Engine · Toyota

Toyota JZ: what the engine asks of an ECU

Page data last updated 2 October 2026

The JZ family hides three eras behind two names: distributor, wasted-spark VVT-i, and the six-coil non-VVTi twin-turbo cars. The sources record VR sensors throughout this set, which needs VR-capable trigger inputs, and the coils are dumb, so an igniter is part of the plan.

Pick the row that matches your year.

Where this comes from

Some items on this page are cited from Wikipedia and from ECU manufacturers such as Haltech, not from the engine's maker. Each row names its source, and a † marks a row that is crowdsourced. Always check your specific sensors and manuals where you have them.

A figure like 58x is pulses per crank revolution from one sensor. It is a rate, not a sensor count, and it does not say whether the sensor is VR or Hall. The planner reads sensor type, cam sensor count and variable cams from the cited text. Where the text does not settle one, the row says so: check your sensor.

Variants

1JZ-GE distributor (NA, early)

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential1
Ignition
distributor, dumb coils (external igniter needed)1
Crank trigger
24-tooth VR1
Cam trigger
1x 1-tooth VR (distributor sync)1
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: none1
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Early naturally aspirated 1JZ-GE, from the distributor era. Every JZ sensor is VR, not Hall.1

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
1
Variable cams
0

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 33 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 33

Plan a build around the 1JZ-GE distributor (NA, early)

1JZ-GE VVT-i (coil pack)

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential1
Ignition
wasted-spark-3coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)1
Crank trigger
36-2 VR3
Cam trigger
3-tooth VR on intake cam3
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake-VVTi)1, 2
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Late 1JZ-GE with VVT-i and coil packs. It needs an output for the OCV (VVT) solenoid. Every sensor is VR.1

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
1
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 33 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 33

Plan a build around the 1JZ-GE VVT-i (coil pack)

1JZ-GTE non-VVTi

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1, 2
Aspiration
Twin turbo2
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential2
Ignition
COP-direct-fire-6coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)2
Crank trigger
12-tooth VR4
Cam trigger
2x single-tooth VR (G1,G2)4
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: none1, 4
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Sequential twin-turbo (CT12A). It needs an external six-channel igniter.4

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
2
Variable cams
0

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 32 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 32

Plan a build around the 1JZ-GTE non-VVTi

1JZ-GTE VVTi

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1, 2
Aspiration
Turbo1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential2
Ignition
wasted-spark-3coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)2
Crank trigger
36-2 VR3
Cam trigger
3-tooth VR on intake cam3
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake-VVTi)1, 2, 3
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Single turbo (CT15B) once the 1JZ went VVT-i. It needs OCV (VVT) solenoid control. The stock wasted-spark ignition breaks up above roughly 20 psi.3

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
1
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 33 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 33

Plan a build around the 1JZ-GTE VVTi

2JZ-GE distributor (NA, early)

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential1
Ignition
distributor, dumb coils (external igniter needed)1, 2
Crank trigger
24-tooth VR4
Cam trigger
2x 1-tooth VR (G1, G2; distributor)4
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: none1
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Early naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE, from the distributor era. Every sensor is VR.4

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
2
Variable cams
0

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 33 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 33

Plan a build around the 2JZ-GE distributor (NA, early)

2JZ-GE VVT-i (coil pack)

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated1
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential1
Ignition
wasted-spark-3coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)1, 2
Crank trigger
36-2 VR3
Cam trigger
3-tooth VR on intake cam3
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake-VVTi)1, 2
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Late 2JZ-GE with VVT-i and coil packs. It needs an output for the OCV (VVT) solenoid. Every sensor is VR.2

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
1
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 3 as they come, 34 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 3
Fits with add-ons 34

Plan a build around the 2JZ-GE VVT-i (coil pack)

2JZ-GTE non-VVTi

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Twin turbo2
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential2
Ignition
COP-direct-fire-6coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)2
Crank trigger
12-tooth VR4
Cam trigger
2x single-tooth VR (G1,G2)4
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: none1, 4
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota1
Notes
Sequential twin-turbo (CT20), fitted to the early MkIV Supra and Aristo. It needs an external six-channel igniter.1

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
2
Variable cams
0

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 4 as they come, 32 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 4
Fits with add-ons 32

Plan a build around the 2JZ-GTE non-VVTi

2JZ-GTE VVTi

Engine
6 cylinders, inline layout1
Aspiration
Twin turbo2
Fuel injection
Port injection, sequential2
Ignition
wasted-spark-3coil, dumb coils (external igniter needed)2
Crank trigger
36-2 VR3
Cam trigger
3-tooth VR on intake cam3
Cams and variable timing
2 camshafts; variable timing: 1 (intake-VVTi)1, 2, 3
Firing order
1-5-3-6-2-42
Factory ECU
Toyota (ETCS-i DBW)2
Notes
Stayed twin-turbo with VVT-i, unlike the 1JZ. The igniter is the Toyota DH61. It needs OCV (VVT) solenoid control.1

How the planner reads the trigger text

Crank sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam sensor type
VR (reluctor)
Cam position sensors
1
Variable cams
1

Wire-in ECUs that cover it: 3 as they come, 34 more with add-on modules. The count is the planner's, worked out from the pin tables.

Fits as it is 3
Fits with add-ons 34

Plan a build around the 2JZ-GTE VVTi

Pairing the engine with a gearbox? BoxSelector has the ratios for the boxes that bolt up to it, and works out road speed and tyre size before the money goes: gearbox ratios.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Toyota JZ engine Wikipedia · lead, 1JZ-GE, 2JZ-GE, 1JZ, 1JZ-GTE, 2JZ-GTE
  2. Haltech: 2JZ 1JZ engine Haltech (ECU maker) · General Information, VVTi Variable Cam, Model Variants, Ignition Coils and Igniter
  3. Haltech: 2JZ vvt i trigger Haltech (ECU maker) · Crank Sensor, Cam Sensor
  4. Haltech: 2JZ non vvti Haltech (ECU maker) · Crank Sensor, Cam Sensor, Distributor, Cam / G1 and G2 pickups

Always verify against the manufacturer's manual and your tuner before wiring.