5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

JZ-power is normally associated with the JDM royalty that is the Toyota Supra. Thankfully, other cars from the Japanese manufacturer managed to acquire the same engines, so here are some lesser-known culprits...
5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

The JZ-series from Toyota was a group of straight-six engines built to add a sprinkling of performance to the company’s 90s and ‘00s road cars. The 1JZ came first, featuring 24 valves and 2.5-litres of displacement followed by the 2JZ which had its stroke increased, amounting to 3.0-litres. The predecessor to those engines is the 7MGTE which is known for having various cylinder head issues, but the JZ series was built much stronger, making it perfect for some serious tuning.

With the A80 Supra being the poster boy for JZ-powered Toyotas, let’s take a look at the hidden gems that also happened to use JZ-powertrains. There are some seriously tempting potential sleepers out there…

Toyota Verossa VR25

5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

The successor to the Toyota Chaser, the Verossa used two iterations of the 1JZ (FSE or GTE) depending on the trim level. At top of the range was the VR25 which uses the GTE in single turbo form, making 276bhp and 278lb ft of torque. It sends its power rewards via either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission along with a limited-slip differential.

Toyota Aristo

5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

The renowned 2JZ-GTE engine actually debuted in the Aristo which was dropped and sold only as the Lexus GS after 2005. Using the basic block of the 2JZ-GE, the GTE uses sequential turbos in comparison to the 1JZ-GTE’s parallel setup. The Aristo features the engine in a 270bhp form and is fondly known as the ‘Gentleman’s Supra’.

The Aristo/GS would keep JZ powertrains up until its third generation when it switched from I6 to V6 engines, with the 3UZ V8 carried over.

Lexus SC300

5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

The smaller-engined cousin of the V8-powered SC400, the first generation of Lexus SC features a sleek design with its elongated bonnet and low roofline. Introduced in 1992, the SC300 uses the 3.0-litre NA 2JZ-GE engine but was given a slight tune to around 245bhp, five more than the equivalent engine in the Supra of the time.

The introduction of VVT-i in 1997 further improved the powertrain and led to the SC300 achieving a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds in the manual variant. Built to take on the Mercedes SL and Acura Legend in the North American marketplace, this two-door coupe could be a solid secondhand purchase for someone wishing to gain an entry into JZ life.

Toyota Mark II Blit

5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

The ninth generation of the Mark II can be found in this quirky wagon form, utilising the famous Toyota combination of straight-six and rear-wheel drive. The Blit can be found with JZ engines across its range starting with the 2.5-litre iR-S (1JZ-FSE) up to the iR-V (1JZ-GTE). The latter is the range-topper which uses a single CT15B turbo to produce the elusive JDM power output of 276bhp, very much keeping to that old gentleman’s agreement.

Being the rear-wheel drive replacement to the Mark II Qualis wagon, the Blit was produced from 2002-2007 when it was itself replaced by the Mark X Zio minivan which used inline-four and V6 powertrains.

Toyota Crown

5 Lesser-Known Toyota JZ-Engined Heroes

One of Toyota’s most popular saloons, the Crown has been a hit since 1955. But it was in its ninth generation that it managed to acquire a legendary JZ powerplant. Using both 1JZ and 2JZ variants depending on the age and trim level, the Crown featured these straight sixes from 1991-2003, mating them to either four or five-speed transmissions.

The greatest JZ-powered Crown is said to be the Athlete wagon that used the naturally-aspirated 2JZ-GE featuring the VVT-i shared with the almighty A80 Supra. On the other hand, arguments can be made for the Athlete V sedan that uses a parallel-turbocharged 1JZ-GTE along with a side-mount or front mount air-to-air intercooler.

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Apart from the Supras, which JZ-powered car does it for you? Do you prefer the 1JZ or 2JZ? Or are you more of a Nissan RB fan? Comment below with your thoughts!

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Comments

Anonymous

Jz engines have the better head but rb’s have the better block but both are amazing in there own right

02/09/2017 - 14:07 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I wonder if it’s possible to have an RB with a JZ head

02/09/2017 - 15:57 |
4 | 0
Inverted GBA

Despite being fond of the 2JZ, RB26DETT, and 1JZ motors, my personal favorite goes to Toyota’s 4A-GE engine.
Light, easy modability, and it doesn’t throw out a massive number for power figures… Which is perfect for a guy like me.

02/09/2017 - 14:34 |
12 | 2

Do I sense a Corolla fan? I have heaps of respect for the 4A engine

02/09/2017 - 15:56 |
8 | 0

I think you should consider the 3S engines, especially the 3S-GTE of the ST165 Celica.

03/22/2017 - 20:25 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Well I own a Toyota Crown AthleteV ;)

02/09/2017 - 14:34 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Lucky!!!!!!! :’(

02/09/2017 - 14:41 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

What is it like from an owner’s point of view? Do you surprise anyone at the lights?

02/09/2017 - 15:55 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I have the chance to buy a aristo. Should I do it? But I live in Germany so I would drive a RHD car in a RHD country🤔

02/09/2017 - 14:45 |
4 | 0
OgierJr (Ford Powered) (Hoof-Hearted)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You could ‘convert’ a Lexus GS300.

02/09/2017 - 23:05 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I already knew the Lexus SC had a JZ

02/09/2017 - 15:18 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I knew of the SC and GS

02/09/2017 - 15:54 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I’ll take a GS300 thanks

02/09/2017 - 15:53 |
2 | 0
Josh Briggs

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Im buying a gs300 soon, a mid 90’s one with none vvt-i head, they are basically throwaway cars where i live, you can get one with a really good engine for £150-£400. Good cars though, need a 2JZ for my volvo!

02/09/2017 - 22:11 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

JZ swap everything!!!!!

02/09/2017 - 16:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You’ll love where RAD Ricky works then

02/09/2017 - 16:03 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

You forgot the JZX series…. like my JZX100 Chaser

02/09/2017 - 17:05 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The jzx series is in the list twice… jzx110 mark 2 blit wagon and jzx110 verossa

02/09/2017 - 23:23 |
0 | 0
Tadi14

Oh no, another old japanese wagon i instantly fell in love with.

02/09/2017 - 17:44 |
2 | 0
The Petrolicious Kid (s-tuner squad)

I love the sc300!

02/09/2017 - 20:50 |
2 | 0