The Lemon Index
Toyota's 3.0-liter inline-6, sequential twin-turbo. This page covers the versions we have sourced so far: the Toyota Supra, model years 1993–1998. The engine is used in other cars too; those aren't covered here yet.
Middle of the pack: YouTube owner tone None/100, #99 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); no engine-related recall on record, 4 known issues listed below.
Known issues on record
- Head gasket (Outlet report). The RAC calls blown head gaskets an early Supra bugbear. Signs are slow coolant loss, gurgling behind the dash and a temperature that climbs on hard runs. Fix: Replace the head gasket. 1 owner complaint to NHTSA mention it (A80 Supra).
- Turbo smoke (Outlet report). The RAC rates the turbos as fairly tough but says to walk away from a car blowing white smoke from the exhaust.
- Rear differential noise (Outlet report). Autocar says the diff is very strong but could clonk even when new, mostly going from reverse into first. A whine under load is the bad sign.
- Tailgate rust (Outlet report). Autocar says the base of the tailgate, just below the rear window, is where Mk IV bodies rust.
What YouTube owners say Tone 0-100, higher = more praise than trouble.
Average owner tone 46/100 across 6 model years, from 131 videos about this engine and its cars (#99 of 165 engines with a YouTube study).
Most-watched videos
- Toyota 2JZ Engine Build - Full Start to Finish 9,849,703 views
- MAZDA RX7 (FO35) 138ROTARY | TOYOTA SUPRA MK4 (2JZ-GTE) | MITSUBISHI EVO IX (4G63T) 🔥 #1to10 7,800,916 views
- 2JZ ENGINE - How it Works | SCIENCE GARAGE 6,556,745 views
Counted from video titles and captions: praise words against trouble words, weighted by views. Videos only count when the title names this engine or a car that had only this engine in those years.
Owner complaints and recalls
Counts for the cars on this page, from NHTSA. They cover every part of the car, not only the engine.
| Car | Years | Owner complaints | Recall campaigns | NHTSA files it as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A80 Supra | 1993–1998 | 12 | 1 | Supra |
Specs by generation
Toyota 2JZ-GTE: A80 Supra, 1993–1998
- Layout: Inline-6, DOHC 24-valve, iron block, aluminum head
- Output: 320 hp, 315 lb-ft (US)
- Bore x stroke: 86 x 86 mm, 2,997 cc
- Turbos: Sequential twin turbos made with Hitachi; US and European cars got CT12B units with stainless steel parts
- Strength: Autocar's specialist says the bottom end is good for over 500 bhp
What we don't have yet
- The engine's other cars: only the versions above are sourced so far.
Quick answers
What cars have the Toyota 2JZ-GTE / 2JZ-GE engine?
On this site so far: the Toyota Supra, model years 1993–1998. It is used in other cars we haven't covered yet.
Is the Toyota 2JZ-GTE / 2JZ-GE reliable?
Mostly, with known issues to check. YouTube owner tone None/100, #99 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); no engine-related recall on record, 4 known issues listed below. Owner complaints are filed by car, not engine, and cover the whole car, so none of these numbers is an engine failure rate.
How much horsepower does the Toyota 2JZ-GTE / 2JZ-GE make?
220 to 320 hp in the versions on this page (factory figures).
Sources: Wikipedia: Toyota JZ engine · Toyota: 2024 GR Supra celebrates 45 years of legendary power (Toyota USA newsroom) · The Auto Channel: 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo review (Tom Hagin) · Autocar: Toyota Supra buying guide (Oct 2009) · RAC: Toyota Supra (1993-1996) used car review (Andy Enright, Nov 2005). Complaints and recalls: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov).