This is where it all began: watching YouTube videos of ZF 8HP70 transmission swaps. I was blown away by how incredible this transmission is—lightning-fast shifts, incredible strength, and virtual clutch control.
I loved my manual R154 that I pushed hard in my JZA70 MK3 Turbo R Supra, but I was ready for something new.
Getting My First 8HP70 Transmission
In the fall of 2023, I bought my first Dodge 8HP70 transmission. I chose the Dodge version because most swaps online used the BMW B57 version, which is harder to find in North America. The Dodge 8HP70 is much more accessible—and affordable.
I ordered an adapter kit and tried fitting it into my Toyota Mark II (Chaser). To my surprise, installation was straightforward:
- No major tunnel modifications.
- No engine removal.
- Just a little clearance work with a pry bar on the firewall and shortening my solid engine mounts by 1/4 inch.
But I didn’t like the adapter plate design, so we engineered our own to make installation easier and smarter.
Designing a Better 8HP Adapter Plate
Our goals were clear:
- Starter access without removing the transmission.
- Compact design to clear the exhaust.
- Front-side bolting so the transmission can be removed in under an hour.
We then added a custom aluminum driveshaft with heavy-duty 1350 U-joints and a temporary transmission mount.
First Tests with the Turbolamik Controller
For engine management, we started with the Turbolamik transmission controller, which we purchased from Turbolamik.US (we later became resellers). We were also the first on SupraForums to test it.
The Mark II’s setup was:
- Fully built 2JZ-GE with ported head
- Stage 2 camshafts
- Garrett G42-1200 turbo
- MS3Pro EVO ECU
After a lot of dyno tuning and figuring out CANbus communication between the ECU and Turbolamik, I finally unlocked the best shift strategy.
The result? Violent, lightning-fast shifts.
Testing with MaxxECU
Since we were already MaxxECU dealers, we compared their control to Turbolamik. We made a patch harness to switch from the MS3Pro EVO to a MaxxECU Race, and upgraded to drive-by-wire throttle.
With MaxxECU, we helped fine-tune transmission control during their first release, making the 8HP even better.
The Ultimate Road Test: 10,000 km to the Grand Canyon
The perfect test came when my friends and I planned a road trip: Quebec, Canada to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, with a stop at Pikes Peak.
I drove over 10,000 km (6,000 miles) in 12 days. The only issue? A failed fan relay—an easy fix.
The 8HP70 performed flawlessly the entire trip.
Expanding into Swap Kits
After this success, we knew we had something big. We started developing full 8HP swap kits:
- Toyota Supra MKIV (3.4L stroker + Garrett G45-1600 turbo)
- Lexus SC300 / Soarer (similar to MKIV kit)
- Lexus IS300 (tested with Dodge 8HP45/845RE on a 500whp 2JZ + MaxxECU Sport + DBW throttle)
The IS300 project proved the 8HP45 is surprisingly strong. Despite different tuning requirements from the 8HP70, it held power reliably.
What’s Next: GS300 / Aristo Swap
Our latest project is a 1999 Lexus GS300. Many people have requested this swap, and it’s clear why—this platform was never offered with a manual, making the 8HP automatic swap the perfect solution for drivability and performance.
With the ZF 8HP, the GS300/Aristo will gain smooth daily driving and world-class shifting, while still handling big power.
Final Thoughts
From YouTube inspiration to designing complete swap kits, the ZF 8HP70 and 8HP45 transmissions have completely changed the way we look at Toyota and Lexus builds.
At 8HP The World, we’re proud to offer engineered solutions for:
- Supra MKIV
- SC300 / Soarer
- IS300
- GS300 / Aristo
- And more platforms coming soon
The journey has just begun—and the 8HP swap revolution is only getting bigger.
Toyota Mark2 JZX90 8HP Swap