It was purchased for $250 and is on its way to achieving greatness
When someone mentions the Toyota 2JZ, the Supra likely comes to mind. This engine is legendary for its role in making the Mk4 Supra iconic. However, the 2JZ was also used in various other cars. This particular engine came from a 2005 Lexus GS300, the last year the sedan featured the classic inline-six. In this I Do Cars teardown video, we get an inside look at its condition.
If you’re expecting to see catastrophic damage that led to this disassembly, you’ll be disappointed. It’s not that a 2JZ can’t be destroyed—massive turbochargers can easily cause severe damage to the block. But this engine lived a naturally aspirated life under the hood of a base GS300, a car not typically subjected to hot-rodding. Perhaps that’s why it was bought for the bargain price of $250.
The teardown serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it’s fascinating to look inside one of the greatest engines of all time. Additionally, the engine is destined for an IS300 project car, with plans to exceed its stock 220 horsepower. This provides an opportunity for a meticulous inspection to determine if it’s suitable for a performance-focused rebuild. And the results speak for themselves.
The engine had 150,000 miles when removed from the car, but you wouldn’t know it from the inside. The head and camshafts look remarkably clean once the valve cover is off. The timing belt is in excellent condition, though it’s unclear if it’s been replaced. With the head removed, the cylinders look outstanding, as do the crankshaft, pistons, rods, bearings, and everything else. Even the bolts come out effortlessly. This teardown video is quite different from the usual content on the I Do Cars channel. Remarkably, the engine doesn’t need any machine work—just bolt in the performance parts and enjoy.
This isn’t the first high-mile Toyota engine we’ve seen, and it likely won’t be the last. While the brand may face issues with its modern V6 engines, this video is a reminder of Toyota’s reputation for building cars that are incredibly durable.
