10 Most Epic JDM Engines Of All

Oct 20, 2023

From "spinning Doritos" to moon-revving V-10s, these are the greatest Japanese engines ever put in a production car

JDM cars have one of the most faithful followings. It’s not just the fact many of these models weren’t meant for foreign markets, but also due to their engines. An engine is one of the key elements that makes or breaks a car, and Japanese performance models have plenty of examples of high-performance engines that are, both, innovative, and over-engineered for their time. The 1990s spawned many of these epic powertrains, which even today, are popular platforms to build upon. Many of these engines and the cars they are in, were also available outside of Japan, where they’ve gathered cult followings, due to their tuning potential.

Most of these engines benefit from great aftermarket support and in many cases, custom-built parts make them even more special than they already are. Japanese carmakers have been known for over-engineering and innovating, and many of these engines have been built specifically to dominate motorsports. This list features everything from inline-fours featured in economy cars, through motorsport-derived inline-six engines, all the way to smooth V-12 units, built for luxury barges. Regardless of application, each of them is praised by car enthusiasts, and worthy of being counted as one of the best JDM engines of all time.

RELATED: 20 Best JDM Cars Of The 90s

Mitsubishi may have fallen from the grace of car enthusiasts, but the Japanese brand is responsible for one of the most epic, turbocharged inline-four engines ever made. The 4G63T has been designed specifically for racing and was most notably featured in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models from 1992 to 2007. The 4G63T was first featured in the 1980 Mitsubishi Galant.

Displacement

1,997 cc (121.86 cubic inches)

Layout

Inline-4

Aspiration

Turbocharged

Material

Cast iron (block), cast aluminum (head)

Bore

85 mm

Stroke

88 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC w/t MIVEC

Power

195–345 horsepower

Torque

203-321 lb-ft

Weight

188 lbs

Another notable model featuring the 4G63T engine is the Mitsubishi Eclipse, particularly between 1990 and 1999. In the U.S., the first cars to feature this turbo-four are the DSM cars, including the first-generation Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, and Plymouth Laser. The biggest advantage of this engine is its simplicity. The 4G63T’s bottom end is, particularly, robust and able to take massive horsepower levels. With the right parts, these engines can also rev to over 11,000 RPM.

Subaru features one of the more unique engine configurations. To this day, they are the only manufacturer whose entire engine lineup consists of boxer engines. While its flat-six units are an interesting topic in itself, it is Subaru’s flat-four engines that are most prominent in performance applications. When it comes to those, the turbocharged EJ22 is, by far, the most coveted and exclusive. The turbocharged version of this engine is based on the EJ20K, found in JDM versions of the Impreza WRX STI, which in itself, is one of the most desired Subaru engines.

Displacement

2,212 cc (134.98 cubic inches)

Layout

Flat-4

Aspiration

Turbocharged

Material

Aluminum alloy

Bore

92 mm

Stroke

75 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC w/t MIVEC

Power

276 horsepower (claimed)

Torque

268 lb-ft

Weight

~250 lbs

The EJ22 turbocharged, flat-four is featured in only one model – the Subaru Impreza 22B. Only 424 cars were produced, making the EJ22 one of the rarest JDM engines. From the factory, Subaru’s flat-four engines have a relatively lower horsepower cap, before you have to fully build them. Nevertheless, the EJ22 is a reliable and because it comes from the time of the Japanese Gentlemen’s Agreement, it’s notoriously underrated.

Mazda’s flagship sports cars have always relied on rotary engines to extract great performance. The 13B-REW is the most iconic model because it was featured in Mazda’s most iconic sports car – the RX-7. The 13B series of Wankel engines date back to 1975, but the final iteration – 13B-REW came out in 1992, on the Mazda FD RX-7. The car itself boasted exceptional balance and lightness, due in no small part to the twin-rotary unit, which aided for a perfect, 50:50 weight distribution.

Displacement

1,302 cc/ 2x654 cc (79.82 cubic inches)

Layout

Twin-rotary/ Wankel engine

Aspiration

Sequential twin-turbo

Material

Aluminum block w/t cast-iron rotors

Bore

N/A

Stroke

N/A

Valvetrain

N/A

Power

255-276 horsepower (claimed)

Torque

217-231 lb-ft

Weight

327 lbs

Its sequential, twin-turbo setup made for a linear power delivery and a specific power output of up to 212 horsepower per liter, in later models. The engine is flawed by design and also the most unreliable on the list, but it is what gives the RX-7 its unique characteristics. Its modular nature makes the addition of more rotors easy, and you can run mineral or semi-synthetic oil, which is more affordable.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The Mk4 Toyota Supra Is A Tuners Wet Dream

Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE is considered, by many, to be the best Japanese inline-six engine. Known for being over-engineered and capable of reliably handling massive horsepower levels, when done right, the 2JZ is, to this day, among the top choices for high-horsepower applications. The GTE variant scores a different head than the naturally-aspirated 2JZ-GE, courtesy of Yamaha. The heads are interchangeable, in case you wonder, but there are examples of 2JZ-GE engines being turbocharged for over 1,000 horsepower, with the 2JZ-GE cylinder head.

Displacement

2,997 cc/ (182.89 cubic inches)

Layout

Inline-6

Aspiration

Sequential twin-turbo

Material

Cast-iron block w/t aluminum head

Bore

86 mm

Stroke

86 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC (w/t VVTi for some markets)

Power

276–325 horsepower

Torque

320 lb-ft

Weight

595 lbs

Aside from the tuning potential and vast aftermarket support, the 2JZ-GTE is renowned for its smooth power delivery and exceptional longevity. The 2JZ-GTE is not a lightweight, but it’s the price you have to pay for reliability. As with all engines, there are a few things to look out for with the 2JZ, but a good, unmolested example, is practically bulletproof.

In 2007, Nissan introduced the R35 GT-R. Godzilla’s latest successor brought many novelties, the key among which is its twin-turbo V-6. For the first time in history, a Nissan GT-R did not feature an inline-six engine. The VR38 quickly became the new Japanese tuner’s delight and almost immediately, examples with over 1,000 horsepower came about.

Displacement

3,799 cc/ (231.83 cubic inches)

Layout

V-6

Aspiration

Parallel twin-turbo

Material

Aluminum

Bore

95.5 mm

Stroke

88.4 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

485–710 horsepower

Torque

434-575 lb-ft

Weight

608 lbs

The engine is known to be reliable while having a mighty mid-range punch and rev-happy characteristics, despite being an over-square unit (when the bore diameter is greater than the stroke length. During the R35’s lengthy lifespan, the engine received numerous revisions, extracting even more performance out of the stock platform. With the right maintenance, even modified examples can be fairly reliable, and some tuners like AMS Performance can churn out over 3,000 horsepower from a VR38.

When we think of big, naturally-aspirated V-8 engines, we don’t normally think of Toyota. As it stands, the Japanese brand is one of the very few to offer a naturally-aspirated V-8 in 2023. The 2UR engine came about in 2007, on the M3 and C63 AMG-rivalling Lexus IS-F. Since then, various iterations of this engine have been featured on Lexus models (some of which are badged as Toyota, in Japan).

Displacement

4,969 cc/ (303.22 cubic inches)

Layout

V-8

Aspiration

Naturally-aspirated

Material

Aluminum

Bore

94 mm

Stroke

89.5 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

416–477 horsepower

Torque

371-399 lb-ft

Weight

489 lbs

The 2UR-GSE version of the engine is the more performance-oriented counterpart to the 2UR-FSE, featured in the Toyota Century. Currently, it can be found in the Lexus RC-F, LC500, and IS500 F-Sport Performance. 2UR-GSE is one of the first engines to get, both, multi-port and direct fuel injection. A neat future of the engine is the hollow camshafts, which were cooled in nitrogen. The 2UR-GSE’s latest iteration boasts one of the highest specific outputs of any naturally-aspirated V-8.

RELATED: 10 Japanese Car Brands You've Never Heard Of

Arguably, the most epic engine produced this century is the 1LR-GUE V-10 featured in the Lexus LF-A. As with most of Toyota’s high-performance projects, Yamaha was heavily involved in designing the 72-degree V-10 engine. The engine was praised for being as compact as a V-8 and as light as a V-6. It featured titanium valves, titanium connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, dry-sump lubrication, and a 72-degree V-angle.

Displacement

4,803 cc/ (293.1 cubic inches)

Layout

V-8

Aspiration

Naturally-aspirated

Material

Aluminum

Bore

88 mm

Stroke

79 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

552 horsepower

Torque

354 lb-ft

Weight

352 lbs

Its most distinctive feature was the uniquely-shaped intake tube, which together with the triple exhaust, helps generate the LFA’s godlike soundtrack. If a car’s engine can ever be classified as art, the 1LR-GUE is it. This is the most free-revving engine, callable of revving from idle to its 9,000 RPM redline in 0.6 seconds, necessitating a digital rev counter.

This engine is one of the more unique entries on this list. For one, it’s the only, JDM V-12 engine, that could be found in the Toyota Century – a car that epitomizes old-school, Japanese luxury. While the Century was worthy of the Yakuza mobsters, its 1GZ-FE engine was not designed as a performance mill from the factory. That didn’t stop a Japanese street racer by the name, Smokey Nagata, to take one of these V-12 lumps, and turn it into a proper monster.

Displacement

4,996 cc/ (304.87 cubic inches)

Layout

V-12

Aspiration

Naturally-aspirated

Material

Aluminum

Bore

81 mm

Stroke

80.8 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

280–312 horsepower

Torque

338-355 lb-ft

Weight

650 lbs

Almost nothing was left of the original engine, and a pair of HKS GT 2835 turbochargers helped the V-12 produce well over 1,000 horsepower. At some point, the Mk IV Supra received a unique, Top Secret front end, and managed to reach 222.6 mph (358 km/h) on the Nardo Ring. In stock form, the 1GZ-FE was a simple and robust engine that was smooth enough to rival the sophistication of something like the Rolls-Royce 6.75-liter V-12.

Honda is regarded as the best engine builder of all time, and their inline-four units are especially renowned. There are many great examples, but at the top of the food chain sits the K24 engine. This is the biggest Honda engine from the K-series, which is known to combine the high-revving characteristics of the Honda B-series with the larger displacement of the H-series engines.

Displacement

2,354 cc/ (143.6 cubic inches)

Layout

Inline-4

Aspiration

Naturally-aspirated

Material

Aluminum

Bore

87 mm

Stroke

99-99.1 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

160–206 horsepower

Torque

160-182 lb-ft

Weight

412 lbs

But not all K24 engines are equal, and if you want the very best of the best, the K24A is your best bet. It features true V-Tec versus some of the other variants’ variable valve-timing on the intake valves and does away with the K24Z8’s integrated manifold, which limits power. It also doesn’t have the balance-shaft oil pump, which limits your RPMs. The good thing is, the modular nature of these engines means you can swap parts to make the perfect one for you. They are plentiful, reliable, and respond well even to basic mods, which is why we see them in more and more high-horsepower builds.

RELATED: The 15 Most Important Classic Japanese Cars

Nissan’s RB26 DETT engine is considered one of the best JDM inline-six engines and the only one that could rival the likes of the 2JZ-GTE. There have been debates, about which of the two engines is better, but the truth is, they can trade punches all day long. What the RB26 lacks in displacement, it makes up with high revs, although the 2JZ is believed to have the stronger bottom end. The cast-iron block is robust and a properly-built RB26 can make big power, reliably, all day long. The engine was specifically designed to dominate in motorsports and in the Skyline GT-R, it was a force to be reckoned with.

Displacement

2,568 cc/ (156.71 cubic inches)

Layout

Inline-6

Aspiration

Parallel twin-turbo

Material

Cast-iron block w/t aluminum head

Bore

86 mm

Stroke

73.7 mm

Valvetrain

DOHC

Power

276 horsepower (claimed)

Torque

266-289 lb-ft

Weight

573 lbs

The RB26 DETT was featured in the R32, R33, and R34 generations GT-R. In the R34, it received new Garrett turbochargers, which increased output, although the car was still rated at 276 horsepower. The RB26 is also one of the smoothest inline-six engines ever made, and that's before we talk about its refined derivatives - the N1 and RB28.

Dim’s fascination with cars began when he was just six. Born into a family of car enthusiasts and racing drivers, he started learning basic mechanics and driving from an early age. While he loves writing for any car, Dim is most interested in exploring obscure and forgotten cars as well as finding the best deals on the enthusiast car market. His passion took him to car restoration in the Malta Classic Car Museum, where he briefly worked on a 1964 Jaguar E-Type and an Alfa Romeo Junior. In Malta, he also graduated Media and Communications, which further improved his skills as an automotive journalist. Dim is always ready to get behind the wheel of any car and tell you all about it later.