Posted Jul 06 2010, 03:27 PM by Mike Garrett with 35 comment(s)

GM LSx engines have been swapped into just about every car under the sun, but this is the first time I've seen this.

It's an LS6-powered Toyota MR-S/MR2 Spyder that's being built by Speedhunters reader Erven as a track toy for a customer. A couple more photos can of the build can be found here.

Please keep us updated Erven, can't wait to see this thing when it's done!

-Mike Garrett


Comments

Shabd said:

Wow amazing piece of work.

You guys should also check out the Mx5 Ls1 swap by blacktrax performance in Milpitas, California.!

July 6, 2010 3:53 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

kenny chieu said:

i'm officially slow. i give up at life :(

July 6, 2010 4:26 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

2xthefun said:

Wow very nice, one of my secret favorite cars. Can't wait to see it done, I'm surprised speedhunters doesn't post mr2's more often.

July 6, 2010 5:00 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Erik said:

I'd like to know what type of tranny he's using in there....

July 6, 2010 6:44 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

MidnyteRunner said:

re: 2xthefun

because there arent many MR2s out there that are known. there are plenty around, there just isnt enough media around them. im a MKII owner and ive seen plenty of amazing MR2s but they just arent known too much in the US

July 6, 2010 7:59 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Alex said:

What's next an LS1 on a scooter?

July 6, 2010 8:04 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

y2kxxh said:

more about MR-S....i like it

July 6, 2010 8:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Kev!n said:

bah, I hate LSx's. I'd never put one in my MR-S. I would bet that a K20/24 swapped ZZW30 would out perform a LSx swapped ZZW30.

July 6, 2010 9:03 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

kstyle said:

what trans is being used in this?

July 6, 2010 11:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

BlueSlug said:

nuts! do it!  i am very interested to see/hear the result!

July 6, 2010 11:40 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

BlueSlug said:

and Kev!n, i highly doubt it.  this is not the venue for bench racing, and besides, "out perform" is so vague you could really mean anything.

July 6, 2010 11:42 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Charles Tran said:

Of course you would post in here Kenny. LOL.

July 7, 2010 12:05 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Ryan said:

Sweet build.  MX5's monster swaps are always cool to see, There is a drift MX5 being built in Sask. right now that will be sporting a SR20DET, which is pretty cool as well.

July 7, 2010 12:47 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

quottro said:

this is interesting...

care to put up more pictures here?..

can't seem to access flickr from where i am...

July 7, 2010 1:18 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Erik Wilson said:

Haha.  stay true to the spirit of the Spyder Kenny!

July 7, 2010 3:10 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

JasonRichards said:

yeah wats the rearend, i know alot of jaguar transaxles can be adapted to v8s with an adapter plate, but i wonder what that is??

July 7, 2010 3:24 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

JasonRichards said:

yeah wats the rearend, i know alot of jaguar transaxles can be adapted to v8s with an adapter plate, but i wonder what that is??

July 7, 2010 3:24 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Bill Strong said:

There is also a Audi V8 powered Spyder in the UK. It fits north/south. With it mounted in the FWD mode like the one above you are really limited in the amount of power you can make due to heat and the transaxle. And if the car is located in California as the plate states, the transaxle will most likely be the standard trans that comes with the engine. That is a 5-speed auto right? Most likely. That will be the only way he will get it to pass smog.

July 7, 2010 4:28 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anyon said:

Kev!n ur retarted go put some type r stickers on little honda civic. pshh ricers

July 7, 2010 5:31 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

swerv13 said:

Thx for posting this and thanx for all the comments! an LS6 is not the answer to make your mr2 faster, everything about it is a pain in the ass and when you know a lotus uses the same engine as the one I took out, whats the point? the point is to be different, weird, whatever....and thats the goal for the customer.    -Erven

July 7, 2010 6:36 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

LS1RX7owen said:

wow cool creation and sure to be a handful on track!  great idea and looks to be a good fit, the LS1 fits everywhere, its such a good thing, all the haters have just never driven one, amirite!??!!

July 7, 2010 8:17 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Alex said:

I agree with Kevin. Not because the LS6 has more power than a K24/20 engine that it's going to smoke an MR2 with a K swap.

It seems these days people are overly focused on hp only.....a 2ZZ with ITB's swap would be nice as well...

July 7, 2010 9:09 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

swerv13 said:

Bill Strong you are right! The owner wont be winning any time attacks but he should have an interesting ride. Having decent power with such a short wheelbase.  Thax for all the comments people, just thought id share something kinda silly and fun.  not to be taken seriously....yet.

July 7, 2010 12:09 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Capeta said:

OMG finally someone is doing this swap. For years I've been wondering if this engine fits a MR2 or MR-S and now it's being done. Nice, keep up the good work. I too wonder what tranny is being used in thish swap. Keep us updated Speedhunter :D

July 7, 2010 1:42 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Kev!n said:

a heavy V8 will not put down a faster lap over a lighter, more balanced chassis with a K24/K20. Vehicle dynamics play a large role in racing. Check out GT500 Supras, they used a 3S motor for that reason. Lighter, similar power. (less low end torque)

July 7, 2010 2:56 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

swerv13 said:

@kevin:   HAHA bro chill out, nothing you said is new information. you can do the K20 swap, ill leave that in your capable hands.  

July 7, 2010 3:35 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

LoneRacer said:

wowww, this is beyond cool, i wish i had this in my garage. awesome project

July 7, 2010 4:30 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

swerv13 said:

Bill Strong you are right! The owner wont be winning any time attacks but he should have an interesting ride. Having decent power with such a short wheelbase.  Thax for all the comments people, just thought id share something kinda silly and fun.  not to be taken seriously....yet.

July 7, 2010 7:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anyon said:

kevin why dont you do you research before you talk out your ass. who told you that the ls6 is heavy. go look up the weight of your k20 and the weight of the ls6. both should be at around 400-500lbs. go back your vtec forum

July 7, 2010 7:16 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

FullThrottleTim said:

Why do people always assume that ALL V8s are heavy? Gotta love bench racers.

July 8, 2010 1:00 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Brandon said:

That's going to throw the weight distribution off.  Don't get me wrong it's cool to see it done but your turning a car designed for road racing into a drag car.  You have been better suited for a civic hatch or something else.  13b also provides the torque and potential horsepower as well as keeping the weight down considerably more than the LSx.  The problem with the 13b is the heat exchange, we have no effecient way of removing the heat a 13b has, considering the stock RX7's had a problem of melting vacuum hoses because of the heat, this is the majority of problem I deal with in RX7's.  If we revented the rear of the mr2 that would be a handling beast.  I know Kenny have the 2gr engine in his spyder but it's still over 100 lbs gain.

2 cents

Brandon  

July 8, 2010 3:55 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anyon said:

Will the handling of the car be ruined by putting a V8 in?

In a word, No. If you use an LS1 (all aluminum block and heads) and  relocate your battery to the back the 50/50 weight distribution is  perfectly maintained. The V8 sits back which keeps the weight more balanced. Other engines that are heavier  will add a small amount to the front, but not enough to matter. Most  people are surprised to find that their V8 swapped RX7 handles just as  well as stock (except now you can steer with the throttle).

July 9, 2010 12:39 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anyon said:

why do people keep bring up the weight distribution crap. its has been proven time and time again switching the crappy ass rotary to a lsx does not change the weight much mabe make it 49.5 50.5. do some research before you pull crap out ur mouth.

July 9, 2010 8:22 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

xzyphan said:

just to let some of you  know In my maza Rx7 with a LS1 swap is only 60 pounds heavier than it was with the rotory in it, and its still full interior.

July 9, 2010 1:29 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Victor said:

I swear i saw this car getting built by Mike Stafford in his shop out here in Lancaster, CA.........hmmmmm

July 12, 2010 8:04 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters