Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Information and Articles Toyota's Powerful Engines

For many years, Toyota has been one of Japan's biggest car manufacturers - and amongst the biggest in the world. A pioneer of twin-cam technology in the mid '80s, Toyota has given us many ultra-desirable Turbo engines, supercharged engines and VVTL-i (variable valve timing and lift) screamers. All have a reputation for strength and cutting-edge design.

Toyota engines are identified by a fairly simple code system. The first number in a Toyota engine name represents the generation of the bottom-end design (a high number being a more recent design) and the first letter identifies the engine series. A dash separates the engine code suffixes. Here's what each letter in the engine code stands for...

E - EFI

G - Performance based twin-cam head design

F - Economy based narrow angle twin-cam head design

T - Turbocharged

Z - Supercharged

U - Japanese emission standards

Now let's look at the engines.



Toyota V12s...
In recent years Toyota has released a V12 engine for its Japanese-market top-of-the-range Century limousine. Coded the 1GZ-FE, this V12 engine displaces 5.0-litres (the largest capacity engine ever produced by Toyota) and uses DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder breathing with VVT-I variable inlet cam timing. With a 10.5:1 compression ratio, this beast generates the Japanese regulation 206kW output (at 5200 rpm) together with a massive 481Nm (at 4000 rpm).

A rare engine - but worth searching for!




Toyota V8s...
The second largest capacity engine produced by Toyota is a 4.7-litre V8. Designed for high-torque use in heavy off-roaders, the 2UZ-FE is one of the very few Toyota engines to use an iron block. In the current Japanese-spec Landcruiser, this big 32-valve V8 is rated at a surprisingly low 173kW at 4800 rpm. Torque, however, is a strong 422Nm at 3600 rpm. The Australian-spec version (fitted to the Landcruiser and Lexus LX470) makes 170kW and 410Nm.




Next comes the all-alloy 4.3-litre V8 as fitted to the Japanese-market Celsior and latest Soarer. The 3UZ-FE 4.3-litre bent-eight uses DOHC, 4-valve heads, variable cam timing and induction system, twin knock sensors and 10.5:1 compression. It makes the same 206kW as the V12, though at higher revs - 5600 rpm. Peak torque is 430Nm at just 3400 rpm.

Note that the Australian-delivered Lexus LS430 is rated at virtually same power but with 13Nm less torque. On the other hand, the local Soarer SC430 rips out 210kW and 419Nm.




From the same all-alloy engine family is the smaller bore 1UZ-FE V8. Displacing 4.0-litres and with the same 10.5:1 compression ratio, the current 1UZ-FE VVTi (as fitted to the Japanese Crown and others) is also rated at 206kW. Peak power arrives at 6000 rpm, while peak torque (402Nm) can be felt at 4000 rpm.

Early versions of the 1UZ-FE with 10.0:1 compression and without VVTi (as pictured) were rated at around 190kW at 5400 rpm.

Back before the days of the UZ-series V8, Toyota's flagship big-banger was the 5V-EU. Released in the early '80s, this 4.0-litre V8 is reputedly very similar in design to a Ford Windsor. Using simple 2-valve alloy heads, 8.6:1 compression and early EFI, this engine was good for 121kW at 4400 rpm. Another rare engine.




Toyota Sixes...
Toyota's most potent 6-cylinder engine is arguably one of the best in the word - the 2JZ-GTE is something to get excited about. Fitted to the late model Supra and current Japanese-market Aristo, the 2JZ-GTE is a 3.0-litre straight-six with a 8.5:1 compression ratio and DOHC, 24-valve head. Hung off the side is a complex sequential twin-turbo and air-to-air intercooler arrangement that gives this engine an extraordinary spread of grunt. The latest VVTi version is listed with a Nissan-whipping 206kW at 5600 rpm and 451Nm at 3600 rpm. Earlier versions from 1993 - without VVTi - are rated with the same power but with 'only' 440Nm at 3600 rpm. Still, a stonker of an engine!




One step down from the giant killing 2JZ-GTE is the smaller 2.5-litre 1JZ-GTE. The latest version of this engine - which is essentially a shorter stroke version of the 2JZ - comes with VVT-I, 9.0:1 static compression but only a single Turbocharger. The VVT-i 1JZ-GTE cranks out the regulation 206kW at 6200 rpm with 378Nm at an incredibly low 2400 rpm. This is a 2.5-litre engine that drives like a V8!




Note that earlier versions of the 1JZ-GTE (as fitted to the majority of grey import Soarers) are very different to the later ones. These earlier examples use a simultaneous twin-turbo system and are void of VVT-i - output remains at 206kW but with a less impressive 363Nm at 4800 rpm.




The next most potent Toyota six is the atmo version of the 2JZ 3.0-litre - the 2JZ-GE. Fitted to vehicles such as the Lexus GS300, the 2JZ-GE uses VVT-i and a 10.5:1 compression ratio. Peak output is up to 166kW together with 298Nm of torque. Certain other versions of this engine are rated with less power.




In earlier days, Toyota's flagship straight-six was the 7M-GTE as fitted to the 1980s MA70 Supra Turbo. The 7M-GTE is a 3.0-litre six with DOHC, 24-valves, EFI and a single intercooled Turbo. The Japanese-rated output for this engine is 179kW, while Australian-delivered examples make 173kW - both at 5600 rpm. Torque is up to 344Nm.

Note than an atmo version of this engine - the 7M-GE - was also released in Australia. Without the assistance of a Turbocharger, the 7M-GE is rated at 142kW.

Also in the '80s, Toyota released the 1G-series straight-six onto the Japanese market. In naturally aspirated form, the 1G 2.0-litre DOHC, 24-valve EFI six is no powerhouse - but the twin-turbo and supercharged variants don't rate badly...




The simultaneous twin-turbo version of the 1G - the 1G-GTE - uses either a water-to-air or air-to-air intercooler depending on the model and can generate anywhere up to 154kW at 6200 rpm. The earliest models were 136kW.




The positive displacement supercharged 1G-GZE drives quite differently to the twin-turbo stablemate. Grunty down low, the 1G-GZE churns out 225Nm of torque at 3600 rpm but a surprisingly meagre 125kW peak power. There is no intercooler fitted and the static compression ratio is 8.0:1 (0.5 lower than the twin-turbo 1G engine).

And - although largely unrecognized - Toyota also offers some desirable V6 engines...




The most powerful V6 Toyota engine can be found in the current Prado off-roader. Displacing 4.0-litres, the 1GR-FE engine uses a VVT-i DOHC, 24-valve induction system and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. Max power is 179kW at 5200 rpm and there's 376Nm at 3800 rpm (figures quoted from the Australian-spec Prado).

Earlier Toyota Prados came with an optional 5VZ-FE 3.4-litre V6. In Australia, these engines are listed at 132kW.




Not far behind is the 3MZ-FE 3.3-litre V6, as fitted to the newly released Kluger and RX330 SUV. This motor uses DOHC, 24-valve breathing with VVT-i, 10.8:1 compression, variable induction system, twin knock sensors and more. The result - an impressive 172kW at 5600 rpm along with 328Nm at 3600 rpm.




In the passenger car range, the pokiest Toyota-designed V6 is the 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE in the current Lexus ES300. This sweet-as engine features VVT-i and has been tuned to deliver 158kW and 299Nm in the mid-size FWD Lexus. The same engine - but without VVT-i - is also used in the current Avalon and top-line Camry, where it is rated at 145kW and 284Nm (at 5200 and 4400 rpm respectively).

Note that, in Japan, the 1MZ-FE is rated at up to 162kW in the domestic market Estima van.

In the mid '90s Toyota Camry there was already a decent 3.0-litre DOHC, 24-valve V6 on the stage - the 3VZ-FE. With a 9.6:1 compression ratio, this engine made up to 139kW in the local Camry body. These are plentiful on the ground.

Another engine of interest is the Landcruiser's now-discontinued 1FZ-FE straight-six. This big 4.5-litre DOHC, 24-valve six is a low rpm slogger but it certainly has potential - in factory guise it makes 165kW at 4600 rpm and 387Nm at 3600 rpm. Note that this engine uses a humungous 100mm bore!




Toyota Fours...
The gun four-cylinder in Toyota's line-up is the competition proven 3S-GTE. This 2.0-litre DOHC, 16-valve Turbo intercooled four debuted in 1987 and continued service until well after 2000. Early water-to-air intercooled versions with 8.5:1 compression (as fitted to the first ST165 Celica GT4) made only 136kW/240Nm, but later models with up to 9.0:1 compression reached as high as 191kW and 324Nm (as fitted to the '00 Japanese market Caldina). There were several versions in between.

Note that a high-output non-turbo version of this 2.0-litre DOHC engine - the 3S-GE - is also available in the current Japanese market Altezza. With an 11.5:1 compression ratio, this example screams out 154kW at 7600 rpm and 216Nm at 6400 rpm! We can only assume this engine uses VVTL-i (variable valve timing and lift).




The next most powerful Toyota four can be found in the current Celica and Corolla Sportivo (as they are called in Australia). Both vehicles share a 2ZZ-GE 1.8-litre DOHC, 16-valve engine with VVTL-i (variable valve timing and lift) and 11.5:1 compression. These tuning techniques allow a maximum of 140kW at 7600 rpm with 180Nm of torque at 6800 rpm. Curiously, the Australian delivered Corolla Sportivo apparently makes 1kW more.

One of Toyota's most popular engines is the 4A-series. The most basic EFI model - from the mid '80s - is the Corolla SX's 4A-GE with DOHC, 16-valves and a relatively tame 88kW. For the next model Corolla SX, the 4A-GE copped higher compression and improved top-end breathing - this yielded a much more impressive 100kW, though up at 6600 rpm. These 100kW 4A-GEs can be easily identified by the red writing on the valve cover.




Interestingly, Toyota never gave the 4A engine a Turbocharger. Instead, it received a smaller capacity version of the 1G-GZE six-cylinder's supercharger together with an air-to-air intercooler. The supercharged 4A - the 4AG-ZE - was released only in Japan and makes up to 123kW at the flywheel. A wide spread of torque was this engine's forte. celicahobby.com




For non-forced induction fans, there is also a highly-tuned 20-valve quad-throttle body version of the 4A engine - the 4A-E 20-valve. With its extra inlet flows, this engine has to rev to 7400 to make 119kW. This is a favorite in buggy classes and clubman racers.




You might also be interested in the engine fitted to the current Corolla and MR2 (aka MRS) - the 1ZZ-FE 1.8-litre. This DOHC, 16-valve engine uses VVT-i and generates up to 103kW and 171Nm.

The current Avensis is also equipped with a pretty grunty 2.0-litre four - the 1AZ-FE. With DOHC, 16-valves and VVT-i this engine is rated at 110kW and 192Nm. The current Tarago uses a similar style engine - its local 2AZ-FE 2.4-litre DOHC VVT-i motor makes 115kW/221Nm. Note that the same 2AZ-FE engine is used in the new Camry, which is rated at a slightly lower 112kW/218Nm.

And then there's the little 1NZ-FE 1.5-litre DOHC, VVT-i engine in the Australian-market Echo Sportivo - it makes a zippy 80kW/142Nm.




An old orphan engine that may tickle your fancy is the 3T-GTE 1.8-litre DOHC Turbo engine, which was available in Japan in the mid '80s. This engine topped around 125kW. Another old Turbo engine (with an intercooler) is the 2T-TELU 1.3-litre SOHC, 12-valve four; fitted to the EP71 Starlet Turbo S, this little motor put out 77kW/179Nm. The next model EP92 Starlet GT Turbo received a 4E-FTE 1.3-litre DOHC Turbo engine cranking out 100kW/157Nm. This is another popular aftermarket tuning engine.





Toyota Performance Motors at a Glance...

V12s
1GZ-FE 5.0 litre	206kW

V8s
3UZ-FE 4.3 litre	206/210kW
1UZ-FE 4.0 litre VVT-i	206kW
1UZ-FE 4.0 litre	190kW
2UZ-FE 4.7 litre	170/173kW
5V-EU 4.0 litre	121kW

Sixes
2JZ-GTE 3.0 litre twin turbo	206kW
1JZ-GTE 2.5 litre twin turbo/single turbo VVT-i	-
2JZ-GE 3.0 litre	166kW
1GR-FE 4.0 litre	179kW
7M-GTE 3.0 litre turbo	173/179kW
3MZ-FE 3.3 litre	172kW
1FZ-FE 4.5 litre	165kW
1MZ-FE 3.0 litre VVT-i	158/162kW
1G-GTE 2.0 litre twin turbo	136 - 154kW
1MZ-FE 3.0 litre	145kW
7M-GE 3.0 litre	142kW
3VZ-FE 3.0 litre	139kW
5VZ-FE 3.4 litre	132kW
1G-GZE 2.0 litre supercharged	125kW

Fours
3S-GTE 2.0 litre turbo	136 - 191kW
3S-GE 2.0 litre (11.5:1 CR)	154kW
2ZZ-GE 1.8-litre	140/141kW
3T-GTE 1.8 litre turbo	125kW approx
4A-GZE 1.6 litre supercharged	123kW
4A-E 1.6 litre 20-valve	119kW
2AZ-FE 2.4 litre	115kW
1AZ-FE 2.0 litre	110kW
1ZZ-FE 1.8 litre	103kW
4E-FTE 1.3 litre turbo	100kW
4A-GE 1.6 litre	88/100kW
1NZ-FE 1.5 litre	80kW
2T-TELU 1.3 litre turbo	77kW

NOTE: 1 kiloWatt = 1.34102209 hp

The 3S-GTE and 3S-G
The engine is the super strong 3S-GTE 2.0L 16 valve Twin-Cam EFI as used in TTE (Toyota Team Europe) rally cars, both in the Celica (shown in the ST 205 below) and firstly in the Corolla. The strength and the power figures these engines can make is scary, and some may say that Toyota do "overkills", but that is the primary reason for their reliability and the string of victories they have had throughout their motorsport dominance. Most people look at the WRC Corolla and think "it only makes 300hp", this is true, because they are power limited, but what most overlook is the fact they make 650ft/lbs of torque !!!. Not too many 300hp engines in a 2L do that through a restrictor.





LeMans denso / sard supra
The 3S-GTE was also used in their various Le-Mans cars, and finally in the Denso (NipponDenso) factory Supra LM. It ran 2140cc with a slightly stroked crankshaft making 650hp (484kw)! ! !. Unfortunately during the 1996 race, at 8.10 am Mitsusada crashed the car again and the race was over for the #57 Toyota Supra LM. This car was a massive joint effort run by Denso Japan, along with partners TTE, TRD, SARD and finally Toyota Europe.





3S-GTE in the Denso Supra
They used to run the 2.2L crankshaft, but reliability, free-revs and slightly more boost saw it and the whole field in JTCC go back to 2.0L. Says something about all the hype with stroker motors. There isnt much info on these wild engines, except that they are fully prepped and TRD backed in Japan. TRD have put in more time to the 3S, than probably any other engine in their race programs. They give out the common specs, but nothing too technical. Note the smaller inlet piping to the plenum, this is probably due to the restrictor they use and no need for a larger Intake tube while keeping good velocities.



Japanese touring car championship




toms supra
The engine is also used in the famous Team TOM'S Supra that competes in the All Japan Touring Car Championship. It uses standard stroke and bore to a 2.0L displacement, and makes "over" 480hp (357kw) with a 43.0 mm restrictor! ! !. Not bad considering the Supra is home to a inline 6 cylinder 2JZ-GTE originally from the factory. There are a few reasons why they run the 3S, and some are, a) They can make the hp goal with the 3S, b) The 3S is lighter than the 2JZ, c) they can sit the 3S all the way to the firewall and safeguard the radiator and intercooler, d) the lower torque of the 3S makes it far more drivable, e) they can run more boost, if running less displacement.

It runs the Hewland 6-speed sequential box mounted to the well set back engine, while a large air-to-air intercooler that is mounted horizontally in the engine compartment where the first two cylinders normally reside in the 6cyl 2JZ-JTE. The intercooler and radiator are fed cool air from the large opening at the front of the car. After being forced through the intercooler via carbon fiber ducting air exits out large vents in the hood. Massive AP Racing brakes are fitted to all four corners with wheels sized large enough to fit around the calipers. Front wheels are sized 13x19" and the rears are 13x18". The tires are sized at 31/71-19 in front ant 31/71-18 in the rear.





denso sard supra
Below is the Denso Sard Supra driven by one of my favorite JTCC drivers / drifters - Manabu Orido. This guy drives sideways as fast as he drives forward with such ease. Next time you watch a OPTION vid, you will probably find him doing a drift / test or on a judging panel with another all-time great Dai Inada.




denso / sard
As one can see the Denso Sard Supra, consisting somewhat from the original roots of the LeMans team, is still very well alive and kicking. They keep some Euro drivers, like last seasons main drivers, Romain Dumas and Jeremie Dufour, while this year Dufour is still there, and joining him from the ADVAN Supra team is Manabu Orido




fet / trd
I added in this FET / TRD Supra, to show how far and radical the new bodies have become. You can see the similarity to the street spec Supra on the FET version taken in the later 90's. Today's designs are much wider and flatter, providing a lot more down force with added wing area as well. Personally, i like this shape, they seem to be going too far nowadays, they look somewhat like kit cars, and not what they originally were meant to be in my opinion.




top secret gt-300
TOP SECRET Engineering is known as one of the baddest Japanese tuners around. They Have two shops, one for mechanical [TOP SECRET] and one for body kits and spray [TOP SECRET II], and the owner is just as crazy. Smokey San as he is known [likes some RWD white smoke] has been arrested for taunting the cops while doing over 160mph on the A1 in England in his RB-26DETT powered 0-300kph Supra.

The car below is a monster, pure and simple. It has a Garage Fukui 2.2L stroker crank with matching rods and pistons, HKS metal head gasket with HKS 272 cams and HKS cam gears. Oil is cooled via a TRUST 16 row oil cooler and Intake charge is cooled via a 600x300x100mm TRUST intercooler. Fueling is taken care of 10 Bosch Motorsport fuel pumps [yes ten] feeding the primary fuel rail with 4x 540cc injectors and another secondary rail with 4 more 540cc Denso injectors, that is all controlled through the HKS FCON-V PRO ECU. Boost is controlled through a GReddy PRofec B and fed into the engine through a massive TRUST T-88 34D Turbo through a OS Giken triple plate clutch and onto the stock Getrag 6sp gearbox, into the TRD diff and out the wheels to make a damn fine 720hp @ 8500rpm and 637nm of torque at 7800rpm at 1.8bar [26.1psi]! celicahobby.com

It rolls on RAYS Engineering / VOLK RACING TE-37 LE, 18"x9.5" [255-35-18"] in front and 18"x10.5" [275-35-18"] in the rear. The car comes in at a light weight of 1250kg's, but is a total of 300mm's wider than a stocker, with the use of Carbon Fiber panels.

Does it stop tho? yes it does, through a set of Alcon calipers and TRUST 2pc discs with a 355mm diameter. Shocks are OHLINS coil overs.

It only goes out at night, and if your asking the question, yes, it is street registered.




specs
TOP SECRET GT-300 Supra

engine - 3S-GTE DOHC 16v 2.2L 4 cyl
crankshaft - Garage Fukui 2.2L stroker crank and con rods
pistons - HKS Forged
cams - HKS 272 with HKS adjustable cam gears
turbocharger - TRUST T-88 34D
wastegate - TRUST TYPE-R
intercooler - TRUST 3 layer 600mm core tube and fin design
inlet manifold - Custom TOP SECRET
filter - TRUST Airinx foam filter

ecu - HKS FCON-V PRO
injectors - 8x 540cc Denso units on two rails
boost control - GReddy PRofec B
boost - 1.8bar [26.1psi]

exhaust - 4" with TOP SECRET Titan muffler
wastegate - Dedicated 3" side venting
exhaust manifold - 50mm tubular

transmission - Getrag 6sp
clutch - OS Giken Tripple Plate clutch
differential - TRD LSD

calipers - Alcon 4pot
disks - TRUST 2pc 355mm
shocks - OHLINS coil over

front rims - VOLK RACING TE-37 LE 18"x9.5" [255-35-18"]
rear rims - VOLK RACING TE-37 LE 18"x10.5" [275-35-18"]

horsepower - 720hp @ 8500rpm
torque - 637nm of torque at 7800rpm




rod millen motorsport
Rod Millen is the king of the mountain, the famous and deadly Pikes Peak. While his 900+ hp [671kw] at 3.10+bar [45+psi] Celica and the 1000hp Tundra truck dont run the 3S in theory, the E501 series is what was a starting platform for the 3S. Reliably they had powered him up there to many wins year after year, so to no surprise when he wanted to make a mean street car, his Huntington Beach Facility came up with the goods.

The result is the RMM Ultimate Celica. The car started life as a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS in FWD form. The end result was a raging 4wd monster. The engine and driveline came from the ST-205 Celica GT-FOUR, and was then shoehorned in. This is a classic example of what Toyota "should" have made. The engine whipped out 500 bhp [372.9kw[ at 8000rpm and 460.9nm [339.9ftlbs] of torque at 5500rpm. Around the 19"x8.5" wide wheels on each corner is 245 / 35 - 19" rubber and inside that is 312mm disks for some serious stopping power.

The end result is fascinating!





lexus IS200
It seems as we dont even have the newest version of a type of car, when someone in Japan already has a version that is four times as powerful and handles twice as good as it came from the factory.

This is the latest. The following example is the new Lexus IS 200 or Altezza as know in other parts, and it too carries the 3S engine, but this is a new re-designed 3S-GE with variable cam timing. The following example is TRUST Performance masterpiece that has been mated with a huge GReddy T-67 Turbo that makes 317hp [237kw] at only 1bar [14.5psi], and the figures speak for themselves, as some serious flow.

If pure class and great power is your thing, this is it.




The IS200 below i am not familiar with, but it was featured at the '99 Japan Auto Salon and was awarded best Lexus. I cant comment on hp or time figures, but from what you see here on the outside and the massive front mouth in the facia like for a intercooler, it sure wont be stock and a Turbo under the hood is one of my first guesses. It too uses the 3S-GE BEAMS variable cam timing engine.




toyota mr2
And dont forget the MR2 ("M"id mount engine "R"ear wheel drive "2" seater). This is a fine sports car for 2 that is the Japanese version of the Ferrari. Below is the fine example of the TRD widebody MR2 on the SW-20 chassis.




hks drag celica
There is not much i know on the HKS Celica apart from that it takes 9 seconds to do its job. It is 3S-GTE powered, but it is not a ST 205 GT-FOUR, rather a ST 202 SX FWD origin.

wow, awesome post

great post JD ... outstanding work

yup..i'm definatly gonna save this thread.

DAng... those supra engines are pushed really far back...

Put together very nice!

nicely done

good thread

this article makes tears of joy fall from my face

WOW! i've always wanted to know what MR2 stood for. about that Top Secret car, holy mackerel, it sure is crazy at 720hp! has it posted any quarter mile times or anything, because that would be very interesting

AWESOME post

The 5.7L V8 in the Toyota Tundra is largest displacing engine Toyota makes. It's a 3UR-FE and make 381hp and 401 ft lbs.