I'm really curious about this engine the 8A80 V8! I've been able to find a price for a front cut imported to me from Japan to Australia- auction price I pay for the car ($400-$600) plus $2800 for getting it cut, cleaned, wrapped up, shipped to Australia. Not to bad!
So this engine came in the Mitsubishi Proudia and Dignity (the Limo version). It also came in a Hyundai Equus- however they had trouble finding premium fuel in Korea at the time for the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), Hyundai modified the engine to have a Multi Point Injection (MPI). Which is the engine I think I should be trying to get. As this would allow for easier tuning and changes to fuel. My plan is to put the engine in a Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. From what I've found out the engine weighs only 10kgs more than a 6G74. At around 230kgs. It is also only 50mm long than a 6G74.
Things I can't find out about it is- does it have forged internals from factory, rods, pistons. What are the head studs like? Strong to handle some boost??
I'd be looking to either- run it on E85 and maybe do Cams etc and see what power it would push. Or run it with a turbo on some low boost. Or put a spacer in the make it a lower compression engine or shorter pistons for the same affect. So that higher boost is possible.
If anyone has any information on these engines I'd really appreciate it!