1UZ-FE in a MGB

[zeke5551]

Has anyone thought about or tried to use a 1UZ-FE 4.0 Toyota V8 in an MGB. I've got 3 MGBs; 2 with V6s and a project MGB GT without a drive train. I've been watching a lot of the guys building drift cars and such using the Lexus DOHC 4.0 V8. It's a pretty small engine, but wide in the heads. It is easily adapted to a 5 speed, the early ones are fairly easy to wire. The JDM sites have them pretty reasonable, at least 285hp (dead stock). I need to find a LS400 Lexus to measure. Any thoughts? I've done a few TPI, TB and LS type conversions, but would like to try something a little different. I bought both of the MGBs with engine already done and kind of enjoying a sports car instead of a muscle car. Too many Mustangs, Camaros and Chevelles  floating around and I've built them all. I've thought of using one of the JDM red, black or silver top engines, but they were never brought into the USA and I worry about getting parts. There are tons of old Lexus around. Let me know what you think. Zeke

[MGBV8]

Yes. It doesn't fit.

Jim Blackwood will be along shortly.  He is helping (doing the heavy lifting) his brother, Dan, put one in a TR7. They let me help some.

Anyway, here the whole story:

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?3,40779,page=1

[zeke5551]

I also have a line on a TR6 without a drive train. I'll have to measure the width between the frame rails. I've got a width of 24" of thw 1UZ-FE at the widest point, but can't figure out how wide it is at frame rail heighth. If it will fit in a TR6, I might get rid of the MGB GT and try it on the TR6. The TR6 originally had a butcher job 350 chevy in it, where as the MGB GT hasn't been messed with. I might get some idea by the picture of the TR7 project. zeke

[MGBV8]

Here's Jim's notes on the 1UZ in a B & a couple pics.

One thing we wanted to do was sit Dan's 1UZ in the MGB engine bay and see how it looks and we did that momentarily in between a few other things. We had it pretty well stripped down to a bare engine, although the motor mount castings were still attached to the block. These ended up sitting down on the frame rails and that limited us on how far we could go down, but hood clearance would be very close and I'm not at all certain it will fit under the hood without relocating the steering and cutting the crossmember. Of course we've done those things before. The headers would be a serious problem however. With the engine sitting high they are closer to the inner wings than the exhaust in the MG-Roadmaster. If it was lowered enough to clear the hood I think the exhaust ports would pretty near be against the sheet metal. Probably a consequence of having the exhaust valves to the outside of the piston centerlines. Somebody someday may find a way to do this swap, but from what we saw there are a lot better choices out there, and I think this is probably also what you would run into with the Ford Modular motors. I think the shock absorber will be in the way. Now with the Fast Cars front end and a little creativity, who knows? But it would be a serious challenge and I suspect, somewhat costly.

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?10,40776,41735

[MGBV8]

[zeke5551]

Mmmm, there is both a front and rear sump available and Tundra exhaust is very compact. I better measure that TR6. This is great information and I appreciate all the help. The 1UZ motor is a great motor and easily found. I would like to try one out in something. I'll keep thinking. Thanks, Zeke

[Dan B]

We ended up using a SC400 engine in the TR7 because of the sump location.  The LS400 sump was right over the TR7 subframe, but the SC sump nestles nicely in behind the subframe and makes it look like they were made for each other.  I also have a TR4A.  It is much more narrow than a TR7 and probably narrower than a B.  You will need a big shoehorn.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Pick a TR7 for the 1UZ swap. It's been done and it works.

Jim

[roverman]

Zeke, don't listen to these guys, their biased against the Jensen Healey !/lol. YOU could put a V8 crossways in the Healey,(28" between the rails).  Good Luck, roverman.