FAQ for Project MV8R a V8 MR2 Engine Swap

Project MV8R Frequently Asked Questions

How To Swap a V8 into a 1991-1999 Toyota MR2

Will you be offering a V8 MR2 project manual and plans for sale in the future?

Yes, I intend to sell a DIY shop manual for swapping a V8 into the MR2 second generation (1991-1999 body style).. For now, I am offering a free project update newsletter.

Why are you offering this project kit manual for sale?

I am offering this V8 MR2 manual as a way to raise money for my project. Unfortunately, I spent $2500 + $160 for the clutch on an engine I ended up not being able to use (the Audi), and had to buy another engine, the Northstar, on top of that.. This really put a dent in my budget for this project. I did not like the idea of asking for donations.

You keep mentioning engineering drawings and other "engineering" stuff. Are you an engineer?

Yes, I am a Mechanical Engineer. If you want to check my credentials, just contact Oregon State University. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering. I worked in the aircraft industry for a while, designing airplane parts. I also worked for a cylinder manufacturer, designing hydraulic (oil) and pneumatic (air) cylinders. Please note that I am NOT a licensed Professional Engineer. None of my work is certified in any way, so it is for information and educational purposes only, and if you use it, it is AT YOUR OWN RISK. I will do my best to get everything right, and correctly engineered, but I cannot be held responsible for modifications you do to your own car. ANY modifications you make to a car are your own responsibility, and you will have to deal with the consequences, good or bad. You have been warned.

When will the MV8R Project Kit be available for sale?

I am shooting for Fall of 2009. I cannot guarantee it. Also, it will depend on how many people sign up to buy the manual. I plan to offer a "pre-release" version that will be partially complete, and anyone that buys this version will automatically receive the release version, at no additional charge to them.

What will it cost?

The newsletter is free (use the signup form at the upper left). As for the build manual, I want to gauge interest to see if there will be enough people interested in buying it.

Why is it called "MV8R" ?

Toyota says that MR2 stands for Mid-engine Run-about, 2 seater. Back in the mid-1990's, SARD Racing of Japan, took a mid-90's Toyota MR2, and modified it extensively. They used tube sub-frames in the front and rear, and installed a 600hp Twin Turbo Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 engine, in a north/south arrangement (longitudinal). They called this super cool monster the MC8R. I have no idea was it stands for.

When I was thinking of names for my project, I thought MV8R sounded pretty cool, and it is homage to the original SARD V8 MR2. MV8R stands for Mid-engine, V8 Run-about.

"MV8R2" was too wordy, and it sounds like a trashcan shaped robot in some low budget sci-fi flick (j/k).

Besides, some of the coolest cars have names that end in "R" like the McLaren F1-GTR, and so on.

Are you using the Northstar because the guy (Bill) at V8MR2.com is using it?

No, I am not. Its actually a coincidence. Originally, Bill decided to use the Northstar and the GM automatic transaxle that comes with the Northstar in Cadillacs. He decided to use this engine because it was a V8, was readily available, was fairly inexpensive, was powerful, and was voted one of the best engines. I never intended to use the autotragic transaxle it came with..

If you read other parts of my website and my newsletter, you will find out that I originally was going to use an Audi V8 because the Audi was only a hair longer than the stock 4 cylinder engines the MR2 came with. It is also shorter than the Northstar. For various technical reasons dicusssed in my newsletter, I found that engine to be less practical than the Northstar. I chose the Northstar because it happens to bolt up to the GM F40 6-speed manual transaxle I originally had, and because the Northstar is a very short V8 (even if not quite short enough), and because it has more power than the 4.9L Cadillac V8 that preceeded it. The 4.9L Cadillac is another viable choice because it will fit. Really, the V8 Fiero guys pointed the way. They were the ones who originally figured out the Northstar bolted up to the stock Fiero Getrag transaxle, and later, the F40.
I think the 4.9L also bolts up to the F40-- be sure to verify this before purchasing a 4.9L, as I am not totally sure. The Fiero guys know as they have used the 4.9L

Will the V8 engine pass smog once the project is done?

In my area of Nevada, all registered cars are required to pass smog. On cars prior to 1997 (and OBD2), we have to pass a tail pipe sniffer test. I believe (don't quote me) that it is 90 seconds at idle and 90 seconds at 2500 rpms. The emissions must meet the standards set for the year the car was manufactured. We don't have to do a test under load on a dyno as some other parts of the USA do. It is my intention to be able to pass smog in my area and I will probably have twin catalytic converters on the car.

Chris Bulen
Last page update: 06/16/2009