rustrocket Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 My friend offered me a 2jz-gte front clip with an auto tranny for $1700, and then i found a 85 Turbo Regal engine/tranny combo (without turbo and ecu) with 70k miles for $900-1000 shipped to me. What do you guys suggest i do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bastaad525 Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Both are great motors, no doubt about it. The part of me that firmly believes japanese engines can do no wrong, that Toyota w/o a doubt makes THE best engines out there, and knowing what even a stock block Supra is capable of, wants to say get the supra motor. But then part of me thinks of what ScottieGNZ has accomplished with that turbo buick motor, and remembers how much room that engine left in his bay, and how much LACK of room Cyrus' supra engine install left him, and the sheer fact that Scottie's Z was probably the fastest Z I've yet to hear of, all makes that Buick motor seem awfully promising. Bottom line... they are both comparable in almost every way, cost, difficulty to install, and each will probably have tradeoffs as well, and I think with either you really can't lose. Sorry I'm not much help Just get both and get another Z as well Best of both worlds! EDIT: I would PROBABLY go with the Supra motor... just because... well I've had a lot of bad luck, stuff breaking and such since my turbo swap... and again, I know w/o any doubt that that supra motor is one very very reliable power plant... so reliability would win me over (I have no idea how reliable the buick is) and I'd go with the supra motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Looking at the one currently running coversion with the Supra engine (not motor - that's electric), and the fact that alot of underdash wiring and boxes are required, and the kind of times that Scottie was running......Buick GN for sure!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustrocket Posted August 20, 2004 Author Share Posted August 20, 2004 Just get both and get another Z as well Best of both worlds! It just might come to that. My room mate wants his carport back already, i dont know if i could swing 2 conversions, unless i can find a place in somebody's yard or garage to store them I think the 3.8 Turbo might be a little easier to install, and if i understand correctly, it would weigh quite a bit less than the 2jz? Keep the suggestions coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 If you are stuck for time and need the conversion to go smoother I would go witht the 3.8 without any shadow of a doubt. Painless or another vendor of the sort makes a fuel and spark harness for that engine, turbo and ecu shouldnt be too hard to find either. Plumbing the crossover pipe may be a hassle though. Supra engine might be a pain in the ass if you use factory harness. If I had the choice I would do 2jz with a haltech setup right off the bat, and drive around with no hood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mas28O Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Go with the 3.8 turbo motor, The 3.8 just fits in the Z alot better than the Toyota. If you want it for drag then go with the 3.8 because the 2004r trans is a excellent transmission for 1/4 mile runs. I would hate to drive a Z car with a heavy Toyota motor up front. I think that Cyrus said that Toyota motor was 200lb more than the LS1. My only concern with the 3.8 turbo motor would be that it does not like to rev too much, and you might run into problems with the right gears. The Toyota motor would be at home with the stock 3.54 gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 That's what the only problem with the Buick engine is - to do what Scottie did you really need a better rear end ratio - if you could score a rare 3.36 R200 you are most of the way there, but a 3.07 or so would be ideal and that requires $$. Supra is very nice too, but for that engine I'd want to go with the 6-speed tranny. No issue with rear end ratios with that redline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I think the toyota motor is hotter, but Id have to have the 6spd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted August 21, 2004 Share Posted August 21, 2004 If the choice is between a 2JZ drivetrain and a '85 GN 3.8 then go with the 2JZ because the GN drivetrain you want for top performance is the 86-87 intercooled setup. If the choice is between a 2JZ and 86-87 3.8, it would be a tough choice based on my 3.8L experience and unwillingness to mortgage myself to go fast. However, I would not walk away from a 2JZ setup selling for $1700 since you will never find a 86-87 3.8L for that price. Make sure you know the condition of what you are getting. With the right converter and turbo(s)combo, the auto 2JZ will outsprint the 6-spd if you are into drag racing the car. While there is no kit for either, I believe the 2JZ is the more difficult swap and it is a BIG AND HEAVY beast. While a stock 2JZ shortblock is capable of supporting more HP than the 3.8L, how much HP do you want, can you really afford it and can you handle it? Same questions when deciding between the RB25 & RB26 The last question is a serious one to ponder. [On Soapbox] I can tell you that driving a 520+rwhp 240Z with 600lb/ft torque on the street IS NO JOKE and if you are a hot-dog on the street you will kill yourself or worse, take someone with you. 0-100 in 6-secs does not belong on the street. [/Off Soapbox] If you plan to make serious HP with either of those engines, make sure you budget an equal sum for safety, suspension, brakes, wheels & tires. A stock 240Z was simply not designed for such power. Good luck in whatever choice you make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustrocket Posted August 21, 2004 Author Share Posted August 21, 2004 The GN guru has spoken, thanks for the input Scottie. So, my options are a hot air turbo buick engine vs. an extremely heavy and complicated turbo engine that's capable of insane horsepower OR just sit on it and save for another couple months. Decisions decisions. I also have a 1jz-gte available to me with an automatic for $1200, but there's an apparent lack of aftermarket support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.