Another Lexus conversion

Aking · Post by **Aking** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:54 am

I am either going to be a very sad or very happy man in a few weeks time. I have commissioned a Lexus conversion to my 1994 SFA Hilux D/C. Will let you know as things develop.

Post by **pietpetoors** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:44 am

We will keep our eyes open for pictures and more news.
Who is doing the conversion?

SYRON CONVERSIONS · Post by **SYRON CONVERSIONS** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:55 am

:) Sounds like it will be nice, please tell me what will you be doing with the engine and gearbox/transfer case in your vehicle and what engine do you have fitted now.

Thankyou

Andries · Post by **Andries** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:34 pm

I wonder if anybody can help me? I can find a Lexus V8 for under R5 000.
I am not a fan of fuel injection and would like to change the fuel injection to a carburator, and what about the distributor? Can anybody tell me how to change the above mentioned.

Andries :roll:

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:46 pm

Hi Andries

Why dont you like fuel injection? Its much more reliable and fuel efficient then a carb.

Regards CM

Post by **pietpetoors** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:53 pm

Hi Andries
I do not think those engines have distributors anymore. My Hilux do not have a distributor or coil and the Lexus motors should be of same or newer age.

I agree with Cookie Monster. Years ago I did not like Fuel Injection either. When I bought a Gold bakkie with CLi motor with fuel injection, the first thing I did was to rip off the fuel injection and install a carb. But modern fuel injection systems are very reliable. My dad had 3 Camries before. 2 of them went up to 500,000km before he sold the one and rolled the other one. Both of them never had anything dome on the fuel injection in all those years. My Hilux now have 337,000 Km on the clock and according to the records the fuel injection system has not been touched yet.

Andries · Post by **Andries** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:13 pm

Die rede hoekom ek nie van fuel injection hou nie is: ek bly op 'n grondpad ver van die teerpad af. aAs dit kom reen is ons afgesny van buitewereld omdat al die driwwe oorstroom is, kom jy met 'n geluk deur is alles nat en vol @#$%*! En as dit droog is wil hy nie start nie en stof is ons ander probleem wat die senders wil nie stof he nie. My paar bure wat Fuel injection voertuie gehad het, het almal jare se moeilikheid gehad en hul "taal" het versleg. As daar 'n probleem is kan jy nie self peuter nie, kos op einde van dag vir jou baie geld en 'n lekker kopseer!

Andries :roll: :roll: :roll:

SYRON CONVERSIONS · Post by **SYRON CONVERSIONS** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:41 pm

Andries now why would you consider the fitment of a Lexus into your Hilux

When I joined you and Hennie on the trip up to Tiffendale and we drove all the back roads, the two of you drove too fast anyway :x :x :x

Yes a Lexus V8 sounds nice, but if you want to fit one and then remove the fuel injection system you are wasting your money, an engine with a fuel injection system performs very well off-road even better when you are using your vehicle to climb up steep hills or on side angle slopes and the higher you drive up a mountain it will still out perform a normal carb system.

But there are a few things that you have to consider when you fit an engine like this into a Hilux, yes they are made mostly from alloy, but you will have to upgrade the following items as well, only logic

The braking system
The suspension system
The exhaust system
The Battery
The cooling System
Gearbox and propshafts

I have heard of many people who have had this conversion done and I have heard of more people complaining than people who are actually happy with this mod, most people end up selling their vehicle.

Even with the fitment of a 7MGE engine there are problems that have to be solved.

Then I ask myself why do or what reason do people fit these V6 Ford, Cressida 7MGE and The Lexus V 8 engines?
It definitely cannot be for better fuel consumption.

Must be for speed driving on tar roads :roll:

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:51 pm

Not just speed on tarred roads but also power needed when towing and the extra power off road is a mayor bonus for me.

My consumption is definably less, its up from 4-4.5 to ave of 6.2 km/l

SYRON CONVERSIONS · Post by **SYRON CONVERSIONS** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:43 pm

Yes towing is a big bonus, yes thank's forgot about that aspect.

Harold · Post by **Harold** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:43 pm

Friend of mine had the conversion done - he is a very unhappy chappy.
If you need that much oomph and go by a Bronce, Humvee or something similart.
Harold

Cookie Monster · Post by **Cookie Monster** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:10 pm

I also played with the idea of fitting a BMW 328i engine to my hilux as I know the engine inside and out. 154kw would be nice but could also be dangerious as Simon points out

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:25 am

i had it done.........lekka !!!!!!!

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:46 am

hilex08 wrote:i had it done.........lekka !!!!!!!

Come-on, don't just tease us....start a new thread and tell us all about it, plus some pics.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:21 pm

i so much want to share my conversion and pics with you all, but cannot plak my pics here, it says file too big.......help !!!!

how do i get my pics plakked here ??

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:34 pm

Hi Hilex08,

Underneath the "Reply" window, you will notice a window with the wording:
"If you want to attach one or more files enter the details below"

Browse your computer for the files (you may attach more than one) and then upload the files by clicking on "Add the file" for each file you wish to attach.

Please keep the attachments to maximum size 640 x 480 for quicker loading of pictures.

-F_D

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:04 pm

managed to do something right....

ok the job was done by guys in pta, engine is married to a gearmax T5 box.

pulls like a dog !!!!

still need to do suspention etc.....

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:06 pm

OK, you'll have to reduce it. The file is already in jpg format, right?

You can use almost any Image viewer, I use Irfanview http://www.irfanview.com as it is an excellent freebie.

Open the image and then resize it, Irfanview has standard formats for this. You will have to check its file properties, however, for size after reducing it. If it is still too large, try reducing it further.

If you don't come right, send it to me and I'll see what I can do. Bennie is our resident graphics expert, but I guess he's busy churning up the mud somewhere

-F_D

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:09 pm

Our posts crossed ;)

Your bakkie looks great! Looks like a most professional job.

Please post details of what they did regarding the radiator etc and whether you've experienced any overheating problems. I'm sure Benhur & Zantus are most interested in those details!

pulls like a dog !!!!

Aah, yes, good - no, excellent comparison! :)

-F_D

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:23 pm

fitted with a bmw 745 aluminum radiator with a bm's fan.

had initial problem with overheating, and found that the cap on the botlle was damaged (vw polo).

replaced it and so far so good, it still has to go back for mapping, as the cold start has to be sorted out.

sump was rescessed, but not enough, went over a speed bump and managed to damaged the sump, fixed it with new gasket. noticed a slight oil leak between the gearbox and tf case, will have that one sorted out soon.

fitted those big bf"s and had to modify a drop plate on the towbar, as not to damage the caravan again..

why the colour? just because....... 8)

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:31 pm

I like the colour! Many years ago I bought an old 1961 VW Kombi (pre-Fleetline, but also with split windscreen and two opening doors on the side). Fitted it out as a Camper with bed, cupboards etc and painted it the exact same colour, well Nassau Gold to be accurate, and the roof was Desert Sand. Had a lot of fum with that Kombi before I sold it.

-F_D

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:48 pm

Sounds great, I recently fitted the same radiator and I have the same expanion tank, so it should work for me as well. I just need to get the right thermostat, I've given up on my local Toy stealer to help me on that one......my conversion was supplied without a thermostat in the engine

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:54 pm

What type of engine mount was used on your engine?

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:02 pm

themostat?? gee Zantos...you woke me up there, wonder if mine has one in??? :?

i do find that the fan kicks in very often in slow traffic......suppose i have to check on that one.

i grew up in a combi...my old man had a 58 combi furnished out with beds,cubbords etc.

he drove that combi for oomph years untill he had to change a tyre one day and found out the floorboard had rusted away, the jack went thru the floor

some guy bought it and sprayed it pink !

back to the hilex....the side badges was done by my boet's laaitie. he is a tool and die maker..glad to say i'm the only one in the world with a badge like that... 8) 8) machined from solid aluminium

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:04 pm

Zantus wrote:What type of engine mount was used on your engine?

geez....i dunno.

saw little shockabsorber like goodies there...........

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 5:58 pm

hilex08 wrote:
Zantus wrote:What type of engine mount was used on your engine?

geez....i dunno.

saw little shockabsorber like goodies there...........

That sounds good, as long as it's not Ford V6 mounts. If the fans come on, you have a thermostat in, without a thermostat, the big radiator works so well it could cool my beer

With the 730 radiator it had before, it was ok for slow citi driving and towing, but not for offroading.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:58 pm

Zantus wrote:
hilex08 wrote:
Zantus wrote:What type of engine mount was used on your engine?

geez....i dunno.

saw little shockabsorber like goodies there...........
That sounds good, as long as it's not Ford V6 mounts. If the fans come on, you have a thermostat in, without a thermostat, the big radiator works so well it could cool my beer
With the 730 radiator it had before, it was ok for slow citi driving and towing, but not for offroading.

what do you suggest...with or without a thermostat?

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:49 pm

WITH thermostat, without is a very bad idea....firstly the aluminium block must run at a constant temperature to prevent the possibility of cracking, secondly, the ECU works on temp as well and if it cools down too much the engine management will get confused and cause problems.

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:19 pm

And now the Jackpot question.....who did the conversion and would you recommend them?

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:21 pm

Zantus wrote:And now the Jackpot question.....who did the conversion and would you recommend them?

thought so on the thermostat, although i never thought about the management system.

fast development in pta did the job. guy by the name of barry pretorius. and yes i highly recommend them. those guys really are pro's

even the exhaust pipes has sensors welded on for dyno tuning at three different positions.

i orginally asked for a twin exhaust system with the pipes under my ears....the denied it and build the system to spec.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:29 pm

fast development in pta

guy called barry pretorius. i highly recommend those guys, the really are pro's

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:00 am

Family_Dog wrote:ennie is our resident graphics expert, but I guess he's busy churning up the mud somewhere

-F_D

Nahh not really I was fiddling in the garage the whole day with little piece jobs around the house and was almost late for the wedding I had to attend yesterday afternoon..

Under the photo upload board I wrote an article about resizing pics a while ago.

See viewtopic.php?f=21&t=295

Hilex08 I luv the badge, where did you get it. Maybe I must get a SupraTruck or SupraLux badge for mine.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 6:37 pm

OK.....I BLEW MY FAN TODAY.......BURNT ALL WIRES TO AND FROM THE RELAY AND FAN.....

NOW WHAT :roll

WHERE CAN I GET A BM FAN, AND SOMETHING SIMILAR?

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:28 pm

hilex08 wrote:fast development in pta

guy called barry pretorius. i highly recommend those guys, the really are pro's

This afternoon as I pulled into my driveway I saw this distict orange Lux pulling out of my Neighbour's yard. I stopped and walked over and as I suspected I saw the Hiex V8 badge on the side. Schalk my neighbour then told me that it is a vehicle that Barry brought over for a dyno. Schalk was just on his way taking the van to his Dyno premmisis down the road

Hennie I must say that big 8 is a monster. I dropped in to see just as Schalk was finishing up at the Dyno. He did not finish today he only mapped upto 2500 RPM but it was getting late and the fuel was getting low.

At 2500 RPM she was already making 90HP on the big 33s 8)

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:58 pm

yikes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you told me something i didnt know!! about the hp that is !!!!!!!!! 90 hp !!!!!!!!! 8) 8)

yeah the lux is in to have the sump fixed, as the front diff and the sump is about 50mm apart.

barry lifted the engine and modified the sump a litlle so that it doesnt damage again over a little speed bump.

something wrong with the brakes aswell, think the calipers is stuck or it just needs a new kit on all fours.

should be getting it back within a fortnight

but thanks for the info !!!!!!!!!!!!

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:56 pm

Hennie to put it into perspective, My lux made 120hp at about 4500 RPM and Bulldog about 70hp at the same RPMs both with 245x75 (30") tyres on. Yours is already at 90hp and the mapping was only halfway.

One thing I can comment on is your exhaust system. you need to seriously look at getting some heat shield between it and the floor (maybe petrol tank too) of your van as it gets seriously hot from underneath.

And then that air cleaner

, what guys like Barry (who is excellent at building race cars etc) do forget is that us 4x4 okes goes into the veld and we do not use these big engines for on-road racing only. Those cone filters is only good to keep large rocks/insects, birds and small pedestrians out of your engine. If it was my van I would seriously consider moving the VW expansion tank and refit a Donaldsons air cleaner back into its original place again.

Post by **CasKru** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:01 pm

Those cone filters is only good to keep large rocks/insects, birds and small pedestrians out of your engine.

LOL

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:30 pm

well said!!

thanks , point taken about the heat shield, never thought of that

my days of off roading is long gone, that same lux you see have been to everywhere in SA (really) ask Barry !!! Right in the the beginning of Barry's early rally days, That lux was the the service car for Barry's rig, It towed huge skiboats to Sodwana ( have a look on the front windscreen and you will see the natal parks board beach permits , i think that is the only running bakkie with permits still like those)
it worked the beaches from Kosi Bay, right down to Port Alfred on fishing trips, several times.
it worked the west coast from Port Nolloth right down to cape town, except the diamond coast.
Those days digital cameras were non existing and the few photos i had were taken by the ex during my divorce, i never saw her again, let alone the photos, so i have no proof
it pulled out numerous cars, bakkies, and caravans from various locations, (you remember the mud slide in Virginia ?)
The space in this frame is too small to tell you about all the fun I had with that lux!
Do take note, i bought that bakkie in 1987 and still got it!
So yes my days of off roading is gone ,that lux served me well for 21 years

I think that aircleaner sounds cool, but will consider a donaldson

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:52 am

Even if you do not want to use it off road, getting an air cleaner that suck in colder air from the front is a much better bet. Where that cone is now it will suck in a lot of hot air unnecessary.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:33 am

yeah...never thought of that,

once i get it back i will convert it

thanks for the advice !!

DOELLOOS · Post by **DOELLOOS** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:38 am

Has anyone ever heard of a 100% successful Lexus conversion?

Ostilion · Post by **Ostilion** » Tue May 06, 2008 2:09 pm

Andries wrote:I wonder if anybody can help me? I can find a Lexus V8 for under R5 000.
I am not a fan of fuel injection and would like to change the fuel injection to a carburator, and what about the distributor? Can anybody tell me how to change the above mentioned.

Andries :roll:

The 4 litre Lexus uses two distributors, one at the front of each camshaft, the later 4.3 ltre VVti uses coil on plug packs.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:07 pm

everyday i learn more and more..........

i never knew about those two dist.....

geez......... :? :? :?

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:11 pm

BenHurBul wrote:Even if you do not want to use it off road, getting an air cleaner that suck in colder air from the front is a much better bet. Where that cone is now it will suck in a lot of hot air unnecessary.

i have a slight problem there, the battery,brake booster and clutch thingy takes up space, in such a way that i cannot fir another aircleaner.

but on the otherside of the engine bay there is plenty space

question..can i change the intake manifold to face the other way?

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:51 pm

My 7MGE has the same problem so I routed the pipe all around the engine back to the Donaldsons, but afterwards I saw that Arthur (Hiluxman) moved his battery and fusebox to the place where the aircleaner used to be, i think when I eventually get to my van I will do that as well.

O ja, I see that your van does not have an Idle up valve connected to the ECU. My 7m has a similar stepper motor as an Idle Control Valve. Arthur build us PIC contol circuits to adjust the idling via the stepper motor according to engine temperature. Maybe you can PM him and see if he can not make you one as well.

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Tue May 06, 2008 10:06 pm

Yes you can turn the inlet manifold around, i've done it on one.

I've fitted vented discs on all the sfa hiluxes i've done with more HP, i am busy with another vew kits, annyone interested?

I've toyed with the idea of building a lexus with a carb and distributor, after some measurements i think 2x48mm sidedraught webers into the std manifold and a shortened v8 merc distributor on the lefthand cam should do the trick! Good no shit horsepower!

The two conversions i've done give 165kw and 175kw respectively, the best 7mge i've done gives 151kw on 33" tyres on the same dyno! not far off?

Zantus · Post by **Zantus** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:24 pm

Hi Allan

Hoe verkoel jy die V8, m.a.w. watse radiotor en fan set-up gebruik jy.

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:56 am

n KZTE radiator in die een en n "custom built" 4 core cross flow in die ander.
Ek gebruik 2x10'' fans voor en een 16" agter die radiator, n golf 3 pin fan switch skakel eers die voorstes en dan die agterste een deur twee relays aan.
Die aircon condensor is onder die bakkie langs die ratkas. Albei is "UITGESORT", hoop dit help.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:15 pm

grote genugtig

ek het die oranje wa gaan haal vandag in pta !!!!!

hy is nou gemap en ge dyno !!!!!

as ek dit mag se.......bliksem !!!!!

Schalk het 'n goeie job gedoen.....daar is nou perre onner daai bonnet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

easy on the foot !!! hy hardloop nou sy speedo vol !!!! en daai groen golf se gat ook by die tolhek

i am gonna leave the lux as is, with no more conversions, it purrs lekka along the road.. 8) 8)

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » Wed May 07, 2008 8:30 pm

Allan tell us more about the disc conversions on the SFA's...

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:19 pm

Hi scopion, you should hide before the government gets you!

Ok, I have spacers machined to widen the calipers and fit the vented discs.

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:28 pm

Yes Hennie, hoeveel ponies het die dyno daar in die dun lug gewys?

Pasop n hilux raak erg unstable op 200, veral op 35''s en dan voel dit of jy op n klip trap as jy op die middelste pedaal klim, maar die die gesig van die GTI drywer as jy hom laat verbykom is soos die ad op die tv se "PRICELESS!"

BenHur · Post by **BenHur** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:08 am

hilex08 wrote:grote genugtig

i am gonna leave the lux as is, with no more conversions, it purrs lekka along the road.. 8) 8)

Hennie

Wat van 'n drukvlerk voor en agter om daai Lux op die pad te hou

Allan

Prentjies van daai spacers van jou asb.

Ek het toe maar destyds by die solid disks gebly want daar was nie nog spasie onder my rims vir breer calipers nie maar het disks gekoop by Powerbrake (http://www.powerbrake.co.za/pages/discs_allterrain.htm) en ek moet sÃª dit het my stop vermoÃ« aansienlik verbeter

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:43 pm

'sal pics vat as ek dit kla gemaak het.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:35 pm

Hoppy wrote:Yes Hennie, hoeveel ponies het die dyno daar in die dun lug gewys?

Pasop n hilux raak erg unstable op 200, veral op 35''s en dan voel dit of jy op n klip trap as jy op die middelste pedaal klim, maar die die gesig van die GTI drywer as jy hom laat verbykom is soos die ad op die tv se "PRICELESS!"

180kw @ 5000rpm
341nm

wonder of ek 'n blower moet opsit.......

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:25 am

Daai is baie goed, watse managemant system het jy op?
Die meeste wat ons nog kon uitkry was 190kw, 170kw is normaal.
Daai V8 se klank as hy oor 7000rpm gaan is onbeskryflik, dit laat jou hare(en anne goed) regopstaan! Net daarvoor is die conversion die moeite werd!

My 7mGTE Het 210kw en 400nm gegee as hy die dag reg was, maar die krag was net tussen 3000 en 4500rpm beskikbaar, hy was nie baie "drivable" nie en het alles in die drivetrain gebreek, hy het 3.5km/l gegee "but it was good while it lasted"

Ek het die lang dik "overload" vere wat agter in n std hilux is; voor ingesit, dit het hom baie "stable" gemaak op hoe spoed.

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:30 pm

ek het nie 'n scanner nie, ander het ek die dyno verslag hier gewys,

ek het gou vuilgoed gaan weggooi, en hom net so biekie gekielie,

DAMN..........DIS LEKKER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D

Busa · Post by **Busa** » Tue May 13, 2008 1:38 pm

Eh wil ook die lexus conversion doen het 'n 86 model hilux fibreglass body en het hom korter gemaak 35'' bfg tires enige adfies sal wardeer word.Ek gaan ook alles self doen.
groete

hilex08 · Post by **hilex08** » Tue May 13, 2008 7:19 pm

Busa wrote:Eh wil ook die lexus conversion doen het 'n 86 model hilux fibreglass body en het hom korter gemaak 35'' bfg tires enige adfies sal wardeer word.Ek gaan ook alles self doen.
groete

jong ek is nie baie tegnies aangele om jou presiese detail te gee nie, hier is ander manne wat baie meer weet as ek, al wat ek kan se is GO FOR IT!!!!

voorspoed met die ombouing, jy sal nie spyt wees nie

Busa · Post by **Busa** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:29 am

Baie dankie het al die pryse gekry vir die motor, autobox,managment system vir motor en tarkas en die spark modulator nou is dit net vir aankoop en insit!!