American V8 Swaps into Lexus?

[340i]

for big low end torque, but cheaper than a LS1 swap, why not pop the intake plenum off and have an adaptor for a Weiand 6/71 blower made up, some pulleys etc, and a big hole in the bonnet. it would turn more heads than a big block on full noise. on low boost you may even be able to keep the factory computer and efi. amagine what it would look like...

 

[Drizt]

LS1's are about 30-40lbs heavier than the 1uz IIRC.

1uz is about 175kg, LS1 around the 190kg mark.

Could be wrong, but its just what I remember.

Eitherway, its nothing major.

nope, LS1 is 10kgs lighter than the 1uzfe.....

i dont have the exact stats on me, but i did a lot of research into a while ago..

 

[putzman01]

hello there. im new to this site. my name is justin. sorry i just felt like talking in really short sentences, but i noticed that there was some conflict here on why u would put a GM motor into a lexus. my friend has an sc300 thats relatively stock and i can say that it is darn quick. now i havent had the pleasure of riding in an sc400 but it cant be too much different. I had a 70 chev 3/4 ton pickup that had a 350 in it with even less mods than my friends sc300 and my truck would eat his car alive until we hit 120 or so and he had the high end so he would pull away after that. so im sure it would be pretty much the same if he had the sc400. and then you get into mods. hmm is there over 50 years of aftermarket hop-ups for the lexus...no but are there pushrods in a lexus...no what im getting at is it doesnt matter if u have a 350 or the stock 4.0 in ur lexus because either engine can be made fast, the only difference being whether u want top speed or tire shredding torque. and im deeply affended by the comment about a dumb redneck sayin put a chebby tree-fitty in it because if you havent noticed, there are a lot more possible applications for the 350 and its easier to swap. go ahead...call me stupid

 

[jibbby]

I over looked this thread for some odd known reason, it's right down my alley...

First off swapping in any motor into a different car is challenging enough, let alone a GM motor into a SC400.. Many things you will need to consider...

First off you need to consider the SC400 drivetrain first, it really is not equiped to handle a brute LS1 engine swap...It would probably eat up the lexus tranny in no time and that is if you can wire everything up and make it all happen together...Needless to say instrument integration also would be a hell of challenge too....An independant Stand alone ECU may help simplify matters some...

An LS1 swap into and SC400 would be a heck of an achievement, I for one have seriously pondered on that idea for awhile now... In my opinion you would need the entire LS1 drivetrain swap also to pull it off successfully...An LS1 compatible transmission and rear end swap too.... Many underlining reasons for this which would take too long to write about....

So infact if your just looking for power output then I would say boost the 1uz-fe like Pro suggests, it's way more cost effecient, easier to do, and will give you the least amount of resistance and problems...

However, if you want to be different and maybe the first to do an LS1 swap into an SC400, I would say go for it and good luck..I for one would be the first to commend you on your efforts.... You will get alot of interest for sure!!!!!

Forget about all the negative comments, being different and going against the consensious says alot on it's own... Boldy go where no man has gone before regardless of reason and sanity...:439:

 

[sloshua]

LSX power has been done in about everything. The way to do it would be a complete engine, trans swap. Then a custom driveshaft mating the T56 6 speed to the Lexus diff. The chevy computer has been hacked time and again so no stand alone would be needed. The lexus instruments seem pretty basic so no unusual problems there. It would start around 4k for the LSx engine/trans purchase and could go anywhere from there depending on your personal skill level. To me one of the biggest benefits (besides 400hp stock) would be the 6 speed and modern computer calibrations allowing a hot rod that tops 26mpg on the highway.

 

[cribbj]

Welcome Justin, I'm certainly not going to call you stupid, but for some of us it isn't just about making power, and/or doing it cheaply, it's about doing it with a little panache, and with some equipment which is a little closer to the state of the art than a 50 year old GM motor.

350 pushrod chebbies are just soooooo old fashioned, as are Edelbrock manifolds, Holley carbs, Crower cams, Hooker headers, etc. I fooled with all that garbage 40 years ago. Puuuuhhhlease let's have something new and interesting from Detroit? Maybe for you guys who are 25 and under, the Corvette motor is pretty spiffy, but I've been looking at that same basic lump in every Chevrolet for the last 50 years, and it's boring!

So.....somebody swaps an LS1 into an SC400, and it shreds tires at stoplights and runs 12 second quarters? Ho hum, what's new and interesting about that? But show me a twincharged 1UZ motor, and let's talk......

 

[jibbby]

Man all you guys are all hung up on the fact that American motors suck...Heeeellloooo...Recent motors like the LSx's. Vortec's, Hemi's, trinton's, etc...are all very decent, reliable and nice sized liter motors that don't cost all that much at the yards..... Yeah they do not have the smoothe operations of a Dual overhead cam import V8...However, pound for pound they are easier to work on and less costly to get performance parts for, and the liter size always gives you a good foundation and advantage for what's yet to come....

Cribbs, so I must say, calling the American engines 40 years of garbage, and boring sounds kinda (well I won't say it)...Just remember the worlds fastest drag cars, Nascar's etc...are all mostly built and powered by these powerful garbage and boring American engines...

Back to the topic on hand - A real life LS1 swap into the SC400 - using the independant SC4 axles and the Toyota rear diff gearing ratios may not be the best mate with the LSx and GM drivetrain... GM straight axles and a true mating GM rearend would be a stronger and better option in my opinion. Especially f you want to continue to build or boost up the LS1 motor later on down the road..... Again, the swap would not be cheap and or easy, but can be done with a lot of welding, a little creativity, proper wiring knowledge and diagrams, and patience...I think it would be awesome and an amazing achievement!!!!!!

I personally don't have the garage space right now to do a swap like that or else I swear I would have already given it a go...I have even priced out and scouted out all the GM parts needed and where to get them at a great price..... The wiring integration is the scary part for me, all the ECU wires, sensors, etc... I am not an expert on the wiring stuff but I am sure I could figure it out one wire at a time in combination with looking at the wiring diagrams...

 

[sloshua]

I think the toyota diff/axles should hold up fine. IIRC The big hp supra guys push lots of power without much problem. Between the SC400, SC300, Supra base/TT, auto, etc, i think you can go from 3.25 rear to 3.75 (maybe as high as 4.11 but this is all off of memory). Some of the stock LSx powered cars start as high as 4.11 but most swappers aim for lower if any way possible. Ratios in the mid 3.x range I think. Heck, you could do a stroker LSx with 3.25 rear, and chevy auto and have a luxocruiser rocket with 500hp/500ftlbs to the wheels.
The snobbery bit is played out. LSx motors are incredible. Huge power, great mpg, decent weight. They dont last as long as a toyota V8, but if you built a 500hp lexus motor I bet you dont get 200k out of it. That said, im not likely to do it. Id be way more likely to buy twin turbo headers that would allow a couple of junkyard t3 turbos supported by piggyback engine management for a nice 350-400whp ride. Probably still to much money to spend on a 15year old car.

 

[jibbby]

Sloshua, I concure.... A N/A LS1 sporting around 400whp Vs. a boosted Xuz-fe pushing the same HP's will probably last as long if not longer when comparing the two....Good point... Also the LS1 can probably handle about 200 or more horsepower in stock form over the Xuz-fe motors when boosting both.. That's big..

Everyone, knows that the LS1 is a bad arse engine, that's why so many people are itching to swap it into any car possible...I've seen them dropped into alot of different cars....... As far as the rearends go, the straight axles will perform much better then the independant lexus and Supra axles.. That's one of the reasons you hardly ever see the high powered Supra's break 12 seconds in the quarter... If the gearing ratio's aren't a factor then forget it, but straight axles and a matched LSD may get that SC400 with the LS1 engine into 11's.... Needless to say the handling and cornering will improve also in most cases...

 

[rms]

Needless to say the handling and cornering will improve also in most cases...

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[cribbj]

Jibby have you been hitting that crack pipe again? :boggled:

That last post is so full of misinformation you should delete it and start over. Do you ever bother to confirm any of your statements or do you just enjoy making wild claims that can't be substantiated?

 

[striker]

Think he's reffering to the lower centerpoint of gravity when using an ls? engine Errol. (only few % but still)
I wonder wheter you could actually get any real advantage of that in a heavy car like a stock production toyota anyway but.....

but as you drysump our baby's you'd be spot on anyway!

grtz Thomas

 

[rms]

No Thomas, was thinking that 'vettes have had IRS for some time with LS engines - so they wont do under 12's and you can't make them handle or corner !!!!
Much better if you fitted a live axle.

 

[jibbby]

Oh BOY!!!! Where am I mistaken fellas? Cribbs, Relax on the crack pipe comments, I didn't pick up the pipe yet before that above post, but I did hit that crap hard after reading the following posts......I am not greedy with the crack so I will pass it on if you want a hit Cribbs...:smoker:


In all seriousness, In regards to The "better handling comment" ..Example - if essentially you have a complete rearend from let's say a standard NEW CORVETTE at that ground level, I would venture to assume with confidence that that would handle and grip much better then a Supra or Lexus with independant suspension axles and that is even if the rearend is lowered and stiffer then stock with same tire sizes.....I know it would out perform my SC400 in every way and mine is stiff and lowered more then most......Am I right or wrong in assuming that? Maybe I should have been more specific with that statement.....(Now for facts - I have personally raced and got used off the line a couple of times against a standard newer corvette against my SC400, it wasn't because I was lacking in horsepower or out of control Nitrous traction, it was because of the two cars drivetrain and suspension, etc..I even have fatter and grippier rear tires that was on those vette's...I just don't see a Supra doing any better then my SC4 either off the line. Based on that and my setup, and also many informative reads that is is where I based my statements)

In a different contest outside of GM, aren't straight axles better then independant? Also I am aware that the new Vett's are also equiped with the independant rear suspension.....



I think that answers RMS's post, Cribbs, I can't sift threw your sarcasm to actually defend a comment so I must disregard your post...Striker, yes I was reffering to the lower center of gravity....

 

[striker]

Hey all,

GD cars did some weighing in a T70 with an LS6 and various other twincam v8's they decided that indeed the LS had the advantage of having the center of gravity 3inches lower than varuous twincam's Mr burrows didn't tell which engines helas... (not 1uz probably)

My current kitcar has been availeble in IRS and Live Axle (escort sourced) and I can full throttle wheelspinless pull offs beter without IRS and an LSD than some can with IRS and cossie LSD diffs. so Errol's got a very good point there.

on the engine exchange thing and saying the ls being stronger than a 1uz, I think Justin GT8 has proved that a stock 1uz is not that bad either:Eyecrazy:
and in most cases a well set-up stock turboed/sc'd 1uz will beat it on a horse per $ anyway so why bother.

grtz Thomas

 

[jibbby]

Oh, one other detail about the LS1 engines is that they are wider in the physical demension departement when comparing to an 1uz-fe motor. In order to fit let's say swap in the LS1 into an SC400 some custom work and maybe a flat shape header design would be needed for fitment....

There is a thread on this forum that compares the dimensions of the two motors to each other... The 1uz-fe is longer and the LS1 is wider....

 

[lexman]

there is a guy making over 1000bhp on 1uz's with the stock block, they just changed the rods and pistons. guy had twin gt45's @20psi importantly the the engine is running on the stock crank and stock valve gear. he ran a 7.355 @ 183.29mph, quite an achievement

 

[Pro]

jibby i think cribbj's "crack pipe" comments refer to your "hardly seeing high powered supras breaking the 12sec barrier" comment. or maybe that solid live rear ends are better than independant.

maybe you should come to Australia, or check out YouTube, or google "supra" and see what comes up from Japan.

re: the handling comment - a lower centre of gravity is fine if the engine sits in the same place. if you have to mount it further foward then that "bouns" is negated. i think you need to be a bit more specific.

 

[cribbj]

OK Jibby, here we go, point by point:

A N/A LS1 sporting around 400whp Vs. a boosted Xuz-fe pushing the same HP's will probably last as long if not longer when comparing the two. Also the LS1 can probably handle about 200 or more horsepower in stock form over the Xuz-fe motors when boosting both

Someone reading this might get the impression that the 1UZ is an inferior engine to the LS1 due to its lower power output. This is misleading of course, as the LS1 is a 5.7 litre motor vs only 4.0 litres for the 1UZ. For a more meaningful and objective comparison, do a BMEP test. Run both motors at the same BMEP, and the one which lasts longer is the better built engine. The LS1 is a 346 CID motor which is rated at 345 BHP (SAE Net) at 5600 RPM, which is a BMEP of 141 PSI. The early 1UZ is a 244 CID motor which makes 250 BHP (SAE Net) at 5600 RPM, which is a BMEP of 145 PSI. Run both these puppies either at a BMEP of 141 or 145 PSI and see which one breaks first. My money will be on the Japanese motor outlasting the chebbie. I’m not being un-American or unpatriotic, just realistic.

Everyone, knows that the LS1 is a bad arse engine, that's why so many people are itching to swap it into any car possible...I've seen them dropped into alot of different cars.......

SBC’s (and SBF’s) are cheap, plentiful, and have a huge aftermarket support, as well they should – shoot, the basic SBC has been around for 50 years! They’ve been swapped into anything that has wheels or propellers, but I think the real reason people are using them is because they’re the absolute cheapest way to make power. Everybody and their dog has, or has had a SBC (or SBF) powered project car. Some would say these motors are bad arse; but after 50 years of seeing them stuffed into anything and everything, I say they’re old school and boring.

As far as the rearends go, the straight axles will perform much better then the independant lexus and Supra axles.. That's one of the reasons you hardly ever see the high powered Supra's break 12 seconds in the quarter...

Completely false. Look here: http://www.dragtimes.com/Toyota--Supra-Drag-Racing.html, These are 20 of the highest powered, sub 12 second Supras in the USA. I can’t say with 100% certainty that every single one of these is an IRS car, however I do know three of the owners personally, including the fastest one shown (Kean Wang), and their cars are or were still IRS when these runs were made.

Needless to say the handling and cornering will improve also in most cases

The IRS vs live axle debate has raged for years, however how many purpose built formula cars have live axles? How many GT Prototypes have them? How many can you find in ANY other branch of auto racing (other than NASCAR and NHRA where IRS is not needed, nor an advantage)? Try convincing any world class racecar suspension engineer that a live axle will improve the handling and cornering of his racecar over double wishbones or their variants.

BTW, just another clarification, Corvettes have had a version of IRS since the '63 C2, but didn't get SLA wishbones at the rear until the C6 came out last year.

 

[jibbby]

That's more like it...

Pro - I remember you recent posted a comment and stated "What does a 400hp Supra and a 800hp Supra both have in common, they all run in the 12's" I am sure you remember posting that, right?.... Something to that effect is what you stated, of course you were joking with that comment but it does have some truth to it...

Cribbs, that's a little better...a little substance now....

1rst off - An N/A LS1 with good exhaust and cams can pound out 400whp or so, compare that too a boosted stock 1uz-fe pounding out 400whp, which would last longer....I know these 1uz-fe motors are very stout, but I would bet the LS1 would outlast the 1uz-fe over time...My 1uz-fe is wearing down fast and burning oil pretty good with pushing doulbe the stock HP's and that is only with 115,000 miles on it... I fully understand Nitrous shots contribute to the wear down effect much faster then forced air, but it is my gut feeling the N/A LS1 would outlast the high boosted 1uz-fe...It might be close though.....That statement is more of an opinion which we disagree on, and that cannot be confused with fact or an actual comparison....Right?

2nd - Everyone knows the LS1 engine is a bad arse engine - Ok I know everyone has been swapping the old SBC and BBC in cars and trucks for years...Drrrrrr.... I have personally dropped a 283 Chevy, a 327 Chevy and a iron block 350 Chevy into my one time owned 1974 FJ40 Toyota LandCruiser, and they all performed wonderfully..Carb'd and boring yes with the Edelbrock manifolds, Accell distrubutors, blackjack headers, Edelbrock and Holly 850cfm carb's, pushrods, iron blocks, etc....However, I "said" the newer alluminum block LS1 motors and not the older iron block SBC, and BBC's... Maybe the older Chevy and Fords are older and boring but my friend there is nothing boring about the newer fuel injected and not carb'd LS1, LS2, LS7 motors... Come on!!!!!!! Your 40 years of Detroit engine experience should recognise that....

3rd - Supra running in the 12's...Generally speeking you don't see too many powerful Supra's breaking 12's and you don't see too many boosted SC400's breaking the 12 second barrier either...Yes there are many exceptions of course but I was speaking in general...Now why is that Cribby, you tell me?

Man, I am going to quit here this is getting rediculous...Well lastly, live axles have always been proven to outperform IRS, what debate are you talking about? Just look at the pro circuit drag vehicles...Lastly, OK - My "handling and cornering" comment was a little out of whack and that I will agree with you on....Maybe I should have said traction and tire to ground contact instead....

Cribbs, I see nothing in my posts to warrant a crack pipe comment...Come on buddy, I wouldn't say that to you on the forums, at least not in recent years.....If you disagree with my crap just say so, prove it and I will say you are right and I am wrong and I must have been smoking crack.....No need for comments like that though......

No harm no foul.....