$5000 cash... what would you do?
 

I did a quick search and I didnt really find was I was looking for (gotta do a c.y.a. here..)

What I was wondering is, say hypothetically I had $5000 cash and I wanted to go turbo. If I wanted the most hp for the money, would I go 1jz or na-t? (This isnt counting the transmission... I just want to take engines into consideration. And parts-availability for 1jz are also of little concern for me. Also, consider that I would do all labor myself.)

I would like to go 1jz because the turbos are already there, but I would also consider a na-t because the engine is already there, and I would already be setup for a single turbo. The 2jz-gte is a little overkill imho, because the 1jz and 2jz-ge are made to handle enough power as it is.

So, would it be cheaper to upgrade the 1jz or to simply turbo the 2jz-ge? Opinions/experience on this are more than welcome.

i would go na-t. beacuse if u had a 1jz, then wanted more power u would go single turbo. so y not just cut out the middle step and go straight single turbo.

BUT for me i want 1jz. Y? because i want the intake manifold on one side. it makes the engine bay look nice and clean. it will cost as much as a 1jz engine as a custom intake manifold for the 2jzge. my power goals or low ( 300 crank). so ill be happy with 1jz.

I had the same exact problem.


I went with the NA-T.

o yeah i forgot to add, u can make MORE power with 5k on NA-t then u can with 1jz.

just get all the turbo parts, with new headgasket, injectors, and sc400 MAF. and u should have more power then u need.

Ok, thats what I was really wanting to know :) . I was thinking, the other plus with na-t would be that, once the engine blew itself up, all I had to do was drop a new 2jz-ge in and reuse the same turbo kit. (Like, if someone was doing a 1jz swap and didnt want their 2jz-ge anymore...) Also, demand for 1jz's are going up, which means that they are due for a price jump anytime now.

I will start planning for a turbo kit now. Thx guys :thumbup: .

Im a 1jz(well 1.5 now) owner and even I will tell you go NA-T for the money.

My NA-T project is gonna cost me about $2700 for just parts, and that is waiting until I find a good deal to buy something. I think people that go 1JZ have local performance oriented shops nearby that they can go to for help should something come up, or they have the ability to find the parts and put them on themselves. If I was very mechanically inclined and could get parts, I'd do 1jz, but since I'm not..it's not a good route for me.

go NA-T, but make sure you have an exact part list including accessories before starting it.

Anyone on this site running a NA-T with forged internals?? NA-T just might be the path i might consider as well but the 2jz gte is so tempting!!

i would go 1jz simply because 5g's can get you a the motor and single upgrade. since you are doing all this yourself you will still have enough for rims or cleaning up the interior. here is the price break down not sure of the hp gains:

2jz na-t from ebay
manifold, down pipe, watse gate pipe $250
piping for intercooler assuming you want front mount $200-$250
intercooler is $200
waste gate $150+
fittings $70-$120
cheap turbo $300
drilling a hole $45+
cheap timer $45
cheap afc $120

all this will give you about 300 + or - and it cost about $1500

1jz from ebay
motor $1000
wiring extension $30
intercooler $200
cheap timer $45

this will cost about $1275
now this is where you save:
sell the tranny for $300-$500 depends on your mood
now from my own research and takling to mike urbano rip. he made 313whp to the wheels without exhaust.

remember you said install yourself so this is what you said you were looking for. it is under 5k so you have more money to play with. if so single up the 1jz and have a field day. i personally am gonig na-t til i blow the motor and then drop 1jz, but that's because i am on a budget and the single turbo conversion will swap over to the 1jz with the exception of the piping and manifold. cheap cheap cheap.... please correct me if i am wrong. once again not sure of the numbers, just been reading a lot.

I did my 1JZ swap for $1600 ish.. $300 of that was a professional wire harness extension. Motor was $1250 at my door, complete. Probably coulda done NAT cheaper, but i love owning a 1JZGTE sc300.

where can you find a decent na-t kit for less than $1600?

make it alot of stuff, piece parts together.

hmmm :confused: so i ask the question would any of you buy a pieced together na-t kit over a 1jz if you knew they were the same priced installed?

iunno... some ppl dont like the idea of a motor swap, especially if your stock engine is low miles and runs beautiful. Alot of ppl do not have the room and supplys to swap either. If you bring it to a shop, expect to pay $$$$$$