What Lexus Has A 2JZ – Everything You Need To Know!

by Conner Mckay

Have you ever wondered what Lexus has a 2JZ engine? If that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic and we are going to cover everything when it comes to the Lexus models equipped with the legendary 2JZ.

Doing the proper research before you decide on buying a car is a smart move on your side. Nowadays we have a ton of unreliable engines that are very problematic. It is not like back in the good old days when we had the 2JZ and similar engines in this class that were really durable and could withstand a lot of mileage with no issues whatsoever.

And not only mileage but these engines are also really built like tank engines. They can also handle a ton of horsepower as well. So, tuning one might be an excellent idea for you to create a true Lexus sleeper that will smoke any Mustang or Camaro in a straight line. And we are going to help you out by listing all the Lexus models that have a 2JZ.

First, we are going to learn what is the 2JZ and why it is so good. Then we are going to cover the 2JZ engine specs and learn more about them. Including displacement, horsepower, and more. After that, we are going to learn the pros and cons of a 2JZ engine as a daily driver, and then we will see what Lexus has a 2JZ. So, if you want to learn more about the 2JZ, follow along till the end.

2JZ Engine

Now before we dive into the 2JZ engine specs and what Lexus has a 2JZ. Let’s take a look at what is a 2JZ engine in general. Knowing this stuff will be really useful for the people who are not into cars and want to learn more about them. So, if you came here prepared, you can jump right to the chapters where we discuss what Lexus has a 2JZ. If not, keep up with us for a bit.

Nevertheless, the JZ engines are a series of engines that were introduced by Toyota in 1990. These were inline-6 engines with 2.5L and 3.0L in displacement.

The smaller was the 1JZ engine. This engine was the 2.5L engine. While the bigger one was the 2JZ engine which was 3.0L in displacement.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ

Vitaly’s 2JZ Nissan S13.4 240sx” by Charles Siritho is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 .

Both of them were very similar. The main differences were in the displacement and this is why a lot of people compare the 1JZ vs 2JZ. But this comparison is pretty much in vain because the bigger engine always has an advantage. As they would say, there is no replacement for displacement.

What is important though is that these engines were produced till 2007 when they were discontinued because they didn’t meet emissions standards. But what is good is that these engines were included in a lot of vehicles. And I mean really a lot of cars. Not only the Supra.

They were also included in other Toyota and Lexus models as well. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? Well, more on that, we are going to cover a bit later after we learn why the 2JZ is so good and after that, we will talk a little bit about the specs of the 2JZ.

Why Is The 2JZ So Popular

Now before we learn what Lexus has a 2JZ, let’s take a look at why the 2JZ is so good of an engine. As you probably know, the world is going crazy about these engines and they feature in crazy builds. Why is this the case? And, why is it that we’re seeing folks swap 2JZs into everything?

Well, we can say that the internet has a big effect when it comes to these things. People always want to see something crazy and content creators for sure will deliver.

Having seen loads of stuff on YouTube, I have seen crazy things when it comes to cars. And content creators always want to push to the absolute limit to get a ton of views. So, don’t be surprised if you see some crazy builds when it comes to this engine.

But still, why do people opt for the 2JZ and not for the 1JZ or any other engine to do these builds? Well, there are two reasons behind this decision to go after a 2JZ.

The first reason is that these engines are really tunable. They can be pushed beyond the limits. They create a crazy amount of power and I mean a lot of power. These engines can make more than 1,000hp without breaking a sweat. With the right mods of course. With a stock engine, you couldn’t do much.

The second thing why these engines are highly demanded by tuners is that they are known as the Supra engines. And as we all know, the Supra is a true legend in the car community. So, everybody is aware of the 2JZ since this car is running it. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? More on that in a bit.

2JZ Engine Specs

Now since we covered what is the 2JZ engine and why this engine is such a legend. We can now focus more on the specs that this engine has.

As you probably know, each engine has different specs and they are really useful to know when it comes to purchasing a car with this specific engine.

Since you need to be aware of how many ponies this engine produces and whether or not it will fit the bill when it comes to the demands that you have. Even though you are probably going to tune it and try to make a ton more horsepower. Still, the stock numbers are really useful to know. So, let’s get into it and learn more about this engine’s specs.

2JZ Displacement

Now let’s discuss more about the specs of the 2JZ before we dive into what Lexus has a 2JZ engine. What is worth noting about the 2JZ is that this is an engine that has a displacement of 3.0L. More precisely 2997cc.

The block is made out of cast iron. This means that the engine is really durable and can withstand a lot. There are a ton of engines that have great designs but do not last a lot because the block is made out of aluminum. And as we all know, aluminum is a fragile metal that can get damaged if you expose it to too much stress.

Nevertheless, the block has a cylinder bore of 3.39 inches and a stroke of 3.39 inches. Nothing crazy but enough to make a crazy amount of power. The compression ratio is also quite modest, only 10.0:1 on the version without variable valve timing and 10.5:1 on variable valve timing. The 2JZ-GTE has a compression ratio of 8.5:1.

Overall, the 2JZ has a perfect displacement when it comes to creating a lot of power, and also a lot of torque. The engine block as we mentioned, is really durable and can withstand almost anything without reinforcing it or performing any machining process on it. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? More on that we are going to cover in a bit after we learn how much horsepower this engine produces.

2JZ Horsepower

Now let’s discuss another topic and that is the power numbers that this engine produces. This will be really useful to know when it comes to this engine and learning what Lexus has a 2JZ.

This engine produces a different amount of power depending on the application. There is a 2JZ twin turbo and a 2JZ naturally aspirated version. The turbocharged version understandably creates a lot more power than the naturally aspirated version. But how much? Let’s elaborate.

The naturally aspirated version of the 2JZ has a modest output between 212 and 227hp depending on the version of the engine. Also, the torque varies from 209 to 220lb-ft. Mainly because there were engine changes throughout the years and there were slight improvements in the injection system that brought a bit more horsepower and torque to the table. So, if you want more power, go for a later version of this engine.

On the other hand, the turbocharged version of the 2JZ is a completely different story. This engine is quite more powerful. Mainly because of the twin-turbo system that it implements.

As you probably know, turbocharging is basically forced induction. With the help of a small turbine, you force more air through the engine and more air inside means more power will be created. This is why the bigger the turbo, the more power you can squeeze from these engines.

The stock version of the 2JZ, even though it is turbocharged. It only makes a modest amount of power. Mainly because the turbos are really small. This engine outputs 320hp and 325lb-ft of torque. Which was enough to accelerate the Supra from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? More on that we will cover in a bit.

2JZ GE vs GTE

Another topic that we would like to cover before we start discussing what Lexus has a 2JZ is the difference between 2JZ GE vs GTE.

These terms confuse a lot of people who are not into cars and want to learn more about the 2JZ engine. So, we need to elaborate on them and help you understand better how these two engines work.

What is worth noting about these two engines is that people think, hey it is the same engine but with turbos. This is a statement that is somewhat correct but not fully.

When it comes to these engines there are a number of differences. The core of the engine, which is the block is practically the same in both of these versions.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ

2JZ-GTE tuned engine” by ducktail964 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 .

But there are differences. For example, there are differences in the engine heads. The turbo version of the 2JZ has bigger intake ports that allow a greater flow of air into the intake. In addition to this, there are also differences in the exhaust ports as well.

Another great difference between the two engines is the piston tops. The GTE has pistons designed for performance and also implements stronger piston rings that are a lot thicker in comparison to the GE.

The last difference is that the GTE has piston oil squirters which cool off the engine cylinders and manage the temperature in the pistons. Since the pistons are probably one of the hottest components in an engine.

But can you convert a GE into GTE? The answer to this question is yes. You can convert a standard non-turbo engine into a turbocharged engine. But you will have to change the engine head, pistons, and rings in the process. But what Lexus has 2JZ? More on in a bit.

Pros And Cons Of A 2JZ-GTE

Now let’s discuss another interesting topic before we dive into what Lexus has a 2JZ. And that are the pros and cons of the 2JZ engine.

Everything has its pros and cons and so does the 2JZ engine. Luckily, this engine is really reliable and durable. But still, there are some things that you need to be worried about when it comes to getting one for a future build. So, what are the positives and negatives when it comes to the 2JZ? Let’s elaborate on them in the following two chapters.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ, Considerations #1: 2JZ Pros

Now let’s first cover the pros before we start diving into what Lexus has as a 2JZ engine. So, what are the pros of running this engine on your future build?

Well, there are plenty of them but we are going to cover the biggest pros. Namely, the biggest pro of this engine is the block design. As we mentioned, this engine is running a cast iron block that is really durable. And also, it is very tightly packaged, allowing it to be mounted on almost any vehicle out there.

This durability of the block allows the engine to be pushed well above 2,000hp in some cases. Even though 1,200hp when it comes to an engine like this is the sweet spot. The engine even at these horsepower numbers is extremely reliable and this is why a ton of dragsters who are racing their Supras are using the 2JZ engine.

Also, this engine implements a forged crankshaft. Another strong point of this engine. This forged crankshaft is another benefit of running an engine like this since you don’t have to get an aftermarket forged crankshaft to produce a ton of power.

In addition to this, other components like the timing belt, cooling system, and oil pump are able to be pushed well over 1,000hp. You just get a 2JZ GTE and you slam a big turbo and this engine will push 600hp to 1,000hp with no major modifications.

The factory under piston oil squirters will cool off the engine when pushed hard and you will not have much trouble squeezing a ton of power from it. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? More on that we are going to cover in a bit after we cover the cons of having a 2JZ.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ, Considerations #2: 2JZ Cons

Now let’s cover the cons of running a 2JZ GTE. Are there any cons with this engine at all? Well, there are a few of them that are worth mentioning.

The biggest con probably is the poor-flowing factory cylinder head. Even though this cylinder head is tuned for performance, it is not tuned for 2,000hp. So, for you to reach this number, you will need to get an upgraded aftermarket head.

And on top of that, you will also need to get upgraded components for basically everything on the engine.

From the other problems that this engine has. We can mention the oil pump seal and the crank pulley that can fail when the engine is pushed really hard. Also, the timing belt tensioner bracket can fail as well.

The factory turbo system is also somewhat problematic and can cause issues when the engine has too many miles. So, when it comes to tuning one of these engines, it is rather good to upgrade everything on the car if you want to push it to the limit and squeeze a ton of power. But what Lexus has a 2JZ engine? More on that we are going to cover in a bit. After we learn more about the 2JZ GE to GTE conversion.

2JZ GE To GTE Conversion

Since if you want what Lexus has a 2JZ, you probably want to do a GE to GTE conversion. Mainly because the GTE engine was not included in Lexus models.

As you probably know, the blocks for both these engines are pretty much the same. So, you will not have a major issue to turbocharge a GE engine. What is bad though is that this GE engine is lacking oil squirters which can be rather crucial when it comes to keeping the engine cool on extremely high loads.

But to make this operation successful, you will have to upgrade everything. You will need new pistons, a new cylinder head, a turbocharger, a new exhaust manifold, a big intercooler, and a ton of other small bits and pieces.

It can get rather expensive to upgrade a GE into GTE but is it worth it? Well, if this is your passion, then it’s definitely worth it. But if you want to save some money, we would recommend you to go for the GTE version of the engine. But what Lexus has a 2JZ? More on that we are going to cover next.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ

Now let’s learn what Lexus has a 2JZ. Which of the models that Lexus is producing came with this engine? Before we cover that, it is worth mentioning that these vehicles that Lexus produced only came with the 2JZ GE engine. This means that only the naturally aspirated versions came on Lexus cars. And if you want a turbo, you will have to do a conversion.

Nevertheless, the models that were equipped with the 2JZ GE were the Lexus IS300. The IS 300 is a small 4-door sedan.

This engine also was included in the Lexus GS 300 a bigger 4-door sedan. And the engine was also included with the Lexus SC 300. The SC 300 is basically a Supra body with the 2JZ engine.

And what is worth noting is that these vehicles can be found for a rather good deal. Even though they are popular for scavenging. People just buy them for their engines and then take them to the junkyard to be crushed.

If you plan this, you can do it. But when you add up the costs of converting this engine into a 2JZ GTE, you better get the engine alone that is already upgraded.

Facts: First-generation Lexus IS300

  • The first-generation Lexus IS300 was created to rival BMW’s 3-Series and was released after the LS400, showing Toyota’s seriousness in competing with luxury German brands.
  • The Lexus IS300 was initially sold as the Toyota Altezza in Japan in 1998 and was introduced to the US in 2001 with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (IS200) and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (IS300).
  • The Lexus IS300’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, also known as the 2JZ-GE, was the same engine found in the Toyota Supra, with a slightly different configuration and no turbos, producing 215 hp and 218 lb-ft of torque.
  • The Lexus IS300 was rear-wheel drive, and a 5-speed manual transmission and a wagon (SportCross) were added in 2002, though the SportCross was only automatic.
  • TRD-tuned Lexus IS300 L-Tuned models were available in two stages, with the latter offering a body kit, fog lamps, a stainless-steel exhaust, new springs, larger anti-roll bars, cast-aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, and a limited-slip rear differential.
  • The Lexus IS300’s chief engineer, Nobuaki Katayama, who also designed the AE86 Corolla, World Rally Championship and Le Mans race cars, helped develop the vehicle, which was reported to have “outstanding” handling and steering feel.
  • The Lexus IS300 has a 0-60 acceleration time of approximately 6.6 seconds, slower than the BMW 330i and 330i ZHP, but it is lighter and has better reliability than the E46 3-Series.
  • Common issues with the 2001-2005 Lexus IS300 include a melting dashboard that many other contemporary Lexus and Toyota models suffered, and damage caused by inattentive driving.
  • The 2JZ engine and RWD drivetrain of the Lexus IS300 made it a popular choice for modifications, making it difficult to find stock models. Clean stock models can be valued at almost $16,000 on Bring a Trailer, with the average cost being closer to $11,000, while SportCross models are typically sold for $14,000-$16,000.
  • The 2JZ engine is overbuilt, and with proper tuning, owners can theoretically triple the IS300’s output without issue.

Lexus Has A 2JZ: In Conclusion…

In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the 2JZ engine. First, we learned what this engine is and why it is so popular when it comes to tuning and racing.

Then we covered the pros and cons of this engine and also learned more about the GE to GTE conversion. Lastly, we learned what Lexus has a 2JZ.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ

2JZ in New Body IS” by existentialism is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 .

What Lexus Has A 2JZ: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

What Is A 2JZ

The 2JZ is an engine manufactured by Toyota between 1990 and 2007. This is an inline-6 engine with 3.0L in displacement. This engine came with a lot of Toyota and Lexus cars including the famous Supra.

How Many Cylinders Does A 2JZ Have

The 2JZ has 6 cylinders with 3.0L of displacement. There are two versions of this engine, a naturally aspirated version, and a turbocharged version.

How Many Liters Is A 2JZ

This engine has 3.0L in displacement with a total of 6 cylinders. There are two versions of the 2JZ, a naturally aspirated version, and a turbocharged version.

Why Is The 2JZ So Good

This engine is very good because it has a ton of tuning potential. The block and the crankshaft are extremely strong. And this allows this engine to produce up to 2,000hp.

What Lexus Has A 2JZ

There are three models that have the 2JZ in the Lexus lineup. Namely, the IS 300, GS 300, and the SC 300.

How Much Is A 2JZ Engine

These engines are expensive. Even the stock ones. So finding one for less than $5,000 can be a challenge. Most of the turbocharged versions cost up to $15,000 only if you could find one.

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