World's First Twin-Engine 350Z Meets 2JZ E-Type at SEMA

Nostalgia aside, it's still fun to watch the event from the comfort of my home. Many friends and acquaintances have posted constant updates about their SEMA projects for weeks, and more information is rolling out as we speak.

Earlier today, I was excited but somewhat puzzled about Nissan's Safari Rally Z Tribute presentation. Now I'm back to my drift roots with a preview from the Eneos booth.

Jaguar E-Type 2JZ

For over two decades, professional and amateur drifters have tried to find the perfect setup for intense, high-speed, ultra-competitive, and fun sideways action. Depending on who you shoot the question to, the recipe for success might have different "ingredients." But one thing's for sure: in today's drifting environment, you will need both power and reliability if you plan on winning any races.

For more than a decade, both the 2JZ and LS engines have proved effective in drift cars of any and every make or model. While the 2JZ isn't getting any younger, it will still eat up the competition with the right parts. So Faruk Kugay installed one of these power units in a 1969 Jaguar XKE 2+2. It's getting harder and harder these days to come up with an original project, but Faruk has been doing an excellent job at it for the past few years. He started with an S2000-powered E30 in 2021, then moved on to an STI-swapped 911 GT3 in 2022, and now this.

Sure, this isn't the first 2JZ Jaguar in the world, as someone had done it before in the United Kingdom, but it's still a fantastic vehicle to behold. As with any drift car, a lot of fabrication work and upgrades have transformed the E-Type, which means it should be able to go sideways effortlessly. I know how violent a Borg Warner EFR 8374 turbo is on an FD RX-7, so I can only imagine how potent the EFR 8474 is with the 2JZ engine. It will be running at 750 hp, all while using a BMW E60 subframe and an M3 E36 five-speed gearbox. I was surprised that Faruk didn't opt for a G-Force gearbox here, but there has to be a reasonable explanation for his choices. And if you think this car is crazy, wait until you see what's next.

Twin-Engined Nissan 350Z

I've seen a lot of insane cars during my career as an automotive journalist. There's even a 1,800 HP, twin-engine, 8-second Volkswagen Lupo in my hometown, which I saw several times. But I don't recall ever seeing a twin-engine setup on a drift car before. I don't know if someone can solve the weight and power distribution problem, which can be a critical step toward building a competitive machine. The owner of this twin-engine Nissan 350Z initially wanted to turn it into a drift car, but that's not likely feasible today.

You won't find a VQ setup in here. Instead, get ready for two of the most popular engines for power, reliability, and affordability today: the K24 series from Honda. Both are turbocharged, so that's eight cylinders and two turbos. Naysayers might say that a twin-turbo LS setup could have provided even better results, but what about the originality factor? The wild stance of this tube-chassis beast is just what you'd expect from a SEMA build or a Daikoku Futo meet-up. I hope the owner will summon the courage to take this thing out to Irwindale, Willow Springs, or any track and show the world if it can be genuinely fast or not.

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup

Diversity is critical when exhibiting at SEMA, as not everyone will appreciate a drift car or a stanced-out JDM icon. The exhibitors are well aware of that, so this 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup will be on display right next to the Honda-powered 350Z. This project was done in collaboration with RPM Off-Road Garage in Monrovia, and I can already imagine seeing a Hot Wheels replica of this vehicle. With a 1FZ-FE V8 setup under the hood, I suppose it's pretty fun to drive out in the open, even though it's not as extreme as any of its booth colleagues.

The Eneos booth will also feature an EK Sim Racer setup for any attendees willing to show off their digital skills, which further adds to the excitement. I am unsure which titles will be available for this rig, but I assume it will be Assetto Corsa, Gran Turismo 7, or the new WRC game. Like any company that spends vast sums of money sponsoring motorsports programs, Eneos athletes will also be onsite for autograph signing sessions.

That means you can meet up with Fredric Aasbo, Dai Yoshihara, Simen Olsen, Odi Backchis, Ben Hobson, and, of course, the man behind the 2JZ-powered E-Type, Faruk Kugai. If you want a fun tip from me, go ahead and ask Dai if he's still a big fan of Crème Brûlée. If he laughs, you're all good; if he gets mad, tell him I put you up to it.