Re: Project Lex
 

Random update. It's not going to happen right away, but I'm slowly starting to gather parts for a built bottom end. Not that I need it, but with this engine being higher mile, it does have a few leaks, including the rear main which I can tell now that the trans is off. I'm going to let this motor buck for awhile yet, but eventually it could benefit from a refresh. And while I'm at it, figure might as well throw some upgraded internals at it. I've been talking with Tony at Real St. and came up with a setup I think I'll be very happy with.
- Manley H-Tuff Rods / ARP2000 bolts
- Manley Pistons (86.5mm, come in 9:1 or 10:1)
- ACL Race Bearings
- ARP Main Studs / OEM Main Caps

Chose these parts after MUCH consideration. These rods are very affordable, yet you can tell they are much beefier than other 'budget' rods. I'm confident they will hold well into the 4 figures. Then just going with the matching Manley pistons just made sense to me, especially considering their price and their different CR options. This overall setup should keep my very safe up to around 1000hp we feel. In the extremely rare event I want to go beyond that, the hardware I selected should be plenty up to the task, however I'd probably add billet main caps. But being that I don't ever see myself going beyond (or even reaching) 1000, it just didn't make sense to do right now since billet mains are atleast $1k+ adder to the motor build.

The only thing I'm up in the air about is the pistons, to get the 9:1 or 10:1. 10:1 seems like the no brainer option, except once you realise that CR number is based on a 2JZGTE (TT) setup. Being that I'm a 2JZGE (NA) block, GE head, GE headgasket, my quick calcs put me around 11.2:1 with those which is a bit higher than I'd like, but potentially do-able since I only run e85. The 9:1 pistons would put me around 9.9:1 which sounds excellent. However if I ever end up at a point where I feel I need to run say a thicker GTE headgasket, that'll drop me down to the low 9's on those which is lower than I'd prefer, or in the low 10's with the "10:1" pistons which is ideal. So I'm kind of up in the air right now on that single choice, but I'm leaning towards the "9:1" set.

Re: Project Lex
 

Got my ARP main studs and ACL Race Bearings in hand. Still working through the little details on the exact rods/pistons I'm going to get with Real St. Very knowledgeable and helpful group of folks when it comes to the 2JZ. Glad they are helping me to make sure I end up with the best bang for the buck setup for my goals.

Also, got the transmission in. So this is the new Collins A340 adapter kit. I also got his new transmission mount and ditched the old version. Routed some Power Steering line for the new PS reservoir. Good thing I got my helper cracking the whip. He loves his hoes!

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1473909733

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1473911891

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1473909733

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1473909733

Re: Project Lex
 

Very cool! On the compression note, I would go lower compression and compensate with boost. It's safer for a street car and more forgiving with variation on climate conditions, fuel quality, etc... My evo is 9.0 to 1, no complaints on spool, drivability or power, and it's got around 20k miles at 770hp with no issues to date.

Re: Project Lex
 

Wow! Little dude is big! Cute little guy!

On the compression, I like Mark's advice.

Good progress on the tranny etc. Does the bell housing and new mount make the difference you hoped for during install?

Re: Project Lex
 

Thanks for the input. Low to mid 9s was my initial thought too when I started looking into this. But soon as I started talking to Real St, they highly recommended 10:1. They continued to say that is the sweet spot on these motors with e-fuel. I told them my concerns about climate and seasonal blends, this being a street car i dont want to have anything on the edge, and they said yep they understand but their recommendation was still 10:1 as it is perfect for what I want. This is exactly why I chose to talk with a reputable Supra shop because I want the scoop straight from the folks who know this platform. So I took that info and then spoke with the gentleman who will be tuning my car. His name is Vlad, he is an absolute AEM guru and is a big Supra guy (which is why I choose him, he knows this platform in and out and he to apply this ecu to it). He tunes cars all day everyday, his specialty is the 2jz, and he has built a couple of his own personal 1000+ Supras and also owns an SC. He said he absolutely echos Real St, and he actually said anywhere between 10-10.5 is what he would run.

So with that information, I started to re think and research more. Sure enough, that is what all the top guys are saying. So with 9:1 TT pistons, that puts my NA setup at 9.9:1. So that seems to be a good choice e for me I think, staying at the lower end of that 10 - 10.5:1 range.

Plan is to have a local guy named Daniel Koetz do the build. He recently purchased my uncles entire engine / machine shop business, and has worked at places like MAP and RavenWorks, and has come highly recommended. He will likely be building another 2JZ right before mine too, so will be nice to have a local guy with some experience on this particular motor that I can trust. So assuming his quote comes back reasonable, he will be doing the build.

I've also been thinking about busing a core for him to build rather than pull mine out and give to him. That way I can have it slowly built on the side, without taking my car down, and swap once I'm totally ready. With that thought, would be the perfect time to convert to a VVTI motor (tunable variable intake timing). It'll give me much improved low end, and infinity can control it, and sounds like Vlad has tuned plenty of them before and can set it up pretty easily, and is in fact building a VVTI setup for himself at the moment. So, if anyone knows of any IS300's getting parted out, I'm in the market for a complete 2JZGE VVTI motor :)

Re: Project Lex
 

This thing sounds beasty!!!
Where is the local guys shop?

Re: Project Lex
 

He's in the middle of moving it all to his own place, I'm not quite sure where that is yet.

Re: Project Lex
 

I know a guy...

Re: Project Lex
 

^^ Mah ninja, in the process of working out a deal with him right now, thanks again dude!!!

Re: Project Lex
 

Let me know where it ends up if you don't mind, i've heard nothing good about him.

Re: Project Lex
 

Well thanks to pat for the lead on a motor. I just purchased a local running 2JZGE VVTi out of a wrecked IS300. Full motor / long block, with manifolds, with accessories, and the stock auto transmission, for $300. Hoping to go get it on Sunday. I only need the block and head, so I'll try and sell the accessories and transmission off it and end up with a free donor motor out of the deal :)

Re: Project Lex
 

Fuuuccc, thats badass!

Re: Project Lex
 

Got my donor motor. $300, can't beat that. Time to slowly build it and try out this VVTI thing :)

Re: Project Lex
 

Wow what a steal, very nice.

Re: Project Lex
 

Nobody wants the GE (non-turbo) motors, especially the VVTi ones. No TT No Care. Works out great for me :)

Re: Project Lex
 

I like all of these updates!

Re: Project Lex
 

How much power stock can those hold?
This is going to be the motor you build right?

Re: Project Lex
 

Nice updates! If only I could do it all again... lol Finding a 300 dollar motor would be nice! haha

Re: Project Lex
 

Yes, this will be built. To try and keep it simple without going into all the details, all 2JZ blocks are virtually the same, Non-VVTi NA (GE), VVTi NA, TT (GTE), etc. are all virtually the same block. And it's no secret that these blocks can hold ridiculous power, even in stock form (700tq is a general guideline as the limit of the stock rods). But everyone wants the GTE motor because it's the TT motor. Most don't do the research to understand the non-vvti GE motor is also virtually just as strong, so that makes the GE motor less desirable (and cheaper). It's a GTE motor, but with 10:1 compression instead of 8.5:1 and no oil squirters, that generally speaking is the main short block differences. And I'd take 10:1 over 8.5:1 on e85 anyday!

Now, the VVTi GE motor, Toyota decided to put weaker (lighter) rods in the GE VVTi motor for whatever reason. These are the newer NA motors found in GS300's and IS300's. So that makes those even MORE undesirable. That's really how I got it so cheap, because nobody wants GE VVTi motors because it has the weaker rods that can "only handle 500hp" without becoming the weak link. Well to me that doesn't matter because I'm putting in built internals. So the fact nobody wants them just really works out in my favor. PLUS, VVTi is seen by so many people as some sort of black magic that's a tuners worst nightmare, so people avoid it thinking it's just going to be so difficult to tune, so why bother. Truth is, several folks have tuned it and the information is out there, and it's supposidely not that complicated. Advance 40* starting around like 1500rpm's. Gradually reduce it down to 0* Advance by around 5000rpm, that's all there is to it. I checked with my tuner, he said he's done several before and it's awesome, and is currently building a VVTi setup for his 80mm Supra. It makes a tremendous difference in the lower RPM range. Some folks even said that other than maybe Nitrous, there isn't another mod that will give you this big of a low end gain. It will not make more horsepower overall, but it'll make it sooner and give you a much fatter power band. See comparison below of Non-VVTi (thin line) vs. VVTi (bold line). But there is this mindset by the majority still that VVTi a nightmare, so again makes it less desirable and just a sweeter deal for me. Also means I can maybe jump to a 66mm turbo or something which I never would have considered before as it'd be seemingly so laggy to me, but I can retain as good of low end as I already have because of VVTi plus with the 10:1 compression still feel very responsive

OK I guess I rambled, lol.

VVTi Dyno Comparison:
http://media.fyre.co/GiQkr0FrSjqTX7t...2002.43.06.jpg

Re: Project Lex
 

Side note, just purchased some guts for this motor. Huge thanks to Tony @ Real St. for spending weeks answering question after question from me, going through my pages of notes / calculations, verifying my compression math was correct with their well known engine builder, and overall helping me come up with what I believe is an absolute solid hardware choice while still being budget oriented. These rods I think will take anything I can ever throw at them, they are beefy!

Manley Pistons, 86.5mm, 9:1 rated compression (will be around 9.9:1 in my GE setup based on my math).
http://realstreetperformance.com/Sho...ra-2JZGTE.html

Manley H-Tuff Rods.
http://realstreetperformance.com/Sho...a-2JZ-GTE.html

Re: Project Lex
 

Thanks for the education brother.
Sounds like a giant lack of education/effort on other people's part, but if it keeps motors cheap and plentiful then fuck it!!!
I'm excited to see this done, wish I could do some 2JZ stuff Jax loves the sound of that motor.

Re: Project Lex
 

Damn, insane results from vvti! Seems like a no-brainer!

Re: Project Lex
 

Can I get your old non vvti rods and Pistons then?

Re: Project Lex
 

I suppose so. Might be a year or so, but yeah once the motor is out, all yours buddy.

Re: Project Lex
 

Correct me if I'm wrong but are the non-vvti rods "beefier" than my vvti toothpick ones?

Re: Project Lex
 

Sounds great B-man. Sounds like the Mivec system which has shown great results for low RPM gains with big turbos, it's even been adapted to a DSM. Hard to beat technology once it's understood by the unwashed masses. :D

Re: Project Lex
 

Yep. My stock rods are the same as the stock TT, they are pretty beefy. You'd be fine up to 800hp or so on these. As for pistons, I'm not too up to speed on what the piston differences are.

Re: Project Lex
 

Some parts arrived in the mail today. Thanks Tony @ Real St. :)

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252131

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252131

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252165

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252197

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252197

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252224

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252224

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1475252224

Re: Project Lex
 

So sexy

Re: Project Lex
 

How do you know your soon to be engine builder? Parts look nice!

Re: Project Lex
 

Through Kerry mainly. He used to work at MAP, RavenWorks, and he recently bought my uncles engine machine shop. He will be building mine and Kerry's motor, and sounds like another eventually for his own 2jz project.

Re: Project Lex
 

Picked up some basic BC Single Springs w/ Ti Retainers from a guy who decided to go a different route. Brand new but for about $100 less than from a vendor, so that makes me :) . General consensus is these should be good for 8k RPM, even on the stock shim over bucket arrangement. So that's my plan for the head. And compared to stock redline of 6500 on my car, and I'm revving my current setup to 7300, so this is pretty much the best bang for the buck arrangement I came up with, which is the goal of this build to be quality while also spending wisely without overspending, and I'm plenty happy with 8k, doubt i'll even go that high and probably stay just slightly under that just to be conservative.
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...8&d=1476415109

Next I got the motor stripped down mostly here. Dan said that's good enough, so I'll hopefully be bringing this to him within maybe a month or so to start work on the block.
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476415112

Next, I got the issue figured out with the engine not turning over. Long story short, the flywheel bolts were just a tish too long. So I torqued the flywheel down, but the bottoms of the bolts must also have bottomed out on the main cap on the other said of the crank flange, preventing the motor from turning. I was able to stack a few washers under the bolt head to get it to clear, but I will be ordering 35mm bolts so I have the correct size. The stock flexplate arrangement, I measured has about 12.8mm of thread protruding. You can see the pic of 17mm protruding which did not work. But with washers, the 14.8mm protrusion works fine. Once I order the 35mm bolts, it should have roughly 13.8mm protruding, which is about 1mm more than stock, but also about 1mm less than the 14.8 that I know works, so should work out good.

Stock Flexplate w/ spacers and stock bolt (12.8mm protruding)
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476415112

40mm with 2 washers, does not work and bottoms out on main cap (17.0mm protruding)
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476415112

40mm with 3 washers, works/clears (14.8mm protruding)
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476415112

Oh and last thing, it's alive.

Re: Project Lex
 

Nice work!

U got some contact info for that dude? I have some questions for him.

Re: Project Lex
 

Yeah u referring to engine builder? His name is Daniel Koetz. If you just look him up on Facebook. He used to be a machinist at map and at my Uncle shop and I think Raven works too. But he's starting his own company called Precision race engines.

Re: Project Lex
 

Alive!! nice! Is everything else done you want before you can cruise? Or still buttoning things up?

Re: Project Lex
 

It's alive, but not healthy yet lol. I need to install the trans and all that stuff again. Which I need the new bolts for the flywheel yet. Also cylinders 5&6 are not firing. Not sure why yet but I believe it's injector related. So either not getting the signal, or stuck from sitting for a year. Need to figure that out. Then there is still a bit of tuning required to get it running correctly. It started and idled on 4 cylinders, but idled nice. But there's still a good bit of tuning before it's cruisable.

Re: Project Lex
 

Found that injectors 5 & 6 were not firing. Must have been the sitting for so long / e85 got them all jammed up or something. They wouldn't even click when I jumpered 12V to them. Sent all 6 off to Cleveland Injector Hospital. They got them Monday in the mail, cleaned and flowed all 6, and had them back in the mail by Monday evening. Great guy, great work, great turn around! So I should have them back either tomorrow of Thursday. Should take care of that issue!

Ordered a new PS pump because mine is squeeling like crazy, wonder if it just dried up and seals went bad sitting for so long or something. So I'll be putting that in once it arrives. I also have a small leak, so I have a new fitting hose fitting coming to fix that as well.

Got some more parts in the mail. My ARP main studs showed up. Also got a billet timing tensioner from Boostwerx (Dave H) for a steal!

That's about it for now. Saving up for some cams from Real St., and that will basically be it for parts for the motor build.

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476842558

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1476842558

Re: Project Lex
 

Small updates, and also just a few notes for myself.

I had gotten such a good deal on those BC single springs / retainers. But I stumbled across someone selling a Manley single springs / retainers / locks setup. Not that I feel the BC's wouldn't work, but in general I just feel a lot better about the Manley brand. I had thrown Manley a few emails regarding my pistons and rods, and they were very quick to reply, extremely helpful and friendly, and detailed. And when I found these Manley springs for sale I asked them about them and again awesome customer service. For comparison I have sent a couple messages to BC (about cams actually), one of which I've never gotten a reply to, a different later one I did get a nice friendly reply to that time. To me the Manley support was much better and was something I appreciated. So, I threw an offer on the Manley springs similar to what I had paid for the BC's figuring well if I can get them for the same price then hell yeah, and if not no big deal I'll run the BC's. They accepted the offer. They are very similar specs, however the Manley are just a hair stiffer, and also includes new locks (BC you retain your stock ones). The slightly stronger seat pressure I think I will appreciate if I ever do try to run north of say 35psi.

So I threw my BC's up for sale, sold within a day for more than I bought them for which was great :) Amazing the deals you can find if you watch for people selling off their stuff for their 'planned build' and their circumstances changed. So anyway I'll be running Manley Springs / Retainers / Locks now. Not that it actually means anything, but I like the fact that I have all matching Manley stuff now (Rods, Pistons, Springs), just makes me feel like things are a nice match instead of a mixture from x, y, z. If only they sold some cams, lol.

Before I sent the BC's away, I put a spring and retainer on my little scale just for curiosity. Then I just put a Manley set on the scale too. Kinda bummed because I measured the BC stuff in Ounces (didn't realize I could select grams), which isn't really as granular as grams. When weighing the Manley, I realized Grams was an option. Just kind of wanted to see how different they weighed. I'll be weighing a stock setup too once they're out. But anyway, here's the values I got for them. Oz they are a dead match, if I would have measured the BC's in grams, maybe I would have seen a tiny difference but none-the-less pretty much identical weights. Once I get the head-work started, I'm going to measure a stock set for comparison sake.

BC
Seat @ 1.325"= 80lbs; Open @ 0.980"= 158lbs
Retainer 0.2oz
Spring 1.2oz
Total 1.4oz

Manley
Seat @ 1.325"= 82lbs; Open @ 0.985" @ 165lbs; 0.895 @ 187lbs
Retainer 0.2oz / 6g
Spring 1.2oz / 32g
Total 1.4oz / 38g

BC
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675


Manley
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1479748675

Re: Project Lex
 

Some old man advice:. Up your boost, change your turbo, and make any bolt on changes on the current motor(basically make any changes you may be planning on this old motor). Get everything dialed in perfect before your new motor gets swapped in. That way any variances or wear is on the old motor. Swap in the new one with a great tune which only needs a little compensation for the compression ratio and cam/head changes etc. It will make the transition smoother by reducing the amount of newness of the overall setup.

Re: Project Lex
 

Yeah, that is close to my plans. I do plan to run the current/old setup hard next year. I might not even switch turbos on the next setup, not sure yet. There will be some differences though. The trigger pickup setup is different on vvti. The wire harness in general is different so that'll be a mini project in itself. I want to run a new ignition setup on the new motor (1zz or IGN-1A). So I will do as much as I can to keep changes minnimal, but there will be a couple differences. Good thing is the guy tuning it really knows his shit and will have the tune in place to fire it up before I ever even turn the key.