View Full Version : Team Chihuahua 1UZFE RX8 (Daily Driver)
So I got a bit fed up of big projects, the SR RX8 track project, the RB RX7 and the oldest of all Beams KP61, I am finishing them but that have to go to different workshops for different phases and that in turn brings its own delays. I wanted something I could just drop an engine/box into that I liked the styling, had 4doors, was comfortable and could be used for work, weekends or munching up the motorway miles. As most of you know Gripfab does all the fabrication work on my cars and we have built a great working relationship, I have great time for John, Brendan and Bryan. What makes it better is that they are all down to earth lads with a great attitude to work.
John had a 1UZFE engine lying about, we had toy'd with the idea of twin turbo'n it and fitting to the KP but I think that was more tied to the amounts of sugar we had consumed. When reality kicked back in we decided to go with the Beams but I still wanted that V8 rumble so I set out looking for shells, a mate from Irish Rotary was looking for the running gear from an RX8 so we team up and bought a car between us, I got a solid shell, he got the running gear.
How I got the RX8 back to Limerick was no so straight forward to a big thank to Mike O'Sullivan for the Sin Bin van, Eric and Darragh for the trailer and of course Pat for the company on the long journeys. So the plan for this build, no kit, no wheels, I might allow myself lowering springs but that it looks wise. As the title suggests I'll be running a 1UZFE engine, SR20 Gearbox, custom bellhousing, adpater, uprated clutch, new intake and a nice exhaust system and take advantage of that twin exit rear bumper. Should be getting started around the end of march with a plan to have it finished within 4 weeks.
For now here is a few pictures of the donor car :
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0001_zps9d5caea9.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0002_zps2d3fce85.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0003_zps9c9d8bcc.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0004_zpsaa03f80c.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0005_zps912accf2.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0006_zps80a36ab7.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0007_zps0ca9a7f1.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0008_zps563ac783.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0009_zpsd5676226.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0010_zps4b481dd8.jpg
Interesting project any info on the custom belhousing to fit the sr to the 1uzfe could sell well
Best of luck
Cool project. I somehow can't see you not getting wheels for it though haha!
Interesting project any info on the custom belhousing to fit the sr to the 1uzfe could sell well
Best of luck
John at Gripfab is the man to talk too, he will be doing the lot for me mate :)
Cool project. I somehow can't see you not getting wheels for it though haha!
Ya its taking all my will power not to look LoL
Interesting project any info on the custom belhousing to fit the sr to the 1uzfe could sell well
Best of luck
i wouldnt bother doing anything to make an sr box fit, they are no ware near strong enough to bother with, rb25 box maybe or a bmw box
i wouldnt bother doing anything to make an sr box fit, they are no ware near strong enough to bother with, rb25 box maybe or a bmw box
Had no issues with 300+lbs Torque in the altezza and that was running an SR box dude, tis only a road car buck :)
Gona be cool Brendan .. U love the projects ya do and u also love driven all round the country ��
Very clean car as is will be class to see it with the new set up. Best of luck with it
decobyrne106
04-03-14, 01:21
What makes it better is that they are all down to earth lads with a great attitude to work.
Gonna highlight this because they don't get enough praise that they should. There work is awesome quality with no if's or but's, you don't get the bare minimum, you get what you ask for and that little bit more all round.
Your a mad man for the builds in all fairness im looking forward to seeing this being built. Im also looking forward to seeing them all try fit in your driveway :p
liamcrowley
04-03-14, 07:19
Your a mad man:cool:
Be cool enough tho, if I was you I'd go for a vvti. You can buy an immobiliser bypass box from Australia;)
Did you look into getting all the guages working?
Gona be cool Brendan .. U love the projects ya do and u also love driven all round the country ��
Ya the driving is a pain, if only I could get paid for it :)
Very clean car as is will be class to see it with the new set up. Best of luck with it
Thanks Jamie, she has a few marks but nothing major thankfully...
Gonna highlight this because they don't get enough praise that they should. There work is awesome quality with no if's or but's, you don't get the bare minimum, you get what you ask for and that little bit more all round.
Your a mad man for the builds in all fairness im looking forward to seeing this being built. Im also looking forward to seeing them all try fit in your driveway :p
I'll have to fit a stacker system in the garage LoL
Your a mad man:cool:
Be cool enough tho, if I was you I'd go for a vvti. You can buy an immobiliser bypass box from Australia;)
Did you look into getting all the guages working?
Engine is already there, may as well use it :) I may take the easy way out and go for a dash unit altogether, save the grief mate, have you decided on an engine for yours ?
liamcrowley
04-03-14, 13:33
Ahh right dash unit be handy out.
Yup going turbo 13b, engine sorted and all.:cool:
Ahh right dash unit be handy out.
Yup going turbo 13b, engine sorted and all.:cool:
Perfect choice dude, will be awesome, add Brad Hacker on FB, he did the same conversion with his RX8, ran into alot of problems so a chat with him could save you some time :)
liamcrowley
04-03-14, 14:00
:confused::confused:
Perfect choice dude, will be awesome, add Brad Hacker on FB, he did the same conversion with his RX8, ran into alot of problems so a chat with him could save you some time :)
Really ya?
I thought it was easy enough since your taking out a 13b and replacing it with a 13b!:confused:
Sound for that il check it out!
:confused::confused:
Really ya?
I thought it was easy enough since your taking out a 13b and replacing it with a 13b!:confused:
Sound for that il check it out!
Well don't forget you have to swap steering racks too, RX8 is electric and the RX7 isn't. Also the throttle is different setup up and the canabus (spelling) wiring harness is a pain in the arse...What box you going with ? Is yours a 231 or 192 model ?(Tis on the door anyways and the 192's only have a 5speed)
this will 100% get coil overs and wheels... why wouldn't ya like? nothing stupid just smart wheels and nicely lowered.
liamcrowley
04-03-14, 17:25
Well don't forget you have to swap steering racks too, RX8 is electric and the RX7 isn't. Also the throttle is different setup up and the canabus (spelling) wiring harness is a pain in the arse...What box you going with ? Is yours a 231 or 192 model ?(Tis on the door anyways and the 192's only have a 5speed)
Ya I know you have to change the subframe, I need to get a 6 speed box and diff, mines a 190. Tbh I thought the wiring was easy.
Il make it work dont you worry!:cool:
this will 100% get coil overs and wheels... why wouldn't ya like? nothing stupid just smart wheels and nicely lowered.
Ya my problem is I do stupid wheels and slammed :) Would like some XD9's but going to resist...
Ya I know you have to change the subframe, I need to get a 6 speed box and diff, mines a 190. Tbh I thought the wiring was easy.
Il make it work dont you worry!:cool:
No fear of ya ;-) if ya can get the fd3s box, much stronger, 231 6speeds aren't great or you could go for the fc3s turbo box which is stronger again... Either way I know you'll make a great job of it :) looking forward to starting this one :D
When you say dash unit what do you mean . I'm a huge fan of the 1uz it's a beast . There are a couple of companies who make the bellhouse to fit the sr20 box or the more commonly used r154 or w56 might be cheaper. Can't wait to see this build
Btw I don't mean the r154 or w56 are cheaper I mean buying a adapter kit might
When you say dash unit what do you mean . I'm a huge fan of the 1uz it's a beast . There are a couple of companies who make the bellhouse to fit the sr20 box or the more commonly used r154 or w56 might be cheaper. Can't wait to see this build
Dash unit ie dash cluster i presume. Digi dashs are easy to work with them, same rpm signal as a 4 cyclinder, duno how it works on a rotary though, after that there is water temp etc. Yea theres lots of stuff out there to manual them, overpriced though imo, i had mine manual for less than 350 euro, that included the sr20 box, clutches and machining of the flywheel, made an adapter plate for less than 50 quid, was the cheapst option for me.
liamcrowley
05-03-14, 08:02
No fear of ya ;-) if ya can get the fd3s box, much stronger, 231 6speeds aren't great or you could go for the fc3s turbo box which is stronger again... Either way I know you'll make a great job of it :) looking forward to starting this one :D[/QUOTE]
Ya I thought the 6 speed would be a little weak, I just didnt really want to go at the prop shaft because im not sure if mine is steel or carbon. 190's are usually steel arnt they?
I will be getting a turbo box with my engine.
Ya itz nice to see a few rx8s around never mind an sr 13b and 1uz one :cool:
When you say dash unit what do you mean . I'm a huge fan of the 1uz it's a beast . There are a couple of companies who make the bellhouse to fit the sr20 box or the more commonly used r154 or w56 might be cheaper. Can't wait to see this build
A replacement digital dash with all thr trimmings you'd have in a road car so I can NCT it fella. Have considered quiet a few boxes, nothing is definite yet as the lads lined up the RB25 ring gear and it looks fairly close so may go that route.
Btw I don't mean the r154 or w56 are cheaper I mean buying a adapter kit might
I got ya dude :)
Dash unit ie dash cluster i presume. Digi dashs are easy to work with them, same rpm signal as a 4 cyclinder, duno how it works on a rotary though, after that there is water temp etc. Yea theres lots of stuff out there to manual them, overpriced though imo, i had mine manual for less than 350 euro, that included the sr20 box, clutches and machining of the flywheel, made an adapter plate for less than 50 quid, was the cheapst option for me.
And how do you find the box vrs the engine, has it been able for the 1UZ under load ?
Ya I thought the 6 speed would be a little weak, I just didnt really want to go at the prop shaft because im not sure if mine is steel or carbon. 190's are usually steel arnt they?
I will be getting a turbo box with my engine.
Ya itz nice to see a few rx8s around never mind an sr 13b and 1uz one :cool:
Ya the 6 speeds are good for 350 - 400bhp but the torque is the issue however they don't usually make great torque figures. Ya the 231's are carbon fella, its an added expense going at the prop alright but you should be able to keep the beam that connects the box to the diff otherwise it will need a custom bracket... Never mind the RX8's finish that Merc and Mini ;)
So I had my first bit of fun with the RX8, the boot is electronic, now the issue here was no engine, no loom, no battery so that was the start of it, then the boot lock in the rear light wouldn't work off the key, no in the states its a law that they must have a pull handle if someone was to be trapped inside however we don't have as many related instances so this is not on the euro / jdm model. All that was left for me to do was to strip the rear of the car, climb in, remove a few more covers and pop the boot that way, it was pain but its sorted now. All this cause the lights were taking in water and I wanted to know why :)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0011_zps22b93434.jpg
When I finished mucking about with that I put it all back together except for the boot lining so you can reach between the rear seats and pop the boot until it is up and running. A few hours later Brendan Stone arrived down with the RX7, we loaded up the RX8 and off it went to Gripfab :) Its new home for the next few months LoL
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0012_zps0b38bacf.jpg
As soon as I gather a few parts I'll be sure to update yee of the progress :)
How many cars are u building lol
There a company think its states or oz that do a adapter plate for 350z box.
How many cars are u building lol
Just the 4 mate :)
There a company think its states or oz that do a adapter plate for 350z box.
Thanks mate but would be overkill for my plans, just want that V8 rumble, going to run an SR Box and ITB's, will be more than capable for a daily driver.
So I while I was up at Gripfab making plans to finish the SRX8 I droppped off the SR Box I got off Mark for the RUZ8 and got a pic of the new heart, 1UZFE baby :)
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0013_zpse3f76495.jpg
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0014_zps1e9e6a35.jpg
Such a clean base to start with, very happy, may buy another for spares :
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu5/Kruizer_666/RX8%201UZFE/0015_zpse774da60.jpg
Lock it up, car for sale, new plan for the engine.
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