The 2 Cars That Had the 2JZ Engine in the USA (Plus Others Elsewhere) (2024)

We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Thanks for the support! 👍

2JZ is commonly used to define cars with 320 horsepower, a whole three-liter inline capacity, six engine capacities, and a torque power of 320-pound feet. These cars are also powered by turbochargers that make them even more efficient.

While you will find the 2JZ engine in several cars, Toyota happens to be the home base for the same. Several cars in North America have a similar capacity of 320 horsepower but even then, we’ve got plenty of room to tap in.

Over the next few sections of this article, we will discuss 2JZ engines in detail and learn which cars come featured with these engines.

So what vehicles in the USA had the 2JZ? Lets dig into that.

Table of Contents

  • 1. 1993-1998 Toyota Supra
  • 2. 1992 – 2000 Lexus SC300
  • What other vehicles had the 2JZ installed?
  • 2JZ motors
  • What’s the secret to the 2JZ engine’s power?
  • How much does a 2JZ cost?
  • What does 2JZ stand for?
  • Conclusion

1. 1993-1998 Toyota Supra

The 2 Cars That Had the 2JZ Engine in the USA (Plus Others Elsewhere) (1)

If you’re wondering whether the 2JZ engine was ever used in America, your conviction is correct. However, the only 2jz car sold in the states was for a mere five years between 1993 and 1998. The car was the iconic Supra Twin Turbo where T stands for induction through force.

The car had a 3.0L displacement and was capable of 320 hp at 5,600 rpm. The torque values for the same were 315 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The 100km/h mark was hit in 5.6 seconds which is pretty good for a car from the ’90s. Topping out at 155 mph, the car was really fast for its time.

2. 1992 – 2000 Lexus SC300

The 2 Cars That Had the 2JZ Engine in the USA (Plus Others Elsewhere) (2)

The Lexus SC300 was introduced in 1991 as a two-door coupé. It was powered by the non-turbocharged 2JZ-GE inline-six engine, which was also used in the Toyota Aristo/Lexus GS300. In 1992, the SC400 was introduced with a 4.0 L 1UZ-FE V8 engine. The SC300 and SC400 were equipped with rear-wheel drive and featured a 5-speed automatic transmission. In 1997, the second generation Lexus SC was introduced.

The SC300 was discontinued, while the SC400 received a new 3UZ-FE V8 engine. The second-generation SC continued to be offered with rear-wheel drive and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Lexus SC was discontinued in 2010.

What other vehicles had the 2JZ installed?

To understand the cars that feature this engine, we first need to understand which cars are large enough to accommodate them. Typically, you will find the 2jz engine in the following cars

  • Toyota Altezza
  • Lexus IS300
  • Toyota Aristo
  • Lexus GS300
  • Toyota Crown
  • Toyota Chaser
  • Toyota Cresta
  • Toyota Mark
  • Toyota Progres
  • Lexus SC300

If you’re wondering where the engine was first used, your answer is in the list. The engine was first featured in Toyota Aristo. However, it wasn’t as staggeringly successful as people hoped for and was therefore discontinued after a while.

Post-2005, Toyota was branding the same Aristo as Lexus GS. Next, we have the GTE which is created on the GE block of the 2JZ engine. It features multiple sequential turbos. This is interestingly different from the parallel 1JZ feature that you would find in the GTE turbo. The configuration is 270bhp and to date, it is common as a sports car.

2JZ motors

If you are wondering what cars come backed with the 2JZ motor, then Toyota tops the charts. The most popular options here would be the AS300 series from Altezza and the IS300 series from Lexus.

Aristo is popularly marketed as the sister variant of Lexus GS300. These cars also feature a unit dedicated to real wheel capacity. As you already know from the previous section, other cars with this engine include Mark, Cresta, and the Chase series.

What’s the secret to the 2JZ engine’s power?

Now that you know which cars feature a 2JZ engine, you probably want to know why these cars are so incredibly powerful. One of the defining reasons behind this is the solid head gaskets that Toyota has installed along with their iconic closed block system.

To add to that, the car doesn’t come with additional water lining cylinders which further adds to its robustness and durability. This is also the reason why turners make take in the majority power further making way for a smooth ride.

  • Top 6 Reasons Why SUVs Have Small Engines
  • V12 Engine Cars: Here are the 17 vehicles that have them

How much does a 2JZ cost?

A 2JZ engine is a high-performance machine that can provide a significant boost to any vehicle. While the exact cost of this type of engine will depend on a number of factors, such as its age, condition, and previous usage, an average price for a used 2JZ might be around $800-$2000.

Of course, buyers should carefully inspect any potential purchase to ensure that it is in good working order and will be able to meet their performance needs. Ultimately, the cost of a high-quality 2JZ engine is well worth the investment if you want to experience the speed and power of this popular motorsports icon.

What does 2JZ stand for?

When it comes to 2JZ, the two stand for the engine generation (previous generation was called the 1JZ), and the “JZ” just refers to the family of engine the is again refers to the type of engine. The most common version of this engine is the 2JZ-GTE, and the G refers to the valve geometry with a wide-angle. Other parameters like T refer to induction over force and E refers to injecting fuel electronically.

Conclusion

Now that you know what 2JZ engines are and which cars feature them, shortlist them already and get them right away! You will find plenty of Toyota cars with this capacity though you can always explore other brands and see how they fare.

Do keep in mind that the 2JZ engine requires maintenance, but it lasts quite long. So you can always rest assured that your investment will continue to offer value for some time!​

The 2JZ engine is one of the most popular and powerful engines on the market today. Known for its high power output, durability, and reliability, this engine can be found in a wide range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles back in the 90s.

The 2 Cars That Had the 2JZ Engine in the USA (Plus Others Elsewhere) (2024)

FAQs

The 2 Cars That Had the 2JZ Engine in the USA (Plus Others Elsewhere)? ›

Toyota Soarer / Lexus SC 300

What cars can you fit a 2JZ in? ›

Along with the famous – and now very expensive MKIV Supra – Toyota also put the 2JZ engine in the Lexus SC300, IS300, and GS300 so you can look there. Keep in mind, the new Supra, which we review here, has a *gasp* BMW engine!

What Lexus has the 2JZ? ›

Lexus SC 300

The Lexus SC was a two-door coupe that competed with the Supra in the U.S. market during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its first-generation setup included a 2JZ turbocharged engine with 225 horsepower, giving it a slight edge over the Supra. The SC proved to be less popular than the Supra.

Why is the 2JZ so famous? ›

2JZ engines are popular because they're sturdy and powerful, easy to modify, and widely available. Despite its popularity, the 2JZ engine comes with its fair share of issues, such as the crankshaft pulley wearing over time, bad vacuum switching valve (VSV) actuators, and a faulty timing belt tensioner bracket.

What cars came with a 1JZ in the US? ›

Cars powered by the 1JZ GTE include the Toyota Chaser / Cressida (JZX81, JZX90, JZX100, JZX110), Toyota Soarer (JZZ30), Toyota Supra Mk III (JZA70, but only in Australia and Japan), Toyota Verossa, Toyota Crown (JZS170), Toyota Mark II.

Is the 2JZ from BMW? ›

The 2JZ engine is a legendary inline-six engine family produced by Toyota Motor Corporation from 1990 to 2002.

How much HP does a 2JZ make? ›

This new auto featured two engines: the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE with a power output of 220 hp (164 kW) and 210 lb-ft (285 Nm) of torque, and the twin-turbocharged version 2JZ-GTE, which had 267 hp (206 kW) and 318 lb-ft (431 Nm) of torque.

What's better, 1JZ or 2JZ? ›

“The reason most people think that the 2JZ is stronger is because it can hold up to higher power levels. But, they fail to account for the extra displacement. A general rule of thumb is that the 1JZ stock bottom end is good for about 650-700 horsepower, and the stock 2JZ bottom end is good for about 800 horsepower.

Is the 2JZ and 2JZ-GTE the same engine? ›

The 2JZ was a 3.0L inline-6 engine that came from factory either twin-turbocharged or naturally aspirated (NA). The NA model of the 2JZ engine was coded by Toyota as “2JZ-GE” whereas the turbocharged model was coded “2JZ-GTE”.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6756

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.