96 LS400 I picked up for $300 wouldn't stay running or idle unless your foot was on the gas at all times. Interior was decent besides the seats those were trash. Plan is a 4.8 swap with a 4l80e for fun daily driver.

 

I have more progress pictures uploaded they are just pending approval from a moderator

 

Love these cars, but unless it gets some boost, I don't see the upgrade..

 

Kind of a very narrow view. He just might be looking for a way less complicated engine and drivetrain that will still get out of its own way.
And only paying $300 for the car gives one a lot of leeway.

 

Yeah the plan is to turbo it once the engine is in and broken in.

 

Time to tear it down for test fitting and a rebuild

Well looks like this thing might have sat outside for awhile

Mmmm yummy


Atleast the inside is clean

All the lego peices all laid out

 

Paper weight is out the lexus. Engine had 2 dead cylinders and for the price of rebuilding it i could have a really nice LS swap.

Sold it local to guy the wanted it for mock up. Made $300 so it paid for the car.

Cleaned the bay and getting ready to remove the abs for clearance.

4.8 getting stripped down and about to head out to the machine shop for some work

Stock harness getting reworked still haven't decided if i want to go this route or holley terminator x

Everything rerouted, pins removed that i don't need and "hot wires" going to the fuse box.

 

Just figured out I can do quick reply and it doesn't have to get a moderates approval. So some stuff might be out of order.

 

ABS removed and lines rerouted.

Had plenty of oe line to snip it, turn it down, and flare it

This T was alittle bit of a pain to fine weird metric size. Had to use new line from the master cylinder to the T its not in the location wanted but it made it alot easier to leave it here.

 

I missed the $300 part, but even that doesn't change my reply. I don't see how you took that as a narrow view, I wasn't being negative bro! Look, I'm obsessed with LS stuff, I even specifically like 4.8's, but give credit where it's due, the 1UZ-FE is one of the greatest engines to ever be put in a car! The FAA kinda thinks so too, seeing as how it's one of the few automotive engines ever approved for use in an airplane!! So, again I say, a 4.8 is not an upgrade.. Do I like the idea? Hell yes! I like Porsche 911 swaps, that's not an upgrade either, but I love them! I own a Porsche 928 with a SBC for God's sake.

 

That's cool, my point of view was that even NA, even a lowly 4.8 can be made to run hard with its rev-friendly short stroke and the right cam and heads.
Too many people see "4.8" and think, "It NEEDS a turbo!". Ain't necessarily always the case.
It might be the low man on the LS totem pole, but they have CAPABILITIES! lol
Besides, it turns out the lowest on the totem pole is the "highest"....

 

I dig it, especially since you seem to be doing a very good job! Carry on, Sir. Oh, and my vote is for the Holley Terminator X Max.

Andrew

 

Yeah Andrew I think I'm going to go with the terminator x. Alot less of a headache when its tuning time plus all new wiring. G Astma yeah I went with the 4.8 because I'm use to rev happy engines and I like using the underdogs in the engine swap department. Headsup9550 yeah the 1uz is definitely a very reliable and smooth running engine but I got the car with intentions of not swapping it until I found out the engine was toast.

Some parts stacking in the second man cave.

Canton front sump pan for clearing the subframe.

This is the cam im going to use from what i have read its good for both na and turbo (later on down the road). Its the ghost cam i saw it used in a build thread on here with good reviews hope its not much for the 4.8 while its NA.

Also my daughter wanted to help out to lol.

 

You will love the Ghost cam. I use it NA in my Cougar. Also, I would encourage you to use the DBW since you will be getting the Terminator X Max anyway.

Andrew

 

I would have to see how much room I have for the pedal assembly aren't the kinda bulky? The lexus has a pretty long gas pedal height wise but the foot well is kinda narrow.

 

If I can (easily) fit a dbw assembly in the 242, you can get one into the Luthor....

 

What's the advantage of having DBW vs DBC? All the cars I have worked on and tinkered with has been cable throttle.

 

I like the 2009 Impala SS pedal. Not the new plastic ones, buy the original design metal arm ones. You can see pictures on Rockauto. DBW is super smooth and opens up tuning options.

Andrew

 

That’s nonsense, if the engine in any of these cars you mentioned hadn’t expired, the need for the swap wouldn’t exist.
While I agree that the Lexus v8 is pretty robust, I would take a 4.8 any day over it. As for the Porsche, that’s nonsense as well. Swapping two 996 cars was the best thing for them. I sold my euro 928s and I regret not doing a swap with it.

Have fun with your Lexus, the best times are had with a cheap car and a good powerplant.

 

Got the block back had the machine shop install the pistons, bearings and crank. First test fit looks good have some areas that needs "massaging" lol.

Looks like with some type of slider bracket i will be able to use the oe lexus mounting points and mounts. The engine mounting points sit about 3 inches in front of the lexus mounting points.







The sonnax shaft was definitely needed

Also picked up a tbss intake for the swap should have plenty of room for it