How to Kswap an Mr2 Spyder EP2: Is the K20a better than the Toyota 2zz? Is it worth the extra cost?

We are at a turning point for the Toyota Mr2 Spyder with a 2zz Engine in it... We are about to start the K20 (K20a2) swap into the mr2 zzw30, but before starting, there is an existential question: is it worth the extra cost and effort from a performance aspect? In stock form? Modified? Let me show you some interesting facts about the k20 and the 2zz engines and compare their performance with my in-house dyno sheets. This video should greatly help people hesitating the kswap or 2zz swap their Toyota mr2! Let me show you! ENJOY and don't forget to Add me on Insta: @jesse_yaroo

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#toyota #mr2spyder #k20swap

[JesseSpec]

After seing this video, what would you chose? 2zz swap or k20swap?
Comment below!

[Zeriel]

The advantage of the 2ZZ is that is easy to swap, relatively cheap, and relatively light weight, but the K series are superior engines in every other way.

[johnnyloveee]

I’m a Toyota die hard, I don’t care if the k20 is leagues better. The 2zz has a place in the tuning scene. Can’t wait to supercharge mine!

[vizualmrs]

Great comparison.
Appreciate you taking your time and showing us dyno sheets of modded vs stock 2zz and k20. And vise versa. No one else ever did that before.
There is great potential in those engines. One is definitely more affordable and easy to work on then the other. But the extra work that the k20 brings, of course brings way more powaa and VTEC!
This also gives the 2zz a whole new respect and limelight. In reality kswap will be the best swap if you want to modify heavy and raw but it's more expensive and more work.
A 2zz is easier to swap, the numbers aren't insane but when modified some it's a solid swap and passing that 200hp is possible
In the end the mr-s is a super light car and both swaps will be worth it .
people need to realize this is a 1.8l and k20 is 2.0. and they're producing similar numbers until k20 is fully modded and tuned.
Makes me imagine if the 2zz was only 2.0L?? :O

I'll go 2zz swap for the simplicity sake. Toyota reliability. And keeping the mr-s Toyota. In the end you can always turbo mr-s 2zz and maybe still will be cheaper then k20 😂

[stevenbitecofer]

Great video. Very fair and balanced comparison. I have owned Hondas (Civics) and Acura (Integra GSR). I loved the engines in those cars. I have been driving a Toyota MR2 Spyder since 2011 and put in the 2ZZ/C60 in 2012. I love that engine in that car even more than I loved the Hondas. I guess I am a purest. If I was to swap out the 2zz then I would likely go to the 2gr. I have driven a Spyder with the V6 and it is a whole different kind of a beast.

[brianmessemer]

Hi man, first of all liked and subbed. Great content. I drive a 2001 Celica GTS and I love the 2zz. I've been wondering how the 2zz compares to the Honda K series so this was awesome to see.

[TRDKhanbrothers]

Awesome video and very informative

I’ll still stick my modded 2zzge motor

[craig]

On the 2ZZ Celica in the UK, Se7en Motorsports offer the Rotrex Supercharger. 300 + BHP stock. Over 340 BHP they recommended a gearbox swap - think that may have been the MR2 box. not sure? Fensport in the UK also do some great stuff for the 2ZZ engine. Monkey Wrench Racing is the go to place in the US.

[LupinYonderboy]

For while I was feeling happy, then you crushed me.. I would like to get to 200+hp out of my 2ZZ one day. One of the unique things about your channel is that you have access to a dyno and know how to use it. I love to see the data.

[alexhise]

I am developing the 2.5L Toyota 2AR and it will rev to 8-9k should be around 260hp on 91oct in dd trim and 350hp with a bit more work

[v]

Love my 2zz for daily. ~200 whp with ddpr intake and ppe exhaust, no tune.

[sentree]

One thing I’d like to mention as far as advantages of using the k20 vs the 2zz is once installed, you now have the option to swap blocks out for the 2.4 liter. Many people build these “Frankenstein” motors as I’m sure you are aware of with k20 heads on k24 blocks. If you ever decided to, you could increase your displacement even more whereas with the 2zz you wouldn’t be able to. Also, aftermarket support is just better for the Honda engine. I’m currently in the process of dropping a k24 in my sw20. It is costly though.

[Truulovemotorsports]

k20 is severely corked intake and exhaust and tune. you dont want a huge jump when vtec kicks in. factory tune engages late to give the dramatic effect. stock internal k20's with good breathing bolt ons like vtec at 4400rpm. 2zz is almost as good as a b series. once your finished with your swap you will see there is no comparison between k20 and 2zz

[henzo]

The 2zz is also quite plentiful in junkyards appearing in the Vibe GT, Matrix XRS, Corolla XRS, and Celica GTS. These are often overlooked by DIY auto enthusiasts as opposed to Honda engines making cheap 2zz and components plentiful and cheap. While Honda engines are superior in tuning capability the 2zz has proven to be capable of making well over 500hp (although the reliability is a valid concern). If you Toyota fellas want more 2zz content check out the Jamaican drag racing scene, a good channel on YouTube is motorsportsja showcasing 2zz swapped starlets and Corollas making impressive passes.

[brentdaniels-wbxs]

For me personally i would prefer 2zzge over k20a2, there's just something about that engine i can't explain its really fun and reliable and can be modded and tuned for nice power

[keystoadventure]

My 2zz got sold and k20 is going in. Few reasons personally
Oil starvation if tracked so need an oil pan
Oil pump gears shatter if sustained rpm like track, so needs new gears
Lift bolts are a CONSTANT maintenance item
I had it for 3 years and it was fun when it worked but, I sold my swap for roughly the same price as my k20a2 swap has cost so far, and the gains are quite large on paper

[tkflex]

Great Video. We can say "Flip a coin?" K20 is gonna be a pretty penny. Wish u all the best, focus, and success on the next series. Your videos make my day. See you next week. Thank you

[edim]

2ZZ has an interesting niche, at least here in Poland where I live. In a lot of amature racing leagues there are different classifications based upon stuff like engine displacement and stuff. 2ZZ and K20 would fall under the same class, but most of them make an exception for K series and classify it like a much larger displacement engine or one with forced induction, bc even NA they can make a LOT more power than pretty much any other engine, so those classes under 2.0 liters of displacement would be all just K series races and competition of "who can throw more money to squeeze a few more horsepower from their K20" and that's not fun and would quickly kill interest in the league. So for a lot of motorsport leagues it makes sense to tune up a 2ZZ since it has a lot of the same characteristics that make K20 so good but it isn't targeted by rules.
Plus in the case of MR2 specifically it's basically the easies swap in the world and is barely any more difficult than putting in stock engine.

[atom]

In new zealand you can get a JDM spec 2zz celica for about 7k or corolla 2zz for about 5-6k. While type R spec B18cs are worth well over 12-15k and type r spec k20s are in the 20s, 2zz is great value for money considering you get 190HP for well under 10k with a k20 you get a bit over 200hp for 3x as much. not good value for money considering you can just buy a celica and drop stage 2 cams exhaust and intake and gain 15hp without a tune as shown on the fourms before needing an aftermarket ecu. only let down is the gearbox.

this is coming from someone that owns a 2zz jdm spec celica with LSD and i admit the k20 is 100% the better engine but value for money wise its janked up because of how sought after they are therefore making it not a great value for money even though a k20 has way better after market support. Im happy with my 2zzge celica the lift kicks in harder than a k20a2 and the only thing left to do on my celica is stage 2 cams and il be really happy.

[ericlindsey]

Coming from my old Honda Civic EM1 with the B16a2 and recently a SIR EP3 K20A3...I found I really missed the high strung, high revving nature of the EM1...mind you the lack of torque was really noticeable down low. That being said, from 111ft/lbs of tq to 132 ft/lbs...with peak torque coming on sooner than even the Type R....the base EP3 felt like a torque monster lol. Enter my recently acquired sleeper Corolla XRS lol... I'm so happy to be back in a high revving engine again. Having the 2ZZ and 6spd is the perfect blend of both worlds... essentially a larger B16 engine but with torque lol. I will say i feel lift engagement is a rouch high on the stock ecu in the Corolla at 6800rpm though. But on the other hand....it keeps you out of trouble a bit because you have to be really deliberate with your gear selection and to rev it to the moon..because getting to lift takes noticeably longer than VTEC engagement lol. I will say a lot of people go out of their way to get around that grocery getter Corolla hogging the fast lane and are surprised when they're not getting any closer to me 🤣🤣


What do you recommend for a daily driver who does occasional autocross as an ecu solution? Was thinking of picking up an '03 Matrix ECU with factory 6200rpm lift engagement but no one really re-pins those anymore i don't rhink. I'm not hardcore enough to do crazy stand alone laptop tuning on a daily...just want tweak whats nearly perfect.

Long story short, this vid reassures me of my decision to explore the 2ZZ life lol.