The Toyota 2JZ Intake Manifold Diagram. Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine is one of the most famous tuner engines of all time. Beginning in 1993, Toyota used it in the MKIV Supra, and it immediately earned a reputation as one of the nastiest and most buildable inline-six engines ever manufactured. Even now, more than three decades after the engine’s debut in 1991, fans are still modifying 2JZs to produce well over 1,000 horsepower. Many of them will tell you that if you’re serious about building a high-powered 2JZ, you should consider upgrading your 2JZ intake manifold.
The Supra intake manifold is more than adequate for stock power levels and normal builds, but for those looking for more beyond 600 whp, an aftermarket intake manifold can make a significant difference in top-end power. As a result, one of the best 2JZ improvements is an intake manifold. You will improve power while losing weight and increasing efficiency.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about modifying the intake manifold on your 2JZ. We’ll define intake manifolds before delving into the distinctions between aftermarket and OEM models, and then we’ll discuss the advantages of upgrading. Finally, we’ll offer the best 2JZ intake manifolds on the market for you to pick from. Let’s get this party started.
*This instruction is for the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine. The naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine, on the other hand, can be adapted to accept the 2JZ-GTE front face intake manifold (FFIM). The FFIM mod is outside the scope of this article, although 2JZ-GTE intake manifolds can be used on the 2JZ-GE engine with the FFIM.
What exactly is a 2JZ Intake Manifold?
Let’s define intake manifolds before we go into the variations between OEM and aftermarket 2JZ intake manifolds. The system that pushes air into the 2JZ engine includes intake manifolds. The chain begins with the intake filter and tubing, which links to the turbochargers, which then connect to the throttle body through piping. To cool the compressed (charged) air, most configurations include an intercooler in the piping between the turbos and the throttle body. The throttle body is connected to the intake manifold, which is subsequently connected to the cylinder head.
Toyota Supra Intake Manifold Replacement
We’ll start with the most crucial components of the intake manifold. The plenum is the “top” component of the intake manifold, which resembles a single big cylinder. Six independent runners or ports connect to the plenum on 2JZ intake manifolds, one for each cylinder. Butterfly valves inside the runners open and close to control how much air enters into the cylinders.
The throttle body is crucial even though it is not part of the intake manifold. The throttle body regulates how much air from the turbochargers enters the intake manifold. Throttle bodies, like manifold runners, feature a throttle blade that opens and shuts to decide airflow. When getting a larger intake manifold for a 2JZ engine, it’s normal to get a larger throttle body.
Let’s upgrade the intake manifolds now that we’ve learned about them.
OEM vs. Aftermarket 2JZ Intake Manifold
There are significant variances between the standard and aftermarket 2JZ intake manifolds. The size of the intake runners and plenum will be the most visible. Wider runners on aftermarket Supra intake manifolds will boost flow and lessen resistance. They will also have larger, more fluid plenums.
More air will be able to travel through the manifold and into the engine thanks to the bigger intake runners. The improved plenum accommodates the shorter but broader runners while still providing for effective pulse-reversion control.
Without going too scientific, pulse-reversion control is a feature of any intake manifold. When the butterfly valves inside the intake manifold close, such as when a driver takes their foot off the gas pedal, the air inside the runners is forced back up into the plenum. When the valves are reopened, properly designed plenums reduce turbulence and allow for a smooth reversion of the exhaust pulses back into the runners. Poorly built plenums amplify turbulence and obstruct flow.
In addition, aftermarket intakes are typically composed of lighter material than OEM models. The stock 2JZ manifolds are comprised of hefty cast iron, however the majority of aftermarket manifolds are made of aluminum. Aluminum manifolds are lighter and flow better than cast iron, making them the natural choice.
When Should You Upgrade Your Supra Intake Manifold?
It’s questionable when to upgrade from the basic intake manifold. It’s widely assumed that the stock intake manifold flows well enough to produce 1,000 horsepower. However, you don’t have to have a 1,000+ whp engine to benefit from an upgraded manifold.
Power levels below 600 whp are unlikely to profit much from an aftermarket manifold, but power levels between 600 and 1,000 whp will benefit significantly. Peak power and power band will be increased when flow and pulse reversion improve.
It’s worth noting that wider and shorter intake runners, such as those found on many aftermarket 2JZ intake manifolds, tend to push peak torque to higher RPMs. This boosts top-end power at the expense of low-end power, and may result in a somewhat narrower power spectrum. Even if you lose some low-end oomph, the improvement in top-end power is generally worth it.
Overall, unless you intend to exceed 1,000 horsepower, you don’t need to change your intake manifold. However, if you do decide to do so, builds with 600 to 1,000 horsepower will benefit. We’ll get into how much power you may anticipate to acquire a little later, but it’s somewhere between 40 and 70 whp.
Toyota Supra Throttle Body Upgrade
To accommodate the larger plenum, most Supra intake manifold modifications have larger throttle bodies than original. The factory throttle is reduced in size from 71mm in the front to 65mm where it connects to the stock manifold. The factory throttle body, like the intake manifold, flows remarkably smoothly and is capable of 1,000 horsepower.
The bigger size of aftermarket intake manifold plenums, on the other hand, creates a compelling reason to likewise improve the throttle body. To fully reap the benefits of the new manifold, a throttle body that is precisely sized for it is required. The smaller OEM throttle body will still provide ample flow, but not as much as a larger throttle body. It makes no sense to leave the factory throttle body in place if you want to get the most out of your improved 2JZ intake manifold. It may flow sufficiently to avoid restriction, but a better flowing throttle body will still provide more power.
Supra Intake Manifolds for 6 vs. 12 Injectors
There are two types of 2JZ intake manifolds. Standard intake manifolds are built for six injectors, although large port manifolds for 12 injector systems are available. The stock 2JZ-GTE has six injectors, however higher horsepower versions add additional injectors for increased fueling. The manifolds appear to be nearly identical, with the exception of an extra bung for the supplemental injectors on each runner and slightly wider runners.
Advantages of a 2JZ Intake Manifold
The following are the advantages of upgrading the 2JZ intake manifold:
- +20-80 horsepower (depending on build level)
- Reduced intake limitation and increased flow
- Losing Weight
- Increased exhaust volume
The most significant advantage of upgrading the 2JZ intake manifold will be increased power. On smaller builds, gains of 20-30 whp are possible. Larger builds (above 700 hp) can gain 40-80 hp from an updated and better flowing manifold. The increase will be more at the top end than at the bottom, but it will affect the bulk of the powerband. Gains are tough to quantify because every setup is unique, but these are averages from Supra builds.
Weight reduction is another advantage of an updated 2JZ intake manifold. The lightweight aluminum or cast aluminum version is significantly lighter than the heavy cast iron counterpart. Aluminum manifolds typically overflow cast iron manifolds, implying greater power.
Finally, installing a larger intake manifold will almost certainly result in an increase in exhaust volume. It won’t be as drastic as installing a cat back, but the volume will undoubtedly increase.
Supra Intake Manifolds from Veilside
If you’ve spent any time discussing intake manifolds with the Supra community, you’ve certainly heard about the Veilside intake manifold. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Veilside was one of the most popular 2JZ intake manifolds. While it lacked low-end performance and spool, it produced massive top-end power.
Unfortunately, the 2JZ Veilside intake manifold has not been produced since the late 1990s/early 2000s. There are some genuine and rare ones still in the wild, but they are difficult to come by. Many companies produced knockoff “Veilside style” intake manifolds with ostensibly similar dimensions, but they perform far worse. If you can find one, it will most certainly be quite expensive – and used.
While the 2JZ Veilsides were certainly capable, there’s no reason to go to great lengths to find them. Furthermore, “Veilside style” manifolds are cheap clones that should be avoided for the most part. All of the 2JZ intake manifolds described below operate admirably, outperform knockoffs, and are reasonably priced.
The Top 5 2JZ Intake Manifolds
The following are the top five best 2JZ intake manifolds:
- Hypertune
- Designs for Sleepers
- Virtual Projects
- acoustic performance
- Racing at Ross Machine
These intake manifolds offer the best value, performance, quality, and looks. While there are dozens of different manifolds available, these are the best options for upgrading. To provide the most comprehensive variety, we included both normal and large or race port manifolds in the guide.
1) Supra Intake Manifold Hypertune
Price: $1,669.00 – $1,980.00
Street and Race Runner Ports (6/12 injectors)
One of the most well-known intake manifolds in the Supra world is the Hypertune 2JZ intake manifold. It’s been around since the early 2000s and has a reputation for being one of the best performing manifolds on the market. It is excellent for mid-range and top-end power improvements and can produce enormous horsepower.
Hypertune provides two Supra intake manifold styles: street and big port race. The street can handle up to 1,500 horsepower, and the large port is intended for 1,500+ horsepower setups. Both plenums have velocity stacks to increase the velocity of the airflow. The Hypertunes are available without fuel rails but with throttle bodies. A 102 mm throttle body is also available, which is a direct fit for the big port version but can also suit the standard. A 90 mm throttle body is also available for the conventional manifold.
The intake manifolds from Hypertune are likewise extremely adjustable. The plenum, runners, throttle body, and head gasket flange can all be anodized or powder coated. The Hypertunes are among the greatest on the market, with increases ranging from 40 to 80 whp depending on build size.
2) Supra Intake Manifold Sleeper Designs RMR Style
Price: Please contact SD for pricing.
Street (6 injectors) runner ports
The Sleeper Designs RMR type intake manifold is the next 2JZ intake manifold choice. The RMR 6 port manifold, like the Veilside, was a top Supra manifold in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The 6 port variant, on the other hand, was discontinued in the late 2000s. The intake manifold from Sleeper Designs is based on the RMR style, however it is not a cheap knockoff.
The SD intake manifold has a lot of positive feedback and is a popular choice among Supra owners. SD just updated the intake to utilize 1-piece lightweight billet runners rather than manufactured runners. This reduces weight and eliminates the need to modify the stock placement fuse/relay box and battery.
SD engineered their 2JZ intake manifold to be compatible with the RMR 90 mm throttle body. Gains range from 40 to 80 whp depending on construction size, which is in line with the other top performers. The SD runner ports are set up only for six injector setups and not 12.
3) Supra Intake Manifold by Virtual Works
Price: $2,850.00 – $3,000.00
Street (6 injectors) runner ports
The Virtual Works intake manifold is our third 2JZ intake manifold recommendation. The Virtual Works manifold is another well-known and highly regarded manifold in the Supra community. It can flow over 1,300 whp and is particularly intended for designs with more above 700 horsepower.
The VW Supra intake manifold kit comes with a 95 mm throttle body and additional upgraded throttle cable. Importantly, if you build your own intake manifold, VW charges an additional $150. They do not charge extra if you send in the lower runners from an OEM Supra manifold because they reuse them for the core.
The VW intake manifold outperforms the Hypertune or SD manifolds. It was demonstrated to outflow the Veilside intake manifold. The VW runners’ ports are designed for street use and six injectors only, and are not 12 injector compatible.
4) Supra Intake Manifold with High Performance
Price: $1,999.00
Street (6 injectors) runner ports
The Sound Performance Race intake manifold is the next Supra intake manifold we recommend. It’s another reliable intake manifold that’s been around for a long time. There are numerous Supra builds that use the SP intake manifold. It is crucial to note that, despite the name, the ports are designed for six-injector street applications.
The SP has a 75 mm throttle body, which is the closest to factory size of all of our recommended manifolds. If necessary, you may always install a larger throttle body to improve flow. Sending in your lower intake runners, like the Virtual Works manifold, saves you money because they are reused in the core. For SP, the savings are quite significant at $400, so bear that in mind.
Overall, the Sound Performance intake manifold is another top option for 2JZ Supras. It won’t flow as well as some of the other alternatives, but it will be excellent for mid-range and top-end applications.
Related : The Guide to Lexus IS300 Coilovers
5) Supra Intake Manifold by Ross Machine Racing
Price: $2,000.00
Race (12 injectors) Runner Ports
With the Veilside, the RMR intake manifold was the market’s best option for many years. They were the most sought-after intake manifolds in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Unfortunately, RMR has discontinued its 6 injector street version and now only produces the larger race port 12 injector arrangement.
RMR built its intake manifold using lightweight but tough T6061 aluminum stock. It was also designed to accept the 90mm throttle body from the Ford Coyote 5.0 L V8 engine. It has multiple fuel rail connections and fuel rail clamps to support the additional injectors.
The RMR Supra intake manifold will be the ultimate best in terms of flow and power. It’s designed for ultra-high horsepower setups, and it delivers on that front. If you have a large 1,500+hp build, the RMR is unquestionably your best option.
Summary of the 2JZ Intake Manifold Guide
The 2JZ engine is one of the most iconic engines ever built, and intake manifolds are a terrific way to get some significant horsepower out of it. You’ll notice a significant increase in horsepower and torque output, as well as a more cosmetically beautiful and lighter engine.
In this guide, we looked at a few different 2JZ intake manifolds, and they are all extremely sturdy. The Hypertune and RMR manifolds have the most experience on the market and are tried and reliable solutions. The Sleeper Designs, Virtual Works, and Sound Performance manifolds are also strong performers with high ratings in the Supra community. You can’t go wrong with any of these manifolds because they are all excellent choices and performers.
