Power for Pennies: The Low Cost 2JZ Swap

Kinja'd!!! "Bozi Tatarevic" (hoonable)
12/19/2013 at 11:03 • Filed to: None

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In my never ending quest for unconventional power, another swap that I worked up was a 2JZ on a budget. The research originally started as a way to upgrade my brother's IS300 for boost and make it reliable.

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This swap uses a mix of Toyota and GM parts and get the job done. The end result is a boosted 2JZ with a 5 speed manual that can handle 400 ft-lbs of torque.

The first part of the setup is to pick an engine. I chose the Aristo GTE engine as it is usually available for about $1500 from many importers and comes with everything on it including the stock twins as well as the ECU and Harness. It also has the benefit of VVTI and regularly puts down over 300whp with the stock twins.

Engine

2JZ-GTE from a Toyota Aristo ($1500 from importers)

The transmission of choice is the Aisin AR-5. The transmission was chosen as the V160 from the Supra TT runs over $3000 easily and the W55 and W58 5 speed manuals are glass. The 1JZ Supra's used a R154 5 Speed transmission which hold up pretty well to over 350 ft-lbs of torque. I found that the AR-5 is a variation of the AR-5 that has been updated with better synchros and beefed up a bit. The 1JZ bell housing bolts up directly to the AR-5 and it requires a special clutch combo but otherwise all that it needs is to setup a shifter for the correct location.

Transmission

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Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky AR-5 5 Speed ($500 Used)

96-01 Chevy Blazer Clutch Plate ($300)

7MGTE Supra Pressure Plate ($200)

1JZ Bellhousing ($300)

Shifter setup based on application ($100)


This setup will give you a 300whp power-train for less than $3000 that you can expand on and use aftermarket bits for a Supra to upgrade. The turbos can be upgraded easily to push the power up to the 400whp range and the transmission will handle it. Based on the application, there will be other costs associated with fabricating exhaust, intercooler, mounting, and other pieces but it is a great starting point.

Check out my other swap articles:

V8 on a budget

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500HP Engine for Free

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DISCUSSION (29)


Kinja'd!!! EL_ULY > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 11:22

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LONG LIVE POWER FOR PENNIES!!!!!


Kinja'd!!! RazoE > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 12:37

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Love the 2J. I currently have an NA in my IS300. I'd love to boost it, but with the new smog laws in California, it sucks.


Kinja'd!!! Lime - Light > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 13:04

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I've seen 2JZ-GE's being almost given away. Acquiring stock turbo stuff to retrofit to them would possibly end up being even cheaper than buying the GTE.


Kinja'd!!! Bozi Tatarevic > Lime - Light
12/19/2013 at 13:14

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You are correct there. I have found GE motors for $300-400 dollars and done the thicker headgasket and ran 13-15psi on them with no issues.


Kinja'd!!! Lime - Light > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 14:41

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And they're easy to find because it seems like everyone who mods an IS300 immediately drops it.


Kinja'd!!! BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 15:24

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These are excellent.

I'd love to see one done with a Rover V8, but that's much more common over here than in the States.

Maybe if I get round to swapping one into an MGB GT I can write one myself.


Kinja'd!!! Bozi Tatarevic > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
12/19/2013 at 15:37

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Unfortunately, the Rover is prohibitively expensive for the power level it provides so it will not be seen in any of my articles soon


Kinja'd!!! BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Bozi Tatarevic
12/19/2013 at 15:59

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It is in the States, but you can build one that makes 220bhp for about £250-£300 over here. 3.9l Range Rover engine with the breathing opened up. You can keep the stock injection or go to Holley carbs, there's not all that much difference.

Add in cams, porting and maybe a little head skim to bump the compression and you'll be looking at 280-300bhp.

That's before you start looking for some TVR bits in scrapyards. Cranks and pistons to take it out to 4.2l, 4.5l or even 5.0l if you can find them. I haven't checked prices on those though.

The aftermarket is good for them as well, so if you do need to buy bespoke new bits they should be cheap.


Kinja'd!!! TurboSloth > Bozi Tatarevic
12/29/2013 at 14:21

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I bookmarked this in the even that I wanted to do a 2jz swap, but was wondering. Say I rebuild the engine. Engine is stuck onto trans and is ready to go. Now, how do I put it in to a car like a 240sx? Do I need brackets to adapt the engine mounts and stuff? Or do you just drill holes into the chassis, add some bushings and boom done? How would mounting a different engine into a car work?


Kinja'd!!! 350z > Bozi Tatarevic
04/29/2014 at 23:43

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Thank you for this artical, quick question when you say replacing the turbos what would you recommend I buy? Should I go ahead and but an entire kit? Or just 2x bigger turbos? Doing this entire build on a budget


Kinja'd!!! Corey > Bozi Tatarevic
07/17/2014 at 18:25

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Hey Bozi!

So I have been actively researching the mating of the Solstice trans to a 1JZ that I will be swapping in my FC3S RX7. My only problem is I have not found any definitive information as far as power levels it can handle, and what ACTUALLY needs to be modified. I've learned the pilot needs to be shortened, that an S10 clutch is needed to fit the GM spline, and that the R154 bell will fit directly to the AR5. My main concerns the driveshaft GM yolk and the length of the trans compared to that of the R154.

Any other information that you could point me in the direction to would be GREAT! I'm wanting to get on with the swap, but don't want to move to far forward until I have all the crucial information in order. Thanks!


Kinja'd!!! Corey > Bozi Tatarevic
07/17/2014 at 18:25

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Hey Bozi!

So I have been actively researching the mating of the Solstice trans to a 1JZ that I will be swapping in my FC3S RX7. My only problem is I have not found any definitive information as far as power levels it can handle, and what ACTUALLY needs to be modified. I've learned the pilot needs to be shortened, that an S10 clutch is needed to fit the GM spline, and that the R154 bell will fit directly to the AR5. My main concerns the driveshaft GM yolk and the length of the trans compared to that of the R154.

Any other information that you could point me in the direction to would be GREAT! I'm wanting to get on with the swap, but don't want to move to far forward until I have all the crucial information in order. Thanks!


Kinja'd!!! Corey > 350z
07/24/2014 at 11:29

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I can answer this, seeing as this has died off a good bit.

The factory twin turbos are prone to fail; Typically people swap to a single turbo that is overall larger (I would say the GT35R is one of the most popular swaps). It is a bit of a tight budget there, having to purchase the manifold and such.

Some people keep the twin set up and make a "hybrid" with the stock turbos and the T25 turbo. This gives a greater effenciency range, with the same boost building characteristics as the C12A. Hope this helps!


Kinja'd!!! -Tom- > Lime - Light
08/03/2014 at 11:05

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The cylinder heads are completely different between GE and GTE, I dont believe I have seen a single successful adaptation of GTE turbos to a GE. Youre FAR better off getting a cheap ebay manifold and turbo of choice than trying to make stock twins work on a GE.


Kinja'd!!! SantaRita > Bozi Tatarevic
08/13/2014 at 10:02

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Best new article series , ever. good work, this is all relevant to my FC. Although i'll likely have to go 1jz for the height...i'd wager the AR-5 would be an even more appropriate match.


Kinja'd!!! Chris Furlough > Bozi Tatarevic
08/13/2014 at 15:28

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http://hondaswap.com/attachments/2j…


Kinja'd!!! is3002jzget-t > Bozi Tatarevic
01/10/2015 at 08:13

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What driveshaft did you use?


Kinja'd!!! Bossesson > Bozi Tatarevic
06/25/2015 at 11:02

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What importers sell aristo’s in california?


Kinja'd!!! Eri88 > Bozi Tatarevic
07/29/2015 at 03:00

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Any idea on dropping one of these in a 3rd gen camaro?


Kinja'd!!! mayosdsm > Bozi Tatarevic
07/29/2015 at 08:43

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Do you need a 2.2 litre clutch plate from a blazer or the 4.3 clutch plate?


Kinja'd!!! CalzoneGolem > TurboSloth
10/21/2015 at 07:11

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You should check out some Youtube videos of engine swaps. Roadkill does a bunch of swaps and Hot Rod Garage. There’s a ton of fabrication to be done to get an engine into a car that it wasn’t designed for.

Mighty Car Mods did a series where they stuffed a huge turbo charged Tribeca engine into a Subaru Liberty.


Kinja'd!!! BeauM > Bozi Tatarevic
11/30/2015 at 17:34

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Hi Bozi

I’m not sure if you have seen it, but I have the Gulf colored 68 Mustang with the 2JZ. It’s currently rocking the toyota auto, but I’m considering going manual. As you know, an r154 or v160 are super expensive these days, your AR-5 solution seems much more economical.

I’m mostly researching and gathering info right now. Would it be OK if I ping you with questions from time to time if I go this route?

To start, what flywheel do you use with the above parts? Does the pilot bearing need to be changed? What about the tail of the transmission, did you use the driftmotion adapter?

Thanks in advance!

-Beau


Kinja'd!!! Lain Burgess > TurboSloth
01/28/2016 at 20:43

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You’ll need aftermarket engine mounts and transmission mounts, custom driveshaft, and other custom goodies like a aftermarket 2JZ to 240SX wiring harness. Fortunately these can all be bought online and there's little to no more sitcom work needed to make that swap happen due to popular demand


Kinja'd!!! Cpt. Quasar > Bozi Tatarevic
04/29/2016 at 00:46

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Would this be the same for a 1jz swap? The clutch related items specifically


Kinja'd!!! JBergman > Bozi Tatarevic
05/18/2016 at 10:32

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Great tips. Also, thanks for putting all of the prices for parts on your post. It gives me a good baseline for my budget. However, the swap will take time and I guess I don’t have to get everything at once. It is still good to know where to start, though. http://www.brangersracing.com/2jzgte.html


Kinja'd!!! Quantum > Bozi Tatarevic
06/10/2016 at 17:39

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Bozi,

Awesome article. I have a couple of questions: Now that this is an old thread, what is your experience of mating the AR5 to the 2jz engine. Also, can you list the part numbers of items used that you referred to, please? And, are you certain the AR5 can handle 400lb/ft torque? Usually transmissions with ‘high’ numerical 1st gears like this one (3.75 first) get lower torque ratings. Wiki states 260ft/lb torque.


Kinja'd!!! Whodats14 > Bozi Tatarevic
07/23/2016 at 10:01

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Post revival as I’m still confused, trying to figure out the whole ar5 On a 2jzgte deal.

So to make it work I would need...

2jz-gte from an aristo, 1jz flywheel???(clueless on what flywheel to use), then a blazer clutch stage?? The oem won’t hold 330ftq will it? Then an r154 pressure plate, then what throw out bearing?? 2j, 1j?

Also, I’ve read where you have to like cut splines from the input shaft or make some spacer between the bellhousing and trans? Some special pilot bushing required?

Thanks for the post!! Now just hoping someone can clear this up for me!


Kinja'd!!! Luis > Bozi Tatarevic
04/26/2017 at 16:16

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What did you put this into?


Kinja'd!!! Jeff Mendoza > Bozi Tatarevic
01/23/2018 at 02:39

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It’s my understanding that the stock Aristo ECU will run the engine in limp mode if it is not hooked up to the auto trans. How do you get around this? Thanks.