As quick as a 450SE ??
Discussion
Guys, I had an interesting experience today - I got to drive a Toyota Blade 3.5 V6. 
What is it ? Well think of a 2005-2010 Corolla but with a Lexus 350 engine and a stupid name.
No - I'm really not joking.
Built for Japanese market, but given NZ's rather loose parallel import laws, we import quite a lot of second hand cars from Japan and others. Even though Blade is only made with a 6 speed auto (with paddles), the V6 is 270 bhp - in a F**king Corolla !!
I've never been in a 450/500 Wedge - I see they are billed at around the 300 horses, whereas my wedge is only 160.
The only thing I can compare Blade to is an M535i Alpina I once drove and this little car feels damn close in straight line punch even despite the slushbox. It's got to be close to, or even under, 6 secs.
And engine is so smooth it's unreal. I'm getting old, and it quite appeals - the ultimate Q car....but I have to convince the wife
I'm even MORE jealous of you V8 wedge owners now - I can imagine that same performance in a wedge, and it makes me cry, just a little bit.....I hate you all !!
For transplanters - if you ever get your hands on one of these engines, seriously think about it. They are as smooth as silk, quiet, and very powerful.
What is it ? Well think of a 2005-2010 Corolla but with a Lexus 350 engine and a stupid name.
No - I'm really not joking.
Built for Japanese market, but given NZ's rather loose parallel import laws, we import quite a lot of second hand cars from Japan and others. Even though Blade is only made with a 6 speed auto (with paddles), the V6 is 270 bhp - in a F**king Corolla !!
I've never been in a 450/500 Wedge - I see they are billed at around the 300 horses, whereas my wedge is only 160.
The only thing I can compare Blade to is an M535i Alpina I once drove and this little car feels damn close in straight line punch even despite the slushbox. It's got to be close to, or even under, 6 secs.
And engine is so smooth it's unreal. I'm getting old, and it quite appeals - the ultimate Q car....but I have to convince the wife
I'm even MORE jealous of you V8 wedge owners now - I can imagine that same performance in a wedge, and it makes me cry, just a little bit.....I hate you all !!
For transplanters - if you ever get your hands on one of these engines, seriously think about it. They are as smooth as silk, quiet, and very powerful.
Edited by RCK974X on Friday 7th August 21:14
Holden V8 - Remember 280 frame is narrower, so V8 Rover won't fit easily, let alone a Holden lump.
Narrow V8 (like a Ford 302 Windsor) might....just.
Rather than go Holden V8, I'd probably go LS1 if I was modding frame.... Holden(GM Aust.) put them in Commodores here....
This Toyota lump looks quite small and is a 60 degree V6 as far as I can tell, (drives front wheels of the T. Blade)
so if someone makes a gbox bellhousing .....see wiki for Toyota Aurion and others for engine specs and pics.
Bit new yet for cheap prices.....at least here.
Zig, Not sure if same V6 as the 3 litre, I think this is later series, it's DOHC VVTi etc.
It's beautifully smooth for a V6, as good as a Beamer L6 I reckon.
Engine transplants not illegal, but you do have to get car certified afterwards, and it's pricey to do (about 2000 quid equivalent).
Narrow V8 (like a Ford 302 Windsor) might....just.
Rather than go Holden V8, I'd probably go LS1 if I was modding frame.... Holden(GM Aust.) put them in Commodores here....
This Toyota lump looks quite small and is a 60 degree V6 as far as I can tell, (drives front wheels of the T. Blade)
so if someone makes a gbox bellhousing .....see wiki for Toyota Aurion and others for engine specs and pics.
Bit new yet for cheap prices.....at least here.
Zig, Not sure if same V6 as the 3 litre, I think this is later series, it's DOHC VVTi etc.
It's beautifully smooth for a V6, as good as a Beamer L6 I reckon.
Engine transplants not illegal, but you do have to get car certified afterwards, and it's pricey to do (about 2000 quid equivalent).
That sounds fairly impressive for a Corolla .... !
Not sure about the Jap / Euro boxes in terms of performance, so comparisons would be meaningless as we are really with 30 years difference in technology !! :-)
However what I can tell you is that the performance of a well sorted 450SE or indeed my 500i (Griff HC engine) with +/- 300 Ft Llbs of Torque under the loud pedal should be delivering sub 5-6 sec 0-60 performance. The change / performance from 280 / 350i having owned both, to the bigger motors is fairly dramatic!
Chris
Not sure about the Jap / Euro boxes in terms of performance, so comparisons would be meaningless as we are really with 30 years difference in technology !! :-)
However what I can tell you is that the performance of a well sorted 450SE or indeed my 500i (Griff HC engine) with +/- 300 Ft Llbs of Torque under the loud pedal should be delivering sub 5-6 sec 0-60 performance. The change / performance from 280 / 350i having owned both, to the bigger motors is fairly dramatic!
Chris
There are some basic obstacles to the engine swap that we all know about. The trailing arm set up can't take a lot more than the 160 horses it was built for. Also, Holden or Ford V8 donks are very heavy and that brings suspension and other considerations into play. (plus they sound sh!t but that's just my opinion). The Rover/Buick has a much nicer warble to it.
If I was considering a different engine I would probably take a leaf out of Lotus' book and think unburstable Japanese alloy V6 (Isuzu). That might make a turbo possible too. But to me, the thought of adding a complex ECU is somehow anathema to the TVR philosophy not to mention expensive.
In summary, tricky one really. BMW 3 series anyone?
If I was considering a different engine I would probably take a leaf out of Lotus' book and think unburstable Japanese alloy V6 (Isuzu). That might make a turbo possible too. But to me, the thought of adding a complex ECU is somehow anathema to the TVR philosophy not to mention expensive.
In summary, tricky one really. BMW 3 series anyone?
I agree, nothing quite matches the open top experience, and the surprisingly wind-less wedge cabin, even at 70 mph, and the way TVR managed to make even the V6 sound good.
I'm not saying that I would swop the wedge for a supercar, but hell, I would really like my wedge to go faster !!
I'm not really a turbo fan (A pun there I think ?), but I agree that with the modern ally donks around now, (just like this Toyota V6) I probably wouldn't go 'classic' either.
And yeah, rear end would need mods for more torque - I still wonder why TVR didn't put the bush INSIDE the trailing arm - there's plenty of room, and then the pin could be supported on both sides, and still have scope for toe-in adjustment.
Same question - if it's a copy of Lotus, why didn't Lotus do this ? Lack of space ? What ? That 'side-pin' arrangement just seems weird to me.
I'm not saying that I would swop the wedge for a supercar, but hell, I would really like my wedge to go faster !!
I'm not really a turbo fan (A pun there I think ?), but I agree that with the modern ally donks around now, (just like this Toyota V6) I probably wouldn't go 'classic' either.
And yeah, rear end would need mods for more torque - I still wonder why TVR didn't put the bush INSIDE the trailing arm - there's plenty of room, and then the pin could be supported on both sides, and still have scope for toe-in adjustment.
Same question - if it's a copy of Lotus, why didn't Lotus do this ? Lack of space ? What ? That 'side-pin' arrangement just seems weird to me.
440Interceptor said:
There are some basic obstacles to the engine swap that we all know about. The trailing arm set up can't take a lot more than the 160 horses it was built for.
on the racer I'm running a S1 Trailing arm, but with a 4.0 Rv8 with 235 BHP (value from rolling road), plus I'm planning to go 300 BHP soon. just swap the bushes for rose joints.TVRleigh_BBWR said:
on the racer I'm running a S1 Trailing arm, but with a 4.0 Rv8 with 235 BHP (value from rolling road), plus I'm planning to go 300 BHP soon. just swap the bushes for rose joints.
What, on the end of the arm like the photos here I saw a while ago... or were they yours already??Rose joints on end and a pin across a 'U' bracket ? That seems the simplest fix to me.....
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