ETS Drift Ute – Held Up

I havnt done a thing on the ute this week, mainly because the 180SX was being used and needed some love but theres been one major thing holding the ute up. The indecision in my mind to change or stay with the SR. Please tell me your thoughts because i am in limbo here. Read on

Long story short this ute is a lot of $ away from being competitive. The cheap bit is basically me building the ute, the expensive bit is actually making power out of it. To make power i could go down the well oiled path of SR20 and RB25 box, or i could keep it in the Toyota family and go a nice 1UZ-FE with an 8 throttle intake and R154 box.  Both would be in a similar price range with similar outcomes. Its my personal opinion that i have never liked V8 drift cars but i think thats because i havnt seen one tastefully done yet. Should i pick up a 1UZ and start redesigning things around it? This would cirtainly kill the Nissan Toyota mash up that was going on but would that be a bad thing? Im confused and finding it hard to go on without a clear winner in this battle.

113 Comments
  1. SR

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    • Hrmm yea 🙂

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  2. Stick with what you know about the SR. All the work you have done in the past on the 180 and the S13 have been magnificent to say the least. I personally would prefer to see it with an SR but it all comes down to whatever you can do with it. Looking at your work on your other beasts, I would stay stick with SR and go for something crazy. Like 500kw! 😀

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    • 500kw and SR shouldnt be in the same sentence haha.

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  3. Go a VQ30det… Very very light for a V6 and short like an SR for good weight distribution. Heaps of Torque..

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    • But the sound? Ewwww

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    • fuck me. never heard so much shit talk about what engine is best. the best engine is one that works, stick wiith the sr. get rid of the vvt head and put on a s13 head, with the normal bolt ons no internals and 300 is easy. if mine ran easy 10’s and was drifted hard the ute shoud be fine. low cost and reliability. job done and u can sleep easy at night.

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  4. SR, I like the idea of it being practically a tube-framed S15 under a Hilux shell. Plus how many SR’s have you got lying around that you can use for mock-ups and part development?

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    • True Anth, maybe leave the V8 for the next project?

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  5. Why no JZ or RB love in that mix?
    Too heavy, too long for the lux front end?

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    • I would never ever go Iron block in this thing, but yes too long.

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  6. What’s holding you back from being the first to do a tasteful LS1?

    SR.

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    • The low revs an LS makes power at, i dont see them being that good for drift, every LS powered drift car ive seen at the tracks looks and sounds boring, not enough revs and done to death.

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  7. RB20…………………………..haha nah id say keep it in the toyota family and go 1UZ, build high comp NA with big throttles ect, will be mad

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    • The motor im looking at is dry sumped, custom cams and high comp, add throttles and i think it would be alright.

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  8. sr with a VET head. can make all the power you want and still have the advantages of a small and light sr setup.

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    • Long story short, i want to do the least amount of work to the motor i can, i hate the tuning and building process of motors, its the most expensive time consuming thing, sure i could drop 20K on a mazworx VE motor but i only want 260rwkw so thats overkill.

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  9. 1UZ with ITBs and Cams

    Awesome motor, can easily handel large amounts of revs in stock form or 1jz and R154

    If your looking for the bellhousings I’d look at:

    http://a1turbos.co.nz/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_Code=1QT

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    • Thanks Justin, 1UZ would be cool and kinda different.

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  10. I prefer the 1uz, but for what you are doing I say stick with the SR

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  11. Go the 1uzfe with itb’s on it. Look at some of the vids of josh young sprinter with the 1uzfe in it. That thing sounded amazing and it didnt sound anything like the 40 other sr’s or rb’s on the track.

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  12. I like the idea of the SR setup and the idea of a nisota silux. But then again the LS1 fit so well into the silvia and looked so good maybe it would also look good in the lux

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  13. Nige, im going to have to agree with those above…
    SR’s are what you know and love to to mention you’ve got the entire s15 under the tube, which means that with an sr, your not changing what the chassis was build in conjuntion with.
    I do however agree with the who “keep it in the family” thing by putting a 1uz into it.
    On the subjects of nice V8’s though, im sure you wouldve seen dai yoshihara’s FD s13.. a tastefull V8.. But in the end, you have to drive the car, and fix it, and build it…
    You know every inner working of an SR…
    Thats just my 2c…

    Keep at it mate.

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  14. id think the 1uz would be a prime choice, gobs of torque, wouldnt need much fucking with to get the power you want (so reliability would be less of an issue), and they sound totally shitbird with t/b’s. just because youve never seen a tasteful, well put together v8 car doesnt mean you can build one!

    but im just a bench racer so i dont really know what im talking about haha

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  15. I’d say SR to begin as it keeps the engine/driveline side of things simple which will allow you to concentrate on building a top notch chassis.

    A good idea though would be to build the front end big enough to accept a 6/8 cyl later on. It could be the pics but where the tube passes the manifolds looks really close? which may foul if you plan on swapping in a bigger block… maybe design for it, but keep things simple for now

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  16. 1UZFE N/A will be expensive full stop to make the power you require. 1UZFE with a big single would be monsterous but all that extra piping tally’s up the weight.
    I’d go with an LS3 or Nissan VK56 and be done with it. Although for something with such little weight a VQ35HR setup like the SG Motorsports car would keep weight stupidly low.

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  17. OR if you’re only after 260rwkw. The VK45DE with Z32 box would be the cheapest reliable way to make that kind of grunt. I’m sure with your handy fab skills you could knock up a decent inlet manifold and 90mm throttle in no time.

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  18. I say go with a VH45DE. Despite having a 10.2:1 CR, it loves boost and can produce huge numbers at fairly low boost levels.
    Just take a look at some of the crazy examples. Maybe you could mount the turbos at the end of the zorst. It won’t lag that much, due to the density of the exhaust gas (lower exhaust temps) and 600 boosted whp on stock internals, why the hell go with anything else?

    Or if you want, go with a boosted 1UZ. Some guy stuck a GT47 on one and made 370rwkw at 15psi on stock internals. Beefier rods would be a good idea though at these levels though.

    Mind you, at the power levels you want, an SR would be fine. 3RZ-FTE or 1MZ-FTE would be cool though.

    4AGE with 304deg cams + BW EFR 6758 and 12000 RPM maybe? haha. BTW, those efr turbos look really good, just hoping they can live up to all the expectations.

    WTH, just stick in an LS7 with twin GT35Rs and be done with it. 😛

    P.S Sorry for sounding like an advertising guy, it’s just that the VH45 is so awesome.
    P.P.S Sorry for the long (somewhat noobish) post.

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  19. SR wins on being something you already know well. Plus its already in the car.. BUT.
    Personally. Selling the SR and box and fitting a LS1/2/3 would be a far better result in the long run.
    A cam and Valve springs and you easily make your power goals. And It would be epic reliable.. Plus, so much nicer to slide than a boosted 2l.
    Torque rules.. Not to mention that the gearbox is near indestructable and the engines are quite compact and light..

    2nd choice would be VQ30det.

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  20. I like the idea of a silvia under the hilux, stick with the SR they are the coolest.

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  21. have you thought of doing a 3sgte?

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  22. SR.

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  23. Have you thought about a 2J with a 1J head, bulk horse power and heaps of torque

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  24. After further consideration, you’ve got the bloody SR right there!

    ALSO What do you expect your unlaiden curb weight to be?

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  25. Hey Nigel, would you consider a turbo Honda F20C with a Design craft variable inlet cam kit. They are a great engine and handle lots of revs reliably. Otherwise stick with the SR 🙂

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  26. Do a tidy sr man, just think of all the motors/interiors we saw in J remember how much you fell for that like 3-400hp tidy sr type.

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  27. SR…speak to brad smith down here about the whole 1uz situation…they spent an absolute fortune on that 1uz and still “only” making 270rwkw on racefuels E85

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  28. Go for a 1UZ in it.. Its enough for a hilux drifter for the note and setup you can do it’d be something as far out as the build itself.

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  29. 1uz the shit out of this thing. one day when my sr blows ill be doing the same thing. idividual throtlles will sound so sweet 😉

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  30. EJ25.. for the low center of gravity.

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  31. What’s wrong with a 1j :>

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  32. i say stick with the sr i was gonna go v8 in my s14 cause i like the v8s too but then i come to realize i dont like they way they sound drifting something about a 4/6 cyl turbo screaming open wastegate on limiter you cant beat it just gets the blood going when drifting. the flames , the surger the sounds just so many intresting sounds at once. plust you should have more than enough power to get that thing flying with the SR

    but thats just my opinion

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  33. SR would probably be easiest for you since you have experience with them, and if you need a part fast, you could pull them from your other cars (or the whole engine for that matter).

    After driving in my friend’s C6 Z06, and having an SRT8 as my daily. Go the LS route. The power comes in as soon as you step on the gas all the way to redline. LS1 for cheap easy power. LS7 costs more, but has 505hp and 470ft-lbs stock and is dry sump.

    What ever you do it will be awesome. Good luck.

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  34. sr 2.2 + ve head + 3076r..

    please make it happen.. 🙂

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  35. I have put a 1uz in my convertible rx7 here in NZ with two to4b turbos from a wrx, it makes 250kw and 1010nm of torque on 8psi, running 8 rx7 550cc injectors, walbro in tank pump etc. Go 1uz. Many options for turbos but those ones cost me $100 and are mint plus full boost comes on at 1800 revs all the way through to redline. Sounds absolutely insane. Backed by a r154.

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    • holy shit

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  36. Plus completely standard engine

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  37. You may aswell stick with what you know dude and comfortable drifting, and you know you will tinker with it later on. Then maybe a nascar or sprintcar based high revving V8 !!

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  38. absolute worst case scenario, next year your in the championship hunt…. motor throws a rod out the block…. no money cause you spent it all on tyres and fuel travel ect through the year.. panic, wat do i do?

    oh yeah i have two spare 260kw sr’s at home i can drop in…..

    i suggest you go back through all your japland pics and let the memories come flooding back man…

    good luck

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  39. There’s soo much fab work already done, I would just stick with the current setup and get some seat time in it. I’m a driver though, the only reason I build is to save money. If it’s going to cost the same and basically produce the same results in the end, do whatever it going to be the loudest and look the coolest haha!!

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  40. vq25det of an m35 stagea!!!! now that would be wickid!

    dont know how youd go about putting a manual to it though as there isnt any. but if anyone would b able to figure that out it would be you!

    unique engine combo to go with unique car!!!

    dont know how crazy you could go with it, but it hauls ass in my stagea!

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  41. Dont hate me Im just putting it out there 20B PP?? Screaming Drift ute BAD ASS!

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    • That would be awesome but mega $$ needed 🙁

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  42. VQ35 with a rootes blower out the bonnet.

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  43. wow lots of comments nigel. interesting points that all are making. anth made the valid point of what you no and have lying around. your correct about ordering a mazworx motor and it being over kill. plus you would never make your deadline. might i make the suggestion of you refer to “TJ’s” black railed s13. the motor specs on that arent much different to what your running in your 2 cars now and it cracked a good number on the dyno. although it was using cheaper options of engine parts as from reading all your spec sheets your a jap parts man. but saying this you have the knowledge of what needs to be done to an sr to get what you want. end of the day this is your car and your build and should go with your original mock up plan. you have built the frame around an s15 chassis, just a tad longer. so the question is what motor would you want in an s15 idealy?

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  44. Just go SR. You know SRs, you’ve done the homework.

    1UZ will be all learning curve and they don’t match the hype in reality.
    Far from unbreakable and don’t make particularly special power for their size and bulk.

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  45. 1GZ-FE. Narrower than a 1UZ-FE, barely longer, and 4 extra cylinders. Over 300hp stock with cats removed (iirc there are 4). All aluminum as well. Bolts up to an R154 easily just like a 1UZ.

    Reply
    • 1GZ-FE???

      Damn, those things cost f*ck all. Though they would be a nice performer if they were modded like that 412bhp NA esky. F*cking crazy greeks…

      SR sounds like a tractor but whatever, 260rwkw would be easily achievable with an SR.

      Go with whatever makes you happy, it’s your car. Still, VH45TT would be nice.

      Reply
  46. http://www.celicasupra.com/forums/showthread.php?42743-Mk2-1GZFe-V12-swap/page24

    For a supra build with one…you know if you wanna see some good 1uz vs. 1gz pics and such.

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  47. stay with the sr bro its practical light and again theres nothing much cooler than a tube s15 sittin under a hilux

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  48. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkXJST4bExs

    5 cylinder, cause they sound mean!

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  49. if i was you id stay with the sr.

    as others have said its what you know well, have spares for and its in the ute already.

    if you wanted to go v8 then my vote would be for a ls1. easy to get parts for. easy to get your 260kw out of etc.

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  50. LSX is my choice after SR, there is a reason everyone swaps to one, cause they work 😛

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  51. “LS powered drift car ive seen at the tracks looks and sounds boring”

    This applies to any V8 drift car!

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  52. Go with sr boy, from the outset you wanted a well balanced ute that doesnt make stupid power but that you can go out and throw round. The thought of a big american V8 in there just doesn’t appeal

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  53. just slam either a 1/2J or a 1uz with an R154 box… unbreakable 🙂

    ive got a 1UZ-fe here at work and a 2J too

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  54. 1jz, 2jz, 3sgte any of the 3 but id most likely choose the 1j if i was to build a car around an engine 🙂

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  55. Hate v8’s what about 1jz or eve 2jz yes yes !!

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  56. Stay SR… It will make me very happy

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  57. The thing is that if you do decide to go with the 1UZ and R154, The only thing from the Nissan-Toyota mashup will be the suspension.

    Your call.

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  58. sr20 and no turning back.

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  59. LS1 with a T56 behind it 😉

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  60. The engine that works and you have more spare parts for incase you rip it apart going sideways haha. Probably the SR I’m guessing. It would be very interesting. Though the 1UZ is pretty cool, someone has it in an 86 up here and it’s a pretty cool drift car.

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  61. gm ls or rb30

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  62. It’ll be pretty light compared to an S15 anyway? plus the weird centre of gravity that utes have. I’d say just go for a super reliable stockish mild bolt on SR setup. It’ll be fast and trustworthy. I think if you went for 1UZ you might put your build time behind schedule..

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  63. Since you already know your SR it would be most feasible and easy.
    however if you want to expand your knowledge and challenge your self, do something different 🙂 In the end, doesn’t matter what engine you put in it, it all depends on what makes you happy.

    the car is already a piece of art

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  64. i liked the idea of you going a sprint car motor, dont know how serious you were, but after being in a sprint car crew for the last 6 months or so i have come to realise just how awesome they are

    Chev Small block 410 or 360 sprint car motor

    800hp+ of reliable power if you go 410.

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  65. SR in absolution!
    it was your original goal to make an SR / Hilux monster and your doing a dam fine job so far.

    it would have been all to easy to throw a small V8 into a ute and slide it.

    be yourself, be unique this is what drifting is all about!.

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  66. Stay SR if you really don’t like doing all the tuning keep it simple and do something you already know.

    If you wanna get crazy and stay in the spirit of a smaller motor from a different company go for a 2 Rotor 13b. Make a Mad Maz-yota lol

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    • I agree, a 13B would be nice, but, unless you have a conservative tune,the 13B will blow up within a few years. Mind you, by then he’d probably have enough money for a 20B. 🙂

      Go with what makes you happy Nigel, it’s your car.

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  67. 2jz single turb.

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  68. SR! You’ve done an amazing job thus far and it’d be a shame to see all that hard work go to waste. I love the SR as well.. I just love this build and i completely envy you and your talents/skills. I’d say finish this build up! For the next one go k24 with an f series tranny NA hahaa!

    I am sure there will be many more builds in the future to let your mind wander more..

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  69. Stroke a SR out to 2.2…..or even better buy a SR 2.4 stroker race block and slap a worked s13 head on that?

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  70. 1uz for sure. Keep it toyota and unique like the car itself. Lloyd Smith’s 1u KE sounds soo good on full noise.

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  71. holy crap i just spent 40 mins reading all this stuff,,
    i have a spare sweet slant6 225ci chrysler availble, its good for a modest 55 kw at the rears, maybe a Sik Turbs should be fitted up !
    ha ! nah man, you know id love a V8 but, you have all the gear already,
    make the next Team BearnNige drift car a V8, we can touch bumpers at 200 sideways !! waaarrppp

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  72. Dont take this the wrong way mate, but this is only going to be as good as the guy driving it… And what I mean by that is just leave the SR in and build this thing so you can get some time in the seat… Fine tune the chassis because you know how important that will be, then think about changing the enigine… Dont worry about something different, its a Hilux on a full tube S15 for f@ck sake…haha…

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  73. go the 1uz they cost a bomb to build but are well worth it. if you decide to go that way this site will be a great help.

    http://v-eight.com/

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  74. supercharged 5.0 from the new GTP? surely they would have one kicking around the proving grounds 😉

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    • Couldn’t be that hard. After all, he is a fitter and turner for Ford. Also, with a tune and exhaust, Herrod have pushed 390rwkw with just those mods
      .

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  75. SR!the Ute will only weigh….what,<2200lbs?with an SR thats pushing 350+hp,that should be more than eough to get this thing moving/

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  76. drop a ca18 in it haha

    SR ftw dude

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  77. If you want to go Toyota, why not 3SGTE? Tough little motor, similar dimensions to an SR.

    I still say SR, more than enough for this, plus you obviously know them well. Function over everything.

    1UZ is too obvious IMO.

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  78. VTEC yo. Gating the competition @ 9000rpm 🙂

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  79. 1uz are a great strong reliable motor and you could always put a big of hahaha gas on it
    (nos) but have to stay with toyota…. keep it in the family….
    otherwise 1jz/2jz once again leave standard bottom end… there super strong and reliable….. im running 1.5jz pushing big numbers and is never misses a beat…. bang for buck cant beat 1jz/2jz… but 1uz would be killar tuff also….

    hmmm actually 1uz with big single mmmmm v8 note with gate now that would sound sick….

    ill be selling my r154 g/box os giken gear set and os giken twin plate clutch soon

    hit me up if your interested

    otherwise u could always go tremec t56 6speed
    i have the cad file….for 1jz/2jz/1uz to t56 adapter plate
    can email it to u if u want it….

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  80. Great build! Very impressed with your DIY, determination and vision (home-made but high quality tube notcher and bender… AWESOME :D). Looking forward to the final product, and seeing it in action.

    Oh, and for my money – stick with the SR. As a few have already said so far, fine-tune the chassis and change the powerplant *if* you need/want to later. No need to reinvent the wheel when the bang-for-buck equation (not to mention aftermarket support) is so good with the SR motors.

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  81. I think changing power plants at this point would be a huge set back for the project. Stick to your guns and your plan.

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  82. why not 2jz? with stroker kit 🙂

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  83. Anything without rocker arms. Tube frame deserves some shims and buckets and 9000-10 000 rpm…Keep it a four banger too. V8’s are for supercars, not sick as drift utes.
    You need a third option.

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    • 1500hp Jet Engine in the back .:)

      Come on Nigel, you know you want to! 🙂

      Reply
  84. I personally think you should keep with SR20 power and RB25 box, When I first read how you were making the chassis to fit standard S15 parts, I really thought that was rad! I mean how many custom built drift cars are litterally bolt on standard parts??! very few! most are running custom length propshafts etc. I just think it was a really good idea how you were building a chassis to fit onto S15 running gear!

    And besides theres something about a V8 powered drift truck that just seems too common!! Make it SR and completely unique!

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  85. Check out Lloyd Smiths 1UZFE AE71 Corolla. Sounds sweet on limiter!

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  86. 1UZ-FE or 2JZ would be awesome. SR’s are awesome motors but I think the added torque and HP potential of the Toyota motors would suit this project better and will make it much more competitive.

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  87. Just throwing it out there, Honda K20… I mean, Tolis car runs like a dream, and you are going all out 😛

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  88. SR, the 1uz is a excellent engine but it would be better for a car thats not going sideways in my opinion.

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  89. get a block made up to fit 2 sr20 heads ….. or maybe look at the 1uz and fit sr20 heads bores should be verry close …….

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    • Haha, now thats crazy talk but deffinately different SR40 anyone?

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      • twin 4G63? 601AWHP on stock internals for ONE Evo spec 4G63, Evo 9 from memory.

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    • Best. Idea. Ever.

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  90. Ever think of a titan swap?

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  91. BIC Performance in Vancouver, Canada do a direct 1JZ/2JZ swapkit for the Hiliux/Tacoma at a really cheap price.

    The JZ apparently bolts right in. Ive done the research as it is a swap I am keen to do.

    I would go with the JZ if you are wanting to go stay turbo, otherwise I would do a 1UZ-FE swap with ITB’s.

    BEst of luck whatever you choose, it looks like it is going to be a wickid build no matter what!

    Cheers,

    SPUd

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  92. The American thing would be to say LSX, but I would stick with the SR.

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  93. i reckon either vq35 or vq30det.
    vq35 can be made into a NA screamer for rather cheap.
    vq30det come turbo factory, all alloy quad cam v6 (im putting one in my rodeo), will rev hard, last longer than a SR at high power levels and v6’s do sound rather nuts i reckon when done right.

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  94. Realistically speaking, the SR motor is your best bet. My mate has a S14 with the SR motor and pushes 511kw on the wheels. He’s made of money but it is possible 😀

    While we’re rambling on about motors you probably wouldn’t use, let the idea of a 4 rotor motor like in Mad Mike’s RX-7.

    Waiting to see the finished Lux!

    Reply

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