where to get lexus V8 conversions done

[on2it]

bump. any new names on the block in hamilton or auckland to be able to do this? drive in and drive out?

[Madaz]

Taupo Sheetmetals, give Mike a call

[juz]

Dont waste your money, stick with the diesel!

[Sadam_Husain]

bump. any new names on the block in hamilton or auckland to be able to do this? drive in and drive out?

a lexus might be a bit on the small side for a 60 series cruiser you wont have the torque for a 3 ton truck

[juz]

Yep agree with sadam. If your set on putting a V8 in it go with a LS1/LS2 etc. The lexus V8s are good and cheap but dont have the Torque or HP like the big V8s.

[on2it]

awesome - thanks for the info.
Any other options other than the LS1/2? I know they are heavy so trying to keep the weight of the monster down.

[turoa]

awesome - thanks for the info.
Any other options other than the LS1/2? I know they are heavy so trying to keep the weight of the monster down.

An ls1 is lighter than a 1uz. Probably one of the lightest engines torquey enough to move a cruiser

[petefj40]

awesome - thanks for the info.
Any other options other than the LS1/2? I know they are heavy so trying to keep the weight of the monster down.

An ls1 is lighter than a 1uz. Probably one of the lightest engines torquey enough to move a cruiser

X2 turoa.

The 4L V8 Lexus is the BEST bang for your buck. But for a little more, the Chevy 5.7L LS1 will leave it for dead. And it's light.
This is my old FJ40 powered with a 5.7L LS1. I've had this thing doing wheel stands.

http://youtu.be/xXPUfL4Vv6k

But if you can afford it, I'd go to the next level. Go to a 6L LS2. It's a quantum leap from the LS1.

That's my 2c worth.

[on2it]

thanks!

[bob_or_jim]

Absolutly agree. 5.7 would be better by far and smaller lighter with more HP.

But it I was me after a "town" truck Ide be thinking of the TRD supercharger kit in a factory 3.4 V6 surf. Can get them really cheap now so sell ya 1kz surf and SC a v6 one. You may even come out even!!!!

Love the 1uz's but daily driver is a big demand. You need to be able to enjoy the vehicle. For me thats being reliable, not bad on gas, comfortable and having some grunt to boot.

I think you may have issues with the sump on the 1uz in the later surf. they are a 700 x 700mm cube so a quick measure up will soon let you know. Also huge draw back is the transfer case having its output on the passenger side. This means you will need to use the factory 1 and they are piss weak.

Sorry about the largly negitive post but Ide hate to see someone go down the 1uz road and fight it the whole way. If ya gunna do it anyway make sure its for the right reasons. FYI my last truck (lifted a little on 33's) got 250ks per tank with the 1uz. Bit of a steep jump from your 600 you will be getting now with diesel.

[on2it]

Ive got a FJ62.

[Sadam_Husain]

Ive got a FJ62.

chevs the easiest and best bang for buck one to do mate, right size engine for the truck weight and been done 10 million times before its a really simple straight forward conversion, theres plenty of aftermarket NZ and Aus made bellhousings out there, graeme berry, dellow, marks and one or two others or if you want to go to the trouble of getting one from the states theres a pile of other manufacturers over there, they will fit the old 350 chevs and the late model LS injected chev bolt patterns. You could do other simular sized v8's but you'd have a lot more mucking around getting an adaptor plate made up for the gearbox, easily done but a lot more thinking, measuring, planning, re-measuring, re-measuring again, machineing and engineering to do it.

[on2it]

thanks mate. I'd better start planning my bank heist.

[jonnynz]

Hey guys.
I have a 90 surf with a 351 cleveland. Its a mean beast. standard Toyo from gearbox back. I know this discussion is directed to the 1uz etc but some issues are common across any V8 conversion.
I have twin electric thermo fans on I think a standard diesel [2.4]radiator.
the cooling is ok but runs around 80 deg c. Any cooler than that and the thermos would be on all the time.
Fuel economy is not flash and the 250km to a tank is not far off the money with 33" tyres. What is the tallest diff ratio for a surf ?
If I was going to have another v8 4x4, I don't know if I would do it in a surf or a 95 series prado for the same reason. The engine bay is not long enough to include a mechanical fan. I personally think a mechanical fan is the bizzo for a mostly road driven truck. Those thermos draw a fair bit of power so a good alternator is a must.
Maybe a FJ 70 would have enough room as anything that has been made big enough for a straight 6 should do it. Had an FJ70 with a 350 chev and that went good but with the big lift and the extended spring shackles the bump steer was a wild thing lol.
Love my surf and it really turns heads, sounds fantastic. May go for a pre 96 cherokee next time as that might have the room to do a good V8 fit.
Which leads to the question which of the early 90's 4x4 is the best v8 or conversion for 50/50 road dirt use. cheers

[madman1988]

Hi, I have a 94 s/cab hilux and am looking for somewhere in chch to get conversion done, already have my 1uz-fe engine, and r150f gearbox now just need mechanic so any suggestion would be great