Supra + LSx = 2+2 Corvette?

[aww999]

I love Corvettes, with the C6 Z06 being my absolute dream car. I test drove one a while back, and it was everything I had hoped for and more. However, although I have managed to hang on to a two-seater since having a kid, I barely get chance to use it. A £30k car that gets used once a month is an indulgence I could never justify!

I am also a big fan of Supras, and have owned a couple. As much as I like the 2JZ lump, I need some LSx sound effects in my life. The Monaro (or even the Camaro) is a great package (LS with four seats off the shelf) but is too heavy and I don't like the way it looks.

So, how about taking a cheap non-turbo Supra, swapping in an LS3 or similar with manual box, fit LSD, big brakes and CW suspension, and build myself a Japamerican muscle-ricer? I know it's been done before, just wanted some second opinions from people on here. Stupid idea?

[ewenm]

If it's what you want, why not? Go for it! I suspect it'll either be a lot of frustrating hard work (if you do it yourself) or a lot of cash (if you pay someone else to do it), but as a project it sounds good.

[balls-out]

aww999 said:

I love Corvettes, with the C6 Z06 being my absolute dream car. I test drove one a while back, and it was everything I had hoped for and more. However, although I have managed to hang on to a two-seater since having a kid, I barely get chance to use it. A £30k car that gets used once a month is an indulgence I could never justify!

I am also a big fan of Supras, and have owned a couple. As much as I like the 2JZ lump, I need some LSx sound effects in my life. The Monaro (or even the Camaro) is a great package (LS with four seats off the shelf) but is too heavy and I don't like the way it looks.

So, how about taking a cheap non-turbo Supra, swapping in an LS3 or similar with manual box, fit LSD, big brakes and CW suspension, and build myself a Japamerican muscle-ricer? I know it's been done before, just wanted some second opinions from people on here. Stupid idea?

Don't kid yourself about the amount of effort, time and cost to do a professional engine swap. Depends on your experience and facilities, but there is plenty of gotchas with air-con, power steering, electrics, exhaust routing, steering column routing, drive shaft mods etc etc. Supra is a straight 6 - how wide is the engine bay?

Still - I think virtually any car would be better with an LSx and manual box dropped into it!

Edited by balls-out on Friday 7th February 07:59

[alpha channel]

It'll probably be a straight no (and in all fairness its more because I've a hankering for one myself) - MG ZT 4.2ltr V8, totally practical, has the V8 lump out of a Mustang and has a bit of a sleeper status about it, if you whip the V8 badges off anyway. Have to admit I'm generally not one for modding the engine but I don't think I'd be able to pass up an opportunity on this one.

[CrisW]

I would have thought that a Toyota v8 would be a better fit. The engine from the ls400 should fit and would be much easier to source. Of course you could just get a Soarer with the engine already fitted and just work on a manual gearbox swap. With the money saved you could set about tuning the Toyota engine to ls levels, or beyond. I hear they take to turbos well.

[JDMDrifter]

Give these guys a call: http://www.dynotorque.co.uk/

They do full on conversions using the LSX engine, i've heard good things about them.

• I'm not affiliated with them in any way before any goes accusing me

[300bhp/ton]

aww999 said:

I love Corvettes, with the C6 Z06 being my absolute dream car. I test drove one a while back, and it was everything I had hoped for and more. However, although I have managed to hang on to a two-seater since having a kid, I barely get chance to use it. A £30k car that gets used once a month is an indulgence I could never justify!

I am also a big fan of Supras, and have owned a couple. As much as I like the 2JZ lump, I need some LSx sound effects in my life. The Monaro (or even the Camaro) is a great package (LS with four seats off the shelf) but is too heavy and I don't like the way it looks.

So, how about taking a cheap non-turbo Supra, swapping in an LS3 or similar with manual box, fit LSD, big brakes and CW suspension, and build myself a Japamerican muscle-ricer? I know it's been done before, just wanted some second opinions from people on here. Stupid idea?

Or you could go for an earlier Camaro (Or Trans Am). The 4th Gens use the LS1 engine as standard and the same gearboxes as the C5 Corvettes. They also use plastic panels for weight reduction, double A arm from suspension and a very well setup rear.

Competition proven and offering 4 seats. Typically they weigh in at 1550kg or under down to around 1460kg.

The sister Trans Am has slightly heavier light pods due to the popup nature, but similar overall.

Lots and lots of off the shelf mods and plenty of guys running many variations of the LSx in them.

[braddo]

300bhp/ton said:

Or you could go for an earlier Camaro (Or Trans Am). The 4th Gens use the LS1 engine as standard and the same gearboxes as the C5 Corvettes. They also use plastic panels for weight reduction, double A arm from suspension and a very well setup rear.

Competition proven and offering 4 seats. Typically they weigh in at 1550kg or under down to around 1460kg.

The sister Trans Am has slightly heavier light pods due to the popup nature, but similar overall.

Lots and lots of off the shelf mods and plenty of guys running many variations of the LSx in them.

Exactly, I don't know why the OP wouldn't just go for this generation Camaro. No heavier than a Supra and ripe for straightforward modifying. A 'clubsport' Camaro, slightly stripped and with improved suspension/brakes/wheels, would be pretty cool.

Or a C4 'vette?

The Supra project will be £20-30k and/or 12 months of sweat, blood and tears. A nice (eventual) outcome, but not easy.

Dynotorque will need about £10k to source and fit a LS into the stuff they are already well versed in (RX7s, E36 BMWs?). A Supra sure ain't going to easier or cheaper.

[rodericb]

I don't know if it's bolt-in to a Supra but in the USA you can buy a 5.7 litre Toyota V8. Engine code is 3UR-FE. 380 horses and 400lb/ft torque. You can also get supercharger kits from Toyota (TRD)for them too - 500hp and 750 torques!