Watch this 500-mile 2020 Supra’s BMW inline-six get a full teardown

From the moment Toyota confirmed the Supra name would return to dealer showrooms, the faithful and dedicated were on edge about what engine Toyota would put in the engine compartment. The announcement came down that the engine would be an inline-six, but it would be sourced—like essentially the rest of the car—from the BMW Z4. 

Thanks to Papadakis Racing on YouTube we’ve got an inside look at BMW’s B58 inline-six engine that powers the 335-hp Supra. Will this engine live up to the legendary 2JZ engine’s sterling reputation?

Papadakis Racing got its hands on a Supra with just 500 miles on the odometer, and the goal is to tinker with the engine until it belts out 1000 hp. First comes the teardown to find exactly what secrets the straight-six holds.

The first thing that stands out to the Papadakis crew is the use of lightweight materials. Before the engine is even out, the engine’s extensive use of plastics and other composites becomes apparent. This is something that has been a staple of BMW designs for years—just ask any BMW owner whose car is crossing that threshold into high-mileage territory. Those plastic parts are the bane of a longtime BMW owner’s existence, especially when it comes to cooling systems.

The second item Papadakis draws attention to is the exhaust manifold, or more accurately, the lack thereof. The majority of the pre-turbocharger exhaust is funneled into the aluminum cylinder head; the turbocharger bolts directly to it and utilizes just two ports. That means fewer opportunities for leaks, but it also means a difficult design for the aftermarket to improve upon without casting a new cylinder head.

As the engine transforms into more and more parts on a table, the technology at work starts to reveal itself. From the variable-lift intake camshaft setup to the windage tray that also acts as a girdle to strengthen the bottom end, this engine has some serious cleverness baked into it. I’m used to 1960s engine tech, so one element that really jumped out were the roller-rockers that have no pivot shaft or stand. What does that mean? The rockers are captive to the lifter, but the design requires fewer parts and can be packaged tighter than a standard overhead valve setup. Pretty sweet.

Time will tell if the Supra’s BMW bones can satisfy die-hard Toyota fans, but based on what we saw after watching this video, the future is bright for this engine and the tuners that will inevitably push it to its limits.