Swap engine

[Lukasz3]

Swap engine from lexus is 220d to v8 from lexus 

[Linas.P]

Is this question, statement or what? What you want to know exactly? 

Technically possible, practically complicated. Generally would be interesting project, I would like to do it myself, but I don't have place or time to do it. 

[Lukasz3]

does the diesel engine have mountings in the same places as the v8

[Linas.P]

No - not even similar.

Also which V8 -  1UZ, 3UZ, 1UR? Obviously none of them would have mountings in same place as diesel, but some of them would have them in slightly more convenient spot. 1UZ would be simplest swap also easiest to fit, but you likely will also need different gearbox and bell housing adapter, custom aftermarket ECU. There are loads of things that would not be straightforward at all. Also you would be better of starting with IS250 (because petrol) and also because it is v6, so you already have banked exhaust and wiring meant for petrol car, diesel would be different with DPF, downpipes from turbo, very different wiring (but you would need custom wiring loom anyway).

[Mr Vlad]

In all seriousness Lucasz the time and expense in finding a V8 engine and All the wiring that'll be needed aswell as fabrication of mounts etc you may aswell buy an isf and save yourself money and stress.

[H3XME]

Sell the diesel, buy IS350. I know a guy who imports them regularly. They're always around 7k.. or buy 250 manual and 3GR swap it because you can use stock ECU. V8 swapping it will cost a sh!t loads of money in fabrication, gearbox, adapter plates, diff, ECU.. Not a financially feasible option. 

[Thelongterm]

On 1/24/2024 at 9:37 AM, H3XME said:

Sell the diesel, buy IS350. I know a guy who imports them regularly. They're always around 7k.. or buy 250 manual and 3GR swap it because you can use stock ECU. V8 swapping it will cost a sh!t loads of money in fabrication, gearbox, adapter plates, diff, ECU.. Not a financially feasible option. 

Tell more. The Jap IS350, is it hard to insure in the UK? Is it easy to get parts, etc?

[steve2006]

Having owned 2 JDM imports I have found that mainstream insurers don’t want to know but there are plenty of specialist insurers that do. Over the years the premiums have been on par with a UK spec model.

Initially I used Toyota for parts ( they are Toyota badged) until I discovered that the Lexus part was exactly the same and came without an “import surcharge”.

Yes there may be a few cosmetic differences but probably 95% of the parts are the same as a UK model, the fact that JDM cars are also RHD also helps.

Amayama is the place for parts as they cover all models with savings of around 50% of UK Lexus prices even after paying the shipping and 20% VAT.

[H3XME]

29 minutes ago, Thelongterm said:

Tell more. The Jap IS350, is it hard to insure in the UK? Is it easy to get parts, etc?

You need to get insured with a specialist, but there won't be issues at all.. Many of my friends, myself included had JDM imported cars. They're often cheaper to insure than UK counter parts. For example, my insurance (Brentacre) would insure IS350 for £70 more than an IS250 when I got a quote before Christmas. Parts wouldn't be an issue either because it's pretty much the same as IS250.. Brakes are off GS300/GS450h, Rear brakes are the same as IS250. Engine is essentially the same as GS450h, except the hybrid models have the detuned versions of it. As mentioned, you can get pretty much anything off Amayama.

[Linas.P]

1 hour ago, Thelongterm said:

Tell more. The Jap IS350, is it hard to insure in the UK? Is it easy to get parts, etc?

It is 90%+ same as IS250, with exception of engine and gearbox, also bigger brakes, but they are the same as GS300/GS450h. So parts are not (more) of an issue than for IS250.

As for insurance - as mentioned you need specialists who does insurance on imports, although I would not bet on "same price as UK cars" or "insurable at all". Basically if you live in countryside and you are driver with a lot of NCB and generally pay little for insurance it may be true that it will cost the same, however one may find that they simply CAN'T insure imported car at all. Probably should not apply to anyone above 30 years old with decent driving history, but still  -insuring imported car is little bit more tricky.   

On 1/24/2024 at 9:37 AM, H3XME said:

250 manual and 3GR swap it because you can use stock ECU.

Swapping IS250 automatic is easier, as it is literally plug and play. IS250 manual is also simple enough, just need to tidy-up some unnecessary wiring for gearbox.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.

If you ever need any help with insurance at all for this type of conversion then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

[ahmedali44]

Amount of money and time cost just buy isf for 18-20k it's V8 all converted. Import cars insurance is higher or some won't insure.do like is350 but same don't do in uk . But ES350 is UK now 

[H3XME]

5 hours ago, ahmedali44 said:

Import cars insurance is higher or some won't insure.do like is350 but same don't do in uk . But ES350 is UK now 

This is a myth. Insurance on imports is not automatically more than on UK cars. It's exactly the same for me. I had multiple imports over the years. There are specialist who will insure it no problem.. 

IS350 just popped up on fb yesterday. Fresh import, £178 road tax, fully specced SE-L with a sunroof. £8k..

[Robertdt]

Yep Lucas is right, ive owned imports now for over 20 years and currently pay about £170 for my DC2 Integra-R and its not on specialist insurance. I think if you got back to when the floodgates opened with JDM cars comming over on mass, insurance companies where caught cold and bumped their prices up or wouldnt insure which will be what Linas is talking about. The other myth at the time being you couldnt get parts from UK dealers, i can only speak for Honda here but my local dealer always accomodated me, including have JDM headlight bulbs in stock.

Rob

[H3XME]

12 minutes ago, Robertdt said:

Yep Lucas is right, ive owned imports now for over 20 years and currently pay about £170 for my DC2 Integra-R and its not on specialist insurance. I think if you got back to when the floodgates opened with JDM cars comming over on mass, insurance companies where caught cold and bumped their prices up or wouldnt insure which will be what Linas is talking about. The other myth at the time being you couldnt get parts from UK dealers, i can only speak for Honda here but my local dealer always accomodated me, including have JDM headlight bulbs in stock.

Rob

All parts that dealers order in come from the manufacturer anyway. It doesn't exist that they "can't" get something for your imported Lexus/Toyota. Doesn't matter where it's from. And for the likes of IS350.. you won't have any issues with parts as the only main difference is the engine and front brakes that are used in other UK models anyway. Parts bin car!