1JZ Vs 2JZ – Which Is Best?

1JZ Vs 2JZ. Comparing engine specifications, power, sound and tuning potential we show you which engine is mightier.

1jz vs 2jz article

Engine specs
Sound clips
Engine tuning
Drifting potential
Our winner!
Bonus content

In a hurry? Watch our 1JZ Vs 2JZ video

1JZ Vs 2JZ engine specifications

Let’s take a look at the history of these engines, what cars they launched in and break down their detailed specifications.

1JZ-GTE engine specifications

The 1JZ-GTE was produced by the Toyota Motor Corporation and had it’s debut in the 1991 Soarer GT. For this flagship engine Toyota opted for a turbo charged inline six cylinder configuration. It had an 86mm bore and a 71.5mm stroke.

The engine went through several changes in it’s production cycle including switching to a more advanced head design in it’s final iteration (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence).

The last version of the 1JZ-GTE also switched from the original twin turbo charger setup to a larger single turbo setup. This engine could be found at the high end of Toyota’s nineties car lineup including the Soarer, Supra and “Tourer V” variants of the JZX family.

This is a popular engine to be swapped into other chassis due to it’s displacement, robust internals and plentiful aftermarket tuning support.

Rumors indicate that with the correct supporting modifications, fueling, turbo and engine management it has been known that the stock engine can produce over 800ps at the crank.

Please bare in mind these are just the rumors!

Manufacturer: Toyota
Version: Toyota Chaser JZX100 Tourer V
Displacement: 2498cc (rounded to 2.5 liters)
Configuration: DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams), 24 Valves, BEAMS VVT-i
Power: 280ps @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 280 lb ft @ 2,400 rpm
Turbo: CT15B
Stock boost: 9 PSI
Cars that housed the 1JZ-GTE: Toyota Chaser/Cresta/Mark II Tourer V (JZX81, JZX90, JZX100, JZX110), Toyota Soarer (JZZ30), Toyota Supra MK III (JZA70, Japan and Australia only), Toyota Verossa, Toyota Crown (JZS170), Toyota Mark II Blit

You can read additional 1JZ-GTE specs here.

2JZ-GTE engine specifications

The 2JZ-GTE was launched in 1991, powering the Toyota Aristo V (JZS147) before finding it’s home in the JZA80 model Toyota Supra.The 2JZ-GTE was first designed as Toyota’s response to Nissan’s wildly successful RB26DETT engine. The 2JZ-GTE carried many of the strengths of the 1JZ and built upon them with a larger displacement and more advanced Hitachi sequential turbo chargers. The 2JZ retains the 86mm bore that the 1JZ has, but its stroke is increased from 71.5mm to 86mm.

The 2JZ-GTE was immortalized in popular culture through the Fast & The Furious movie franchise. The late Paul Walker’s character built and drove his 2JZ-GTE powered Toyota Supra “10 second car” in many memorable scenes.

Manufacturer: Toyota
Version: Toyota Supra JZA80 (1993-2002)
Displacement: 2997cc (rounded to 3.0 liters)
Configuration: DOHC (Dual Over Head Cams), 24 Valves
Power: 280ps @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 320 lb ft @ 4,000 rpm
Turbo: CT20 Turbine x 2 (Sequential)
Stock boost: 11 PSI
Cars that housed the 2JZ-GTE: Toyota Aristo 3.0V JZS147 (Japan-only), Toyota Aristo V300 JZS161 (Japan-only), Toyota Supra RZ/Turbo JZA80

Wondering what the true potential of the 2JZ-GTE engine has to offer? How does 3,000 hp at 100 PSI of boost sound?

If you like the sound of drifting a Supra, you have got to check out our Toyota Supra drifting game.

Scores & conclusion

1JZ-GTE: xxxx
2JZ-GTE: xxxxx

Both the 1JZ-GTE and the 2JZ-GTE have enviable reputations as engines capable of high horse power and solid reliability. A testament to this is when many professional drifters are selecting their engines they are going for either V8’s or for the “JZ” family. On paper both engines are very similar but the increased displacement of the 2JZ-GTE provides the same level of power at lower rpm’s. This hands the 2JZ-GTE the advantage.

With the ever-increasing price of Toyota’s holy grail 2JZ-GTE engines, it’s no surprise that tuning enthusiasts are thinking outside the box for their builds.

Many aspiring 2J owners aren’t aware that By mating a 1JZ and a 2JZ engine together, you’re able to produce the 1.5JZ lovechild.

If you’re not planning to chase mind-blowing power figures from your build, then the 1.5JZ may well offer the perfect solution.

With the potential to reach 600-1,000 hp without sacrificing reliability (depending on how much cash you’re willing to spend), it’s easy to see why many JDM fans are heading down the 1.5JZ route.

Sounds pretty sweet, huh? If you’re interested to know more, make sure you check out our in-depth 1.5JZ guide.

For more information on the JZ family of engines go ahead and check out the Wikipedia article.

1JZ Vs 2JZ Exhaust sound clips

Crank up your speakers and enjoy these sound clip compilations of our engines.

1JZ-GTE tuned exhaust sound

What better way to sample the sound of a tuned 1JZ-GTE then by attending Japan’s “1JZ Meeting”! Noriyaro always delivers fantastic Japanese based content so check out his website.

2JZ-GTE tuned exhaust sound

Scores & conclusion

1JZ-GTE: xxxxx
2JZ-GTE: xxxxx

Toyota’s JZ engines are widely acknowledged as great sounding engines. How you appreciate sound is extremely subjective but I don’t think anybody would disagree with me giving both engines five out of five stars for sound. Boosted six cylinder engines sound simply fantastic.

1JZ Vs 2JZ Dyno tuning clips

There are a wealth of tuned JZ engine videos on YouTube and as both engines have such similar tuning potential it seems unfair to pitch one dyno run against another without context or budget so instead let’s take a look at two videos showing some of the craziest JZ tuning.

1JZ-GTE Dyno tuning

This video shows a stock 1JZ-GTE with bolt-ons clocking over 900ps on the dyno.

2JZ-GTE Dyno tuning

“This insanely loud 1600HP (on spray) Titan Motorsports Toyota Supra appeared at Fair Lakes Cars & Coffee this morning. The car runs 1400HP off the bottle. If this doesn’t make you love Supra’s, I don’t know what will.”

Scores & conclusion

1JZ-GTE: xxxxx
2JZ-GTE: xxxxx

I am going to quote Dustrunnerauto’s excellent article for this conclusion:

Both are some of the hottest factory engines to ever come in a production automobile.

“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. You would think that the 2JZ would be stronger then right? Wrong.”

“The stock 1JZ bottom end is good for 650-700, which is 260 - 280 hp/liter (650hp/2.5liter=260hp/liter). The stock 2JZ bottom end in good for around 800, which is 266hp/liter.”

“Both of these engine’s bottom ends have been pushed way past the numbers I’ve just quoted. But, the 1JZ and 2JZ can reliably push 266hp/liter on their bottom end. When I say reliably, I mean beating the crap out of the engine, for long periods of time, and it not failing.”

“Both are some of the hottest factory engines to ever come in a production automobile. Very few engines in the world can hold up to 1,000 horsepower or more.”

1JZ Vs 2JZ drifting clips

So what do drifters themselves think of these two engines? Let’s jump on board with the drivers as they put our two engines under some (sideways) pressure..

1JZ-GTE drifting clips

JZX100 with 1JZ-GTE with TRUST T67-25G @ 450ps

Our second 1JZ video is Ryan Tuerck’s second Off Seasons video. Amazing driving, editing and 1JZ noises!

2JZ-GTE drifting clips

This clip shows an 800ps + Nissan S13 chassis ripping up a drift course in Serbia.

Gatebil has a reputation for incredible car builds and fantastic drifting, this clip shows a selection of 2JZ powered cars burning rubber on the famous track.

Scores & conclusion

1JZ-GTE: xxxxx
2JZ-GTE: xxxxx

Drifters love the JZ family of engines, the 1JZ-GTE is cheaper to purchase and arguably more readily available however the 2JZ-GTE’s extra displacement lends itself slightly better to high end tuning. You would be very lucky to have either engine in your drift car so both get five points. There is no clear cut winner here.

1JZ-GTE Vs 2JZ-GTE conclusion

So it’s time to count our stars and see which engine is the winner.

The 1JZ-GTE has earned 19 stars. The 2JZ-GTE has earned 20 stars. The 2JZ-GTE is the winner! Both engines are absolutely fantastic, both engines are very similar in factory performance and in tuning potential, while the 2JZ-GTE has some advantages due to it’s displacement so the 1JZ-GTE has advantages due to it’s slightly cheaper cost. If you can get your hands of either one of these engines then you will be onto a winner.

With that said there has to be a winner so congrats 2JZ-GTE – you *just* pipped your older brother to the gold.

1JZ-GTE: x x 19
2JZ-GTE: x x 20

2JZ Bonus content

2JZ-GTE Time lapsed rebuild video:

Thank you for reading our 1JZ Vs 2JZ Head to Head battle. If you have something to say why not drop a comment below? If you enjoyed this article why not check out our RB20DET Vs SR20DET Head To Head Battle?

Take a look at Speedhunter’s 1JZ archives to dig up loads of great quality 1JZ content.

Want an instant hit of drifting action? Try our free to play drifting games.

Check out our complete guide if you are considering building a 1.5JZ engine.

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Updated 11th Feb 2019: Added 1JZ Vs 2JZ quick summary video

Written by Joe Terrell Drifted.com founder, motoring journalist and all-round car enthusiast. Read more about Joe and the Drifted team on our about us page.