What's it like to drive a 2J swap?
 

I've hunted around and can't find anyone saying how a 2J feels in this platform compared to the stock or stock + FI setup.


Handling differences?


Does the front feel "heavier"?


Throttle response?


The sound and performance of the 2J seem amazing, I just wonder what the differences and any downsides are. Like is the soul of the car's handling lost?


Maybe this question shouldn't be limited to just 2J swaps, I'm sure other swaps are similar in some ways.


Anyone with a swap care to comment? Does it still feel like an 86 after swapping?

If Jesus had a car, it would be a 2jz swapped 86.

When Chuck Norris isn't round house kicking everybody, he's driving a 2jz swapped 86.

Super Saiyan level 8.6 summons a 2jz swapped 86 for Goku to drive.

Actually I have no idea, mines far from running and i've never been in a car with any JZ in it believe it or not.

I have mine up and running and its been a blast,... I'm chasing down couple issues here and there but other than small stuff the car drives great and its a blast to drive. The sounds are amazing and the feeling of a 72mm kicking in is great too.

You can argue that it weighs heavier and the balance is affected... but you can also argue that most these swaps aren't going to be competing against F1 cars anytime soon, its mostly meant for driving around on highways and 1/4 - 1/2mile events. I definitely don't notice any changes in handling since I don't push it on how fast I can make it around an intersection turn if you know what I mean.

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Thanks for the update Rob! Nice pics, looks super sweet! My question about the handling comes from me having fallen in love with the cars handling at the beginning. I was just wondering if it was drastically changed in swapping. Any guesses at how much weight was added vs the OEM engine/trans?

The reality is yes - the power/engine characteristics alone will change how this car handles dramatically, even disregarding things like weight, center of gravity, F/R bias. On top of that, braking changes, suspension changes & other supporting mods for this transformation will change how the car behaves also. Can it handle well? Absolutely. Will it be fun to drive? A riot. Will it feel like the car you originally fell in love with, not likely.

My V8 is lighter than the FA20, sits lower, and sits farther back. I must say... it still feels like an 86, and it feels great. :)

Yeah but you don't exactly have a run of the mill iron junkyard V8 either, so that helps. lol

no problems guys, I'll try to have some more vids up and to be honest I bought this wrecked brz for the sole purpose of swapping in the 2J... if that says something. The car feels great on the street and I can't tell any difference from a stock one (handling wise) that I test drove couple times. The coilover's help a lot in feeling like a go kart and I have them set at their softest for damping and pre load, its very responsive and has that "tight" feeling when maneuvering around turns. I haven't done anything else to the suspension of it, sway bars are stock, bushings haven't been replaced, all the stock arms, just Form and Function type 2's with some front bias weight added haha

I found the best answer...


You'll need the extra weight up front to keep the front wheels on the ground with the power the 2J will be making... :D

What V8 do you have?

JUN Synergy V8.

I can only dream of doing something like this.... :/ Looks sweet, man. Must be cool to destroy cocky 5.0 GT guys too lol.

Not JUN. They are just another customer who bought the Synergy V8 package.

Ah! My mistake. I don't know too much about the Synergy V8 stuff. :/