Need help with engine selection....please

[magic rat]

Hey Supra friends, I am asking for your educated opinion on which engine I should replace my 1990 7mgte with. Excuse me for not searching and gaining as much knowledge as I can before posting this. From what I have read, this is not the most favorable subject to ask opinions on. I simply have very little time to devote to my passion because I am a small business owner and on top of that I have spent the last 7 years helping my wife care for her parents who have both passed from terminal illnesses.

I have a 90 turbo with some decent mods and good performance, but it tired and needs replaced. I also have an 84 with a 6m that I will install the 7mgte in when the 90 is done. I'll cut this short, since it is too long already. I want to go with a 2jz. Is there a non-VVTI 2jz? If there are 2 flavors, which should I go with? My 90 is an automatic, I want to go to a 5 or 6 speed, and what should I know about that? There is a ton of information in the build forums about the 2jz swap and I am very appreciative for that. I would appreciate any help? Budget is not unlimited but should not be a problem.

Thanks in advance!

 

[suprastroker88]

There is a vvti and non-vvti 2jz I believe. Others please correct me if I'm wrong. I've been told that the vvti version is harder to tune so the non-vvti version is more wanted. I dont know how true that is so dont quote me on it. r154 5spd is the way to go because the 6spd getrag tranny is very pricey and cost a bunch to make fit. The r154 will be just fine. The whole swap will cost you between $6000-10000 depending on if you do it yourself and mods you add in

 

[mk3_7m]

Go with what you think feels right and what makes you feel comfortable .

From memory the vvti used skinner rods than the non vvti 2jz therefore the non vvti has a more sturdier internals however the vvti 2jz had more power from its lower rotational mass "Apperantly" for the ge blocks, gte ones are exactly the same . Their ecus aren't interchangable so be careful not to buy the wrong one. It was stated that the vvti is harder to tune than the non vvti. Other than that non vvti would be less of a headache.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Get the non-VVT-I 2JZ. You will be happy. Easy to tune, parts are not hard at all to find, just go to Toyota.

 

[IJ.]

Be an idea to post a rough budget and skill level as this will often be a deciding factor.

 

[Pokey2301]

well being a small business owner and the route that the economy is heading, i say scrap the supra project and get a dependable cheap car because the supra is a money pit, its never ending. if you have the funds then by all means, non vvti 2jz with a decent single turbo, r154 swap with supporting mods

 

[mjsn1]

It all depends on the 2jz that you want, there are four types of 2jz engines:
1. 2jzge
2. 2jzgte
3. 2jzge vvti
4. 2jzgte vvti

If you want a reliable supra take the 2jzge or the 2jzge vvti.
If you want a fast, money eating supra take the turbo 2jz.

The 2jzge vvti is a good engine it can be found on some lexus gs cars, but never take the 2jzgte vvti, it may be more powerful then the 2jzgte but it is a hard engine to fix.

 

[magic rat]

So the non-vvti is the wise choice. Thanks for the replies. I will start this project in August since I told my wife I am retired from home improvement after July, the other time sucker in my life.

 

[GrimJack]

Be an idea to post a rough budget and skill level as this will often be a deciding factor.

This... and goals. Are you looking for a dyno queen, rally car, dorifto madness, daily driver, or drag machine? There is a huge difference between the guy who is dropping a stock 2j - including twin turbos, harness, and ECU into his car, and the other end of the scale, someone who is using a 2j block, crank, and head, with aftermarket everything else.

 

[GrimJack]

If you want a fast, money eating supra take the turbo 2jz.

LOL - that depends on who you are and whether you do it right the first time. The maintenance on my 2j car is significantly less than my brand new Honda Minivan.

 

[mjsn1]

LOL - that depends on who you are and whether you do it right the first time.

Thats true. My fathers 2006 ford windstar brakes more then my supra, but with a turbo supra you just want to go faster and faster. And faster = more money to spend.

 

[GrimJack]

Trust me when I say the 'faster and faster' thoughts eventually top out. My car as it sits now is capable of going MUCH faster than I am willing to drive it.

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Hey Grim, is it just me or are the JZ series just reliable like that?

I mean, rebuild it, change all the sensors, slap a standalone with a good turbo kit on there and just drive and drive....I believe that way gives less problems that newer cars nowadays.

 

[GrimJack]

I've had the same luck with all the engines I've rebuilt - jz, m series, even my old 22r in my Celica. Once it's been rebuilt properly, it's good for many years to come, with the understanding that it gets the maintenance required.

 

[IJ.]

Hey Grim, is it just me or are the JZ series just reliable like that?

I mean, rebuild it, change all the sensors, slap a standalone with a good turbo kit on there and just drive and drive....I believe that way gives less problems that newer cars nowadays.

How would you know??

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Cheap shot Ian!

I am coming around to the standalone......

 

[D.J.T.]

How would you know??

All i know is that my old man rebuilt a 5MGE about 11 years ago & sold it to someone close to the family & it still runs till this day. With the exceptions of obvious things needing replacement like the fuel pump, couple sensors, etc. but the engine is still the same

 

[IJ.]

Cheap shot Ian!

I am coming around to the standalone......

The best kind Andy

 

[IBoughtASupra]

Now just to fly you up here to tune it.

 

[IJ.]

Now just to fly you down here to tune it.

That would be "up"