small block chev. into LS400?

On Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:42:38 -0400, "No one" graced this newsgroup with:

yeesh. Blasphemy is right. *Anything* can be retrofitted if you want to go to the effort of doing so I guess. But I know of no such "kit" though to do that because quite honestly , I don't think anyone, besides yourself would ever want to do that.

I would think you could get a good condition engine and tranny for that vintage Lexus for a decent price from a junkyard. I also think the effort and money to retrofit the engine compartment for a Chevy engine, not to mention cross wiring the electronics just to get everything to work right, would end up being much more expensive than just buying a used LS400 engine in decent shape.

I'd keep my eye out at auctions for an old LS400 (90-92). We "donated" ours because the air supension gave out and the front end was a disaster, but the engine and transmission was great (even with 115K miles). I'm sure there are lots of others out there in the same situation-- on those cars the engine/tranny is usually the last thing to go.

It may cost a little more than a small block up front, but if you add the custom work it will require to fit in a Chevy small block, it would probably be cheaper in total.

XPlant

Hi, Thanks for your reply, Do you know of any parts places that specialize in performance parts for that year Lexus engine? (or maybe I could use a newer Lexus engine with more HP?) I have done some searches and have not really come up with much useful info, except for VERY expensive exhaust and intake (as in Stillen type intakes, not manifolds) systems, that do not provide much of a boost in HP and I am not interested in anything like nitrous....

What would you consider a good way to boost the original 250 HP of the 97 Lexus engine without spending an arm and a leg?

The reason I was investigating the Chevy avenue of powering this powerless (as in no engine or tranny, not that the original 250 HP is that bad....) vehicle is the vast amount of parts, up to and including HP crate engines from GM performance, that were fairly inexpensive. I saw an old 5 series BMW years ago, that had a small block Chevy in it, the job was done right, and it was an impressive performer, without much change in weight distribution and driveability. Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated. John

On Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:35:22 -0400, "No one" graced this newsgroup with:

I'm sure there's places to buy a supercharger. This site says they no longer sell the supercharger for the LS400 but the dyno chart they have on it showed nearly a 150bhp increase:

there's also this group:

someone there may have some info. Maybe even tell you where the best place to get an LS400 engine would be.

HTH

Yea, it's blasphemy, but I have a friend who bought an old (I think 1954) Rolls Royce for next to nothing. The engine needed to be overhauled and the transmission was weak. He sold both along with the entire front and rear suspension. He had a street rod builder put a Chrysler frame complete with a

383 and torqflite transmission. It's still a great car. The reason why you are having problems finding performance parts for the Lexus is there isn't too much you can do to those engines that will make any difference. At around 260 Cu. in engine putting out 300 H.P. there isn't a lot left. Freeing up the intake and a set of headers improves things a little. So far, I don't know of anyone who is grinding camshafts, but I'm sure that's coming. To do this swap, you are going to either use a carburetored Chevy or an aftermarket F.I. I don't think you will be able to integrate a factory FI system into the Lexus computer. Thing is, if it's your car and you can get it by emission tests, and don't care that you are murdering the resale value, do what you want with it. Lexus engines are expensive. Good luck when you can find them.