Tuning Tips Needed for a Boost Newbie

[fouadhafeez]

A-o-A, everyone.

I've recently purchased a 2JZ-GTE VVTi engine with an automatic transmission for an engine swap I'm planning to undertake. Turbocharged cars are pretty much uncharted territory for me; i.e., I know absolutely nothing about them...since I've never actually owned any of them.

I've scoured some of the forums (SupraForums, ClubLexus, etc) for some info on how to go about enhancing performance from the 2JZ. All of them seem to agree that the engine can be tuned to 600 hp on stock internals, but none of them seem to agree on how to actually go about it. Most of what I've seen on these forums is personal bat-swinging, e.g. "oh...I've done this to my engine" or "you should've done that to your engine" or worse; the explanation is complete technical mumbo-jumbo gibberish to a self-professed newbie.

To be honest, I'm not looking at 600 horses. I'm inclined to settle somewhere between the stock 300 odd, and that 600 figure...so about 450 horses or thereabouts.

A few questions, then (and any feedback would be much appreciated)...

1) What steps would building a 2JZ-GTE to about 450+ horsepower entail?
2) Are there any requirements of specialised fuel?
3) What are the advantages of NOS and/or ethanol, or other add-ons? Is it easy to add these on, in Pakistan?
4) Would the automatic transmission need to be rebuilt to take the extra power and torque?
5) Would such a project require specialised gauges / sensors to monitor or control the added power?
5) Could anyone share any information on locally sourcing the parts (FMIC, injectors, turbos, airflows, filters, aftermarket ECU etc) that would be needed for such an upgrade.

Thanks in advance.

Fouad.

[Xulfiqar]

At first you should be running at factory tune. After that set a goal then achieve it. An overboosted engine maybe fun to look at or hear but its a nightmare to drive.

400 hp goal is very optimistic and can be achieved with retail items but the reality will require some extra expenses

[Teeboyuk]

I agree with xulfiqar. . First getting it running perfect .. Make sure it can take the extra bhp. Next would be after market ecu u can set up your self on a laptop. Only then do u add injectors turbos fueling in my opinion to get big bhp that u can adjust .. Self tuning is the only way...

[fouadhafeez]

Thanks, guys. I was about to give up on receiving any sort of advice, at all!

At first you should be running at factory tune. After that set a goal then achieve it. An overboosted engine maybe fun to look at or hear but its a nightmare to drive.

400 hp goal is very optimistic and can be achieved with retail items but the reality will require some extra expenses

Agreed. We're transplanting the engine, as we speak. Hopefully, it should be up and running in the next few days. It's a fairly pristine VVTi engine, mated to the A341E four speed tranny. This query of mine (pertaining to upping the power), is of course, purely subjective at this point. And has a lot to do with my natural curiosity of tinkering around with things. Since it's the logical "next step", to the build, it's the only reason I'm asking.

I agree with xulfiqar. . First getting it running perfect .. Make sure it can take the extra bhp. Next would be after market ecu u can set up your self on a laptop. Only then do u add injectors turbos fueling in my opinion to get big bhp that u can adjust .. Self tuning is the only way...

Ditto. It goes without saying that we'll be looking at getting it up and running first...and then fiddling around with things. IF the engine proves to be worthy of any sort of investment, that is.

For now, though, there IS a requirement of adding stuff...since the engine is just that; a lump that is matched to a gearbox. Some of the stuff is going to HAVE to be purchased, anyways (intercooler, intakes, exhaust, et al). So might as well buy the correct things, early on...rather than purchase some stuff now, and end up wanting to replace it, later.

[Teeboyuk]

What vehicle is this lump going to appear in bro.

[fouadhafeez]

What vehicle is this lump going to appear in bro.

It's going into a 1973 Ford Mustang.

In stock form, the 1973 'Stang got either of the following engines:-
Inline 6 (250 cubic inch): 146 bhp, 232 lb-ft
Base V8 (302 cubic inch): 210 bhp, 296 lb-ft
"Cleveland" V8 (351 cubic inch): 240 bhp, 350 lb-ft
"Boss" V8 (351 cubic inch): 330 bhp, 370 lb-ft
"Cobra Jet" V8 (429 cubic inch): 370 bhp, 450 lb-ft
"Super Cobra Jet" (429 cubic inch): 375 bhp, 450 lb-ft

Now, even if I WERE able to lay my hands on one such engine (zero chances of THAT happening in Pakistan, at least), at a very high cost...a well-built 2JZ-GTE would STILL be able to beat all of these engines from the very get-go. Add to this, the ease of maintenance of the 2JZ, the modernity, and the legendary reliability...and it really becomes a no-brainer to opt for a near-extinct drivetrain.

Hence, the original theoretical question I asked (which still remains unanswered): what practical steps are involved in getting a 2JZ-GTE to perform around the 450 bhp mark...and what sort of costs / expenditure are we looking at?