggled to keep up in Indy.  

Here is a link to my inspiration:  http://www.britishv8.org/Triumph/RodneyWells.htm

[74ls1tr6]

Looks like it will be a fun ride Dan!

[Scott Costanzo]

Dan,

Looks great! Looking forward to following your progress.

Are you planning on taking it to Colorado next year? :-)

[Dan B]

Maybe.

[kstevusa]

Dan, looks like a great combo.  some specs on engine please?  HP, Torque and PRM Band?   Probably has a Hemi type combustion chamber?    Should be a pleasure to drive.    What R/E ratio and type of diff. do you plan?
 See you in Townsend in Oct?

[Dan B]

Standard engine puts out about 250HP and 260 lb/ft.  It is based on a CART/IRL engine design. 3.44 in bore, 3.25 in stroke.  6 bolt mains.  I think the SC engine has bigger injectors and puts out a little more than the LS. I read that someplace.

Fot the time being the stock 3.45 differential is being used. I might go to higher gears or upgrade the axle at some point.

I won't be making Townsend this fall.  Too much stuff going on that weekend.

[Dan Jones]

That should be a nice runner when finished.  What transmission is that?  
Do you have width and height measurements on the Lexus V8?
I've wondered if a Ford 4.6L DOHC engine would fit but have never
measured the engine bay.

Thanks,
Dan Jones

[Dan B]

Dan, here are the measurements.  I found this on Lextreme.com I think, but saved it some time ago.  I had to convert it to jpg to post here.  If it is not readable for you let me know and I will email you the original I saved.  I think it is a pdf.

The transmission is a W58

[Dan Jones]

Thanks Dan, I was able to read it.  It appears the LS400 engine is approximately 24" tall x 26" wide.
The covers are off as is the upper intake plenum so it's likely a bit larget than that.  The Ford
Racing catalog lists the 4.6L DOHC V8 at 30" wide x 29 7/8" tall x 28" deep.   It's not clear which
4.6L DOHC that is but it's probably a Mustang engine.  I think the Lincoln Mk VIII had the lowest
intake manifold.  I know the 1998 Cobra 4.6L intake is taller than the Mk VIII.  The new Ford Mustang
5.0L 4V TI-VCT engine is more compact at 28" wide x 27" tall x 26" deep.

It appears there's a chance a Ford 4.6L DOHC engine will fit.  Mk VIII engines are all aluminum
and quite inexpensive these days.  The one I have in the '63 TBird project is rated at 290 HP
while the 1998 Cobra 4.6L was rated at 305 HP (later versions were 320 HP for the normally aspirated
ones).  I may have to do a fit check when I've got the TR8 engine out.

The 5.0L DOHC engines are considerably nicer making over 400 HP but are thin on the ground at
the moment.  

Dan Jones

[mgb260]

Dan B, Cool swap!  Is that an adapter I see between the bellhousing and tranny? Are you using Toyota truck flywheel and clutch set?

[BlownMGB-V8]

Jim, he has a nifty little 16 lb steel flywheel, I bet you it isn't more than 3/8" thick anywhere. We weighed it on my postal scale. Then he has a 6 puck clutch disc with sintered pads and what looks like a pretty heavily sprung hub. I'm not sure what the pressure plate is. But the guy was building a drift car so I'd guess it'll do the trick.

Jim

[mgb260]

Jim, sounds like a cool setup! I think Dan will be very happy with the performance. The W58 is one of the best, smoothest shifting  5 speeds. I was researching the swap out of curiosity and it seems very popular. There are kits and a couple DIY's on the web.

[MGBV8]

By all accounts this is a considerably easier swap than the Rover V8

Really, why?

[Dan B]

That comment may have been slightly exaggerated, Carl.  Rodney Wells says he had done several Rover engine swaps before he did the 1UZ but he is much happier with the Toyota engine/transmission.

[MGBV8]

He should be. You will be, too.  It's an awesome engine/tranny combo.

What W58? I found a 1986.5 Toyota Supra MK3 for $250.

[Dan B]

That may be what I have, I'm really not sure.  The adapter and the 1uz bellhousing are the expensive parts, and the guy I got the engine and trans from had already gotten all that together as well as the flywheel, clutch and htob to build a drift car with a Nissan 240SX,  He decided to go with a 350 instead

[mgb260]

Carl, Dan has the 86.5 and newer. The shifter is a little further back than the 83-85.

[MGBV8]

Thanks, Jim. I just ran across it, Wasn't sure if I should snatch it up. Hmm, maybe for my MG TF?

[mgb260]

Carl, They are one of the smoothest shifting 5 speeds out there. About the same strength as the T5. Of course that is with a new nylon ball socket and aftermarket shifter. What engine are you going to run? There are some Jeep and Dakota AX5 bellhousings that will bolt up the AMC 4 or GM small V6. Or Novack has a small block Chevy adapter.