535ia + 1UZFE Lexus v8

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 21, 2012 11:21 PM

Hi Guys,

After blowing my HG and repairing that then blowing my 4HP22EH and looking at the cost to rebuild that i have given up on the standard motnor and box (although i do think they are fantastic pieces of engineering and well developed, just expensive to service here in New Zealand.

So I have sold my motor and with the money i have purchased a toyota 1UZFE with 38,000km on it, and a series 5 RX7 Box, i will make up an adapter for the box, run a custome flywheel and series 5 RX7 turbo clutch. and fit it into my 535ia.

I can start a build thread if people are interested, but if im just going to get bashed for putting a JDM motor into my mint old BMW then i wont bother.

Its not my daily driver as the old motronic 1.1 kept popping sensors etc, but i am hoping with the lexus V8 in there it could be my daily again.

I figure it will take me about 3 months to get it going.

It is and will remain road registered and engineered for the swapped motor, so all work will be done to a tidy road legal standard.

i have some pictured but I cant upload them as i dont have a url

alijonny · Post by **alijonny** » May 21, 2012 11:26 PM

Have you replaced the timing chain yet?

It would be neat to see, bring it on.

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » May 21, 2012 11:28 PM

This sounds interesting...

bhopp · Post by **bhopp** » May 22, 2012 1:33 AM

Very interested, at least its not a LS motor.

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 22, 2012 5:09 AM

how do i upload pics, do i have to upload them to a library somewhere and attach links here?[/img]

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 22, 2012 5:31 AM

SD45T-2 · Post by **SD45T-2** » May 22, 2012 2:42 PM

Links no work

Post by **Jeremy** » May 22, 2012 3:23 PM

You sure that'll fit?

Nanajoth · Post by **Nanajoth** » May 22, 2012 4:49 PM

Jeremy wrote: You sure that'll fit?

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 22, 2012 5:35 PM

Its smaller then the M60 I believe so yeah it will fit, just having a few nightmares with the pedalbox as my car has a funny firewall on it apparently, some changeover model that was only run for a short period and no parts available from BMW.

I will probably have to do something to move the master cylinder as I want to get the engine up against the firewall and the master cyl is keeping it miles away.

Making uyp a rough adapter plate to hold th engine and box together and will put it in and line everything up in situ as its the only way to tell what will work and what needs moving.

leadphut · Post by **leadphut** » May 22, 2012 8:06 PM

Do it!

GKLCPA · Post by **GKLCPA** » May 22, 2012 10:56 PM

Don't know much about the conversion, but I have the 1uzfe engine in my LS 400 and that engine is as durable, and maybe more so, than the M30. It can not be killed unless you take it out and shoot it---and you may not be successful even then. I have over 200K on mine and it's still a baby. Putting 300-400K on these is no biggie. Not as fun as the M30 though, but it's smooth as hell.

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » May 22, 2012 10:58 PM

GKLCPA wrote:and that engine is as durable, and maybe more so, than the M30.

Doesn't it have a timing belt? It loses points to the M30 there.

cddallara · Post by **cddallara** » May 22, 2012 10:58 PM

Definitely build thread worthy.

GKLCPA · Post by **GKLCPA** » May 22, 2012 11:34 PM

rmiddendorf wrote:
GKLCPA wrote:and that engine is as durable, and maybe more so, than the M30.
Doesn't it have a timing belt? It loses points to the M30 there.

Yes, it does have a timing belt and that's a major maintenance item. You can DIY it, but it's far more difficult than on the eta, so you don't have many takers attempt it. Lexus wants $1200 to $1600 for doing that service.. You have to do it every 6 years or every 90K.

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 23, 2012 12:10 AM

Timing belt is pretty easy with the engine out you have access to everything and when doing any conversion it would be rude not to change the water pump and belts etc

It is $400NZD (about $190USD) for all the parts and can easily done by anyone that can follow a cook books instructions. Or a shop will do it here for $650+tax Lexus possibly charge more for the time it takes to remove all the bits that allow access to the front of the engine, that wont be an issue for me.

Even with the engine in the car i have clear access to the front of the engine to change this over.

Im not knocking the M30, I loved the sound and power it delivered, its just the Motronic 1.1 and sensors were killing me, if it wasnt one sensor going it was another, then the Aclutch went in the box... all simple things if in isolation but i have had 2 years of it on the trot, and NEW parts are not available here, so we have to use second hand parts and sensors and they can go at anytime as well. i take my hat off to the guys that persist with original bits, and they love working on their cars, I like working on my car, but i would prefer to be driving it. Also before someone brings up the Motronic 1.3 option, i looked at that as well, the cost to convert was only marginally cheaper than doing the 1UZ conversion.

Lucky for me here in NZ everyone has a 1UZ in a car... well not everyone, but the conversion has gone into so many different chassis i dont foresee running into any issues someone locally hasnt run into already and solved.

Post by **mooseheadm5** » May 23, 2012 12:22 AM

I suggest using the brake booster setup from an E34 V8 if you can't fit the stock hydrobooster.

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 23, 2012 12:37 AM

will that tuck everything up behind the glovebox inside the cabin? cause i was thinking about a full reengineer of the brake system as that was causing me grief as well over the last 6 months (3x second hand master cylendars in a row to find one that doesnt crack)

StolenFox · Post by **StolenFox** » May 23, 2012 12:56 AM

mooseheadm5 wrote:I suggest using the brake booster setup from an E34 V8 if you can't fit the stock hydrobooster.

Moose is on point here.... The remote booster setup is the only way to go. Thanks to the pioneering work by Aaron, i put the remote system in my 5.0L Ford engine swap car (533i) and it works perfect!

S.F.

Post by **mooseheadm5** » May 23, 2012 1:17 AM

nelson9879 wrote:will that tuck everything up behind the glovebox inside the cabin? cause i was thinking about a full reengineer of the brake system as that was causing me grief as well over the last 6 months (3x second hand master cylendars in a row to find one that doesnt crack)

No, it places it behind the headlight (on a LHD car, not sure about the RHD stuff, but you should look into it.)

mechacode · Post by **mechacode** » May 23, 2012 5:53 AM

Did the timing belt on one of those in a SC400, not a fun weekend. Charged the guy 800 to do it, should have charged more.

Post by **Shawn D.** » May 23, 2012 5:59 AM

This'll be a neat swap if you pull it off!

rmiddendorf wrote:
GKLCPA wrote:and that engine is as durable, and maybe more so, than the M30.
Doesn't it have a timing belt? It loses points to the M30 there.

That isn't a "durability" issue, IMO. It just means more maintenance.

GKLCPA · Post by **GKLCPA** » May 23, 2012 6:16 AM

mechacode wrote:Did the timing belt on one of those in a SC400, not a fun weekend. Charged the guy 800 to do it, should have charged more.

I usually have mine done by Toyota to save the Lexus premium. I've never paid less than $ 1100 and I've had it done twice since I've owned my LS. It's really not something you want to mess around with and whether the service has been done is a major $ consideration when getting one of these used--particularly after the 94 model year. If I recollect correctly, 95 and onward engines are interference.

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 23, 2012 7:19 AM

This engine is a 1998 motor (higher compression at 10.5:1) and done 38,000km... the cam belts really arent an issue here in NZ, we also are just a little country compared to the States so it takes us about 7 years to do 90,000km if you are a heavy road user (I think the average kms per annum in NZ across all registered cars is something like 7000)... I have driven across the USA and understand how quickly you can rack up miles there so I can see it would be a bigger issue.

For example it is 3km from my front door to my job in the center of the city... so i usually just walk there.

The majority of conversions or engine swaps done here in NZ with the lexus V8 is into Hilux utes, or "tacoma's" or "T100's" and they get 550km to a tank on the factory computer highway driving. I built one about 9 years ago now with a series one 1uzfe motor (1991) and it went really well, it was a double or dual cab ute (t100) and I did the cam belt waterpump and tensioners on that without any issue.

Thanks I will update as I go, its not a question of "IF" now, the project is underway and we wont be turning back.

Post by **Shawn D.** » May 23, 2012 7:44 AM

nelson9879 wrote:For example it is 3km from my front door to my job in the center of the city... so i usually just walk there.

Nice. I used to do that when I lived on military bases, but at 25 miles one way (and no easy public transport) now, it necessitates a car.

rmiddendorf · Post by **rmiddendorf** » May 23, 2012 8:31 AM

Shawn D. wrote:This'll be a neat swap if you pull it off!

rmiddendorf wrote:
GKLCPA wrote:and that engine is as durable, and maybe more so, than the M30.
Doesn't it have a timing belt? It loses points to the M30 there.
That isn't a "durability" issue, IMO. It just means more maintenance.

When I think of durability I also have a small sub-category for "How long will a neglected engine run with only gas and oil." Not saying its right or wrong, just saying it is my thought process.

However using the same category I'd be willing to bet the Toyota V8 doesn't need valve adjustments, and the M30 loses points there.

But back on track- sounds like a good swap idea. Over here the biggest swap engine (generally speaking) is the LS1. Not for me but still cool. I'm surprised the Lexus engine is such a popular swap down there. I would have thought it would be more electronic heavy and harder to use but your comments earlier lead me to believe I'm wrong.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » May 23, 2012 10:24 AM

rmiddendorf wrote: When I think of durability I also have a small sub-category for "How long will a neglected engine run with only gas and oil." Not saying its right or wrong, just saying it is my thought process.

IMO that's what domestic V8s used to be good at. They were big and understressed, but keep even marginal amounts of oil and water in the right places and they'd last a while. Seemed like Europe/Japan would last a lot longer if maintained, but you could kill them quicker if neglected or abused.

OR 6er · Post by **OR 6er** » May 23, 2012 10:32 AM

Torque capacity of the latest RX-7 transmissions? 13B doesn't make anywhere near the torque of a 4 liter V8. On ealier RX-7s (I've owned several) the transmissions were at capacity already.

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 23, 2012 7:40 PM

I guess in each country you work with what you have... for example when everyone started doing 1UZFE conversions you could buy complete Engine, Box, Driveshaft, Full loom, Computer, Igniters etc for about $800NZD ($390USD) and that would be a low km engine. Now they are popular the same kit will cost $1500NZD ($700USD Approx)

An LS1 here done 250,000km will cost you $6000NZD ($3000USD ish) and you still have to buy the loom conversion tables as not many people have done them.

Originally i was planning on an LS1 and 6 Speed conversion as Id seem that E28 on Ebay for sale ages ago and loved the idea, but its a further $3500NZD for a 6 speed box, you see where this is going... do the maths and it becomes an expensive toy.

Dont get me wrong tho, i do have an upgrade path... once the engine is in and running and I am comfortable with the power... I can bolt on an M90 Eaton or M112 or even an M120 Screw type supercharger for a little more oomph if i want, but in reality, i just want to keep the car looking clean and fairly stock looking, I think the little v8 will push it along just fine as a nice modern take on a classic car.

SERIES 5 Rx7 box... I have had 3 rx7 racecars, all turbo charged and putting out big torque through toyota supra and series 5 rx7 gearboxes... i have never broken one under punishment, i drive with a certain amount of mechanical sympathy tho so I have never blown diffs or gearboxes... Also series 5 rx7 boxes in NZ are cheap and plentiful... and no one has used them before so i was thinking i would make a copy of the adapter and sell a few on Ebay...

Also the series 5 box out of all the choices for gearboxes is the simplest to modify the shifter position to make it pop out of the bmw's existing sheetmetal, as i dont want to cut into the car, also the series 5 box is quite small and fits easily in the bmw tunnel.

Series 5 ratio's are perfect for the 1UZ as well, with the stock 3.08 rear ratio I will be pulling 1400rpm at 110kph for highway driving. The 1UZ has peak tourque at around 2000rpm... I also have a 3.91 ratio final drive crown wheel and pinion out of an E34, which will bring me up to 2400rpm at 110kph... so i plan to muck about with the ratios a wee bit to see which one i prefer, obviously it would be quicker with the 3.9... but it is a manual so if i want to take off on the highway I can just change down the gears.

My thinking is that the series 5 will handle a stock 1UZ easily... I have seen a few guys in Florida with 1UZ's in their '91 rx7's running the factory box and they drift them, I wont be giving the box any drift abuse... well maybe not a LOT of drift abuse

I could be wrong, but i guess we will soon find out

nelson9879 · Post by **nelson9879** » May 23, 2012 11:31 PM

I was a bit concerned after the last post that the series 5 rx7 box might not work so i have done a little research and found the following that has made me comfortable again.

Is built to take engine revolutions to 11,000rpm (which the 1UZ will never see

Can reliably handle 500hp peak 700ish (depends on the box I guess)

Torque load of 400nm (300 lb ft) is okay - the 1uz is 363nm peak torque (full throttle low rpm) so i may have to be a bit careful seeing as the box is 20 years old... but i am comfortably within its design peramiters, so I will carry on.

MyE28.com

MyE28.com

535ia + 1UZFE Lexus v8

535ia + 1UZFE Lexus v8