Three Australian Heroes: The Holden Toyotas
A number of Australian car enthusiasts have modified their classic Holden vehicles by installing Toyota six-cylinder engines for drag racing and performance applications.
"The engine was sourced from a Toyota Crown and required modifications to the sump and crossmember for clearance."
Vehicle 1: HK Holden Wagon
Paul Trembearth owns a HK Holden wagon that was originally modified by Justin Green. The vehicle is powered by a turbocharged Toyota 1JZ six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The engine was sourced from a Toyota Crown and required modifications to the sump and crossmember for clearance.
Justin Green performed extensive rust repairs on the wagon, replacing all floorpans from the firewall to the tailgate. The wiring was completed by Sideshows Performance Wiring. Brake upgrades included 300mm front rotors from a BA/BF Falcon V8, rear disc brakes, and a booster and master cylinder adapted from a Toyota Crown and Toyota LandCruiser respectively.
The vehicle passed engineering inspection using late-1980s ADR standards. According to the owner, Justin Green originally planned to install the 1JZ engine in a Toyota Stout mini-truck, but an engineer declined to certify that swap. Paul Trembearth plans to increase engine power and install a narrowed differential and larger rear wheels for drag-and-drive events.
"The car recorded a best time of 6.90 seconds at 206mph over the quarter-mile."
Vehicle 2: LC Torana Hatch
Ryan Holz of the Gold Coast operates an LC Torana hatch powered by a Toyota 2JZ engine for drag racing. The vehicle was developed by Danny Lansdowne and the Spot On Performance team.
Initial Configuration
The initial build featured a 2JZ engine based on a factory cast block, with an offset-ground crank, rods, pistons, dry-sump oiling, and a modified factory head. This setup utilized 68psi of boost, producing 2000hp. The car recorded a best time of 6.90 seconds at 206mph over the quarter-mile. The engine completed over 30 passes at 7.0 seconds or better before experiencing block deflection and main cap movement, eventually failing.
Chassis and Engine Upgrade
Following the engine failure, Holz sought to reduce vehicle weight and transition to a billet engine block. He acquired a Pro Mod Doorslammer chassis, previously un-raced, which had been built approximately 15 years prior by Grant O'Rourke and Geoff Black. Spot On Performance undertook the conversion.
The updated vehicle features a full-chassis, double-frame-rail Pro Mod design allowing the body to be removed. Modifications included new quarter windows, steering adjustments, an extended driver's footwell, and updates to the ice box, intercooler, intake, and turbo system. The rear suspension comprises a four-link system with a Race Products floater kit, Menscer shocks, and an anti-roll bar, paired with 275 radial tires.
The current 2JZ engine utilizes a Bullet billet block, a Nitto crank, custom GRP connecting rods, and CP pistons, resulting in 3.2-liter displacement. It retains a factory cast head prepared by Colin at Headsense with Top Fuel hoops. Oiling is managed by a five-stage Barnes dry-sump system with a 12-liter capacity. Air intake is via a Hypertune Pro Series billet inlet manifold and a 102mm throttle body. Fuel is supplied by Deka 2400cc and FuelTech 7200cc injectors, fed by a Kinsler 1300 belt-driven pump and Aeromotive regulator. A Precision Next Gen 98mm turbo and a 60mm Turbosmart gate are part of the custom exhaust setup.
Additional components include Strange front struts and brakes, a fiberglass front section, and polycarbonate windows. The car weighs 2600lb at race weight with a 53 percent front weight bias, making it 600lb lighter than its predecessor. Paint and panel work were completed by Spray King Restorations, with airbrushing by Zealous & Kruik Kustoms.
Performance and Goals
At its debut at the 2025 Brisbane Jamboree, the Torana achieved a quarter-mile time of 6.73 seconds at 211mph.
At its debut at the 2025 Brisbane Jamboree, the Torana achieved a quarter-mile time of 6.73 seconds at 211mph. The team aims to achieve 6.40-second quarter-mile times and 3-second eighth-mile times. The car is launched on 20psi of boost at 5800rpm, augmented by a 150hp direct-port dry nitrous kit. Gear changes are managed with an air shifter, and air parachutes are used for deceleration.
Ryan Holz acknowledged the contributions of Andy and Danny at Spot On Performance, Jeff Johnson at Power Management Solutions, and his race crew: Michelle, Brad, and Chris.
"Psaila opted for a turbocharged 3.0-liter Toyota 2JZ six-cylinder engine."
Vehicle 3: 1966 Holden HR Premier
Mark Psaila has owned his 1966 Holden HR Premier for over 25 years. The vehicle has undergone multiple engine swaps and extensive chassis modifications.
Vehicle History
Psaila acquired the HR Premier in the late 1990s as a stock, two-owner car. Initially it featured a 208ci red six-cylinder engine, followed by a mild Chevy 350 small-block, and later a 434ci small-block producing 680hp, with nearly 1000hp on nitrous. After sitting for approximately 15 years, Psaila decided to rebuild the car for drag and roll racing.
Chassis and Body Modifications
The HR Premier underwent a rear clip modification, with the section from the rear seat back being entirely new. This conversion transformed the four-door into a two-seater and included an integrated rollcage by Drag Car Fabrications. A new transmission tunnel was also fitted. The car's body was straightened and repainted in its original Landale Gold factory color with a black roof.
Engine and Performance
Psaila opted for a turbocharged 3.0-liter Toyota 2JZ six-cylinder engine. The current setup has achieved 529hp at the wheels on 21psi and includes a 150hp shot of nitrous. Key engine modifications include:
- Cylinder Head: Rams Head Service-worked Yamaha-designed cylinder head with 1mm-oversize Ferrea valves, 290/290 Kelford cams, and solid lifters
- Turbocharger: A Garrett G42 turbo mounted on a custom six-into-one Pro Mod-style manifold by Sonny at TURBO1
- Wastegate: Turbosmart 60mm wastegate with CO2 boost control
- Intake: Plazmaman Pro Series forward-facing intake with an 84mm Bosch drive-by-wire throttlebody
- Fuel System: Twelve Bosch injectors (six 1000cc and six 2200cc) for E85, supplied by twin DeatschWerks in-tank pumps and a mechanical Aeromotive pump
- Electronics: Haltech R5 Nexus ECU and PD16 PDM, tuned by Dale Heiler
Future plans for the engine include a Dart-block 3.2-liter stroker.
Drivetrain and Suspension
- Transmission: BTE Top Sportsman Pro Series Powerglide with a 5000rpm Dominator converter, connected to the 2JZ via an ATF Speed adapter plate
- Differential: A 9-inch differential featuring Race Products full-floater hubs, 300M 35-spline axles, a Truetrac LSD, and 3.7:1 gears
- Front Suspension: Double-adjustable Viking coil-over struts and a custom 27mm sway-bar
- Rear Suspension: Gazzard Brothers mono-leaf springs, adjustable shocks, and an anti-roll bar
Braking and Wheels
- Brakes: Wilwood six-pot disc brakes in the front (320mm discs) and four-pot disc brakes in the rear (290mm discs), controlled by a Wilwood master cylinder
- Wheels: Weld RTS S71 rims, 17x6 inches at the front with Outlaw Drag 175/70R17 tires, and 15x15 inches at the rear with Mickey Thompson Sportsman 29x18.00R15 tires
Additional Systems
Due to a thick Plazmaman intercooler, the custom radiator and a large Spal electric fan are mounted behind the 9-inch differential. The boot houses the nitrous tank and a Proflow 80L fuel cell with twin DeatschWerks in-tank pumps. A custom header tank in the engine bay is integrated with a catch can.
Psaila intends to push the vehicle to achieve seven-second quarter-mile times and compete in roll racing.