Toyota 2JZ-GE (3.0 L, DOHC) engine: specs and review, service data (2024)

The Toyota 2JZ-GE is a 3.0 liter (2,997 cc, 182.89 cu-in) straight-six, four-stroke cycle natural aspirated gasoline engine from the Toyota JZ-family. The engine was manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation on the Tahara Plant (Tahara, Aichi, Japan) from 1991.

The Toyota 2JZ-GE engine features a cast-iron block, aluminum cylinder head with dual belt-driven overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder (24 in total). The 2JZ-GE is equipped with an L-type electronically-controlled, multiport sequential fuel injection (SFI) system and VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) since 1996. Bore and stroke are 86.0 mm (3.39 in) and 86.0 mm (3.39 in), respectively.

The 2JZ-GE engine used a conventional throttle body whereby the throttle valve opening is determined by the amount of accelerator pedal effort. The throttle body and Idle Air Control (IAC) are integrated into a single unit. The VVT-i version used the ETCS-i system (Electronic Throttle Control System-intelligent). For this system, the ECU (Engine Control Unit) calculated the optimal throttle valve opening according to driving conditions and used a control motor for the throttle valve opening.

Two generations of this engine were available:

• The first generation of the Toyota 2JZ-GE had a compression ratio rating of 10.5:1, ignition system with a mechanical distributor and was manufactured from 1991 to 1996. This version produced from 220 PS (162 kW; 217 HP) at 5,800 rpm to 230 PS (169 kW; 227 HP) at 6,000 rpm of maximum horsepower and from 279 Nm (28.5 kg·m; 205.9 ft·lb) at 4,800 rpm to 284 Nm (29 kg·m; 209.6 ft·lb) at 4,800 rpm of peak torque.
• The second generation had a compression ratio of 10.5:1 , VVT-i system on the inlet camshaft and DIS-3 ignition system with 3 ignition coils. The 2JZ-GE VVTi engine produced from 215 PS (158 kW; 212 HP) at 5,800 rpm to 230 PS (169 kW; 227 HP) at 6,000 rpm of horsepower and from 294 Nm (30.0 kg·m; 217.0 ft·lb) at 3,800 rpm to 304 Nm (31.0 kg·m; 224.3 ft·lb) at 4,000 rpm of maximum torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

• 2 – 2-nd generation engine
• JZ – Engine family
• G – Performance wide-angle DOHC
• E – Multi-Point Fuel Injection

General information

Cylinder block

The Toyota 2JZ-GE engine has a cast-iron cylinder block, bore is 86.0 mm (3.39 in) and stroke is 86.0 mm (3.39 in). Compression ratio rating for 2JZ-GE without VVT-i system is 10.0:1, for the version with VVT-i, is 10.5:1.

The cylinder block, a monoblock specially cast structure, employs the seven bearing support system. The crankshaft has seven journals and twelve counterweights; both pins and journals are induction-hardened. The 2JZ-GE engine is equipped with a dual-mode crankshaft damper pulley which combined a torsional damper and bending damper to reduce both torsional and bending vibration.

The pistons are special aluminum casting. Each piston is fitted with two compression rings and a single oil ring. The surface of the top compression ring is chromium plated.

The 2JZ-GE engine used hot-forged connecting rods. Each connecting rod and connecting rod cap are joined with knock pins and plastic region tightening bolts. At the small end of the connecting rod, a bimetal bushing was press-fitted into the piston pin hole. For the VVT-i version of the 2JZ-GE engine, the connecting rods are made of high-strength vanadium steel.

Main bearing cap bolts torque specs:

• Step 1: 44 Nm; 4.5 kg·m; 32.5 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°

Connecting rods cap bolts torque specs:

• Step 1: 29 Nm (3.0 kg·m; 21.4 ft·lb)
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°

Flywheel bolt torque specs:

• Step 1: 49 Nm (5 kg·m; 36.16 ft·lb)
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°

Drive plate fixing bolts: 83 Nm (8.5 kg·m; 61.3 ft·lb)

Cylinder head

The cylinder head is made of a light, strong aluminum alloy with good cooling efficiency. For the 2JZ-GE VVT-i engine, the cylinder head jacket was modified to improve cooling around the spark plugs so that the compression ratio could be increased.

Camshafts are made of specially cast steel and are driven by a timing belt. The 2JZ-GE engine is equipped with four valves per cylinder: two intake valves and two exhaust valves. Valves are made of heat-resistant steel and have an included valve angle of 45°. The 2JZ-GE has the intake valves with a head diameter of 33.5 mm (1.3189 in) and the exhaust valves with a head diameter of 29.0 mm (1.1417 in). The intake valve lift is 8.26 mm (0.3252 in), the exhaust valve lift is 8.41 mm (0.3311 in).

The 2JZ-GE engine without VVT-i has an intake duration of 233° and exhaust duration of 236°, VVT-i version has an intake duration of 233&deg, and exhaust duration of 226°.

The Toyota JZ engines are not equipped with hydraulic lifters, so special valve shims are used to adjust the valve clearance.

Cylinder head torque specs:

• Step 1: 35 Nm; 3.6 kg·m; 25.83 ft·lb
• Step 2: Turn all bolts 90°
• Step 2: Turn all bolts another 90°

Maintenance data

Valve clearance adjustment data

Calculate the thickness of new adjusting valve lifter so valve clearance comes within specified values.

R = Thickness of removed valve lifter
N = Thickness of new valve lifter
M = Measured valve clearance

Intake:
N = R + [M – 0.20 mm (0.008 in)]
Exhaust:
N = R + [M – 0.30 mm (0.012 in)]

Valve lifters are available in 17 sizes range from 2.50 mm (0.0984 in) to 3.30 mm (0.1181 in), in steps of 0.05 mm (0.0020 in).

Example (intake valve):
R = 2.90 mm
M = 0.40 mm
N = 2.90 + (0.40 – 0.20) = 3.10 mm, so we need a valve shim with thickness of 3.10 mm (0.1220 in).

Vehicle applications