As you read this, chances are the World Time Attack Finals just went down outside Sydney, Australia, where Eric Hsu hopefully tuned the Sierra Sierra EVO to Unlimited AWD victory. Some other Eric Hsu facts:
• The staff of King Taco pays Eric Hsu $0.69 for each additional 1.5-ounce red sauce he consumes. He’s earned as much as $346.38 in a single sitting.
• Eric Hsu wasn’t born. He was forged.
• Eric Hsu invented the lint roller.
• Man v. ECU was a reality show set to air on the Travel Channel, until Eric Hsu was cast as the lead, at which point “ECU” lost in every conceivable circumstance.
Wanna know what’s up?
questionit@importtuner.com
Engine Swap Debate
I just read July’s Question It that covered an individual’s 1JZ/2JZ tranny dilemma. I’d like to follow it up with a question of my own between the 1JZ and 2JZ, and ask which parts can be swapped between the two, such as the water pump? I’ve noticed that these engine swaps have become more frequent over the past few years and I’ve considered following in the footsteps of those who’ve done them. Will the 1JZ hold up to 600 whp or retain the same reliability as the 2JZ? I know 2JZs are more expensive, and am wondering if the 1JZ is a worthy contender as an engine swap for my ’90 RX-7, unless you feel that a 4G63 is a better choice—another engine I’ve considered, since I have one sitting in my garage.
-Juan Mueses,
via importuner.com
Before you consider an engine swap, understand that there’s nothing wrong with the 13B rotary engine. The problem is that most people don’t know how to build them correctly for big power duty, so I can understand why people swap other engines into rotary engine cars. What I don’t understand is why people want to swap 1JZ/2JZs and RB25/26s into cars that were designed to have small, lightweight engines into them. Don’t get me wrong; I love Japanese straight-six engines and own many myself, but cast-iron straight-sixes were only worth a damn in the cars they came in. Swapping them into anything that wasn’t designed around a cast-iron straight-six is dumb. Since we are in 2011 and can benefit from the 110 or so years of internal combustion engine advancements, why not swap in an all-aluminum V-6 or V-8? If you’re a JDM fanatic then I can see the appeal of the JZ or RB, but remember that these engines ruled in the early/mid ’90s. Neither the 2JZ nor RB25/26 are especially cheap engines. Nissan VQ35s are a dime a dozen on Craigslist. I’m talking $400-600 for a complete engine that is larger in displacement, lighter in weight, and offers superior weight balance and center of gravity advantages over the 2JZ or RB engines. You can find complete swaps for $1,500 with a six-speed trans, harness, ECU, and more. From the money you save, you can fabricate or bolt on a turbo system, and even on the stock VQ35 internals you’ll make the same power as a stock turbo 2JZ or RB with the boost cranked up. The only difference is you’re able to make loads more torque from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm when compared to the 2J or RB at a much lower boost level. If you get serious and build the VQ35 with forged internals, it’ll do 600-plus whp all day long if built and tuned correctly. I’m not a fan of Chevy LS engines in an import chassis, but call me a purist. The LS3s or LS7s are also good alternatives for a swap, regardless of my beliefs; at least they are superior to any 1JZ/2JZ or RB25/26 swap. The 4G63 is OK too, but it isn’t going to make 600 whp very long on stock internals. Plus, it is a heavy lump of iron that was originally designed in 1973. Once again: Why not take advantage of our cheap advanced technology in 2011?