Rodney Wells' 1980 Triumph TR7 with Toyota Soarer 1UZ-F V8 Engine
as published in BritishV8 Magazine, Volume XVIII Issue I, December 2010Owner: Rodney Wells
City: Sunbury Victoria Australia
Model: 1980 Triumph TR7
Engine: Toyota 4.0L V8
Conversion by: owner
| Engine: | Toyota Soarer 1UZ-FE 32-valve quad-cam 4.0L V8 engine.
Stock Toyota electronic fuel injection.
Stock Toyota computerized ignition. |
| Cooling: | aluminum radiator (an off-the-shelf item, made for Nissan Skyline turbo/R33.) |
| Exhaust: | stock Toyota Soarer tubular manifolds into custom dual exhaust. |
| Transmission: | Toyota Supra W58 5-speed with 0.783:1 5th gear.
Bellhousing and flywheel by Castlemaine Rod Shop (of Australia).
Toyota Supra clutch. Triumph driveshaft. |
| Rear End: | TR8 rear end with 3.08:1 final drive ratio. |
| Brakes: | (master) Australian Ford Falcon master cylinder (1979-81 model). Holden Commodore power booster. (front) Pontiac GTS calipers. Subaru WRX rotors. (rear) stock. |
| Front Susp.: | Spax Sport Triumph TR7/8 adjustable gas shock absorbers from Robsport International.
200 pound/inch springs, lowered 1 inch. |
| Rear Susp.: | stock Triumph TR7. |
| Wheels/Tires: | Minilite Rally 10-spoke aluminum 15" wheels. |
| Instruments: | stock Triumph TR7. |
| Interior: | custom racing seats from Aero Tech. |
| Completed: | March 2010. |
| Comments: | I've built many TR7 V8 conversions over the last 20 years using the usual
Rover 3.5 and Leyland p76 4.4L V8 engines. This is the most successful of them all.
The engine is smoother, quiet, and I expect it to be more reliable. It
starts easily, hot or cold, every single time and it has way more power
than any other TR-V8 I've driven. I'll use this car as a everyday driver.
Turn the key and go! |
Engine Installation
Toyota 1UZ-FE 32-valve quad-cam 4.0L V8 engine.
Toyota "1UZ" engines have aluminum engine blocks and heads, steel rods and cranks, hypereutectic pistons,
and six-bolt main bearing journals. The cylinder bore is 87.5mm (3.44") and the stroke is 82.5mm (3.25").
Rodney copied the TR8 subframe design, and added another bracket to support a Range Rover engine mount.
Key to the project: bellhousing and flywheel by Castlemaine Rod Shop (of Australia).
First installation of the Toyota Soarer V8 engine in the Triumph TR7.
(Note: offered in certain markets from 1991 through 2000, the "Toyota Soarer"
model was similar to the North America market's "Lexus SC400" model.)
Toyota Supra W58 5-speed with 0.783:1 5th gear.
Toyota electronic fuel injection and ignition systems were used without modification.
The induction system plenum fits neatly under the Triumph TR7's bonnet.
Toyota Soarer tubular exhaust manifolds fit neatly without any alterations.
The aluminum radiator is an off-the-shelf item, made to fit a Nissan Skyline (turbo/R33).
Suspension and Brakes
The master cylinder is from an Australian Ford Falcon (1979-81 model). It has an internal proportioning valve.
The power brake booster is from a Holden Commodore.
Pontiac GTS calipers. Subaru WRX rotors.
Spax Sport Triumph TR7/8 adjustable gas shock absorbers from Robsport International.
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Interior
Stock Triumph instruments.
Custom racing seats from Aero Tech of Australia.
Exterior
Minilite Rally 10-spoke aluminum 15" wheels.
