JZ club: a collection of JZ-powered features

There’s no doubting that the JZ line of engines are extremely strong and reliable, so it’s no surprise that NZ Performance Car have had a fair few feature cars packing them under their bonnets. So we decided to collect a bunch of our JZ-powered vehicles from past features and give them another look in.

Phillip Hyunh’s JZX100

Phillip’s JZX100 is one of the most well known in New Zealand. It’s been featured online more times than we can count, and it also graced the pages of NZ Performance Car back in Issue No. 204. Why? Because it’s the perfect all-rounder, it packs over 300kW at the wheels, and it gets driven daily.

The factory-fitted 1JZ-GTE 2500cc straight-six turbo was completely rebuilt after it was diagnosed with worn valve stem seals. The rebuild retained the stock pistons, rod, and crank (well known for their exceptional strength), but now features Franklin Engineering piston rings, ARP undercut head studs, ACL Race bearings, ARP rod bolts, and flywheel bolts below. The head benefits from Brian Crower titanium valve springs and retainers, a Tomei exhaust cam gear, and Tomei Poncams — the latter of which are designed to help maximize the gains made by the bigger Tomei ARMS M8280 turbo. After a tune from Soichi at ST Hitec using an A’PEXi PowerFC L-Jetro ECU, the JZX100 was able to put out 306kW at the rear wheels on 20psi.

The Chaser came factory fitted with the highly desirable R154 five-speed manual gearbox and B01D Torsen limited-slip diff. Phillip has swapped the factory clutch and flywheel for an Xtreme heavy-duty single plate and D1 Racing 6kg billet flywheel.

The JZX100’s external modifications are fairly subtle, which of course is ideal for a daily driven street car. To enhance the factory Tourer V aero package, Phillip has added a carbon-fibre grille, Ganador carbon-fibre supermirrors, an Origin carbon-fibre ducktail spoiler, and Stylish Tuning Shop roof wing. The stock lights have also been replaced with LED facelift tail lights, 8000K HID driving bulbs, 8000K LED park lights, and fog lights.

1998 Toyota Chaser Tourer V (JZX100)

Engine

• Model: 1JZ-GTE VVTi 2500cc in-line six-cylinder
• Block: Acid-dipped and honed block, Franklin Engineering piston rings, ARP undercut head studs, ACL race bearings, ARP rod bolts, ARP flywheel bolts
• Head: Brian Crower titanium valve springs and retainers, Tomei Poncams, Tomei exhaust cam gear, Toyota steel head gasket
• Intake: Stylish Tuning Shop three-inch direct intake, Simota pod filter, 600x300x76mm Stylish Tuning Shop front-mount intercooler and piping
• Turbo: Tomei ARMS M8280, Tomei hardened actuator
• BOV: GReddy Type S
• Fuel: Walbro GSS342 255lph pump, Sard fuel rail, Denso 550cc injectors, Tomei fuel pressure regulator, braided fuel lines
• Ignition: NGK Laser Platinum PFR7A-11 plugs, NGK power leads
• Exhaust: Sinco Customs turbo elbow, three-inch [PRD8R] system, A’PEXi muffler, four-inch Stylish Tuning Shop loud pipe
• Cooling: Sard low-temperature thermostat, Buddy Club radiator cap
• ECU: A’PEXi PowerFC L-Jetro
• Other: Hardrace engine mounts, ceramic-coated manifolds, throttle body and heatshield, Cusco catch can

Driveline

• Gearbox: Toyota R154 five-speed manual
• Clutch: Xtreme heavy-duty single plate, D1 Racing 6kg billet flywheel Diff: B01D Torsen LSD
• Other: Stylish Tuning Shop solid rear diff mounts

Support

• Struts: BC BR-type coilover suspension
• Springs: (F) 12kg, (R) 8kg
• Other: Stylish Tuning Shop front-strut brace, Hardrace extended tie rods, Cusco camber upper arms, KTS front and rear swaybars
• Brakes: (F) Factory four-pot calipers, 296mm rotors, Znoelli pads, (R) factory four-pot calipers, factory rotors

Shoes

• Wheels: 18×9-inch +25 Cosmis Racing MR-7
• Tyres: (F) 225/40R18 Dunlop Sportmaxx, (R) 245/40R18 Dunlop Direzza

Exterior

• Paint: Resprayed factory black
• Enhancements: Tourer V aero package, Stylish Tuning Shop carbon-fibre grille, Ganador carbon-fibre supermirrors, Origin carbon-fibre ducktail spoiler, Stylish Tuning Shop roof wing, rolled front and rear guards, LED facelift tail lights, 8000K HID driving bulbs, 8000K LED park lights, and fog lights

Interior

• Seats: Recaro SR-III on super-low rails
• Steering wheel: 2002 Celica wheel
• Gear knob: Trust
• Instrumentation: A’PEXi EL Commander, 60mm boost, water temp and A/F gauges, Pivot tachometer
• ICE: Sony XAV701BT AV centre, Ultimate Digitalus DD1-1300S amplifier, Kicker S12L7 subwoofer
• Other: Carbon-fibre interior trim, Stylish Tuning Shop Kintuna and Tsuna Combo, Stylish Tuning Shop gear and handbrake boots, Junction Produce tissue box, Broadway wide-angle mirror, 8000K LED interior light conversion

Performance

• Power: 306kW (410hp) at the wheels at 20psi
• Weight: 1450kg

Aden’s 2JZ-GTE Altezza

Of course we had to feature something that didn’t come with a JZ from the factory, so let’s take a look at Aden Omnet’s 2JZ-GTE-powered Toyota Altezza that was featured in Issue No. 219 of NZ Performance Car. Aden’s Altezza runs a stock 2JZ-GTE engine and six-speed Getrag gearbox as they are known to handle whatever’s thrown their way — an essential quality for any drift or race car.

Extra power comes from a few simple, well-thought-out bolt-ons, which include a larger Garrett GT3582R turbo sitting on a custom steam-pipe manifold, a large GT-R–style intercooler to keep air temps down, and Sard 850cc injectors to supply the large amounts of fuel needed to help produce a tyre-shredding 465kW (623hp) at the wheels. Turbosmart components were chosen to take care of waste exhaust gases and charged air due to their sound reliability.

Aden’s engine set-up is the perfect example of just how easy the 2JZ engine is to get power from, with both the block and the head being completely factory. If Aden does choose to stick with the Altezza, he will end up going to a sequential gearbox and upgraded cams, along with a bunch of head work to help support a larger turbo. If this is the case, expect the Altezza’s power to exceed 550kW with ease, and its tyres to be destroyed at an even faster rate.

The turbosmart blow-off valve featured on Aden’s car is actually quite a trick bit of kit. When the intake charge is released, the unit lights up and illuminates the entire engine bay and undercarriage — something special for those much-loved night rounds of D1NZ.

As Aden is a tyre technician, sensible tyre and wheel fitment has been thought about to complement his suspension, aero, and engine package. Rota MXRs were chosen for their aggressive appearance, which suits the Altezza’s four-door lines. The rubber measures up at 18×9.5 inches up front and a much larger 18×11 inches on the rear, with both sizes filling the steel widebody guards that were built in-house. Aden runs a Falken semi-slick tyre up front and a combination of Sunny Street tyres and Westlake Sport RS tyres down the back, depending on how much speed and traction he requires at any given circuit.

1999 Toyota Altezza

Engine

• Block: Toyota 2JZ-GTE, 3000cc, six-cylinder
• Head: factory
• Intake: K&N filter, four-inch alloy intake-off turbo, custom 3.5-inch throttle body
• Turbo: Garrett GT35/85R
• Wastegate: Turbosmart 50mm
• BOV: Turbosmart 50mm
• Fuel: 60-litre fuel cell, Holley lift pump, four-litre surge tank, two Bosch 044 fuel pumps, Sard fuel-pressure regulator, Sard 850cc injectors
• Ignition: Microtech ignitor
• Exhaust: custom steam-pipe turbo manifold, 3.5-inch turbo-back system, two 2.5-inch Coby mufflers, two 2.5-inch stainless side-exit tips
• Cooling: GT-R–style 125mm-thick intercooler, alloy radiator, electric fans, water sprayer kit, oil cooler, power-steering cooler
• ECU: Haltech

Driveline

• Gearbox: Getrag V161 JZA80, six-speed
• Clutch: Exedy twin plate
• Flywheel: lightened flywheel
• Diff: JZA80 Torsen LSD
• Other: custom JZA80 driveshaft

Support

• Struts: custom Tein coilovers by Racelign, EDFC in-cabin damper-adjustment unit
• Springs: custom Tein by Racelign
• Other: Cusco strut-brace, Cusco rear sway bar, ARC front sway bar, custom suspension arms throughout, Keto steering systems knuckles
• Brakes: (F) D2 eight-pot calipers (R) d2 six-pot calipers, D2 hydraulic handbrake, Tilton line-locker

Shoes

• Wheels: (F) 18×9.5-inch (+17) Rota MXR (R) 18×11-inch (+8) Rota MXR
• Tyres: (F) 225/40R18 Falken RT615k semi-slicks (R) 265/35r18 Sunny Streets or Westlake Sport RS semi-slicks

Exterior

• Paint: Factory paint, vinyl wrap
• Enhancements: Factory TRD–optioned bodykit, custom steel widebody front and rear guards, carbon-fibre boot, carbon-fibre wing

Interior

• Seats: Racetech driver seat, Momo passenger seat
• Steering wheel: Momo
• Instrumentation: Water temp, boost, engine oil light

Performance:

• Power: 465kW (623hp) at the wheels
• 0-400m: 11.2 seconds

Stray bullet

“Mark McIntyre’s crazy-aero, 2JZ-packin’, time attack–specific Nissan Silvia came out of nowhere, and packs one hell of a punch”, was our cover line when Mark’s S14 was featured in Issue No. 224 of NZ Performance Car, because the build literally hit us out of nowhere. We were just strolling along at the 2015 V 4&Rotary Nationals North Island Jamboree when boom, there was Mark’s S14, just sitting there in the pits. It wasn’t your usual S14, as we soon found out after popping the bonnet. What punched us in the face was a 500kW at the wheels on 19psi of boost, 2JZ-GTE.

The 2JZ-GTE, originally purchased for a drag-car project, has been prepared and built by Ewen McMillan at Motivation Engines. The factory block and crank were retained, but improved upon with ACL race bearings, Wossner H-beam forged rods, and forged pistons. Ewen ported the head and installed Crow cams, Supertech valve gear, and 1mm oversized valves. To aid its reliability, a Nutter Racing four-stage dry-sump oil pump with braided lines was installed to keep oil pressure in check.

The exhaust side is a Sinco Customs unit, and the intake side was custom built. To give you an idea of the power goal Mark and the team had in mind when they embarked on this build, a huge Garrett T04Z turbo was installed with a 60mm TiAL external wastegate.

To supply enough fuel for the demanding conditions of circuit racing a custom fuel tank was installed in the boot, alongside an SX Performance 745kW fuel pump. Injector Dynamics ID1000 injectors were chosen to supply the 2JZ with the much-needed fuel to match the air forced into it by the T04Z turbo.

The car currently weighs in at around 1200kg with the 2JZ-GTE engine. Serious weight reduction hasn’t taken place yet, but will do in the future development of the car, along with a much more serious aero package. In its current state the Silvia managed an impressive 1:11.8 lap time around Manfeild Autocourse during its first outing. And it’s got plenty more pace left in it.

1994 Nissan Silvia S14

Engine

• Model: Toyota 2JZ-GTE, 3000cc, in-line six-cylinder
• Block: ACL race bearings, ARP rod and head bolts, Ross Racing damper, Wossner forged pistons, and H-beam rods
• Head: Crow cams, Supertech valve gear, oversized valves, custom porting and head work
• Intake: 3.5-inch intake pipe, Redline silicone joiners, 80mm throttle body, custom plenum, K&N pod filter
• Turbo: Garrett TO4Z
• Wastegate: TiAL 60mm V-band
• BOV: TiAL 40mm
• Fuel: JAZ 30-litre plastic fuel cell, SX Performance 745kW/1000hp fuel pump and fuel-pressure regulator, Aeroflow fittings, custom fuel rail, Injector Dynamics ID1000 injectors
• Ignition: Six NZEFI inductive coil packs, custom NZEFI coil mount, Bosch spark plug leads, NGK 8 V-Power spark plugs
• Exhaust: Sinco turbo manifold, three-inch turbo downpipe with V-band into muffler, 2.5-inch wastegate pipe into muffler, 3.5-inch out of muffler to driver-side side exit
• Cooling: 600x300x100mm Redline Performance bar and plate intercooler, Custom Heatex alloy radiator, Fluidline remote oil cooler and oil filter, 10-litre dry sump tank
• ECU: Vi-PEC i88
• Other: Full deloom and rewire by NZ Wiring, custom switch panel, Nutter Racing four-stage dry-sump oil pump with braided lines

Driveline

• Gearbox: Tremec TKO 600, Liberty face-plated gearset
• Clutch: Quartermaster triple plate, hydraulic release bearing
• Flywheel: MRP custom steel
• Diff: R32 GT-R, Nismo LSD
• Other: R32 GT-R axles and hubs, custom two-piece driveshaft

Support

• Struts: Tein adjustable coilovers
• Springs: Tein
• Brakes: Tilton floor-mounted pedal box with adjustable bias, Tilton inline rear brake bias (F) Eight-pot D2 calipers, 326mm two-piece rotors (R) Four-pot Wilwood calipers, factory R33 GTS25T rotors
• Other: (F) GKTECH lower control arms, caster arms, 40mm drop-down knuckles, K frame/caster rod bar; Whiteline sway bar, Whiteline strut brace (R) GKTECH traction, toe, and camber arms; Driftworks 40mm drop knuckles, Whiteline sway bar

Shoes

• Wheels: (F) 18×10-inch Rota GTR-D (R) 18×12-inch Rota GTR-D
• Tyres: (F) 250/640R18 Dunlop/Avon slicks (R) 300/650R18 Dunlop/Avon slicks

Exterior

• Paint: 2K white prepped and painted by Matt Gaskin at Rolrich Panel and Paint
• Enhancements: Custom Topstage carbon-fibre front bumper and undertray, carbon-fibre bonnet and boot, custom fibreglass front and rear guards, side skirts and doors, Plastics 4 Performance side and rear Lexan windows

Interior

• Seats: Sparco Circuit 2, Racetech five-point harness
• Steering wheel: Sparco
• Instrumentation: Auto Meter 2⅝ oil pressure, water temperature, fuel pressure, and boost gauges, air/fuel ratio gauge, Auto Meter five-inch tachometer with shift light
• Other: Lifeline on-board fire extinguisher system, 3.5kg hand-held fire extinguisher

Performance

• Power: 500kW (671hp) at the wheels on 19psi of boost with Avgas (745Nm)
• Circuit times: Manfeild 1:11.8

Maksimums boost

What do you do when you want to build something for one of the largest powercruise-style events in the world, Gatebil? Well, if you were in Norway, you’d most likely build an insane Audi Quattro, highly strung Volvo, or any weird mix of the above. The owner of this black Supra featured in Issue No. 203 of NZ Performance Car, Peter Bjorck, did just that.

Peter had owned and modified a string of Volvos until one day he decided to import his very own Supra from Japan after hearing about just how strong their internals were. And after converting it to left-hand drive, Peter set to work modifying its 2JZ-GTE.

Now producing 947kW (1270hp) at the rear wheels, the 2JZ-GTE is, of course, packing some serious and expensive equipment under the bonnet. Although the block and crank remain factory (impressive right?), the pistons are forged and oversized CP items, and the rods were purchased from Carillo. The head has been race prepped, and fitted with Crower 280-degree cams, Crower oversized valves, BC valve springs, BC titanium retainers, ARP head studs, a steel head gasket, and other such wizardry.

But what about the turbo set-up? Well, how does a single Garrett GT47-88 sound? It sits on top of a custom high-mount manifold, with exhaust gasses venting out a suitably sized 60mm HKS GT wastegate. Six Siemens 2340cc injectors sit closely to another six 660cc Siemens injectors. Chaos, yet all controlled by a clever little Vi-PEC V88 ECU.

Peter has handcrafted a bunch of carbon-fibre parts for the engine bay, including the large turbo-intake pipe, radiator cover, and spark plug cover. He has also handcrafted the adjustable timing gear and turbo manifold. Not bad for a guy who builds cars from his home basement.

For the street the RZ runs 18×10-inch and 18×12-inch Work Meister S1s, wrapped in Yokohama A048R 315/30R18 out back. But come track time a set of 17×4-inch Weld Drag wheels are bolted on up front with 15×10-inch Weld Alumstars with Mickey Thompson ET Drag 28×11.5R15 on the rear. Peter also adds a parachute to help with braking.

The Supra’s factory Getrag six-speed has, so far, stood up to the 947kW (1270hp) punishment — thanks in part to the hydraulic release bearing fitted with a flow valve that is controlled by an EMS. The flow valve slips the clutch a small amount before unleashing full engagement.

Photos: Paddy McGrath

1993 Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80)

Engine

Model: Toyota 2JZ-GTE 3.0-litre, six-cylinder
Block: Stock block, stock crank, custom oversized forged CP pistons, Carrillo rods, billet main caps, ARP studs, ACL bearings, modified oil pump, Fluidampr crank pulley, billet timing–belt tensioner
Head: Crower 280-degree cams, Crower oversized valves, BC valve springs, BC titanium retainers, MR2 cam followers, JB-Engine race-prepped head, ARP head studs, custom adjustable cam gears, steel head gasket
Intake: Carbon-fibre intake, custom intercooler with Blitz core, custom plenum, custom intercooler piping, 80mm throttle body, Volvo idle pump, K&N air filter
Exhaust: Four-inch stainless exhaust system, twin mufflers
Turbo: Garrett GT47-88, custom high-mount manifold
Wastegate: 60mm HKS GT
BOV: 75mm PPF
Fuel: Petrol set-up Bosch 044, AN6 lines, Fuelab pressure regulator, six Siemen 660cc injectors, separate alloy tank, BJP Race fuel rail, E85 set-up Fuelab Prodigy pump, AN10 lines, Weldon pressure reg, six Siemens 2340cc injectors, separate alloy tank, BJP Race fuel rail, boost pressure sensor to switch between systems
Ignition: EMS controlled M&W Pro-16b CDI, standard coils
ECU: Vi-PEC V88
Cooling: Alloy radiator, Setrab slim-line oil cooler, Meziere electric water pump
Extra: Carbon radiator panel, carbon head cover, AN fittings and braided line throughout

Drive

• Gearbox: Getrag V160 six-speed
• Clutch: Tilton triple plate, EMS-controlled clutch flow valve, hydraulic release bearing
• Flywheel: Tilton
• Diff: TRD LSD

Support

• Struts: Modified KSport drag coilovers shocks/springs
• Brakes: (F) JZA80 Euro-spec front discs (R) JZA80 JDM-spec rear discs, ARP wheel studs

Shoes

• Wheels: Street- (F) 18×10-inch Work Meister S1 (R) 18×12-inch Work Meister S, Drag- (F) Weld Alumastar 17×4.5-inch (R) Weld Draglite 15×10-inch
• Tyres: Street- (F) Yokohama A048R 265/35R18, (R) Yokohama A048R 315/30R18, Drag- (F) M&H Racemaster Front Runners, (R) Mickey Thompson ET Drag 28×11.5R15

Exterior

• Paint: Factory black
• Enhancements: Border front bumper, Bomex side skirts, removed wipers and aerial, 1998-spec headlights, Euro-spec bonnet, Simpson Parachute

Interior

• Seats: Sparco
• Steering wheel: Suede Sparco
• Instrumentation: Auto Meter boost, oil pressure and water temp gauges, TMS/Innovate wideband O2 sensor, exhaust temp sensor
• Extra: Custom roll cage, RCI six-point harness, carbon centre console

Performance

• Power: 947kW (1270hp) 1313Nm of torque at the rear wheels on 42psi