[Manji]

I keep seeing 2jz swaps coming up on my news feed, and don't get me wrong I think that's great, but really surprised more aren't going 1uz TT.

2jz's come with a manual box, and factory turbo, 1uz's don't have either. But the aftermarket has shown these to not be issues.

You can buy bellhousing conversion kits to bolt the good toyota manual boxes to a 1uz.
The early generation 1uz's (non vvti) have proven time and time again to reliably take 600hp+ unopened, twice that if built.

1uz pros over 2jz
1000cc more displacement
75kg lighter
Cheaper
Shorter

Depending on your plans with the 1uz, governs which gen you buy. The early gen model (non vvti) have a stronger bottom end. If you don't want to build them, and just use stock motors, get an early gen.

If you're going to build it, get the vvti model. It has a far better head, but the rods are weaker.

So, why don't more people put 1uz's and twin turbo them, compared with 2j swaps, in other platforms? The 1uz is a big bitch. But again, remember it's quite a bit lighter than a 2jz. It's because there isn't the room. A lot of cars barely have room the 1uz itself, and need horrible "block hugger" headers to fit in, certainly not enough room for turbos.

BUT, the beauty of the gt86 is that it has a boxer. So the engine bay is very wide. Easily wide enough for a 1uz and a gtx28 or gtx30 either side of it.

1uz turbo setups are becoming more and more popular in the drift scene over here. Because of the reasons above, strong but still cheap. But the ones I've seen are in silvias, and because their bay isn't wide enough for TT, they have to do this ugly 8 into 1 setup with the turbo forward of the motor.

Here's a front on shot of my car. Look at the room we had for the headers. Easily enough room for a pair of snails.

Someone do it!