So im new here, and probably over ambititious.

Hey there everyone, I was looking to get some input on how best to aproach a project that's been bouncing around in my head. I have a 1986 Toyota MR2 and(drum roll please) I want to put a 5.7 Tundra 3urfe motor in it. Is this even feasible? What kind of issues would I face dropping a modern motor into an older vehicle? I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to extend the chasis some to accommodate this size motor(and go from a transverse to longitudinal configuration). Also I'm wondering about how best to approach the situation with it needing a transaxle. In case you haven't picked up on it yet I'm young single and hopefully about to see enough of a raise to consider a project this crazy. I'd love to hear everyone's input on this.

Welcome! Have any pictures of the mr2 to share? I've always really like those, though I'm partial to the 2nd gen.

Just my opinion: If you aren't sure it's feasible, it's not the project you want. Curb weight of the MR2: 2350 3URFE is 31" (ish) wide and weighs nearly 500 lbs, according to folks on an AE86 site: http://www.86garage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5821

380hp would be great, but is this really what you want to do? What other engine/trans combos have you considered and why do you prefer the 3UR?

I hope that doesn't come across as being a jerk, but if you really want to take a bunch of money and spend it on something this radical, you're going to want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck. There have got to be better, lighter, easier options for a swap. Whatever you decide to do, keep us updated here.

In reply to Inchoate1:

"Inchoate" is one of my favorite vocabulary words. That's all I've got.

In reply to Inchoate1:

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you're gonna fit right in here.

If you want to keep the car all Toyota I would recommend the newer V6 and manual from a camry given that they are already packaged for a transverse mounting style. If you still want to go V8 look into the LS engine from a newer Impala SS. Again the packaging is already worked out.

I would love to see the Tundra V8, that is definitely ambitious.

I agree, the transverse Toyota motor would be a relatively easy choice. Now, if the Supra V8, 1uZ?, were, by chance, to bolt up to a V6 transaxle, you'd be in bidness. I would say these are your two major hurdles:

1. Finding a transaxle to fit that motor/handle the horsepower.

2. Making room for a V8 and it's transaxle in your engine bay.

Fiero engine swappers go so far as to stretch the whole car to put in longitudinal engines. Having said that, a guy was able to fit a longitudinal Audi V8 in a non stretched Fiero. It was really tight. There are transverse Fiero V8 swaps too. You might be able to pull that off in your car without a stretch. Then you run into width problems. Guys put the GM LS4 (transverse version of the LS1) in Fieros, but they have to go to extreme measures such as cutting up the water pump and stuff like that to make it fit.

Having said all of the above, you can put any engine "in" any vehicle if you have any two of the following three things.

1. Lots of time.

2. Lots of determination.

3. Lots of money.

Then again, dreaming is fun. So is starting a project, even if you never finish it. Selling off a project as unfinished sucks out loud. I've done 12 major swaps that I would call successful, as in usable as a daily driver when driven away from my house. There were three others that I could not describe that way, although all three of them did go for at least one drive before being sold.

I've learned to try to keep a project to about 10 months. If it goes past that it is very difficult for me to stay with it. OTOH, I did finish one 2 year project that turned out pretty sweet.

pimpm3 wrote: If you still want to go V8 look into the LS engine from a newer Impala SS. Again the packaging is already worked out.

Not exactly. The LS4 doesn't have a starter mounting location on the block, so if you replace the factory automatic trans with the F40 manual, which is what most people plan to do, you have to do a lot of work to fit the starter.

Will wrote:

pimpm3 wrote: If you still want to go V8 look into the LS engine from a newer Impala SS. Again the packaging is already worked out.

Not exactly. The LS4 doesn't have a starter mounting location on the block, so if you replace the factory automatic trans with the F40 manual, which is what most people plan to do, you have to do a lot of work to fit the starter.

Interesting, I did not know that. Is there an off the shelf solution that others are using?

In reply to pimpm3:

Nope, not that I have seen. And I have looked. It requires a lot of work to mount a starter. Better off putting the FWD parts on a rwd block and making a transmission adapter. I think that would be easier.

In reply to Inchoate1:

If you're looking for a car to use as a basis for a V8, mid-engine car of about that size, a Fiero would probably be a better place to start. If the car is in good condition and ready for more power, I would personally start looking for a good turbo setup for the 4A-GE after a good on-purpose rebuild. Others here that know more about these cars can chime in on how good or bad this idea is.

This is just my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Or two. Possibly three.

pimpm3 wrote:

Will wrote:

pimpm3 wrote: If you still want to go V8 look into the LS engine from a newer Impala SS. Again the packaging is already worked out.

Not exactly. The LS4 doesn't have a starter mounting location on the block, so if you replace the factory automatic trans with the F40 manual, which is what most people plan to do, you have to do a lot of work to fit the starter.

Interesting, I did not know that. Is there an off the shelf solution that others are using?

Park on a hill?

Alternatively use the auto it comes with and set it up with MegaShift for full manual mode(flappy paddles).

A 4th gen 3sgte would be pretty awesome in a AW11. That would be a very doable swap that would keep the weight down relative to a V8.

The epicenter of all things MR2 is The MR2 Owners Club www.mr2oc.com

There you will find samples of detailed swaps.

You have to register to get in the site but it is safe and well worth it.

There is a sub-forum there dedicated to Mk1 V8 swaps. In there you can find this BMW V12 in a Mk1.

http://www.mr2oc.com/#/forumsite/20711/topics/414492?page=15

Ever think about a Porsche 914? Longitudinal V8s fit pretty well in them.