My Toyota Mr2 project… V8!
Discussion
Thanks for all the interest everyone! I shall keep you up to date on my project! I have pictured almost all my steps from the beginning of the project so if anyone wants to see any past images, just shout!
I was quite sure someone would mention about the engine being past the rear axle! Well, currently the engine is not secured in place and I have yet to make the engine-mounts so I can still move it around to adjust it into the correct position. At the moment I can shift the engine about another 5 inches towards the firewall, but as I’m sure you can see; that won’t be enough!
I sketched some measurements of the mr2 and the engine to see where abouts it would fit once the gearbox is attached…
And my drawing showed that they would not be in line, So I have two methods to solving this;
First the simple one! I could “simply” cut the firewall to allow more space for the engine to move closer to the front of the car until the driveshaft is near enough in line with the centre of the wheel. Although this means the engine will be consuming interior space, and the interior is small enough as it is!
But now for the not so simple method (brace yourself): I could cut the shock mounts and move them further towards the rear! I know this may sound stupid but then again the car would have an improved centre of gravity and its new wheelbase would be similar to that of a supercar; a chance to alter the body to my own design perhaps? Or a replica?
I have researched in to other Mr2 v8 projects using the audi engine and many of them use a “01X” manual gearbox from the audi A4:
Although i don't see the a4 gearbox being able to take the power of the v8, unless it was a tdi gearbox - as they're built for higher amounts of torque.. perhaps?
I was quite sure someone would mention about the engine being past the rear axle! Well, currently the engine is not secured in place and I have yet to make the engine-mounts so I can still move it around to adjust it into the correct position. At the moment I can shift the engine about another 5 inches towards the firewall, but as I’m sure you can see; that won’t be enough!
I sketched some measurements of the mr2 and the engine to see where abouts it would fit once the gearbox is attached…
And my drawing showed that they would not be in line, So I have two methods to solving this;
First the simple one! I could “simply” cut the firewall to allow more space for the engine to move closer to the front of the car until the driveshaft is near enough in line with the centre of the wheel. Although this means the engine will be consuming interior space, and the interior is small enough as it is!
But now for the not so simple method (brace yourself): I could cut the shock mounts and move them further towards the rear! I know this may sound stupid but then again the car would have an improved centre of gravity and its new wheelbase would be similar to that of a supercar; a chance to alter the body to my own design perhaps? Or a replica?
I have researched in to other Mr2 v8 projects using the audi engine and many of them use a “01X” manual gearbox from the audi A4:
Although i don't see the a4 gearbox being able to take the power of the v8, unless it was a tdi gearbox - as they're built for higher amounts of torque.. perhaps?
Edited by AlexTatar on Saturday 30th April 02:05
I would look at trying to get the engine as far forward as you can by creating space behind the seats, using inspection panels to service the engine.
It might also be worth looking at obtaining high angular capacity CV joints to leave the rear wheels in their original positions.
If that isn't possible then it might be best to chop the car just in front of the rear wheel arches and then use another donor part shell to move the wheels back - effectively making an MR2 LWB.
It might also be worth looking at obtaining high angular capacity CV joints to leave the rear wheels in their original positions.
If that isn't possible then it might be best to chop the car just in front of the rear wheel arches and then use another donor part shell to move the wheels back - effectively making an MR2 LWB.
And there's the money shot!
Stick one of those on and you'll get the engine in, your new driveshaft angle will only be going back to the current rear "boot" firewall and it will sit on top of a modified subframe.
You're still going to lose a tunnel of boot space where the gearbox will sit but that's nothing really.
Stick one of those on and you'll get the engine in, your new driveshaft angle will only be going back to the current rear "boot" firewall and it will sit on top of a modified subframe.
You're still going to lose a tunnel of boot space where the gearbox will sit but that's nothing really.
I know you've gone to significant expense to buy the engine and gearbox, but it seems to me that it's not really going to fit.
Have you considered selling the engine and gearbox on and sourcing an engine that *will* fit? Like the Lexus V8 that's already been done successfully (I think someone mentioned) or a twin-turbo V6 that produces as much power and is physically smaller.
Have you considered selling the engine and gearbox on and sourcing an engine that *will* fit? Like the Lexus V8 that's already been done successfully (I think someone mentioned) or a twin-turbo V6 that produces as much power and is physically smaller.
Looks good! will keep an eye on this one!!
I dont remember a v12 mini, but there is my little project:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
and
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
good ol' rover v8 in a 79 mini :-D
I dont remember a v12 mini, but there is my little project:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
and
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
good ol' rover v8 in a 79 mini :-D
JonRB said:
I know you've gone to significant expense to buy the engine and gearbox, but it seems to me that it's not really going to fit.
Have you considered selling the engine and gearbox on and sourcing an engine that *will* fit? Like the Lexus V8 that's already been done successfully (I think someone mentioned) or a twin-turbo V6 that produces as much power and is physically smaller.
The Audi V8 is shorter than the Lexus V8,Have you considered selling the engine and gearbox on and sourcing an engine that *will* fit? Like the Lexus V8 that's already been done successfully (I think someone mentioned) or a twin-turbo V6 that produces as much power and is physically smaller.
Don't take the boring way out. People are fitting V12s in MR2s now. And this swap *will* fit, it's been done.
SteveHall30 said:
The Audi V8 is shorter than the Lexus V8
I stand corrected. 
SteveHall30 said:
Don't take the boring way out. People are fitting V12s in MR2s now. And this swap *will* fit, it's been done.
Oh, anything can be made to fit with enough time, money and effort. I was just asking if there were other candidate engines that might fit more easily, that's all. SteveHall30 said:
People are fitting V12s in MR2s now. And this swap *will* fit, it's been done.
Why? It seems like such a huge amount of effort for a fairly pointless result? Sure it might be quick in a straight line, but even the most diehard MR2 fanatic isn't going to believe it results in a car that handles well. Any chopping of the car will require an IVA test, which will add further expense.I seem to remember there is a Japanese V6 that fits in there quite well with minimal fuss and which can be supercharged. Not as bonkers as putting a V8 in there, I know. I guess it depends on the motivation for the engine swap. If it's solely to show you can get a V8 in there then I guess only a V8 will do for that. 
There was a feature in PPC Magazine a good while back where a guy had put the Audi 4.2L V8 in an old Lotus Esprit. I seem to recall he had to use an aftermarket ECU and make a custom wiring loom (he was an electric engineer by trade) as the stock ECU kept putting the engine into limp-home mode as he was using a different gearbox and the ECU thought there was a gearbox fault.
a) worth bearing in mind, OP
b) suggests there are gearbox options, provided you are prepared to ditch the stock ECU
a) worth bearing in mind, OP
b) suggests there are gearbox options, provided you are prepared to ditch the stock ECU
55allgold said:
The Camry 3.0 V6? It's a common (=easy?) fit into the MR2 roadster/MR-S/whatever they call it nowadays (but that one had no boot anyway).
Yup someone did a good few years ago in the Mk2.It ran 330bhp, and ran it up the 1.4 mile and made 13.5.... The standard Rev 3 turbo does it in that. So quite pointless i thought. Just a little different i guess.
The V8 or V12 on the other hand would be a little different!
Also jamming that in a Mk3/MRs Would be awesome!
Yup Paul Woods is currenlty doing a V8 Mk1 Mr2... which looks VERY cool, think he might be planning to offer the conversion to folk once he finished it. I think he mentioned it woul dbe quite expensive though. Still like it though!
Considering getting a Mk1 Mr2 and putting a turbo lump in it from the Mk2. Its fairly common and quite a few places offer this to customers!!! would be awesome fun!!!
Good luck with the V8! like your style!
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