6G Celicas Forums

Why The 2JZ-GTE Isn't Feasible


At the behest of Coomer, and myself, I'm writing this sticky so hopefully people will stop asking about this swap. Please read all of this, and if it doesn't answer your questions about this issue, PM me, please don't post on the board, you'll just get flamed, most likely by me. If you read it all and still have questions, PM, don't post!

The question asked: Can I swap a 2JZ-GTE engine (from a 93-98 Supra Twin Turbo) into my 6th Generation Celica?

The answer: Yes, but that's not a good question.

The question that SHOULD be asked instead: Can I swap a 2JZ-GTE engine (from a 93-98 Supra Twin Turbo) into my 6th Generation Celica and STILL KEEP it a Celica.

The answer to this better question: No.

The first question addressed to all of you who take the "with enough money, anything is possible" stance, which is a legitimate one. Yes, you could cut through the firewall, yes you could convert the Celica to rear-wheel-drive, yes, you could do the swap. This is a valid point, but I shudder to guess at how much all this would cost.

Practically speaking, you'd have to buy a complete Twin Turbo Supra to source all the parts you might need (engine, drive-train, and suspension), and if you did that, why not just drive it? You're going to tear apart an amazing car to put the engine in your Celica? What?!!?

Ok, now to address the specifics of why you CAN'T reasonably do this swap:

1) 2JZ-GTE engines are not cheap. You think it's a lot to pay $3,000 for a 3S-GTE clip? A Supra clip will set you back anywhere from $6,000-$10,000. And that's just for the engine. You still have all of the massive custom work, and you need all of the Supra suspension and drive-train, so essentially you need the whole car. If you have 10 grand laying around to put into your Celica, call me, and I will build you the baddest one in the country. There are better ways to spend that money on a 6th Gen Celica.

2) The 2JZ-GTE is an Inline 6 Cylinder engine, mounted longitudinally. The 5S-FE and 7A-FE engines are both 4 cylinders, mounted transversely.

The best way to understand this: open your hood; see how the engine is oriented where the long sides are parallel to the bumper, essentially sideways? The Supra engine is mounted so the long sides are parallel to the fenders. Most rear-wheel-drive sports cars, like the Supra, have their engine mounted longitudinally, whereas front-wheel-drive cars, like the Celica, usually are transverse. This immediately poses the problem of mounting the engine. The Celica engine bay was not meant to ever have a longitudinally mounted engine in it.

3) The 2JZ-GTE is an Inline 6 Cylinder engine. The 7A-FE and 5S-FE are 4 cylinders.

The Supra engine is a LOT bigger that the Celica engines, it is a lot longer. Even if you could overcome the mounting issue (#2) you have the size difference. In order to fit the 2JZ in the Celica bay, you would have to do one of 2 things:

A) Extend the bumper and frame forward about a foot with custom body work, but at the same time destroying the head-on collision safeguards, and also destroying the structural integrity of the Celica frame. Did I mention that this makes the car illegal to drive on the street?
B) Cut into the firewall (the wall between you in the interior and the engine bay), to extend the engine bay to the rear, thus destroying any protection you have against a possible fire (it is called a FIREwall) and again, making the car illegal to drive on the street for a lot of reasons.

At this point I feel I should explain what I mean by "illegal" in the above situations. I'm not talking about emissions/smog, or CARB, or parts meant for "off-road use only." We all know you can get around most of that. I'm talking about "illegal" like the authorities take away the car and don't give it back. You cannot get a car with a cut firewall legally titled in ANY state, no matter who you know, the same for a car with the crash-test safeguards removed. They aren't legally considered cars at this point, just scrap.

4) If those weren't enough to deter you, you still have to convert the Celica to rear-wheel-drive. This is possible, but it will cost a lot of money, and isn't really relevant by this point. If you have come this far successfully, you've paid for at least 2 complete Supra TTs, minimum, probably closer to 3. There are other points I could go into, but by this point, if you aren't insane and Bill Gates, you're out. If not, buy me a Supra! Obviously you have more money than God.

but.. but...


isnt my celica rwd?

in reverse. lol

it was sarcasm, sorry kid

The 2JZGTE is a powerful engine... but truth is, for most race-spec Supras, they swapped it out for a 3SGTE because it's lighter and you can squeeze pretty similar figures out of it

GT?As in GRAND touring?The supra was ment to be a GT type of car (after the 2000gt)

Most mk4 enthusiasts have BPUs which puts theyre 2jz at around 450rwhp...And at LEAST 30% are 500rwhp+...and there is a good chunk of mk3 drivers in the 500rwhp club as well..You dont have to touch mk3s internally until around 500 horses..and 2jzs even more..

The 2JZGTE is a powerful engine... but truth is, for most race-spec Supras, they swapped it out for a 3SGTE because it's lighter and you can squeeze pretty similar figures out of it

whats a supra?

i guess thye are talking bout these, but...but... these are FWD as in "foot wheel drive"

atleast thats what im told.
what engine is in the supra?
i was about to ask if anyone has put a supra engine in a celica but then i remembered the supra was RWD
so who thinks it would be possible to make a calica RWD using the supra for parts?