My 1998 GS300 has a little over 106K miles on it. It is paid off and I know I will never get back the $35,000 that has been invested into it (paint and mods) so I have decided that I will keep it and turbo it later. So my question is should I be saving for a complete engine swap 2JZ or just turbo it. If I go for the engine swap around what mileage should I go for it and if I go the turbo route at what age/milage would it be a waste to do it? Oh also if I do an engine swap would I be getting a brand new engine or are those 2JZ's pulled from a used Supra or something?

What do you guys think I should do?

 

You can't find any "new" GTE engine anymore , which is probably more reliable since its factory . i'll wait for the more experianced members to chime in .

 

At your mileage I would definately go for the swap. You're engine is old (not that old) but old enough that it does not need to be turbo'd and put under that kinda of pressure...Also most of the 2jz's I have seen have about 45k. If you still want more power after that just single it!

 

Im going the same route as you. I wont be F-I anytime soon, but when Im ready it will be the GTE Aristo swap,

 

You'll be better off with the swap. I'm sure your current motor could handle FI with some minor rebuilding but why go through the hassle when you can get something lower mileage and already turbo'ed.

 

You could Turbo your car with some minor build up or even supercharge your engine with some minor build up. That really depends on what kind of HP your looking for. If you want really big HP than a SC is our of the equation. If your looking for somewhere in the 300-350 range than a Nice Supercharger kit like Ken, Mikeyboy,Spany have will do the trick or even a very simple Turbo kit like the Stage 2 from SRT will do the trick aswell for about in the 4-5k range installed and tuned to that HP for everyday enjoyment. If your looking for to swap your looking at close to 4k for just the engine and trans alone before you do or add anything else. Most Aristo clips (JDM twin turbo motor and 4 spd auto trans) are actually imported in the 80k and up mileage, these are normally found in the as low as 2600.00-3200.00, Some guys Like me, paid a little more Cuz we wanted lower miles and engine start up and drive/boost Warranty. So That starts to slide you closer to the 4k range and thats for the non vvt-i clip, vvt-i clips start at 4k and up from when I looked (VVt-i vs. Non VVt-i is a thread in its own so you'll just have to look up that debate when you have time) But basically I am just throwing out these rough estimates cus you'll need to know what your getting yourself into and what you really want makes it easier to decide which direction to go.

 

brotha your car is beautiful cert a keeper

as far as miles 106k if properly maintained is nothing to a 2jz .. most of my guys down here running turbos in there sc have well over that and boosting 20 to 25lbs of course with thicker head gaskets..

my vote goes for keeping your stock 2jz , get the boostlogic stage 2 kit for about 5k (nicely polished parts) port and and polish head , lower compression slightly and enjoy about 15-18lbs of boost which will put in the 400 range to the wheels

unless you really want to wow them at shows doing a full 2jzgte swap and only getting around 350 or so to the wheels without going full bpu i really dont see the point.. the 2jz and 2jzgte are almost identical with the exception of different intake mani design (which has been proven to flow less air as compared to the 2jz design) and lower compression pistons whereby it will yield a better (notice i did not state stronger just better) platform for running high boost levels

you would spend about 6-10k in the swap , another 2-4k to go full bpu and only get around 350-375 , when for half that you could go boostlogic , srt or sp , and port and polish head , do a 3 angle valve job , new valves and valve stem seals since you are in there thicker head gasket and be right around 400-450 which is about the limits of your tranny


again my vote is boosting and building what you have

 

i agree with Bluelex - it really depends on how much HP you really want.

if you only want a little bump.. i'd personally go the SC route.

 

I vote for VVT-i GTE swap.

 

I agree with lex4life, Boost what u have, it'll get the job done. There are plenty of sc300's with the same set-up.