Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can a 1JZ/2JZ engine be installed in my 3rd generation Supra?
A: Yes. A little effort is required to make this happen, but less effort than say, putting a Skyline engine into a 240SX. It is, for the most part, a plug-n-play affair aside from a few short parts and the wiring harness.

Q: Can a 1JZ fit in my '86.5-'88 Supra?
A: Yes! You will need a crossmember from an '89-'92 model Supra. The reason for this is that the square engine mounts in the older model Supras are not compatible, and are in different locations on the older crossmembers. When the 1JZ engine was introduced in Japan in 1989, the engine mounts there AND in the USA were changed to the round fluid filled type, even though the 1JZ never officially made it to the USA.

Q: Can a 1JZ fit in my '89-'92 Supra?
A: Yes.

Q: What are the differences between the 7M-GTE and the 1JZ-GTE?
A: The 7M-GTE and 1JZ-GTE share similarities, and have their differences. They are both inline 6 cylinder engines with 24 valves and dual overhead cams. The short block [lower half of the engine] is iron, while the head [upper half of the engine] is aluminum.

Q: I just bought a brand new clutch for my 7M-GTE - can I use it with my 1JZ?
A: Yes! The transmission that came in the manual 1JZ Supras was the R154 - the same transmission that was featured in the '87-'92 manual turbo models in the US. The difference is in the bellhousing and the flywheel. The bellhousing is what bolts the transmission up to the engine. The 1JZ engine has bolts in different places than the 7M, so the bellhousings have bolt holes in different places, accordingly.

Q: I bought a manual/automatic transmission front clip for my swap, but I have a manual/automatic car. Is this alright?
A: Yes, so long as you have a full front clip you should be fine. Just make sure that if you want an automatic car, you buy an automatic front clip and vice-versa.

Q: How much should I expect to spend on doing the 1JZ swap on my MA70?
A: If you are resourceful and lucky, you may be able to get it all done for less than $2000USD. Otherwise, expect to pay at least $3500USD. Remember that manual transmission cars are less plentiful, and will cost more. Your wiring harness will need to be extended about 2 1/2 feet if you are planning on using this as a left hand drive car. If you plan on "going J-Spec" and doing a full right hand drive conversion, it may save you a some time and money - plus, if you are left handed it may very well benefit you.

Q: Where can I get a 1JZ engine or front clip of a car with a 1JZ-GTE engine?
A: There are a few suppliers in the USA, and some in Australia. Here are a few links to help you out:
www.jarcoinc.com
www.venus-auto.com
www.japparts.com.au
www.adelaidejap.com.au
www.streetimports.com
www.streetstyleracing.com
www.osakajdmmotors.com
www.jspecautosports.com
http://vetslaw.com/toyota.htm
www.japandomesticmotor.com/toyota.asp
http://www.japanmotorimport.com/toyota.html

Q: So, is the swap worth the money?
A: This is a matter of opinion.

Q: With spending that much money, couldn't I just make my 7M-GTE just as powerful?
A: Yes, probably. The 7M engines are smaller bore and longer stroke than the 1JZ and 2JZ engines, so you are going to need to build the top and bottom end WELL to make able to withstand revvs higher than the stock 6200rpm redline.

Q: Does the 1JZ have any weak points or downfalls?
A: The ceramic turbines of the CT12A twin turbochargers commonly shatter when pushed over 14psi. This either happens by sheer pressure OR by the turbocharger heating enough to melt the resin that holds the nut which holds the compressor turbine on the shaft. The nut comes loose and the compressor either wobbles and shatters, or flies off of the shaft and breaks. It then CAN make it's way through some of your intake piping [ouch] if you are really unlucky. The head gasket tends to blow at over 1.6 bar [23.5psi] and the car doesn't have the extra 1/2 liter of displacement like the 7M or 2JZ. This can be tinkered with [see next question].

Q: What is a 1.5JZ-GTE?
A: In Japan, many owners of 1JZ engines have replaced their worn 1JZ short blocks with a 2JZ short block, which can be put in your car with the 1JZ head bolted down on it to produce a 3.0 liter "1.5JZ-GTE" engine. It can be done because the 1JZ and 2JZ share the same bore size and spacing. This will yield the extra displacement found in the 2JZ, and is an excellent alternative when considering a full rebuild as the 2JZ short blocks are readily available in the USA through Toyota, Suprastore.com and powerhouseracing.com, as well as other suppliers.


Q: I am having trouble with my 1JZ install project. Where can I find more help on this subject?
A: Here are some more links I have gathered with 1JZ swap information.
http://www.supras.nl/view.php?page=1jzswapmarcel.htm
http://groups.msn.com/1jzgtemk3/home.htm
http://www.1jz-gte.us
http://www.jzgte.com/tech/
http://www.jza70.com/articles/swap_the_basics/swap_the_basics.html

Q: Okay, my 1JZ-GTE is installed. I want more power from the engine, but I can't find parts! Where can I buy upgrades for my engine?
A: There are few suppliers of 1JZ parts out there.
www.takakaira.com
www.torqueic.com

Q: Can't you just put CT12b twin turbochargers from a 2JZ-GTE on the 1JZ to get more power?
A: Yes, HOWEVER this is not as easy of a swap as it sounds. The manifolds are different, and would result in a complete custom job. The sequential turbos may also be a bad idea for the 1JZ ECU, even with plugins, as it is used to having parallel turbos. The CT12b's would most likely have to be run in TTC [true twin conversion] mode.

Q: What cars had the 1JZ-GTE engines?
A: 1990-1993 Toyota Supra JZA70, 1992-1996 JZX90 Toyota Chaser Toyota Mark II and Toyota Cresta, 1996-1998 JZX100 Toyota Chaser Toyota Mark II and Toyota Cresta, 2000+ JZX110 Toyota Mark II and 2001+ JZX110 Toyota Verossa, 1991-1996 JZZ30 Toyota Soarer.

Q: I heard there is a single turbo 1JZ. What's up with that?
A: The first 1JZ-GTE engines have twin CT12a turbochargers. The revised 1JZ-GTE engines come with a single CT26 turbocharger, and the engine has VVTi [variable valve timing] which is supposed to optimize valve timing throughout the whole rpm range.

Q: Can I get one of the newer 1JZ engines and swap it into my MA70 Supra?
A: Sure. Just make sure that you get an oil pan and pump from a JZA70's 1JZ to install , as the later model 1JZ's oil pan will not allow the engine to drop in without resting the entire engine's weight on the oil pan [this is bad].


More questions and answers coming "when I get around to it"...
-DM