by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 11/16/2017 at 11:20
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 11/16/2017 at 11:20
Tags: Toyota MR2
; Volvo V8
; Volvo XC90
STARS: 4
I dreamed that my MR2 had a V8. It was glorious! So I researched what it’d take to make it a reality. Here’s what I’ve got so far...
Most V8s are of the 90 degree variety. Which means they’re too wide to fit in the MR2's transverse engine bay. There is, however, a V8 that isn’t 90 degrees.
That’s right, the Volvo XC90 (and S80) could be had with a 4.4-liter V8. The B8444S is a 60-degree 4.4-liter V8, and is mounted transversely.
Yes, it’s a complicated engine. Balancing a 60-degree V8 is much harder than balancing a 90-degree V8. It’s developed by Yamaha, who also did the 1LR-GUE V10 for the Lexus LFA. Fancy.
However, it’s still a 60-degree V8. This means it could fit in an MR2.
It may be expensive, but it sure wouldn’t be slow. Weighing in at only 418 pounds, this all-aluminum engine weighs about as much as an LS3, (403 lbs) but is more compact in key dimensions, namely width. It’s already built for transverse applications.
Is this a bad idea? Or is it crazy enough to become a good idea?
"HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute" (hondoyota)
11/16/2017 at 11:29, STARS: 1
I’ve been waiting for this post. My dream is to swap a Type-R engine into my normal CR-V. Whenever I get down to doing that I’ll blog day and night about it. Stay tuned folks
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/16/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 2
The new Honda C-Type-R-V!
#thePowerOfDreams
"boredalways" (boredalway666)
11/16/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 3
This is beyond a shadow of doubt a bad idea.
FUCKING DEW DAT SHIT THO!!!
"3point8isgreat" (3point8isgreatest)
11/16/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 4
You’re forgetting an aspect to the width of an engine: the height of the heads adding to the width. (Lines forming the legs of the angle are longer, so even at a smaller angle, a long enough line will still be wider.)
A quick google tells me an LS1 is 628mm wide, while the B8444S is 635mm wide. That’s barely a 1/4" difference, and probably made up in small application changes. And LSA is listed as 675mm wide for example. But the point is, you don’t have to just look for 60deg engines, when a pushrod V8 can get you very similar dimensions. And I recall there being LS engines for transverse applications as well!
As people say, there’s a reason LS engines get stuffed into everything.
But ultimately, stuffing a V8 into an MR2 sounds like the best idea.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/16/2017 at 11:35, STARS: 0
I mostly dream about modifying my current engines...but that takes both time and money i don’t currently have.
I want to turbo charge the I6 on my ‘93 F150 and I want to supercharge the 454 in my 2000 Chevy
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
11/16/2017 at 11:36, STARS: 2
There are, not exaggerating, about 60 cars I dream about owning. Most are Japanese. Many are Hondas. For modifying, I want to turn a 1st generation TSX into a JDM Accord Euro-R clone. I even found a decent starting point the other day (manual, rare color) but I don’t have room for it.
"S65" (granthp)
11/16/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 1
Yep, goodn ol LS4. Was in the Impala SS. And someone put one into a Fiero .
"djmt1" (djmt1)
11/16/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
What about the Audi 4.2? People have been plopping them in the back of MR2s for years.
"Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer" (dash-doorhandle-and-bondo)
11/16/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 0
It’s always mundane cars long gone, but I often dream of finding our old 81 reliant parked some place where I just come upon it, pristine and with the keys in it. A variation of this dream is that I still own all of my cars but have lost track of where I left the K car, chevette, sprint, etc.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
11/16/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 1
2 of my wife’s friends. Wait, what was the question?
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/16/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 0
A pushrod 60-degree V8 would be the perfect engine, but unfortunately nobody’s ever made one as far as I can tell.
I’d settle for the 2.5-liter turbo 5-cylinder out of the Volvo C30 if the V8 is unsuitable. For cylinders, I say 8 > 5 > 6 > 3 > 4. Sound-wise anyway.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/16/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
These are good ideas. I have to swap my engine in my MR2 if I want more power, since the stock Camry engine doesn’t respond much at all to upgrades.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/16/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 1
What I need right now is to find out the V8 is physically too big to fit.
Because I really want a V8 MR2. I could see myself putting way too much money into realizing such a dream. It’s seriously cool and I want it.
"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
11/16/2017 at 11:55, STARS: 1
Yea, both of those engines respond well to forced induction and are built solidly enough that if you keep the boost tame it shouldn’t affect reliability much
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/16/2017 at 11:58, STARS: 1
How... the heck does that fit without cutting into the trunk?
I did not know 8 cylinders would fit longitudinally in there.
I take it this uses the longitudinal FWD Audi transmission?
"jonny11quest" (jonny11quest)
11/16/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 0
I dream about importing a MK1 Escort and swapping in a modern 1.6. There’s a few places that do some nice 1.6 Duratec builds that get it around 200hp which would be awesome in something that small. Fun classic car I could daily and maybe rallycross just for kicks.
"kanadanmajava1" (kanadanmajava1)
11/16/2017 at 12:13, STARS: 0
It has a cylinder bank angle of 60 degrees but it does not have an odd firing order caused by this. Instead it has a weird split journal crankshaft.
Some Australian team used the B8444S engine for racing (in V8 supercar) and heavily modified. This engine appears in your picture. I have no idea if they retained the weird crankshaft or not. I would get rid of it if machining new crankshaft (and camshafts) would fit in team’s budget.
But I doubt that much go-fast parts are available for it in normal markets. Also fitting some other transmission than the automatic AWD transmission that was always paired with these might be challenging.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
11/16/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 0
I dream about driving a C6.R GT1 on the street and my GTO having a twin charged LS9
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"HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute" (hondoyota)
11/16/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0
Pmsl this needs more stars bwahahaha
"Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
11/16/2017 at 13:09, STARS: 0
A hartley V8 would fit, no?
I dream about retro-fying my 997.1 (aerokit front bumper, ducktail spoiler, GT3 rear bumper with center-exit exhaust, black Otto Fuchs wheels).
I also dream about putting my B8.5 allroad on bags and big wheels. It just seems like the perfect car for it. I also want to get a K04 turbo and an E85 tune.
I dream (well, less dream, more like planning) about turning my F-250 into a poor man’s Earthroamer. Starting with the suspension. It needs new shocks anyway, and the leaf springs are ancient. And I want to put bigger tires on it, so I’d end up lifting it about three inches. I’ll also go with air helper springs in the rear.
But mainly I dream about selling all my cars and a kidney for a Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo.
"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb)
11/16/2017 at 14:13, STARS: 0
I dream of the Matrix having copious amount of sound deadening, a final drive ratio that is a bit more in tune with highway cruising, LSD, solid engine mounts, and a small supercharger for torques.
"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
11/17/2017 at 11:27, STARS: 1
I met a guy at a local Cars and Coffee that had been working on a Northstar V8 swap into a second generation MR2:
http://www.mr2oc.com/187-v8-mr2-forum/332530-project-mv8r.html
Spent something like 8 years on the thing and ended up selling it or at least listing it on Craigslist.
My dad built up a Corvair motor to swap into his 914. Thirty something years later and it’s still sitting in a shop.
Engine swaps aren’t easy. Most people underestimate their fabrication skills, electrical skills, mechanical skills, and most importantly, their free time, budget, and the enjoyment of wrenching over driving.
If you’re serious, start with swapping a 1MZ-FE. It’s well documented and you can find people to ask specific swap related questions:
https://midshiprunabout.org/mk2/v6-swap-primer/
Complete that swap so you know what you’re getting into. Then if a V6 MR2 isn’t enough, and you found yourself enjoying spending the time doing the engine swap, come back to the V8 swap idea.
That, or just buy a 3GSTE MR2 or, given the budget required, a nice 986S and spend your time driving instead. :)
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
11/17/2017 at 20:29, STARS: 0
That’s a bunch of very good points. I appreciate the advice, it’s a good reminder to buy the car I want rather than attempt to make the car I want.
I’m much more about the driving than the wrenching. I test-drove a 986 a long time ago and loved it. I’m certain it’d be cheaper than a V8 swap too...
Realistically my MR2 is at its most valuable in its stock configuration, so I’ll probably keep it that way. Still plenty fun to drive with 130 horsepower :D
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
12/05/2017 at 05:59, STARS: 1
You need a T-Drive Ford Tempo: https://jalopnik.com/5444277/how-about-a-straight-eight-powered-ford-tempo-t-drive
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
12/08/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
Yup. I did not know until just now, but I definitely need a T-Drive inline-8.