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Dec 20, 2023

Why You Should Consider Swapping Toyota’s 1JZ Engine Over The Hyped

The 1JZ is as good, if not better, in certain aspects than the 2JZ. We reckon

The 1JZ is as good, if not better, in certain aspects than the 2JZ. We reckon the less-expensive 1JZ is a wise bet over the hyped-up 2JZ.

Among gearheads, the name JZ (not Jay-Z, of course) has a great deal of followers. Much like Nissan's RB series, JZ engines have quite the fanbase, owing to durability and tuning potential. Toyota's JZ lineup is no stranger to the motoring community and is just as coveted as LS V8s, rotary Mazdas, and straight-six RBs.

Famous for being over-engineered, the JZ series is a good example of Toyota's development team raising the bar and setting a benchmark on engine design. It's been nearly three decades since these engines were developed, and they still end up as some of the most desirable pieces of engineering even today.

Often considered engineering masterstrokes, JZ engines—be it 1JZ or 2JZ, are some of the best motors ever made. Powering several iconic cars, the JZ twins have quite a history, and are very much considered to be on par on all terms except displacement.

In the tuner space, however, the 1JZ isn't perhaps as desirable as the 2JZ. Had Fast and Furious featured the Mk III Supra, things would’ve been very different. We reckon you should consider the 1JZ—despite its lack of popularity—over its hyped-up successor, the 2JZ. Why? Because it's criminally underrated.

RELATED: Check Out Top Garage's 1JZ-Swapped R32 Nissan Skyline Drifter

It's important you understand that this discussion focuses on the 1JZ and 2JZ twins in their high-performance GTE versions. Also, if you’re wondering about the name, "JZ" is just the engine family, "G" stands for performance-oriented dual overhead cam setup, "T" stands for turbocharged, and "E" means it's electronically fuel injected.

The 1JZ-GTE is a high-performance version of the non-turbocharged 2.5L straight-six 1JZ-GE. As for the specifics, the earlier 1JZ-GTE engines made use of twin turbochargers with a factory boost of 10 psi, came with forged pistons, connecting rods, and upgraded injectors. In terms of output, the 1JZ-GTE, in its stock factory spec, puts out 276 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque.

The second-gen turbo 1JZ came with several noticeable upgrades like variable valve timing (VVT-i) and a reworked cylinder head, but more importantly, Gen 2 replaced the twin turbos with a single turbocharger, increasing torque by 15 lb-ft.

Based on the 1JZ, the 3.0L 2JZ-GE was the more common version intended for run-of-the-mill cars, while the GTE was a factory-turbocharged high-performance motor. Both engines share the same bore and stroke, but unlike the 2JZ-GE, the GTE featured recessed piston tops (giving a lower compression ratio), oil squirters to aid in cooling the pistons, and a different head with redesigned inlet/exhaust ports, cams, and valves.

Just like its predecessors, the 2JZ twins also received a Gen 2 update with the introduction of Toyota's variable valve timing (VVT-i). If you didn't know, the 2JZ was introduced as a response to Nissan's RB26. While the RB26 manages 276 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the 2JZ puts out 320 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of twist.

Cars powered by the 1JZ GTE are the Toyota Chaser, Toyota Soarer, Toyota Supra Mk III, Toyota Verossa, Toyota Crown, and the Toyota Mark II. Cars featuring the 2JZ-GTE include the popular A80 Supra and the Toyota Aristo, more commonly known as the Lexus GS.

RELATED: Watch A 1JZ-Swapped 1981 Toyota Corona Run 9s At The Strip

Reliability-wise, the JZ twins can handle several times more than their factory output, and that's due to robust engineering. However, the first-gen 1JZ-GTE features turbochargers with ceramic turbine wheels, which are prone to delamination and failure under high temperature and boost. As for the 2JZ, seals, tensioners, and pulleys are parts that can fail. Also, valve float and turbo failures are other known issues.

In terms of tuning potential, 1JZ with stock internals is good for about 650-700 horsepower, and stock 2JZ can hold well up to 800 horsepower. As for output per liter, the 1JZ makes around 260-280 horsepower, while the 2JZ falls short at 266 horsepower per liter; not a significant difference, but one worth pointing out.

Parts cost about the same for the two, but for an engine build, the 1JZ is a cheaper choice. Expect around $6,000-$7,000 (labor included) for a 1JZ swap with quality parts. As for a 2JZ build, the motor itself will set you back $10,000 or more, depending on the condition and where you source it from.

Here's the thing. The 1JZ is as good as the 2JZ (in some cases, even better), boasts excellent reliability, and is significantly cheaper to source. That's not to say the 2JZ isn't worth having. One of the reasons for getting a Mk IV Supra is its engine, and there's no doubting its capabilities. There are 1000-plus horsepower 2JZ Supras that eat Camaros and Mustangs for breakfast.

The bottom line is that if you have money to burn, the 2JZ is a no-brainer. But if you’re on a budget and prefer having the qualities of a 2JZ at a significant discount, go for the 1JZ.

Sources: Topspeed, Tuning Pro

Cars have had a profound impact on Kiran ever since he was a toddler. This grew with age, ballooning to such an extent that he graduated with a degree in automotive engineering and now devotes himself to penning down all things motoring.