Top Ten 2JZ Engine Swap Tips

Your 2JZ engine swap will go much more smoothly when you learn about the engine. This can help you avoid making costly mistakes, such as having the wrong sump for your swap, motor mount placement, differences in transmissions and wiring harnesses.

Let's face it, the last thing you want is to bolt in your 2JZ engine and connect everything, only to find that you've got the wrong 2JZ sensor or the incorrect part. That will not only cost you time and money but it's also pretty embarassing as well. Learn how to complete your 2JZ engine swap easily through these quick bullet points.

• 2JZ engine sensors - From your 2JZ MAF sensor to your crank position sensor, find out what part numbers you need and where they go.
• Wiring - Figuring out how to wire up a 2JZ engine swap is the most vital part of your electronic swap. Find out how to wire up your 2JZ swap here.
• 2JZ Sump - Find out which oil pickup and sump system is right for your donor chassis. The 2JZGTE can come with one of three configurations, so make sure you get the right one.

Because most of the 2JZGTE engine swap cores come from JDM importers and overseas, you need to convert the JDM water pump assembly. Changing over to a USDM front half and rear half water pump assembly is easy to do, and will allow you to use USDM Toyota radiator hose part numbers straight from the factory.

You can of course get away with using the JDM model, but considering how hot the 2JZ runs you shouldn't risk it. Take a look at converting the 2JZ engine swap water pump here.

The one thing that makes the 2JZ engine swap so popular is that Toyota has never officially discontinued the 2JZGTE. That means you can walk right down to your local dealership to pick up parts. Just try that with a RB25 or JDM RB26 engine, and you'll see the Nissan parts manager look at you funny.

However USDM 2JZ engines are still very expensive, which is why you need to find out how to get the best price on a JDM engine set. Your 2JZ engine swap can be made easy because the engine set is found in the Japanese Aristo, Soarer as well as other vehicles.

You can of course also build a non-turbo 2JZGE, which is cheap and easy to work on. The 2JZGE non turbo inline six engine is found in the SC300, IS300, GS300 and other vehicles. It can handle upwards of 500 horsepower out of the box as well. Shop around at your local JDM importer to find the right deal for you.

The oil pump at the heart of your turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six is a vital part of your 2JZ engine swap. You should take the time to remove the oil pump and inspect that it's within specifications. Learn how to check your 2JZ oil pump here and if you find that this part is worn or tired, replace it right away.

Because of the heat and the age of your JDM engine swap, there's a small chance that your 2JZ crank bolt can be stuck. This common problem has a few different solutions, but hammering at the crank bolt is never one of them. Removing your stuck 2JZ crank bolt is easy to do however using this How To guide.

The 2JZ ECU comes in two different flavors. The USDM 2JZGTE ECU utilizes a MAF sensor, while the JDM version does not. There are pros and cons to either 2JZGTE ECU setup, and they are important to recognize from the get go. This can help you shop for your 2JZ engine swap parts in advance and keep ahead of the curve.

Although the USDM 2JZGTE ECU uses a MAF and can add more cost to your 2JZ engine swap, it can benefit you. There's a lot of gains to be had from the mass air flow setup found in the USDM Toyota Supra. Wiring up the mass air flow meter in your 2JZ engine swap is easy to do with the right guide.

The JDM 2JZ ECU will use just the MAP sensor or the manifold absolute pressure sensor to operate the engine. While this is easier to wire up, especially in a 240SX there's a few drawbacks to tuning from this simplistic approach. Make sure to choose wisely to avoid potential problems later on down the road.

Now is the time to start building a list of parts you will need for your 2JZGTE swap. Things like your engine mounts, wiring and other components will require some research. Not every 2JZ engine swap is the exact same, although in most cases wiring up your 2JZ engine swap is.

Swapping in a 2JZ into your 240SX or similar rear wheel drive vehicle like a S2000 or Miata, will largely vary when it comes to motor mounts. Everything else in our guide however will remain mostly the same.

Changing your timing belt, checking your sensors and going over the small details now goes a long way towards an awesome 2JZGTE engine swap.

Now that you have your engine out of your donor car, you can easily remove and check items and install things. A new water pump, timing belt, throttle body and checking your crank angle sensor is difficult once the engine is in your car. Take the time now and strike while the engine is on a stand and you've got complete access to the sensors and front engine assembly.

This precautionary measure is almost always a sure fire must do for any 2JZ engine swap. Don't leave your stock or donor car radiator in place and expect it to keep the 3.0 liter turbocharged 2JZGTE engine cool. Step up your game by installing an aftermarket 2JZ cooling radiator.

You can also avoid expensive cooling fans or shrouded units, and simply install a fan controller and universal fans. This keeps your costs down and your engine temps in check.

Long gone are the days where 2JZ engine swap candidates had to shell out for the expensive V60 six speed Getrag transmission. Other options are definitely more affordable and sometimes even more desirable.

Transmission choices like the R154 or the W55 are five speed transmissions that work great. If you want six speed transmission capability, try the CD009 from the Nissan 350Z. It's been tested to handle well over 1800 horsepower and it's at least half the cost of the six speed Supra transmission.

There are a few things you'll need, such as a CD009 transmission adapter, and a shortened shifter but the added modifications can make it all worth while.

Remove your engine that's in your donor chassis and prepare the chassis for your new 2JZ engine. There's several ways to go about it, but if you need a guide on how to remove a KA engine, you can find that here.

Once you have your stock engine removed, you can begin prepping the rest of your chassis. Things like preparing your rear end or picking the best 2JZ rear end for your swap, there's a lot of choices out there.