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
Gosh, well all your advice sure is swaying me not to cut it… And i have been thinking throughout last night what i should do, and i was thinking it is stupid and unnecessary to cut it! BUT i am still researching into it. Surely keeping the shorter wheelbase will cause more over steer than if i did extend the wheelbase? maybe i'll just make some hefty wheel-spacers and invest in some large rear tyres! - and carry a set of weights in the front boot of the car! (well i was thinking of channeling all the cooling system from the engine into the front of the car so the weight is spread out.
I have been reading the paul woods forum, and he cut into the firewall which meant reducing interior space for more engine space which i had considered yet was trying to avoid, however it does seem the most easiest option and is what i'll probably end up doing. But at the moment it's all ifs & buts, so tell me what you think.
One thing i have decided to do create my own body for the car to give it more super car appearance rather than your box standard mr2, so heres a question to all of you: What super cars are there with a short wheel base? (around a 93-95inches wheelbase) - this will then give me a bit of inspiration! i was looking through http://www.carfolio.com/ looking at dimensions of cars, and The Ford GT40 has a wheelbase of 95 inches… so it looks possible to create a super car appearance on such a short wheelbase! Give me your ideas everyone!
And thank you all for the advice, its starting to knock some sense into m'brain!
I have been reading the paul woods forum, and he cut into the firewall which meant reducing interior space for more engine space which i had considered yet was trying to avoid, however it does seem the most easiest option and is what i'll probably end up doing. But at the moment it's all ifs & buts, so tell me what you think.
One thing i have decided to do create my own body for the car to give it more super car appearance rather than your box standard mr2, so heres a question to all of you: What super cars are there with a short wheel base? (around a 93-95inches wheelbase) - this will then give me a bit of inspiration! i was looking through http://www.carfolio.com/ looking at dimensions of cars, and The Ford GT40 has a wheelbase of 95 inches… so it looks possible to create a super car appearance on such a short wheelbase! Give me your ideas everyone!
And thank you all for the advice, its starting to knock some sense into m'brain!
JonRB said:
Alex, this is intended to be a constructive comment so please take it as such; but I think you are making this up as you go along and it's all going to end in tears. I really think you need to sit down and plan & design this conversion. You need to be looking at buying things that will fit, rather than buying things and scratching your head over how to make them fit. Or at the very least, buy things that you know you can make fit after researching and planning how you will make them fit.
I've probably written that very badly, but hopefully you can work out what I'm trying to say and will take it in the way it was meant.
Thank you very much for your comment, i prefer this kind of opinion rather than just criticism! I know exactly what you're saying and i agree with you, and i know it may not seem like it but i do have a plan! However i have several plans, and i haven't sat down to work out which one is the most appropriate option. I am quite certain this engine will fit as it has been used in other Mr2's before such as paul woods v8 mr2 mk1: http://www.woodsport.org/joomla/index.php/engine-c... and my own measurements show the same.I've probably written that very badly, but hopefully you can work out what I'm trying to say and will take it in the way it was meant.
I was just considering to do it a 'different' build to other projects, but i think it's best i stick to the easiest plan.
next things to do is buy myself an audi a4 01x fwd tdi gearbox, got to sort out a new clutch plate ect!
This is how i'll be fitting the engine into my mr2:
I WONT be cutting the body! It was just one of my several plans! But thank you again for your comment! - Alex.
Progress Report!
Thanks for all your posts everyone, it has been helping a lot. I checked out the a4 2008 gearbox but im not sure it would connect up to the engine perfect plus they're quite expensive! However on saturday i went to heaven (a Car salvage Yard) and found myself this….
(next to the burnt out Audi TT) A 1999 VW Passat TDI 1.9 - which is built with the same parts as the audi a4! i started to take the front apart and got as far identifying the gearbox as a 01A manual 5 speed. The Yard staff said to call them monday so that i can get a price quote and they would also remove it for me to collect later on in the week if i want it! I have been doing research on the gearbox, Paul Woods and another person use the 01x six speed manual gearbox with the ABZ engine, only problem with the 01X is that its made from aluminium which means it's weaker and can take less bhp/torque before the metal starts cracking or warping in the main bearing case. Whereas the 01A has been proven to withstand much higher torque and even 600 bhp which sounds a much safer option! (plus its cheaper for me to source this gearbox rather than the 01).
So with a gearbox on the way i thought its time to start preparing the mr2! Over the weekend i begun removing the audi wiring loom from the interior and packed into about 5 large boxes!
After removing the lump of electrics, i moved onto disconnecting the fuel tank, brake lines and coolant pipes that all ran through the centre of the mr2 so i could cut the metal without damaging anything.
After doing some measurements i worked out where i need to cut….
One problem i've come across is that there are two supporting bars in the area i am cutting, one below the rear window and one along the floor plan. I have to cut into one of them for the engine to fit. I think the best option is to cut the support along the floor plan and then re-attatch a bar along the the bottom of the engine. Or Weld a new supporting bar just in front of the engine where the new firewall will be welded onto!
As you can see in the photo i have not cut all the way down to the floor plan! And unfortunately i could not finish cutting due to running out of angle grinder discs! grrr! will try to finish the job tomorrow in the evening if the neighbours aren't in!!!
-Alex
Thanks for all your posts everyone, it has been helping a lot. I checked out the a4 2008 gearbox but im not sure it would connect up to the engine perfect plus they're quite expensive! However on saturday i went to heaven (a Car salvage Yard) and found myself this….
(next to the burnt out Audi TT) A 1999 VW Passat TDI 1.9 - which is built with the same parts as the audi a4! i started to take the front apart and got as far identifying the gearbox as a 01A manual 5 speed. The Yard staff said to call them monday so that i can get a price quote and they would also remove it for me to collect later on in the week if i want it! I have been doing research on the gearbox, Paul Woods and another person use the 01x six speed manual gearbox with the ABZ engine, only problem with the 01X is that its made from aluminium which means it's weaker and can take less bhp/torque before the metal starts cracking or warping in the main bearing case. Whereas the 01A has been proven to withstand much higher torque and even 600 bhp which sounds a much safer option! (plus its cheaper for me to source this gearbox rather than the 01).
So with a gearbox on the way i thought its time to start preparing the mr2! Over the weekend i begun removing the audi wiring loom from the interior and packed into about 5 large boxes!
After removing the lump of electrics, i moved onto disconnecting the fuel tank, brake lines and coolant pipes that all ran through the centre of the mr2 so i could cut the metal without damaging anything.
After doing some measurements i worked out where i need to cut….
One problem i've come across is that there are two supporting bars in the area i am cutting, one below the rear window and one along the floor plan. I have to cut into one of them for the engine to fit. I think the best option is to cut the support along the floor plan and then re-attatch a bar along the the bottom of the engine. Or Weld a new supporting bar just in front of the engine where the new firewall will be welded onto!
As you can see in the photo i have not cut all the way down to the floor plan! And unfortunately i could not finish cutting due to running out of angle grinder discs! grrr! will try to finish the job tomorrow in the evening if the neighbours aren't in!!!
-Alex
Edited by AlexTatar on Sunday 8th May 23:17
Edited by AlexTatar on Sunday 8th May 23:22
Thanks for all the messages guys, will respond to them tomorrow and also do an update tomorrow.
Quit with all the negativity guys! Let's be optimistic, because you should all trust me! Trust me enough to shred a car shell into pieces with an angle grinder
(well not quite like that, bur y'know what i mean!).
Anyway, I'll upload all the pics tomorrow as tonight has been very hectic... I was using the ol' angle grinder cutting away until I was rudely interrupted by a miserable neighbor of mine who decided to give me a lecture on noise levels and the appperant law against using power tools in a domestic area!? Oh wondeful. Another loud sound from me and theyll be on the phone to the police unfotunatly (I'll have to do loud work when they're not in!). So after getting rid of them, I cut the last few inches of body work using the minimal amount of quiet tools I owned!
So even though i was pissed off with what happened (and still am) i have been quite productive. Keep an eye out for the update tomorrow! -Alex
Quit with all the negativity guys! Let's be optimistic, because you should all trust me! Trust me enough to shred a car shell into pieces with an angle grinder
(well not quite like that, bur y'know what i mean!). Anyway, I'll upload all the pics tomorrow as tonight has been very hectic... I was using the ol' angle grinder cutting away until I was rudely interrupted by a miserable neighbor of mine who decided to give me a lecture on noise levels and the appperant law against using power tools in a domestic area!? Oh wondeful. Another loud sound from me and theyll be on the phone to the police unfotunatly (I'll have to do loud work when they're not in!). So after getting rid of them, I cut the last few inches of body work using the minimal amount of quiet tools I owned!
So even though i was pissed off with what happened (and still am) i have been quite productive. Keep an eye out for the update tomorrow! -Alex
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