68 Dart GTE Project

-

Reddartowner

UCF Alumni....Go Knights!
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Messages
544
Reaction score
81
Location
Merritt Island, Florida
I never started a thread on the build of this project but I figured it was time to show what I've been up to on this old girl. I was always interested in the 2JZ-GTE platform and wanted to do an interesting engine swap into this car so might as well stuff one into the Dart

I started with a bone stock 2JZ-GTE from JDM orlando to build


IMG_20191214_171849.jpg
 
Spend some time cleaning and inspecting the internals to make sure it would live at the 500 whp I was chasing. I put on a new water pump and new oil pump and studded the head instead of the old Toyota torque to yield bolts and made it match the car.

IMG_20200105_145210.jpg
00100lPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200118193116895_COVER.jpg
 
The big block was a great motor but the time in that chassis was over along with the A833 4 speed I had in it. While it was out I cleaned up and repainted the engine bay since It was so convenient. Getting this to be sitting happy in the car without running into issues with the steering links took a bit of inching it around the engine bay but it found its home


IMG_20200307_143801.jpg
IMG_20200313_185145.jpg


IMG_20200314_152643.jpg
 
I set the angle of the engine and fabbed the mounts. The engine mounts were actually not too bad. I decided to use the factory K member mounts and bolt the new mounts to them. The poly bushings for the motor made sure it wouldn't shake around too much

IMG_20200314_212844.jpg
IMG_20200314_210146.jpg
IMG_20200318_165725.jpg
IMG_20200319_160107.jpg
IMG_20200319_160118.jpg
 
For the transmission I decided to go with the CD009 out or a 350Z as they are relatively cheap, less than 1000 bucks, and strong enough to take all the beatings Ill be giving it. The only down side is its a big trans so the floor had to go to make it fit but it is still lighter than the A833. I made a nice mount that ties into the factory transmission crossmember points and mounts to the cd009 like it is in the 350Z. The floor came out a little boxy as I didnt have a good way to get a perfectly formed piece for the floor


IMG_20200322_172639.jpg
IMG_20200403_174405.jpg


IMG_20200411_143531.jpg
 
Then it was back out to the front to make the motor actually run. I mounted the intercooler and oil cooler and clearenced the fiberglass bumper that's on it. Then started bolting the big items on the motor

IMG_20200411_171237.jpg
00100lrPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200418185325769_COVER.jpg

IMG_20200416_162607.jpg
 
Sweet build I’ll follow along. I’ve seen a cool scamp 2JZ TT on the web while back was for sale on here years back. Dustin
 
Probably one of my favorite fab projects was next. I made a full 4 inch down pipe for the 62/66 turbo the breathe through and a full 4in oval exhaust under the car

IMG_20200430_182928.jpg
IMG_20200501_181257.jpg
IMG_20200503_135856.jpg
IMG_20200708_180234.jpg

IMG_20200708_180238.jpg
 
Only interest I have in this thread is are you going to sell the big block and 4 speed you took out of it. What the hell is a 2JZ-GTE?
 
Only interest I have in this thread is are you going to sell the big block and 4 speed you took out of it. What the hell is a 2JZ-GTE?

The big block was sold off to someone here in Florida for their car along with the trans. The 2JZ is the motor you would find in the Toyota Aristos in Japan or more common here the Toyota Supras.
 
I chose to go with a Haltech Platinum Sport 2000 engine management since it would control the variable valve timing this motor has for the intake cam. The wiring was a couple of days worth of labeling and measuring for wire lengths. I used a harness out of a Supra that was meant for the ECU as a starting point and modified it to fit this chassis as the ECU is in the cab. I chose to run the 850cc injectors from an LS engine platform as they are readily available and coils from the LS engine too

IMG_20200521_154206.jpg
IMG_20200522_175029.jpg
IMG_20200524_232003.jpg
 
After buttoning up all the wiring and cleaning up the engine bay to make it ready for the dyno day I scheduled a day at Titan Motorsports since their name has been made on building 2JZs. The car was great on the dyno and ended making 455 to the tire. The main issues holding it back was the coils which ill swap out in the near future and it needs a bigger intercooler for being in Florida. That basically gets it up to date on the build. Ill keep posting as I get the intercooler and coils installed and get it on scales to see how much lighter she is.

The youtube link is it on the dyno for the power pulls



IMG_20200607_151006.jpg
IMG_20200723_094000.jpg
 
I never started a thread on the build of this project but I figured it was time to show what I've been up to on this old girl. I was always interested in the 2JZ-GTE platform and wanted to do an interesting engine swap into this car so might as well stuff one into the Dart

I started with a bone stock 2JZ-GTE from JDM orlando to build


View attachment 1715610813
 
It's all my fault! Nice looking build. Darts have more room up front and my only regret was not swapping to a Dart front clip.
 
This is freakin awesome. Well done. The 2jz is an awesome platform and has been known to make big big power on a stock bottom end. Like 800-900 big. You will like that drivetrain and your dart will be a rocket ship.
 
Badass. Good job.

I considered the same path, exactly., and who knows...I may end up pursuing it Again.

I'm building another SB v8 turbo setup, this time on a 67 Fastback Barracuda.
 
-
Back
Top