Video: Dual 1JZ V12 Engine Project Finally Comes To Life!

**solarite_guy** · 01-01-2018, 03:46 PM

I have followed this for a while now. I have always wanted to turn a 6 cylinder into a V-12. This is one fella who has done it using an engine I have always liked.

In the vid you will only see it idle, but that is a significant milestone on the project. It sounds good.

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/video...-comes-to-life

As a fan of EngineLabs, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with Don Groff’s wild homebuilt V12 project. As we explained in our first article three years ago, this project involves the cutting, welding, stress-relieving, and align-boring of a pair of 1JZ inline six-cylinder engine blocks into a single 120-degree V12 engine block.

In the second update to the project, a little over two years ago, Groff changed gears from a quad-turbo setup, to dual Garrett units, and got the exhaust manifold setup fleshed out. No small feat, with a final product that resembles the automotive version of Medusa’s hair.

Then, two months ago, there was another update, in which all of the engine’s machine work and assembly had been finished up, and Groff had wrapped up the custom chassis. As to be expected when dropping in a completely custom engine into a completely custom chassis, there were a few hiccups, leaks, and misalignments, but Groff worked through them.

Now, we are insanely excited to be able to bring you the video above, with the wild V12 dual 1JZ engine taking its first breath of life. “This is the first-time-ever start-up and is another major hurdle accomplished, thanks to the boys at Nth Moto,” Groff says. “I could not have done it without their help. They make it look easy, even if we did have a few issues to resolve.”

As if tuning a custom-made dual 1JZ V12 engine with a pair of turbochargers wasn’t enough of a challenge, Groff added a twist by choosing ethanol to power the project. Controlled by an AEM Infinity ECU that has been wired and tuned by the team at Nth Moto – who specialize in exotic performance cars – and force-fed by a pair of Garrett GTX-series turbochargers which each have their own air-to-air intercooler, Groff’s creation purrs like a kitten.

While it’s only an idle video, the fact is this: not only is the engine is running under its own power, but it’s doing so smoothly and with a gorgeous exhaust note. While we are practically salivating in anticipation of a dyno video of this homebuilt masterpiece, this video is proof of life, and we know that the final stages of development and tuning of the engine is near at hand. After all, Groff left us with the words we’ve uttered ourselves what feels like a million times: “Now if it only was 65 degrees and sunny outside…”

**solarite_guy** · 01-01-2018, 03:50 PM

Links to some past articles:

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/quad-...supra-engines/

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/updat...humming-along/

http://www.enginelabs.com/news/don-g...-roar-to-life/

pajoda · 01-01-2018, 03:54 PM

There is saying that there is nothing like a V8, have to agree as anything more is rarely seen or heard, when we hear a V10 or V12 in any form it is awesome noise

Bossxr8 · 01-01-2018, 06:16 PM

Most v12’s have a v angle of around 60 degrees. Why did they choose 120? Seems excessively wide. Or was it a case of 120 being the only way to get the 2 engines to join together?

**solarite_guy** · 01-01-2018, 07:22 PM

I don't really know. The answer may have been in one of the earlier articles. I forgot.

I believe one of the Ferarri v-12s was a 120. Maybe he is a fan of the prancing horse?

justbrett · 01-01-2018, 07:30 PM

Someone needs to do this with a couple of barras

malazn mafia · 02-01-2018, 10:37 AM

Doesn't sound much different from a 1JZ with no exhaust at idle

Mercury Bullet · 02-01-2018, 11:59 AM

A bit more in this than those guys shoving two ls3s end to end, that's for sure.
It will be a nervous day when they give it the beans I imagine.

Any idea how the crank was made sg?

Still nothing can beat the sound of a GM 12v.

**solarite_guy** · 02-01-2018, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

A bit more in this than those guys shoving two ls3s end to end, that's for sure.
It will be a nervous day when they give it the beans I imagine.

Any idea how the crank was made sg?

Still nothing can beat the sound of a GM 12v.

I can imagine. It will be a nervous day. He has been taking methodical steps. At some point we will find out.

I would have to go back through the older articles on the crank. I don't recall off the top of my head. I it was me, I would go to somebody like Crower, Winberg or Bryant. One of those guys.

Those Rolls Royce V12s sound pretty nice too...

**solarite_guy** · 02-01-2018, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Doesn't sound much different from a 1JZ with no exhaust at idle

Still sounds good to me. I'm sure under load on the dyno, it will sound better.