So I got a bit fed up of big projects, the SR RX8 track project, the RB RX7 and the oldest of all Beams KP61, I am finishing them but that have to go to different workshops for different phases and that in turn brings its own delays. I wanted something I could just drop an engine/box into that I liked the styling, had 4doors, was comfortable and could be used for work, weekends or munching up the motorway miles. As most of you know Gripfab does all the fabrication work on my cars and we have built a great working relationship, I have great time for John, Brendan and Bryan. What makes it better is that they are all down to earth lads with a great attitude to work.

John had a 1UZFE engine lying about, we had toy'd with the idea of twin turbo'n it and fitting to the KP but I think that was more tied to the amounts of sugar we had consumed. When reality kicked back in we decided to go with the Beams but I still wanted that V8 rumble so I set out looking for shells, a mate from Irish Rotary was looking for the running gear from an RX8 so we team up and bought a car between us, I got a solid shell, he got the running gear.

How I got the RX8 back to Limerick was no so straight forward to a big thank to Mike O'Sullivan for the Sin Bin van, Eric and Darragh for the trailer and of course Pat for the company on the long journeys. So the plan for this build, no kit, no wheels, I might allow myself lowering springs but that it looks wise. As the title suggests I'll be running a 1UZFE engine, SR20 Gearbox, custom bellhousing, adpater, uprated clutch, new intake and a nice exhaust system and take advantage of that twin exit rear bumper. Should be getting started around the end of march with a plan to have it finished within 4 weeks.

For now here is a few pictures of the donor car :

 

Good luck with the build.

 

Thanks dude, not as exciting as the other project cars but should be cool...

 

So I had my first bit of fun with the RX8, the boot is electronic, now the issue here was no engine, no loom, no battery so that was the start of it, then the boot lock in the rear light wouldn't work off the key, no in the states its a law that they must have a pull handle if someone was to be trapped inside however we don't have as many related instances so this is not on the euro / jdm model. All that was left for me to do was to strip the rear of the car, climb in, remove a few more covers and pop the boot that way, it was pain but its sorted now. All this cause the lights were taking in water and I wanted to know why



When I finished mucking about with that I put it all back together except for the boot lining so you can reach between the rear seats and pop the boot until it is up and running. A few hours later Brendan Stone arrived down with the RX7, we loaded up the RX8 and off it went to Gripfab Its new home for the next few months LoL



As soon as I gather a few parts I'll be sure to update yee of the progress

 

any updates yet man? =)

 

Going to finish the SRX8 first mate, then the RBX7 and then this as I call it the RUZ8

So I while I was up at Gripfab making plans to finish the SRX8 I droppped off the SR Box I got off Mark for the RUZ8 and got a pic of the new heart, 1UZFE baby



Such a clean base to start with, very happy, may buy another for spares :

 

Nice plan!
Have you measured up to see how well it will fit? I discussed using a lexus V8 with my son but he was dead set on using the VAG 1.8T. I was just happy to go along with it whatever way we did it.
I guess keeping it far enough back to avoid upsetting the weight balance is going to be the biggest challenge for you, does that mean cutting the bulkhead?

 

Lock it up, car for sale, new plan for the engine.