Sneak Peek at the 2JZ (Lexus Inline 6 Motor) I am Cramming into my Ex-Girlfriend's Engine Bay

Fantastic question, but no complete answer yet. Still far from done. But I will try to recall so far where we're at-

• Motor and transmission: 1,100.
• Driveshaft (Toyota uses this weird flared tube setup...needed a new tube for it to be shortened "the right way" but kept same ends and needed new u-joints: I think 280 or 3ish.
• Radiator: 180.
• Transmission cooler: 80.
• Fans: 160 I think?
• Fan controller: 80-100 I think? Have this cool bypass, override, or automatic switch setup inside too where the old cigarette lighter is. I'll show you all someday.
• Wire and connectors: about 200ish.
• 2003 IS300 Brake Booster: 80.
• 1997 Camry Master cylinder (disk front, drum rear): 20.
• HKS MAF holder: 125.
• MAF: 40.
• Intake tube: 20.
• A/C hoses and fittings (not yet hooked up): 100ish (don't remember).
• A/C hose crimper (which I shouldn't have bought, planned on using for power steering but didn't work): 125.
• Power steering and transmission lines (used air brake line, stainless fittings), fuel lines and fittings: 180 maybe 200.
• Fuel pressure regulator: 80.
• Metal for brackets, exhaust, radiator tubes, shifter linkage, etc: About 100ish.
• Welding in 100 degree weather with your girlfriend bringing you lots of and cold beer: priceless.

Then there is a lot of miscellaneous stuff. That I cannot even think of right now. All that is a general idea of what we paid for. A lot of this stuff we got used too. I don't have any desire to get anything new unless I have to.

Of course, there is a lot to do still. Definitely haven't lost interest in the truck. Just spending more time on the side trying to bring up a bit more cash. But definitely diving into the nitty gritty soon such as tidying up and finalizing wiring, hoses, etc. because the engine bay looks crazy sloppy right now.


@3rYODA, Susan and I are doing a trip up to Santa Maria in another month or two. We should meet up at 805 Brewery! Think that'd be a cool thing to do. And thanks, here is a full shot of my truck when clean! It drives like a lifted go kart. Everyone laughs when I do u-turns with such a tight turning radius and no sway bar. But every time I am with Susan I have to drive her truck because it's way cooler now haha! You don't even feel it running. Such an odd sensation until you step on the gas. It feels so wrong! It hasn't worn off yet!

 

No sway bar you say?!

Lol I'd like to feel that out before I try that on my truck lol that'd be fun to try it off roading,

I moved from Chatsworth to Santa Clarita, ever tried golden road brewing company ?

 

Looks like you're just touching $3,000, with misc things here and there and w/e else you need to finish would you say $4,000 is accurate? That seems pretty awesome. I've had a lot of free time lately and my head's been in "when I make it big" mode so I've been pondering some type of engine swap into a first gen quad cab and it's between the ever popular 2jzgte and the more obscured 5.3L LS engine, with a turbo ofc. Been gathering information lately and it's difficult to find solid numbers so I appreciate you compiling that list for me.

I've got about $3,000 into a turbo setup now. It's making decent power but not tons and I'm sure it's on the fringe of grenading. The only thing else I could do would be forged rods/pistons but they are like $2,300 and require some pretty extensive work. I'm starting to figure if I'm going to drop over 5 grand into a set up that will make maybe 450 whp and I'm having to pull the engine I may as well just drop another engine in there all together and spend another couple grand to make a clean 500-600 whp.

 

Honestly the LS swap is the best way to go I think, I've heard people getting 25 mph with there swaps to so I mean big engine no weight on it, I bet the engine lasts for ever to, never have a major load on it cause the truck itself is so light

 

Yeah I've read they get really good highway gas mileage which actually makes sense since they can push a little truck along at 80 mph at like 1.5k rpms and very little load like you mentioned.

I kind of agree with you. 2jz's are becoming rarer and rarer and consequently more expensive. There are a lot more documented swaps on them into tacomas though which is a really big advantage. I think at a 500 whp level the 5.3L is the better choice but I still have a lot to learn. Both are very appealing in their own right. Low end, wheel shredding, front end off the ground power or high speed, crazy rpm, turbo spooling mania.

 

I bet a supercharged LS swap would do anything you ask or ever need it to do

 

It is a neat sensation pulling into the driveway at an angle at speed without having your head whipped back and forth. I first had stock springs, 5100s, no sway bar. It weeble wobbled badly on the freeway. Once I got the Fox shocks, finally coupled them with a 600lb coil, and cranked it up, it feels so much better. I'd say it is a fantastic mall-running setup.

Yes! I have had their canned IPA, enjoyable. Never been to their brewery though. There is one in Glendale which is right up the street from where my girl works. Always talked about going there someday. Definitely down to go there!

 

10x better out of there brewery I whent there for lunch one day, was great

your talkin about the one by cine lease right?! I used to work there as a kid,

we should meet up there one day this week , the bartender drives a FJ and he's in love with Toyota trucks, last time I whent he paid for all my drinks all we did was talk about toyotas

 

And yeah the 5100's wouldn't like the no sway bar so much I'd imagine, but those are like riding on bricks still you where telling me right?

 

$4,000 sounds about right.

From the sound of it, you are into building up your own stuff exactly how you want it. I am the same way. But what are your thoughts on a built LS crate engine? Pay a lot up front and all is said and done for the most part, motor wise. Or would you pick up a used one from the junk yard and start modifying internals? The cool thing about crate engines is the reliability. They're mass produced (in a good way). Which is a fantastic perk to something that is driven often or out deep on the trail. What are your thoughts on that?

Regardless, you can definitely count me in for following your future build. Without a doubt it sounds like your current motor just isn't the right match for what you want out of it. Super awesome setup nonetheless!

 

It was the Fox shocks with the blue springs, which was BRUTAL! The springrate was something like 1,000 or 1,100 lbs from a Tundra. I got some dirt cheap 600 lb coils from iShock (over stock or something) which made it a million times better!!




Definitely have to give Golden Road a try then. Didn't know it was that much better! I'll get back to you on that and will shoot you a text. Have to ask Susan what her plans are for this weekend because I think we might have something going on but don't believe they're all day plans. I'll let you know!

 

In response to your sig text @Tyler Lacasse your girlfriend has smaller pistons, but more of them

 

Gosh darn it! You're totally right. Don't know how I didn't realize that. Told her about my current one and she laughed. I'll tell her you said that. She's gonna laugh AT me now

Gonna roll with no sig for now with my head down in shame hahah thank you for pointing that out

 

Haha, I had to actually pull out the calculator to make sure I wasn't on crack when I read the Sig. I promise not all of my posts are so pedantic.

 

I would tend to look for used just to maintain a modest budget. The build process holds as much, if not more value to me than the truck itself so really getting into that engine is something I look forward to. I've never done an engine swap before also so this would be more of a learning experience more than anything else and as such I'd try to keep costs as low as possible. Down the road I'd consider it more, once I'm more settled and knew I'd keep the truck for a while. I'm pretty fickle currently.

 

Ah I see. Is there a certain generation of LS motor you've had in your thoughts? From a quick search, 5.7l is between 1997 and 2005, is this correct? Let me know, because I kinda want to dig into this as well. Very curious!!

 

Pretty uninformed myself but from what I have gathered the 5.3L is the one you want. It comes in both iron and al block. The al is actually lighter than a 2jz and it is good till 500 hp. The iron block has been tested to like 1200. This is with forced induction.

I'm still not sure why this specific engine is recommended/popular but I think it's for a combination of its small physical size, availability and low cost.

I just swung over to CL and there was one sitting there staring me in the face. Iron block which is a over kill for my goals but I just might have to change my plans to incorporate a 1000 hp application.

 

Rims being painted today! Well....two of them. Will be finishing them off tomorrow with Satin clear coat. It's gunmetal with a hint of sparkle to it. I'll post some pictures when I am done. Just finishing up my coffee here.


Hope everyone has enjoying the holidays and staying safe out there!

 

Priming

 

Came out just as awesome as I was hoping they would!!! Still need clear coat but won't do that untill tomorrow. So stoked!