Who in WA will do a Hilux V8 Swap?

[junglist]

Can any one tell me the names of some Perth based shops that have done before or specialise in engine swaps. Specifically... dropping a V8 into a lux.

Who is good, and who is not worth calling?
What kind of things should I be looking for when choosing a shop to do the work for me?

Thanks.

Scott

[ozrunner]

It would pay to contact Transport first as its likely they may not approve a V8. Commodore V6 might be as big as you can go as the rules have changed. But you might get away with a 4.0 Lexus V8 but its not something I would recommend using.

JD

[ausyota]

But you might get away with a 4.0 Lexus V8 but its not something I would recommend using.

JD

Why would you not recomend a lexus V8?
I have thought about one for my lux.

Junglist you should have a chat to a guy named CBR on here. He has a EFI holden 5 litre in a forerunner and is from Perth.
Paul.

[MUSS]

how do ya know hes not talkin bout a v8 diesel? in this case i wood go to BRUNSWICK DIESEL

[ausyota]

how do ya know hes not talkin bout a v8 diesel? in this case i wood go to BRUNSWICK DIESEL

A V8 diesel won't fit into a hilux.
I've asked Brunswick Diesel already
Paul.

[ozrunner]

But you might get away with a 4.0 Lexus V8 but its not something I would recommend using.

JD

Why would you not recomend a lexus V8?
I have thought about one for my lux.
Paul.

Mostly personal opinion

While its only 4.0 its a big wide mother and a tight fit. All the Lexus conversions I have seen have not been able to fit a viscous fan and the electric fan setups used just wouldn't cut the mustard in WA's summers etc. Unless the cooling is spot on there really is no point in fitting a V8 or for that matter any other conversion.

But in addition the Lexus electrics are not simple and could cost you a bit to get it right unlike the Ford or Chev etc. I would hate to guess what part costs would be, if required, versus Ford and Chev.

You would also need to get either a manual trans and bell or another auto etc as although the 4Runner A340 trannies could be used this would be a waste of time and money.

There are not many performance parts readily available for these and any that are probably cost way too much to be justified.

I can see the attraction of the Lexus but IMHO you would be wiser going for a Commodore Ecotec as it would be much easier with good power and allowable. Custom viscous fan setups are available for them.

I seem to think Transport will not allow the 5.0 type V8's in Hilux's anymore but I could be wrong. Either way you need to apply for approval beforehand.

I did my 5.0 V8 conversion back in 1993 and it was the first one for my model so I had to jump threw the hoops to get it approved.

My V8

[roscoFJ73]

Anyone tried a V6 homodore with an electric supercharger from Castlemain rod shop

[ORSM45]

www.chevpower.com.au are based in WA. might be of use if you go the 'commonwhore' option.

MaccA

[RUFF]

JD

How are you finding the Windsor? I remember you saying it was working great on the old Gutsquishers Board but just wondering how its going now days?

How does it compare fit wise to a Holden V8?

Im not realy a Ford man but from the experiance we have had with the 5LTR windsor in the Mogrover im impressed.

From memeory you are running an Auto now? Or used to?

Im about to put together a DD Single cab 4x4 hilux and want more power but all the conversions i have seen so far dont impress me. Even my own 3.9rover conversion i wouldnt recomend for a DD.

[Old Yella]

I thought the Rover would be a good option because of the overall size for the engine bay and the weight benefit from the alloy donk compared to say the big block 2.4 deisel slugbox..

[junglist]

Passenger Cars and Derivatives

Alternative engines may be fitted where they are an option listed by the vehicle manufacturer and provided the complete option, including suspension, braking and transmission systems are utilised.

That's lifted from here.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/myve ... lteng.html


That can't be all that's allowed can it?

[ORSM45]

without an engineers thats all your allowed.

if you wanna fit a different type of engine you will have to get an engineers cert.

MaccA

[cbr]

Passenger Cars and Derivatives

Alternative engines may be fitted where they are an option listed by the vehicle manufacturer and provided the complete option, including suspension, braking and transmission systems are utilised.

That's lifted from here.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/myve ... lteng.html


That can't be all that's allowed can it?

ozrunner is right you need to get approval first before you do anything. When I got mine approved back in 1995. Back then they would approve upto 4.2 litres with no problems, but anything over was a little difficult. At first they would not approve it, so I got an engineer to look at it and he spoke to the Techinical section at transport and they then approved it.

Once approved I fitted the engine and then it needed to be passed by the manager of the techinical section (Reno Marquese - sp???). Then I went over the pits.

It is a lot of work and I did all of it myself (Inculding the wiring). If you have to pay someone it could be a bit of money.

If you intend to do any beech work then you will need a good cooling system. When you are in very soft sand on a 40 deg day you need to work well. I have a fixed engine fan on my conversion. If I had the room I would run a viscous fan like ozrunner has on his conversion. the fixed fan does the job very good, but it robs power from the motor. Where as the viscous fan only looks on 100% at a certian temp.

Looking and speeaking to ozrunner, I think his conversion would be one of the best v8 swaps you will ever see in a hilux/4runner. Because his is engineered properly in all ways from the cooling, wiring, power upgades, tranmission, etc. Mine does the job very well but I bet you for drivability his would be like driving a v8 ford falcon, while mine it like a 4x4. He has built his for high speed cruising, while mine it a weekend basher.

If I was to do it again I would serious look at a v6 because it takes up less space. But I would propably look at a chev vortec v6 - efi. These are about a 4.3lt and have as much hp as my 5.0lt v8. But this option would be more expensive then a commy v6 conversion and probably the commy v8 conversion. I don't think you will get a super charged v6 legal in a hilux. Also I know someone that had one in a commy and the under bonnet temps where very high, much higher then my v8 in my runner.

If you are going to do an engine swap I would use EFI and not carbies. This is my personal preference having had both a 4.2 lt carb motor and the current 5.0lt efi motor.

Chris.

[junglist]

Very interesting. Thanks for the input guys.
approximatly how much do you think it would cost getting a shop to have some thing properly done so it can be engineered.
I know it's hard to guess.
$6k, $10k, more?

[MissDrew]

10+

[junglist]

$10k was as much as I wanted to spend. That's a bummer
what to do...

[MissDrew]

I know that if you do a drive in drive out deal with Marks 4wd adaptors with them suppling everything including motor that it will cost $10500.00 for a VS ecotec V6 into a petrol 85 model hilux and that is using the standard 5 speed.

[cbr]

Very interesting. Thanks for the input guys.
approximatly how much do you think it would cost getting a shop to have some thing properly done so it can be engineered.
I know it's hard to guess.
$6k, $10k, more?

I am not sure about the price.

Call adrian at chev torque, they do v6 conversions.

Also give Chev power a call I think they will do them as well.

If you can not do it you self, it would be cheaper to sell your hilux and buy one already done. you see them in the paper all the time at very good prices. You will rarely get your money back on this type of conversion.

Chris.

[ozrunner]

JD

How are you finding the Windsor? I remember you saying it was working great on the old Gutsquishers Board but just wondering how its going now days?

Ruff

Don't mean to hijack Scotts thread but I am bias towards the Ford Windsor and the later HO versions with roller cam etc are an exceptional engine.

Its 10 years since I fitted mine and it has never caused a problem in over 200,000klms. It is so reliable I have absolute confidence in taking my 4Runner anywhere. The beauty is it's so simple mechanically and in design, smaller in overall size and easy to work on if required and parts are reasonably priced. A host of performance parts are also readily obtainable.

The EEC-IV efi system is exceptional being the only system that has the ability to self learn and make adjustments for additional performance parts. I have recently fitted a set of new Alloy SVO heads with custom extractors. I am also currently in the process of fabricating my own upper manifold design to suit a GT40 lower manifold.

Despite these and other modifications I can easily obtain 12L/100 when cruising at 110kph. In December 2000 I swapped out the Toy auto for a 5 speed and this was a great decision as the difference is like chalk and cheese. I will never go for an auto again.

But the Windsor like the GM V8's are not a straight forward swap into a Hilux as both have some problems and fan clearance issues. If you don't run a/c then this will make it easier and the Ford is a little better due to the distributor being up front and it is a little narrower overall.

Although I am a V8 fanatic from Scott's viewpoint unless you have the capabilities to do most work yourself and you have deep pockets I would tend to say the Commodore V6 swap is probably the best to consider as it would be by far be the cheapest option. The later ecotech V6's are no slouch in the HP department although no match for a nice HO

CBR's comments are appreciated but actually mine is not designed purely as a cruiser but moreso to be a better overall 4runner. I have made many changes and added extras to achieve this objective.

I recently swapped out the Detroit Truetracs for an ARB locker up front and at this point in time it's probably the only 4Runner in the world with a rear Detroit Electrac. It has a rear electric swaybar release and I am working on the same set up for the front swaybar. While it has good cruising power etc it is now a very capable 4WD. I am also currently working on a rear disc brake setup which is neally done.

Scott if you peruse my page some of the issues with a V8 swap will become evident although I do not have a suspension or body lift etc.

My HO 4Runner

JD