The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi all

Been lurking for some time, you guys are a bad influence on me. Given me some very dangerous ideas.

Anyway, Im currently stripping down the donor vehicle for my project, a v8 Manta coupe. It started life as a 1.8 auto but the current plan is a 4.0 Lexus v8 and R154 gearbox. I was going to do an LSx and Corvette transaxle but looking at the prices meant I had to be a bit more realistic, think I can get a donor car for the engine/loom etc for well under 2k where as Corvettes were at least 4 times that, even for a crashed one.

I'm planning to hopefully build a spaceframe chassis for it. Done the theory (at uni) nows the time for the practice, to see if I can actually do it.

Anyway, thats it, thoughts welcome. Please be ready for some daft questions

Cheers

Welcome...
I'm planning, or at least looking into, similar things, though the electrics has me wondering/worrying e.g. fly by wire throttle. Want to add forced induction so looking into the piggy back route or new chip.
You'll def get a donor for less than 2k, I just passed up on one for £600.

Chuck,

there's been a guy on the NSRA forums trying to sell a Lexus 4.3 VVTi plus Dellow bellhousing + Supra box + Lexus auto box all for £1500. PM me and I'll send you his email address or search on the NSRA forum.





I think he said the engine had done 20k. I have no connection to this guy but it looks a pretty good bargain IMHO.

Cheers,

Ian

He offered it to me for less than that too. But someone on the lextreme site said he had doubts over hooking the 4.3 up to a manual box, electronics wise. Didn't look into it any further though, I want the 4.0 (stronger rods & pistons) anyway.
If I remember right, the full kit inc clutch is about £600 before post & duty. Supra box say £150. Cut-out engines can be had for £3-400 or so, minus the electronics & ancillaries though.

Cheers guys.

Interesting about the 4.3. I'd kinda ruled them out on the basis of being too expensive. I was quite looking forward to hooning about in a ls400 though