'81 SN 351 conversion to Lexus 1UZ-FE VVTi

1. It'll spin the wrong way. The original engine in that boat was a reverse rotation (RH) engine, and the hull was meant to turn a RH prop. Running a standard rotation engine and a LH prop will physically move the boat forward, but the boat will not handle properly.

2. Special marine components are not going to be available for that engine. Exhaust manifolds and cooling system and fuel system are the 3 big ones as far as functionality goes. Alternator, starter and distributor (possibly fuel system components) are the big ones as far as safety goes. Fuel components need to prevent leaks/overflows and electrical components need to have spark arresting features to prevent you from blowing yourself sky high.

3. Tuning... I would not assume that you can drop an EFI engine with an automotive tune on it and expect it to run properly (or reliably). The applications are very different. There would be a huge learning curve in dialing it in- if you dont have the expertise yourself, this could get very expensive... at the least, for someone else's time to tune it for you, and at worst, in replacement parts as you trial and error the settings (and break things).

Maybe you could find some used parts from a 90's Toyota Epic boat. It had the Lexus engine in it.

MrMcD wrote: Boats need torque to move them. The Lexus is a great engine but low end torque is not the strong suit.

I too would be concerned with the torque. "Modern" engines tend to be high RPM/HP and low torque.

8122pbrainard wrote: MrMcD wrote: Boats need torque to move them. The Lexus is a great engine but low end torque is not the strong suit. I too would be concerned with the torque. "Modern" engines tend to be high RPM/HP and low torque.

Meh, it'd be fine power-wise if he could ever get it hooked up and running. Toyota was putting the 4.0L V8 in their 21' Epics in the mid-late 90's and they did ok. It would be plenty for a 18' SN. A smaller displacement engine with a higher max hp would just be propped down relative to a stock 351w.

Add to all the above is figuring out motormounts,does not seam like a worth while project

Sounds like good clean fun to me, those guys in AU sell pretty neat kits for a couple fi motors that include mounts, pulley sets, pumps, exhaust, etc.. everything minus the velvet drive, don’t know if that is what they have for the lexus or not but I know they aint afraid to make something work. It’s not a terribly practical project but it ain’t rocket science if you really wanted one and could stomach the cost and chance of a few iterations to make it right.      

That should make an abundance of torque! I don't know how you're going to fit it all under the dog house, may as well go for the v drive conversion while you're at it!

This is not a example of the Kincaid Rolco Conversion. It was more of a project for the owner. Yeh Pete we like to live on the edge downunder

Would have done well in the speed runs at CCFan reunions though    

would love to hear that bad boy running WOT. The turbo whine must sound sweet.