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How To Get More Power Out of a 2JZ-GTE Stock Supra Engine – BPU

Toyota installed the 2JZ-GTE on the Supra's fourth generation. This inline-six powerplant is known for being overengineered and perfectly capable of producing way more power with stock internals. So, if you want to forget about the factory-rated 280 ponies, you can go for a light upgrade.
Upgrade your 2JZ-GTE 10 photos
Photo: kev_ro on BaT
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If you want to exceed the 1000 PS mark, your spending will go through the roof. So, unless you don't want to spend your days fixing the engine, you can upgrade it for something less than that. And by "less," we don't mean 285 PS, but somewhere around 350 ponies, which could be more than enough to keep the car on the same pace as newer sports cars, especially since the Supra MKIV wasn't heavy.

Many aftermarket parts can raise the power to that level based on the same engine's internals (piston, rods, crankshaft, and bearings). If you want to get more than 600 hp or more, you might want to go for a serious, single-turbo, upgrade. Otherwise, just stick to the stock parts that are already mounted on your car.

The advantage of the bi-turbo unit developed by Toyota, especially for the 2ZJ-GTE, was that it almost canceled the turbo lag. One of the turbochargers was smaller and produced the boost on lower rpm, while the bigger one joined the game later. Unfortunately, the second one's main shaft was not that reliable, and some people had to replace the entire assembly. So, before doing the upgrade, check both of them for wear and tear.

This light approach to improving the engine might be called a Basic Performance Upgrade (BPU for short), which includes a revised intake manifold, headers, exhaust, downpipes, and boost controllers. Pay attention, though; the whole system will work only after all the parts are replaced with the upgraded ones.

Upgrade your 2JZ\-GTE
Photo: Abev on BaT
To get more air into the engine, you'll need a conical air filter. Just make sure that it won't suck warm air from under the hood since that will result in a lower output. So, a cold-air intake is highly recommended, but you need to figure out from where that engine will get air.

Placing the intake on the lower side of the bumper might work, but you have to make sure that you'll never cross your path with a pond, or water will get inside the engine, which will ruin it for good. Also, worth noting that Toyota made the airbox and the air filter big enough to feed two turbochargers, so even the stock version will work.

Now comes the actual turbos. These are the main components that will give you more power by feeding more air into the cylinders. The stock ones are making 11 psi (0.76 bar). If you have a JDM engine, these (also found in all Australian 2ZJ-GTE engines) are ceramic and can safely handle about 19 psi (1.3 bar), but if you got the US version, the steel blades can support up to 20.3 psi (1.4 bar). A 19 psi boost is known to make the engine develop around 350 hp, so this should be both safe and sufficient for this setup. In addition, you can keep the original transmission.

First, you need to help turbochargers spin faster, and for that, you'll have to improve the exhaust. While some are removing the catalytic converters (there are two), others are going for performance parts, which is actually a good solution. Running on the streets without these systems that help to lower pollution might not be a smart idea since it's illegal almost everywhere. If you intend to use the vehicle just on race tracks, then it's fine. Also worth mentioning is that new aftermarket parts, built with nowadays technologies, are working far better than those originally installed in the car.

Upgrade your 2JZ\-GTE
Photo: Kev_ro on BaT
Improving the exhaust alone can make turbochargers build up more than 17.4 psi (1.2 bar) of boost, which is still safe even for ceramic ones that are considered safe on up to 19 psi. Running on 18 psi pressure will get you to around 350 hp. You can install a ported 2.5" Y-pipe, the piece before the catalytic converters in place, but install a 3" downpipe. Thus, you'll have enough boost, while keeping the engine in safe parameters.

Now that the possibility for more boost has been created, you have to make them reach a 1.2 bar value. The stock ECU will start cutting off fuel if the pressure reaches 14.5 psi (1 bar) for more than 3 seconds. This means that there will be less powerful bangs in the cylinders, less pressure built in the exhaust, and therefore less turbo rpm and no extra boost. To trick the ECU you are running below 14.5 psi all the time, you need a Fuel Cut Defender (FCD) to bypass the protection.

Now that you have more compressed air, it means that it will be hotter, so you can use an aftermarket intercooler, especially if the stock one is not in great shape. You may also consider a Walbro 255 lph fuel pump if you have the JDM Supra.

Spark plugs with a closer gap are also important, so look for Denso Iridium IK22 or NGK BCPR7ES with a gapping of around 0.8 mm. You may also want to install fresh ignition coils. It would be embarrassing to have misfires due to the old ones.

Upgrade your 2JZ\-GTE
Photo: Kev_ro on BaT
Other than this, get yourself a boost gauge, so you will know what's happening all the time with your turbos, make sure the drivetrain is OK, put on a sportier suspension, and really DON'T forget about upgrading the brakes. With more power, you will definitely need better brakes to be safe. Depending if you want to race it on track or use on the street, you will need slotted or drilled rotors.

We strongly advise you take the finished build to a dyno and ask a specialist to see if everything is working all right before having fun. Also, wear your seatbelt, stick to the speed limits, and only push it around on the track, where you should also wear a helmet.
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