Project MV8R: MR2 Engine Swap, Frequently Asked Questions

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo with a V8

Why are you using a Cadillac V8 instead of a Toyota V8 for your MR2 Engine Swap?

This is the crux of the problem.  Essentially, there are no Toyota V8s that will fit in the MR2 engine swap car without chopping the whole back of the car off, and installing a custom tube frame.   Go here for an in-depth explanation.

Since you did not use the 1997 Audi 4.2L V8 (the Audi ABZ), are you going to sell it?

When I first started this V8 MR2 engine swap, I originally tried to use the Audi ABZ V8 because it is the shortest economical and available V8 made.  It is as short as most V6′s!  Later I found that I could not mount it transversely as there is no room for the intermediate axle (jackshaft). Yes, I am interested in selling the ABZ that I have.  I purchased it from Force5 Auto (the Audi wrecker that 034 Motorsports recommended at the time).  I have the purchase receipt, and they told me it   Read More

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

Maybe.  For now, I am offering a free project update newsletter, and this blog.  You can pretty much use this blog and my free newsletter as instructions for doing a V8 MR2 engine swap into a Toyota MR Turbo or NA (normally aspirated).

Why don’t you use the 2JZ (its really the 2JZ-GTE) from the 1993 – 1998 Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo instead of the Northstar for your V8 MR2 engine swap?

About every 6 months or so, a someone on the MR2 forums suggests this. A simple search would show that this question has been asked and answered many times.  Simply put Read More

The LS and Chevy small block engines are super reliable, make lots of power, and have huge aftermarket so you can get even more power very easlier from them. Why don’t you use a Chevy small block or LSx (LS1, LS2, etc) V8 for your MR2 Engine Swap?

Believe me, the LSx was my first choice.  I would use one if I could.  I looked at them, and found Read More

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 this includes V8 MR2 engine swaps,  and you will have to deal with the consequences, good or bad. You have been warned.

Why is your V8 MR2 engine swap project 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 MR2 engine swap project, I thought MV8R sounded pretty cool, and it is homage to the original SARD V8 MR2 engine swap race car. MV8R stands for Mid-engine, V8 Run-about. “MV8R2″ was too wordy, and it sounds like some trashcan shaped robot in some low budget sci-fi flick (that’s a joke!). 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 for your V8 MR2 engine swap because the guy (Bill) at V8MR2.com is using it?

No, I am not. Its actually a coincidence that he used the Northstar for his own V8 MR2 engine swap. Originally, Bill decided to use the Northstar and the GM automatic transaxle that comes with the Northstar in Cadillacs in his own V8 MR2 engine swap. 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 for my MR2 engine swap 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 for my MR2 engine swap. 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 for a V8 MR2 engine swap 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. The Cadillac 4.9L also bolts up to the F40– be sure to verify this before purchasing a 4.9L. The Fiero guys know as they have used the 4.9L. However, the 4.9L is an “old-school” pushrod V8 and is low powered. The Northstar replaced it in my MR2 engine swap project and is a far superior engine.

Will the V8 MR2 engine swap 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 MR2 engine swap project car.

End of Project MV8R: V8 MR2 Engine swap FAQ

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