The latest V8 swap to bear this burden comes in the form of a supercharged 4.0L in a 1991 Toyota MR2. The owner is making a video series to document the build process, and has just gotten the car. The Sard MC8-R was a modified and lengthened version of the Toyota MR2 (SW20) built for GT racing by Toyota's SARD (Sigma Advanced Research Development) works team.
SARD heavily modified the front half of the MR2s chassis and completely replaced the rear with a custom setup in order to fit a twin-turbo version of the 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8 producing 600 bhp (447 kW). [1][dubious - discuss] This. The MC8-R was a heavily modified MR2 with a twin-turbo 4.0 liter V8 under the hood.
It had 600 horsepower and looked the part, but in 1995 and 1996 it was up against some of the toughest. Built to allow the Toyota MR2 to take on Le Mans, the SARD MC8 is a curious homologation special. We spoke to the owner of the world's only example.
Another reason for stretching the MR2 was to fit a 4.0L 1UZ-FE V8, which at the time was found in the Lexus LS 400 and Toyota Aristo. It was a brave move from SARD, but a choice backed up by the reliability of the venerable quad. Mike_H on the MR2 forums has done the World's First V8 2nd gen MR2.
He used the Audi 4.2 V8 (engine code ABZ), and mounted it longitudinal. He used this engine because its around 6.5 inches SHORTER than the 1UZ. The Audi is 20.63 long, the 1UZ is around 27 inches.
SARD (Sigma Advanced Research Development) is a company and race team in Toyota, Aichi, Japan specializing in Toyota parts and vehicles. Back in the '90s they built several race cars based on a Toyota MR2 SW20 called the MC8. The newly revealed G20E turbo four-cylinder gas engine would probably power the mid-engine MR2 and the Celica 4WD, with reports suggesting over 400 hp for road.
Another reason for stretching the Toyota MR2 was the installation of the engine: a V8 1UZ-FE biturbo of 4.0 liters and 600 CV. However, it wasn't enough to take on some of the toughest Le Mans competitors like the McLaren F1, Kremer K8 Spyder, Ferrari F40 LM, Porsche 911 GT1 or the Viper GTS. The 2nd generation Toyota MR2 was sold from 1991-1999 and powered by a inline-4 in naturally aspirated or turbocharged configurations.
The turbo version was the closest thing you could get to a Japanese Ferrari, (at least until the NSX came out) and was legitimately a quick car. What happens when you shove a Chevy LS4 V8 sideways into the back? Chaosome! Find this 1991 Toyota MR2 LS4 V8 Swap.
