[woody]

I am looking at converting my car to rwd, with a ford 9" rear, or other.
I will probably set up a 4 link since mounting points are easy enough to make on the unibody. Since I have a fuel cell now, I don't have to worry about the gas tank, and the roll cage stiffens everything up.

The question I have is:

What engine and trans combo should I put in?
Chevy is easy, but hood clearance is tough.

Would the Toyota V8 fit under the hood? and does the supra transmission bolt up?
If I go with the chev, then I can get a 6 speed sequential for that motor for ~$5000.

Drive shafts are to be made.

What do you guys think should be done? I don't have any experience with prostreet stuff.
I will be going with a chassis shop to get the work done. I just want to have the right plan...

So, toyota or chev.

I want 500-600 hp

 

[Rapeacivic]

Either way you go it will be bad ass:thumbup:

 

[2wickedtoyz]

have you ver thought rotory engines? small package big power high revs you can find a complete gen 2 rx7 turbo and go all out

 

[xpeed]

have you ver thought rotory engines? small package big power high revs you can find a complete gen 2 rx7 turbo and go all out

Well, yeah, but you're forgetting how much money you will put into it for maintainance only. Rotary engines are known to reach high temperatures and melt wastegates and gaskets easily.

 

[Fresco Bob]

someone is going to mention it, so I might as well get it over with, the 1/2jzt. There, its over. Im guessing you arn't going that route as those engines are probable pretty pricey and it seems like you are looking for larger dispalcement.

I assume you mean the 4L V8? The supra tranny doesn't bolt up, you would need to make a custome mounting braket like they did when they swapped the 4.3L into an IS300.

I remember reading that someone swapped in the 4.7L truck engine into a sc400, but im not sure about the fitment issues.

For your project I think it would probably be easier and cheaper to go the chev route

 

[Deuce]

have you ver thought rotory engines? small package big power high revs you can find a complete gen 2 rx7 turbo and go all out

rotary engines can have high hp, but will always have shitty torque. he'd be better off with a 1MZ.

Well, yeah, but you're forgetting how much money you will put into it for maintainance only. Rotary engines are known to reach high temperatures and melt wastegates and gaskets easily.

nope.

 

[Camrypunker]

For an inline six though, you MAY have to get rid of the radiator support and/or modifiy the radiator like a v-mount.

 

[Fresco Bob]

o and I forgot to mention you might want to talk to 'sportivo concepts', hes been online recently after being away for a while,and he did a rwd conversion on a gen3 also.

 

[white90dx]

Use a Toyota 1UZ motor and RWD tranny... It should fit.

Good luck w/ all the fabrication - it won't be easy.

-Charlie

PS. Look into Toyota Soarer parts... If you know the right people and can get the right parts, this may end up being easier than most people think it is.

 

[luisitol]

woody, it'd be nice to see you keep it in the toyota family with a supra motor, but a chevy will definitley be the wiser route if finances is of any concern. you can start with a simple 350 and a slew of bolt-ons, some nitrous and be set with some real good tq & hp numbers or you can even just pickup a chevy crate motor.

 

[woody]

I was looking at the crate motor, with mods.
The supra motor can be purchased with trans and harness for $3-5k, but I am a little worried about length. I have no idea what the dimensions are. The firewall can be caved in a little to make it fit, since there is no worry about comfort there.
I really do not want to have an intake sticking out of the hood.
Anyways, it is just a thought at the moment, but I am going to look into it. I guess I should start by dimensioning the engine bay and go from there.

 

[white90dx]

I'll say it again... Check out the Toyota 1UZ family of motors...

http://www.1uzfe.com/

And you better be ready for some fabrication!!

-Charlie

 

[Hamsterman]

if you are really looking for a high HP motor, and not needing to source out the money for all of the custom linkages, frame supports, and rerouting... i would go with a chevy plant crate motor, and use some of the awesome fuel and bolt on adders for those motors... with a motor like that it is going to be an issue of "which part do i want" over "which part can i afford/shove in here"

not that it will be easy or anything... but probably more cost effective and realiable for the money, if you want a beast in there

 

[woody]

Yeah, I saw that car close up. Looks cool and stupid at the same time.
Absolutely no firewall protecting the driver.

I think that 1UZFE might be a good start from what white90 says, the engine is smaller and possibly both shorter and lower... I do not want to run an auto, since I still like shifters.

That article is good, btw.

 

[ASG14]

OH OHH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. More then 1 in the works now! :smokin:

 

[woody]

I really liked that car, but there was still a big space between the window and the firewall that they should have covered up.

Plus, that is a TON of work. I would rather not cut into the firewall if I can help it.

 

[woody]

I found a video of a 350 chev in a newer 240, so I guess it would work great.http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=62B52FCD-517D-4177-8566-BCEA2A27BFC8&p=0

 

[20vstarlet]

Screw the Chevy and go with an injected Ford 302. The 302 is smaller in length and width and the distributor is on the front of the engine unlike the chevy which will require firewall mods. The 302 wiring is an easy swap cause the engine harness is basically stand alone and is very easy to swap into any vehicle. Basic bolt on mods will easily put a Mustang into the 12's and it ain't no light car! Ditch the Ford 9" and go with an 8" from a Toyota truck, it's lighter and you can get as many aftermarket parts for it and it will hold up to tons of HP. If you are serious about this then I hope to hear more about it.

 

[drmotorhead]

The chevy engine everyone is referring to is probably not the best one, unless cost is a huge consideration for you. If you are considering a $5000 tranny, money must not be the first consideration.
Consider an LS motor instead. Any of the all aluminum versions(ls1, ls2, ls6) are 150lbs++ lighter than the old tech iron motors. There is no distributor to get in the way of engine set back, so you can put it right at the firewall. Power is much higher than the old 350's. 500hp is a cam and header swap away. You can even put a carb on it if you dont want to mess with fuel injection. It is also narrow enough that I think you should be able to fit it without cutting. The intake is very low profile.
If you are not $$ limited, you can even get the ls7 from the Z06 and get 600hp with cam and headers. It is also dry sump, so you can really drop it in the chassis. That would run you around 15k though.
Ready to Run 400hp stock aluminum ls motors with all the harnesses and computer will run you less than $5,000.
There is a ton of aftermarket support for them. Take a look at www.ls1tech.com
I would think the inline 6 option is great, but by time you get it in there you are going to have to do a lot of cutting and welding.
Hinson Supercars makes a crossmember that bolts an LS into a third gen rx7. You may be able to adapt that.

 

[BlueFusion6851]

I agree w/ 20vstarlet here... That sounds like a wonderful idea.
(My dad had a Mountaineer w/ a 302, man that thing hauled :smokin: )