MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Toyota 1UZFE 32v V8

Moved from SFO, CA to Thailand a few years ago and brought my 74 MGB Rover V8 project with me in a connex.

Still in the middle of putting things together and noticed an abundant of Toyota 32V twin cam V8s (1UZ-FE)l ying around in Thailand and they are fairly inexpensive. It's all alloy and I think it's about 50 lbs heavier than the Rover.

They originally come in Lexus and Soarers, I think.

Has anyone entertained the idea? 4.0 is the smallest one they come in and puts out about 230 stock.

Now, before all the purists begin to pelt me with stones, "...a japanese motor in an MG??". It's just an idea.

Saw one locally in an older RX7. Looks and sounds nice...

Cheers

Arayan Lias

Are you kidding? Those are great engines and miles ahead of the Rover engine in terms of sophistication and power output.

Problem is that they aren't common and cheap in North America and people don't seem to like using them for swaps.

A 4 cam 4 valve all alloy engine? You bet! Turbo it for 350 bhp or stock at 265 bhp.

Or go to the 3UZ-FE 4.3 from later models for more.

Only problem is that it is a high tech solution and also an expensive one compared to the old tech Rover, so not many are likely to be wanting to go that way.

In fact I have no idea if they would even fit in an MGB. But I guess there is no such thing as 'it doesn't fit', right?
Bill Spohn

Certainly worth looking at - there is some archive material - worries about size which I believe were overcome. The Toyoda gearboxes are generally compact and very strong too.

In defence of the old ming buick/rover - 265 bhp is also very attainable too if you have a good donor.

Arayan - reckon you will need your rubber bumpers and 175R14 90s in Thailand.

Good luck

Roger
RMW

Where in Thailand are you Arayan? I spent a year in Udorn back in 1970-1971...left part of my soul there.

I used to dirt bike through the jungle and rice paddies.

Thailand is a beautiful country and has wonderful people.
Michael S. Domanowski

"In defence of the old ming buick/rover - 265 bhp is also very attainable too if you have a good donor."

Apples and oranges.

The Lexus rating is net, the Rover most likely gross, but you can also 'tune' the Lexus - does 450 BHP strike you as enough........
Bill Spohn

There's a law in Japan about BHP stats. There is a maximum figure, somewhere about 265, that can be claimed. So if the engine delivers 1000 BHP, it can still only be rated at 265 BHP. FWIW Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

oh!!!! The fun to be had at Pattaya Beach!!!!!! I don't remeber a lot of big cars, just millions of scooters!
andy heston

Thanks for all the insights gents. Hmm...the plot thickens...

Checked around on the web, not a lot of info for the MG transplant but quite a bit for the other makes. There were other discussions however, one of the concerns is the size, supposedly, 75mm wider than rover. The dimension is roughly 700mm x 700mm.

I'm in BKK. Pattaya beach..., Hua Hin..., yes, that will probably be my main utilization with the car since BKK traffic is pretty bad and I really doubt the top will seal out all the smog and heat. Yup, a beach car...

Appearently, the locals here like to swap out any motor for a japanese one and they seems to be really efficient at that. Range Rover with Japanese inline 6, A BMW 5 series or a Jag with the 1UZ. And the best part is they are pretty innovative here and the labor is dirt cheap.

Will keep you guys posted. Thanks.
Arayan Lias

The Lexus conversion is mentioned in the archives so a look there would be worthwhile.
The dimensions are a cube measuring 700 mm as you said and as others have mentioned the potential is huge for extra power if you want to go that route.

Keep the information flowing if you would. It sounds like a real step ahead.

Cheers , Pete.
Peter Thomas

The limit for japanese engines is 276bhp, I believe. Subaru Imprezas, Lancer EVOs and the like can make about 320 or more bone stock but the ECUs are hobbled to limit the power. Although it's nothing that 10 mins with a laptop can't fix.
dave

Fabulous motor, overhead spring loaded split cams, rotating followers than hardly wear. Distributor for each head. Four valves per chamber, two cams over each bank, central plugs. The starter motor sits in the valley, so makes fitting easier. factory figures of 190KW ((255hp), which make the thing VERY understressed. Street machine ran a story three or four years ago about a blown version making 2000hp which stretches credibility but indicates big potential.
Peter

This is the motor I want to put in a MGA. has any one used this in a MG? A or B yet?
R J Brown

Pattya beach, mopeds, girls,drinking, fun and yes more fun, etc. Never saw an MGB and did not care if they had one then.

Bill Guzman

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2005 and 30/12/2005

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS now