Image via ScrapLifeLee/YouTube
We’ve seen some pretty amazing Hemi swaps with Japanese sports cars, including a Hellcat swap in a Nissan 350Z, Supras, Miatas, and more. But for some reason we haven’t seen anyone drop a Hellephant into a MKIV Supra. It’s a bit of automotive blasphemy, but the results are rather surprising.
Check out a classic Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Hellcat Redeye swap.
This crazy project is taken on by YouTuber Lee Carter, who runs the channel ScrapLifeLee. He used to own the Supra, but sold it to a guy, then later bought it back. Unfortunately, the 2JZ was toast, but the man had a plan already.
Carter has done a lot of Hemi swaps, so he decided to go for the ultimate to drop into the legendary Toyota. That meant tracking down a Hellephant crate engine and sourcing a TH400 transmission built by 501 Performance.
Of course with a big engine comes a big challenge: fitment. There’s no way to use the stock hood once these guys figure out how to bolt the Hellephant into the Toyota. The thing is too large and with the supercharger sits too tall for it to even begin to clear the hood.
That means in the long run, either Carter will need to find a suitable aftermarket hood, cut out part of the original and maybe fabricate a cowl that fits over the supercharger, or just leave this Supra hoodless.
But even with the engine in, Carter and his team had to get the car running and driving as the clock ticked for its first track appearance. Just like other novel project vehicles, they worked night and day, dealing with frustrations and setbacks, before getting everything running smoothly enough.
A run on the dyno confirmed the monstrous Hemi V8 was tuned to produce over 1,300-horsepower. But it wasn’t until track day that they confirmed the Supra could lay that down on the ground, smoking tires and the competition.
While there are bugs to be ironed out, this build is already impressive. Who would’ve thought a Hellephant in a MKIV Supra would be such a great idea?
Watch part of the build process for this car here.
Images via ScrapLifeLee/YouTube
