A 2JZ Chevy Nova Build: Project Supra Nova
Most builders pick a lane. American muscle or JDM. Classic iron or modern engineering. Christopher Colbert didn’t pick one, and the result is Project Supra Nova, a 1968 2JZ Chevy Nova built at the crossroads of two automotive cultures. We first learned about this car from the crew at In The Garage Media, who spotted it at the PRI Show 2025 and gave it the recognition it deserved. After seeing the coverage, we had to tell the full story.
Why Build A 2JZ Chevy Nova?
The answer goes deeper than horsepower. Colbert grew up surrounded by Chevy guys. His dad and uncles were muscle car people, and classic American iron formed his earliest connection to cars. But when he got into the hobby himself, the JDM and import scene was taking over. He fell just as hard for that world: the precision, the engineering, and the style that made cars like the Mk4 Supra genuinely iconic.
Because of that split identity, Project Supra Nova became his answer. Every part on 2JZ swapped Nova is intentional. Nothing is here by accident, and every decision blends old and new, domestic and import, past and present into one cohesive build.
The Engine: A Fully Built 2JZ-GTE
The heart of this build is a fully built Toyota 2JZ-GTE assembled by Victory Motorsports. The short block starts with a Mazworx Stage 1 block paired with a Toyota GTE VVTi cylinder head. Brian Crower built the rotating assembly with CP forged 9:1 pistons, BC HD H-beam rods, and BC Stage 2 264 camshafts. The valvetrain runs BC HD springs, steel retainers, stainless valves, and Toyota shimless buckets. ARP main and head studs tie the whole package together.
Induction flows through a GReddy ProSurge 2JZ intake manifold with an 82mm Bosch drive-by-wire throttle body. For boost, the setup runs an HPT F2 6466 turbocharger on an Artec manifold, with dual Turbosmart GenV HyperGate 45mm wastegates. Charge air passes through a custom Garrett-core intercooler. The plan is to transition to a PHR V1 turbo manifold as the build continues to develop.
This engine already has the bones to make serious power, and there is plenty of room left to grow.
The Drivetrain And Chassis
Behind the engine sits a Tick Performance Road Race T56 Magnum six-speed manual, mated through a Grannas Racing bellhousing. A McLeod Racing RXT twin-disc clutch and Tilton hydraulic throwout bearing handle the connection between engine and gearbox.
The chassis is where this 2JZ Chevy Nova really separates itself from the crowd. Jabz Kustoms handled all the chassis fabrication, and the foundation is a Schwartz Performance G-Machine platform. Ridetech TQ Series triple-adjustable coilovers manage the suspension at all four corners. Baer Pro-Plus 13-inch rotors up front and S4+ 13-inch rotors out back handle stopping duties. Out back, the rear runs a Moser Engineering full-floating 9-inch housing with a Currie Ford 9-inch Nodular Iron Case, 31-spline axles, and an Eaton Detroit Truetrac differential at 4.10 gears. The rear is also mini-tubbed to clear the 18×11 Work Wheels CR3P wheels with Yokohama Advan A052 315/30R18 rubber. Up front, 18×9 wheels carry 265/35R18 rubber on the same spec wheel.
This Nova drives. Colbert puts 1,000 to 2,000 miles per year on it and shows it at PRI, NOPI, WekFest, FuelFest, Southrnfresh, and Import Alliance.
The Interior And Body
Jabz Kustoms also handled the interior and body work throughout. Inside, the car runs TMI Products Sport panels and headliner in black vinyl, with Recaro Speed M seats and TRS x GReddy harnesses. A GReddy sport steering wheel ties into the cockpit feel. For instrumentation, the dash runs an AIM MXS Strada 5-inch digital display along with gaugeART CAN gauges. A Vintage Air Gen 5 SureFit system handles climate, and the Holley DBW pedal integrates cleanly with the drive-by-wire throttle.
On the outside, the body wears Nissan Bayside Blue, which serves as the visual bridge between American iron and JDM influence. The Anvil Auto carbon fiber hood carries TrackSpec hood louvers, and Ringbrothers billet hardware shows up throughout the exterior. Holley RetroBright LED headlights finish the front end.
A Build Worth Watching
The PRI Show floor sees thousands of builds. Most blend into the background. This 2JZ Chevy Nova build does not, because it was built with a clear vision and executed without compromise. In The Garage Media called it one of the cleanest builds at the show, and we agree.
It is the kind of car that reminds you why this hobby still matters. Two worlds, one Nova, and a builder who refused to choose between them. Keep an eye on Project Supra Nova because this build is far from finished.
Unconventional engine swaps are kind of our thing. If you want to see another build that throws the rulebook out the window, check out The Howl: an E46 BMW drift build running a supercharged Coyote swap. Different platform, same philosophy: pick the engine that makes the build right, not the one that makes it easy.
Project Supra Nova runs a fully built Toyota 2JZ-GTE assembled by Victory Motorsports. The short block uses a Mazworx Stage 1 block with a Toyota GTE VVTi cylinder head, Brian Crower rotating assembly with CP 9:1 forged pistons, BC HD H-beam rods, and BC Stage 2 264 camshafts. Boost comes from an HPT F2 6466 turbocharger with dual Turbosmart GenV HyperGate 45mm wastegates and a custom Garrett-core intercooler.
Project Supra Nova is built on a Schwartz Performance G-Machine chassis, fabricated by Jabz Kustoms. The suspension runs Ridetech TQ Series triple-adjustable coilovers at all four corners, with Baer Pro-Plus 13-inch front brakes and S4+ 13-inch rear brakes. The rear housing is a Moser full-floating 9-inch with a Currie Ford Nodular Iron Case, Eaton Detroit Truetrac differential, and 4.10 gears.
Christopher Colbert grew up around American muscle but fell equally hard for JDM car culture. Project Supra Nova is his answer to that split identity. Rather than choose between the two worlds, he built a car that lives at their intersection, combining a classic Chevy II Nova body and Schwartz G-Machine chassis with a fully built Toyota 2JZ-GTE and a Tick Performance T56 Magnum six-speed.
Project Supra Nova uses a Tick Performance Road Race T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission. It connects to the 2JZ-GTE through a Grannas Racing aluminum bellhousing, with a McLeod RXT twin-disc clutch and Tilton hydraulic throwout bearing handling the drivetrain connection.
Project Supra Nova was featured and recognized at the PRI Show 2025, where In The Garage Media named it one of the cleanest builds on the floor. Christopher Colbert drives the car regularly, logging 1,000 to 2,000 miles per year, and shows it at events including NOPI, WekFest, FuelFest, Southrnfresh, and Import Alliance.
Key Takeaways
- Project Supra Nova is a unique 1968 2JZ Chevy Nova, blending American muscle and JDM culture.
- Colbert chose a Toyota 2JZ-GTE for its precision and engineering, reflecting his split automotive identity.
- The build features high-performance components, including a Tick Performance T56 Magnum transmission and a Schwartz G-Machine chassis.
- Jabz Kustoms managed both the interior and exterior, showcasing a stunning Nissan Bayside Blue finish.
- Project Supra Nova stands out at car shows, logging 1,000 to 2,000 miles annually while continuing to evolve.
