Random thought of the day, Lexus v8 engine

I'm sat here viewing lexus v8 engines on ebay and they are crazy cheap, so my mind wonders if one said v8 could fit in my super custom

Good question!
You'd have to move a lot of ancilliaries I suspect as the V's are much wider.

They used to put bigger engines in them to race in Japan though - if you could navigate the japanese websites you may find some clues.

That would work wonders for your insurance premium

Yes I have mentioned this before, the Lexus 4.0 V8 (1UZ-FE) fits in our van!

In fact, the ambulance version of the Super Custom, this engine was fitted by Toyota!

However, you would have to carefully position the engine, maybe change gearbox location. But there are several people who have put the 1UZ into the Hiace afterwards.

Hiace4wd wrote:

In fact, the ambulance version of the Super Custom, this engine was fitted by Toyota!

Is it an ambulance so you have your own help when you get to your first corner?

That's not stopping me looking out of the window and plotting though. Now, those 4L diesels they stick inthe 70 series...

Hey, the Hiaces are mid-engine cars!

And you mean the 4.2 1HZ engines. Yeah nice but they are long. I would say it wouldn't fit, but some people have also fitted 2JZ engines in the Hiace, which is a 6 cilinder Supra engine. But that is 3 liter.
The 4.2 liter won't work I think.

If you would take a V8 in a (short wheelbase) Hiace, strip it completely of uncessary weight, have it lowered and stronger suspension, I think it would do quite well. Yeah it is still a van but all the weight would be low-enough. You could fit it with an LSD and such.
I think you would surprise a lot of people with it.

However, the whole V8 conversion has some disadvantages:
- not "plug and play" like other conversions would, a lot to sort out
- maintenance must be dramatic if timing belt needs to be replaced
- will become costly, not because of the engine but everything around it (including the work)


Coming back to MickB who has a 4 cilinder like mine, you have a G series transmission. This means it is the easiest to install a 3RZ engine, which has a lot of torque, like a diesel, but can go up to 150hp. And some tuning parts available to make more power.

Not being entirely serious, but I do love the noise they make! Quite happy with my little 3L and it's mechanical simplicity and 0-60 by Christmas

Mid engined or not, corners still scare me

Well, ever since my suspension has been made much stronger (and higher) I'm not afraid of corners anymore. Yeah the centre point of all the weight was also raised by that action, but it doesn't topple so much anymore. I can maintain much more speed through the corners, instead of completely slowing down.

Oh god, that photo, v8 sitting pretty, where's my lotto ticket S I need this

Hiace4wd wrote:

Yes I have mentioned this before, the Lexus 4.0 V8 (1UZ-FE) fits in our van!

In fact, the ambulance version of the Super Custom, this engine was fitted by Toyota!

However, you would have to carefully position the engine, maybe change gearbox location. But there are several people who have put the 1UZ into the Hiace afterwards.

HiAce4WD, do you think a 1kd-ftv (or later) would fit to replace a 1kz-te? I'm trying to stay in diesel, and to increase my power. Thanks in advance!

Worth mentioning that the UZH138 was not the same chassis as any other hiace. The chassis was widened to fit the 1uz. I cant imagine a 1uz would fit into an h100 without serious modification. The KD will "fit."