6G Celicas Forums

SO, I've just come into a pretty decent chunk of money / raise and I want to do this swap.
Problem is, I have an ST.
How much harder will the swap be on an ST instead of a GT? I've heard from various other car forums around the net that on a GT it can be done in an afternoon.
Also, will I need to do any custom fabrication due to the BEAMS Red Top motor I want to buy being JDM?
Just looking for general information on this swap, because I really love this motor, I want to push 200hp reliably on my DD

avoid the jdm crap, buy a beams here in the USA.

in an st maybe a couple of holes to drill and some thing else i cant remember, should not be more difficult, except you need all the mounts.

Well, I recently also just bought a full authentic SS-III body kit for my Celica...
Was trying to go for a red top full SS-III conversion.
What's the diff between the JDM 3sge and the domestic?

There was no domestic Redtop in the US, he was simply saying to buy one that has already been shipped here to avoid any headaches of importing the engine. For the swap in an ST, you'll need to drill some holes for the passenger side motor mount, buy motor mounts, shift cables, and axles for a GT.

The problem with a BEAMS is that it's a lot of fun, but the power is all in the high RPM's. It feels like a 5S until around 4,500 RPM, and that power just isn't usable around town. You might consider a 1MZ-FE swap. It's around 200 hp as well but has more torque and has power in the low RPM's. It costs less than a BEAMS, you'll save $1,000 or so, but the swap is more complicated. Either way your car will be a lot of fun when you're finished.

Thanks for the response richee.
Could you elaborate on drilling the holes? You meaning drill holes in the motor? (?heard of crazy things like this being done for custom swaps?) Or in the place where the mount actually gets mounted..
Also, do I buy all those parts for the 3sge or will they all work from a GT?

You'd need to drill holes in the frame for the GT mount, the holes are already marked. All of the mounts, shift cables, and axles from a GT will work. The wiring harness will need a few wires repinned. You'll either need to extend the harness a couple of feet or cut a hole in the firewall to run the harness through.

Thank's for the info richee. You've been a great help. I'll be sure to post pictures when I'm done. Already put a hold fee on a local dealer who happens to have one in stock
I'll be sure to update with pics, like I previously said, I'm trying to go for a super close authentic SS3. Wish me luck guys!

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=82764&hl=

Good luck with the swap mate. Check out my project thread (link in signature) if you want some motivation.

Hey s8s8, I'm almost thinking I should've went with a 3sgte I don't like how you said you didn't notice hardly any diff in power..
/sigh

The BEAMS does act and feel a lot like a 5S until 4,500 RPM. That's when the 5S starts to run out of power but its when the BEAMS comes to life. After that, it's a pretty big difference. Since you have a 7A now, you'll notice a VERY big difference with the BEAMS. The 3S-GTE is a superior motor to the BEAMS, undeniably. You won't regret the BEAMS.

morale of the story, because you aren't starting with a GT, get the most complete beams engine kit you can and you'll be better off. Coming from a 7a you should be happy with it.

My problem with the 3sgte swap is this, it starts out as you saying you'll keep it low key. They you see someone getting rid of a berk downpipe for cheap, so you buy it thinking a small upgrade wont hurt. Then you find a decent turbo timer and think ehh, whats the worse that could happen. Finally you find a killer deal on a fully rebuilt turbo that will take you past 18psi and again, a few bolts, bigger turbo no problem. Before you know it,you've completely disassembled the engine, you've inspected 30k mile bearings for wear (like we expected there to be any) you've purchased forged internals, front mount intercooler because the one toyota spec'd for the car wasn't cool enough or "jdm" enough. Before you ever come close to finishing it, you've graduated college, spent 6-7k dollars, and all you have to show for it is a motor sitting on a engine stand, with enough equipment to build a 300-400 hp motor with ease. The issue is that you still have FRONT WHEEL DRIVE and hooking up that kind of power is hard. 1st gear isn't even useful, and now the car isn't so much about having fun with it as it is getting a return on your investment and time and 3 years worth of saving money. The problem is by now you're working full time somewhere and commuting an hour and are more inclined to buy a brand new ecoboost ford fiesta for its 48mpg and don't have time for the celica.

Morale #2: if you are going to do it, for crying out loud drive the car. You can dump 8k in the motor and build a MONSTER! But at the end of the day, if you don't sell it to someone who wants exactly what you've already put together, you have a 3 thousand dollar car with a motor that a person can't even really get parts for. My advice is to get something you will drive and enjoy. Something you'll throw a friend in the seat beside you with and toast a honda with a v-tec in it and a fart can on the back. I see far too much building of engines and not enough smiles coming from them.

This one right here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-Celica-ST202-S...457&vxp=mtr
best bang for the buck on ebay. It has everthing you need. BUT IT IS IN HONG KONG
That's the kind of completeness you are looking for. I found one almost exactly like this in Texas and for 1350 picked up everything you see here with the exception of the intake.

have fun doing this. That's what it's about.

^^^ best advice ever.

Youll have better powet to weigbt ratio. The st celica is 120 lbs lighter than the gt celica. Power will feel just right.

For sure at first I was disappointed with the Beams, but things are very different now.

After the conversion the engine took a while to get back up to power. I think it was by the third or fourth tank of decent fuel that it really started to come good, and I'm sure it kept improving a little after that too.

It also took me time to get used to the power delivery. The only other decent cars I'd driven beforehand included a V8 AMG Mercedes and a Porsche 911 Turbo. Of course these things are torque monsters though and they make buckets of power down low.

With the Beams its completely different as you need to drive the car over 5k rpm to make things exciting. Below that and yeah it's really just like driving a 5S.

So even if you finish the Beams swap and aren't blown away in the beginning, keep the faith and it will reward you eventually!

its fun in the fact that it keeps revving and keeps making power.