LS2 or 1jz into FD - Opinions Please...
 

Hi guys,

I really would like to hear your thoughts on which engine swap would be the best for me.

I have had a 1jz TT soarer for 10 years with and love the engine and they make easy cheap power. So 300rwk would keep me very happy in an FD which can be had with just basic bolt on mods and was thinking a holset turbo as they are cheap and effective. Here in Australia you can find a complete 2nd hand 1jz motor with turbos in decent condition for around the $1000 mark, whereas the LS2s you are looking on average about $5000... Oh and I'd like to go auto transmission.

I guess it's that initial outlay which I don't like about the LS2, but I'm sure it would be worth it in the end.

So in terms of difficulty of the conversion, overall costs, and final performance, which would you suggest is the best bang for buck option?

Cheers guys,
Love the forum btw ;)
Mike

ls2 will be more money but better in every way ....weight, handling, power band, gas mileage ect. It just cost more but you are comparing a 5 year old 400 hp 6.0L to a 20+ year old engine turbo engine.

Go V8.

There are too many hoops you have to jump through to get a stock hood to close over a 2 or 1J w/o the engine being too close to the ground.

1j's kill the fd's weight distribution and make the car handle like shit! Go ls! And yoyr options for tuning the ls are endless!

Thanks for the input guys. I guess the next question is what do you think about an LS1 rather than an LS2?
This will save some initial outlay, but will it still be worthwhile, or is the ls2 just that much better that it should be used from the start?
Once an LS1 has been fitted, would it make it a simple task to swap in an LS2 in its place if i decided to down the line? ie do they share mostly all the same conversion components?

I would LOVE to see the empirical evidence on which you base this assertion.

I'll cut to the chase: you have none.


That said, a V8 will be much cheaper and easier.

1JZ/2JZ swaps are difficult because you're forced to either 1.) Use a hood that will clear the valve covers...or 2.) Lower your steering rack to accomodate.

There are just so many more varibles that make the 1/2JZ swaps much more difficult and tedious in comparison to the LS swaps which tend to be more "plug and play" so to speak, thanks to a larger market of available parts FOR the swap.

My 2JZ swap has been nearly a 3 year project...so I'm speaking from experience, here. EVERYTHING has had to be "custom" made or "custom"-fabricated...which all means $$$$$

Swapping a LS1 for a LS2 would be easy since they use the same mounts. Choosing one over the other is something you need to look at what you are going to want in the end out of the engine and would it be more cost effective to go ahead and get the LS2 now. One of the benefits of the LS2 is that it can accept L92 heads whereas the LS1 cannot. What I ended up buying for my prerunner/trophy truck wannabe truck is a L98. If you decide to go ahead and go with the LS2, I suggest searching around for a L98, the Gen IV engine not the TPI one from old Corvettes. The L98 is from a Holden Commodore and the best way to describe it is that it's a 6.0L LS3. It's basically a LS2 short block with LS3 (L92) heads, LS3 intake/throttle body, and LS7 injectors/rails. I bought mine as a new crate engine for cheaper than a LS2 but it was still a new crate engine from GM. With only a mild cam and upgraded springs, 500+ hp is where you're at.

This is pretty easy.

If you like high tech turbo motors and topend power, go with the toyota powerplant.

If you like huge lowend and an easier swap, go v8

Everything else can be made equal. They can both make as much power as your wallet can provide.

Thanks for the feedback guys, this is just the kind of info I was was looking for...