Project 2JZ

The plan is simple: take Toyota's fantastic twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine, and shoe-horn it into a 1984 MA61 Supra.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  The following demonstrates that when it comes to engine conversions, things are never as easy as they appear!

Click on the thumbnails for all the details and pics

Before we begin

A little background - what possessed me to embark on this project?  Read on and find out!

Price list

How much is all this costing me?  Click here to find out!

Part 1: Acquire the engine

After a bit of research I found an ex-Japan Toyota Aristo (aka Lexus GS300) front cut, complete with an 80,000km old 2JZ-GTE and 4-speed auto.  Later the same day it was sitting on my driveway.  Ever get the feeling you've bitten off more than you can chew?  :-)

Part 2: Strip the front cut

This is all that's left after we took the good bits out!  You'd be amazed how much stuff they can fit into half a car - after we were finished, there was no room left in the garage for the Supra!

Part 3: Remove the old engine

The old 6M-GE never missed a beat after 2 years of hard service, but it's time to move on!  We stripped the engine bay completely, and also removed the front-end panels to prevent damage while swinging engines in and out.

Part 4: Test fit the new engine

It's time to see if the thing actually fits!  Having taken very few measurements before purchasing the engine, I wasn't sure... luckily it slotted in beautifully though.

Part 5: Get a ludicrously oversized intercooler

I figured if I'm going to all this trouble, why not get a decent intercooler while I'm at it?  This one was constructed from two JZA80 Supra cores joined in parallel with custom end tanks.

Part 6: Fabricate new crossmember brackets

It's amazing what you can achieve with an angle grinder, a welder, some 3mm plate steel and a spare 1JZ block.  After a few hours we had the beginnings of a "JZA61" crossmember.

Part 7: Final install!

It took us a whole day, but the 2JZ-GTE is in its final position with the completed engine mounts and modified transmission crossmember.  Nothing is hooked up yet, but it sure looks good in there!

Part 8: Get it started

OK, so enough screwing around - let's get this engine started already!  After a small amount of fiddling with the spaghetti wiring, the engine kicked over with no effort at all.  Sweeeet....

Part 9: 5-speed conversion

Who wants an auto transmission when you can have a manual?  Easier said than done, but it should be worth the pain!  After sourcing a 2JZ-GE 5-speed, the car was prepared for its new transmission.

Part 10: Water pump/engine fan/timing belt

Taking care of a few details... new timing belt, a "normal" engine fan, and a water pump which pumps water and nothing else.

Part 11: Exhaust and intercooler plumbing

Now we're getting somewhere!  The Supra is fitted with a complete new exhaust system, along with custom intercooler pipes.

Part 12: Battery relocation

With the engine bay now much more crowded than it used to be, there's precious little room left for the battery.  The solution?  Relocate it to the back of the car!

Part 13: Finishing touches

After finishing a whole bunch annoying little jobs, the Supra is ready for its first drive after its heart transplant.

Part 14: Suspension, brakes and wheels

Having lots of power is all well and good, but you need to be able to stop and turn corners too!  The parts bin is raided for new brake and suspension components - not to mention some big shiny wheels.  Purely functional of course.

Part 15: Strut braces

A little extra chassis rigidity is never a bad thing.  Custom fabricated front and rear strut braces, just what the doctor ordered!

Part 16: 6-speed conversion

OK, after breaking four 5-speed transmissions I'm sick of changing them!  Time for a serious drivetrain upgrade - the Getrag V160 6-speed.

Part 17: Engine Oil Cooler

With significant power upgrades on the way, it's a good idea to keep oil temperatures under control. With that in mind the stock water-to-oil cooler is augmented by an air-to-oil cooler.

Part 18: Turbo upgrade

Everyone knows the potential of the 2JZ-GTE, so why muck around?  Time to upgrade those little CT20A turbos and replace them with something a bit bigger.

Last update: 4th May 2007

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