74 replies to this topic

[NOSBandit]

I had always wanted a fun car that was almost practical to use everyday but also would feel at home on a track.
So last year I purchased my first VX with the idea of fitting a Toyota 3SGTE (almost bullet proof) engine and E153 heavy duty gearbox into it.
The car that I bought had a few issue's, so needed some tlc The engine had been run with no oil in it and was knocking it's arse off. Surprisingly there was a receipt for a top end rebuild done less then a year before and a load of other work to a cost of £2500. But that was perfect for me as I wanted to ditch the original engine.
This was the car.

[NOSBandit]

Very standard and tired from lack of maintenance.

[RabnaKS]

A receipt for £2500 for a top end rebuild, then let's it run low on oil? Wow, I'm sure you'll treat it with a little more credit?

[NOSBandit]

There was less than a cup full when I drained it and no oil leaks around the engine.

[garyk220]

Good luck with the rebuild. It is my first VX, which I bought way back in 2001. I was hoping it would show up on here sometime. It will be good to see it back on the road again and treated well. The guy I sold it to in 2003 crashed it not long after and it looks like the next couple of owners have done their best to kill the engine.

 

I travelled down to N Wales with a view to buying it last year. But decided not to buy it as I have loads to do to get my turbo back on the road. I'll keep an eye on this thread. Be sure to keep us posted with progress.

 

PS. It has a turbo interior which I fitted before selling the car. Black and biscuit leather was not an option on the NA.

[NOSBandit]

Nice one, I was wondering if any of the previous owners were on here. I actually quite like the contrast of the interior, more interesting then a plain colour.

[Nev]

Sounds like a serious and commiting project with plenty of skills required.

 

Is there some reason why you chose a Toyota engine rather than an OEM engine that would package/fit far more easily?

 

Could you post lots of image, we all love a good project! Good luck.

[ChrisS1]

A post elsewhere on the forum suggested that he had already had it weighed as a complete car, so I assume its already up and running.

 

Will be nice to see the journey to get there. 

[NOSBandit]

The reason I chose the Toyota engine is because I like them and I happened to have one lying around with forged internals and a lot if work already done to it.
This was the donor vehicle

[NOSBandit]

So the first thing to do was start stripping both cars

And place the donor engine in place and start mocking the mounts up

[NOSBandit]

The engine and gearbox was a very snug fit, less then 10 mm at either side. Mount's were fabricated and put in place prior to powder coating.

[Duncan VXR]

Good stuff and following with interest, there is no good excuse needed to put a different engine in 😊 DG

[Rosssco]

As a Toyota and ex-MR2 person, I approve of this.

 

Won't be the lightest combination (from experience removing a turbo engine / gearbox - chunky!)) but should come in similar to putting a Z20LET weight.. And the E153 gearbox is almost unbreakable when in good condition!

[NOSBandit]

Mounts were welded up and powder coated, engine is hung on 2 end mounts in correct position.

[NOSBandit]

The next thing was to cut a small hole in the rear bulkhead to allow clearance of exhaust and gear linkage cables.
With the engine in place, the exhaust can now be made

[NOSBandit]

Whilst the rear bulkhead was open it was time to fit the gear linkage cables
And do a bit of wiring

The rear bulkhead can now be sealed and ignition system installed

[NOSBandit]

Boost control solenoid and egt probe fitted
Adaptronic ecu, lm1 and msd ignition all connected up

[Rosssco]

Did you not fancy running a set of 1ZZ coils (just to get rid of the dizzy)? If the Adaptronic will run them directly of course.. 

 

I did this with my old MR2 while using a Link G3 ECU.

[NOSBandit]

I could of but I prefer the multiple spark system and the coil is extremely pokey (msd hvc 2). It eats dizzy caps but I prefer it.

[techieboy]

That MSD box looks like an antique.