6G Celicas Forums

I've been thinking about doing a beams 3sge swap. But I don't want to get the front clip, what do I need besides the engine, trans, harness and ecu? Or I'm I better off with the front clip? I've read the stickies and can't find anything on it only some helpful ones on the gt4s but I wonna go na. There's probably a thread in here about this but I can't find it. Any info is much appreciated thanks

You don't need a clip for the BEAMS, only the 2nd/3rd gen 3S-GTE's. You just need the engine, trans, harness and ECU. Trans is optional if you have a GT and already have an S54.

Cool thanks a lot! What's s54?

An S54 is the manual transmission that comes in a Celica GT and also comes bolted to a Redtop. Some of the S54's that come with the BEAMS have helical LSD.

That's what I have. So they r the same trans then right? Cool thanks! Any tip on internal upgrades?

no, no upgrades. sorry thats it.

Yes, same transmission. The gear ratios are slightly different, but not enough to notice. Some of the BEAMS S54's have a helical LSD, but not all of them. Since you already have an S54, you have the option of getting a BEAMS with no transmission or one with an auto trans to save some money, although you'll still need a new clutch. You'll also need to pick up a new flywheel if you get a BEAMS with an auto trans.

Upgrades for the BEAMS are virtually nil. Celica_RA45 on the BEAMS Owners Group has some VERY nice upgrades for the BEAMS, but each one costs just about as much as the whole engine does.

be aware, you live in CA and a BEAMS swap is ILLEGAL!!!!!!!

no its not. it is not legal. It would be illegal if it crossed the river.

what's the site to that?

yes it is. the BEAMS did not come in any USDM celica and it is not ODB compliant. It will NOT pass smog. It will not pass inspection.

it was a joke. i know it is not legal, but you cant call it illegal, since it never crossed the river..

Same thing with the 3sgte swap right? Since it is a Japan motor and the last of the the USDM 3sgte motor was from the altrac and the mr2. Mines a 99 by the way.

anything u do to the 6gc now a days is illegal. if u highly modify a 5sfe in california its illegal, if u lower ur car its illegal, if u even paint it a diff color and dont notify the dmv supposedly its illegal, i have a smog person here in ca, if u need a car taken care of let me know. they charge 200$ star smog. thats not bad, they dont even need ur paper work just the vin ad paypal the cash. anyways, go with the beams if ur planning to track it and daily it or street it a lot. if ur just going to street it go with the 3sgte gen 3, less reliable but fun. and then u always have the v6 swappers, honestly they arent bad at all, its different, its unique and reliable. just gonna be more of a b**ch to work on considering the rear 3 cylinders and intake plenum design/throttle body. timing belts on 3mz r cake tho not that bad. ive worked on tons of siennas and camrys and lexuses with the 3mz its a strong engine.
but anyways i have a plain gen 3 3sge not even turbo or vvt. non interference. they r easy swap, easier for parts than beams, and they make decent power, and they r totally cheap, i picked up my entire swap for 400$ with trans mounts and brackets exhaust manifold wiring harness. everything! even ecu. it was a diff tranny so i had to source axles on my own. but i couldve used my stock s54 and axles with the swap, i chose not to. i ended up selling it to smay.
anyways, if u need help i can help u if u come around my area, its no problem with me. theres a couple
of jdm shops around, every jdm
shop
here in california is 100% janky.... and shady, i can help u perform
tests and inspect it, b4 purchase so u wont suffer. im a general service toyota tech. so, i annoy the j
shop sellers to let me
visually look at everything b4 i buy anything. anyways good luck, they r all good choices.

you seriously going to post this on the internet? thats not a good move man!



Not everything is illegal in CA. the rule is the engine MUST be from a newer car or same year as yours. if you have a 99 then the engine MUST come from a 99 or newer vehicle. It must pass CA SMOG (BEAMS WILL NOT) and it MUST be from a USDM vehicle. your only option for a swap is a V6. Its not as difficult at MI645 posted. I have done a few now. it is more expensive because you need wiring and exhaust work to be done. but the results justify the cost in my book.

lol as long as he doesnt mention any names or locations everything should be fine.. cali is big, they cant check every smog guy to see if hes doing anything shameful

lol, i havent the need to use this on any of my vehicles, i just know someone, some people cant afford new cats right away, or certain smog equipment egr etc. anyways, i dont really care which swap u choose to do. the 3mz is a good engine and u can make it bar legal. it is possible, and i dosnt post anything difficult about the v6 swap, u can read my post again, i said it was just a bit more difficult to work on the rear 3 cylinders in the back while in the vehicle rather than a 4 banger.

That's some good stuff there! But to b honest I just want something to keep up with my Honda friends. Tired of getting left in a dust ( if u know what I mean) so I was thinking about the beams. But where r u located and how far r u from the Sacramento area?

hmm who has actually barred a v6 swap in their 6gc chassis?! no one yet. making it still illegal. just not as illegal as a jdm motor

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Oct 29, 2014 - 1:55 AM

im in LA area, so 6 hour drive from u, but im willing to set something up with u, drive out and help u out, i go out there occasionally once every 3-4 months.
we can set something up. i will look down here and see if theres any good beams down here. but usually there is a lot more up in sacrament, since its closer to Oregon.
and bonzai is correct, no 1 has barred any motors in 6gc yet.
the v6 swap is good for obd2 swappers, for obd1 swaps it is unnecessary, since jdm motors as long as u run a cat, they will pass smog, only problem would be is EGR, but most smog technicians check the EGR,u just have to know someone that does not care for visual inspection, and only cares for sniffer etc.