6G Celicas Forums

hello. im looking around this site for a simple question but i cant find it. was wondering if u could help. i need to know what are all the motor swaps possible for an automatic 1994 celica that comes stock with a 7A-FE 16value motor. im looking for more performace. i also need to keep it automatic.

I'm sure you are aware but automatic looses a bunch of power vs standard. I know a lot of st owners do a 4age swap. There are many different versions of this engine. I know people have done the silver top, not sure if anyone has done the black head swap. Also I'm not sure if the automatic transmission will even bolt up to any of them. I'd think so but I can't confirm this. Makes more sense to learn to drive a stick its super easy and rather fun too! If your going to swap might as well do it correctly!

3S-GE BEAMS Redtop swap would be an option as that came in both manual and automatic versions; the automatic equipped 3S-GE BEAMS usually ask a lower price than the manuals on eBay.

Now, as you have a '94 ST you'll probably need to replace at least one motor mount during the swap as well but as i haven't done it I can't be certain; smarter people should be along shortly to add more info or opinions.

you could swap in a 1MZ and use the automatic transmission that comes with it. that being said, you could even do a 3MZ, using VVT 1MZ electronics. then you will have 3.3L power

This times one hundred. I would also say the 4th gen 3S-GTE as it came with an automatic(AWD), but then you're having to source a transmission that'd work and hold up to the power. It'd also be a lot more money and hassle than going and getting the drivetrain, ECU, and wiring out of a Sienna, Camry/Solara, Avalon, etc...

This post has been edited by Box: Apr 20, 2015 - 3:13 PM

Well the reason that it's going to stay automatic is because I have to share the car. And she knows how to drive stick as well but doesn't want the hassle. And I heard of a tuner That could literally switch between 2 tunes on the fly. So I wanted to use that to regulate between a more serious tune and a gas friendly one.

Just do 3sge beams swap. Simplest and cheapest way. You'll spend between 1000 and 1500 for all the parts you need. Everything bolts up, it actually came in the 6gc. You only have to alter 4 or 5 wires i think?
Itll feel twice as fast as your 7a.


**Edit: also you could turbo your 7a. Auto with a baby turbo = super fast spool and no turbo lag.**

This post has been edited by Arturio55: Apr 20, 2015 - 10:46 PM

Automatic with an assless engine that needs to be revved=garbage. Prime example being an automatic 7th gen GT-S... 1MZ will be cheaper and there's plenty of info on the entire swap these days.

Which one will bring me too 250-300 hp cheapest?

Turbo beams but not worth it. For that money just learn to love stick shift.

The 3S-GTE has 250 or so out of of the box, but again finding the automatic that'd work with it becomes an issue. Also in general it seems even turbocharged four cylinders aren't fond of automatics anyway. The 1MZ has 194-210 depending on which car it came out of; the ES300 has the 210 hp tune, the Avalon and Solara have 200 hp, and then the Camry and Sienna have 194 hp. Then the 3MZ has 210-225 depending; 225 hp in the ES330 and Solara, and then 210 in the Camry, Avalon, and Sienna. Basically the easiest thing to do is just find one from a Lexus as not only is it more powerful, but odds are it was treated better as well. Though you can get more from them as I believe Smaay has information in one of his threads on what he did with his. Even with the stock engine you'll have plenty of get up and go, 210 or so horsepower in a car that weighs 2,600 pounds isn't bad at all.

Will it be worth going to the junk yard or buying a copy of my motor and building it up? Boring out and all.

Late model Caldina GT4 were 3S-GTE & automatic U140F (AWD though)

What I said in my first post, gah.

Ahh I see, only saw your post before mine about

".. finding the automatic that'd work with it becomes an issue."

For what it'd cost to properly build up and turbocharge the 7A you'd be better off swapping in the V6 or 3S-GTE.

Had a thought, the automatic used with the 1MZ/3MZ might work on the 3S-GTE but what all would be involved I don't know. Maybe someone out there has done a 4th gen 3S-GTE FWD automatic swap, but I wouldn't hold my breath.


I figured that was the case.

This post has been edited by Box: Apr 23, 2015 - 12:40 AM

What you are wanting is crazy. 300 hp does not come cheap. Period. Only a v6 swap will get u close, If you want auto. But a lot of modification will be needed. 2gr came in auto and 275 horses. But the 1mz also. Not sure hp. You have to pay to play. You can probably get a v6 tranny from another car to bolt to 3sgte but you need the ecu to control the solenoids and that does not come easy or cheap.

All things considered I'd say the 1MZ and auto out of the ES300 would probably be the way to go. Sure it's "only" 210 horsepower but in a car that weighs around 2,600 that's a weight/power ratio of 12.38:1 give or take which is fairly good. It's well documented, fairly inexpensive, and all of the parts are easily available.

I didn't mean cheap, just cheapest of all my options. My goal for the car isn't to be the fastest. Just a fun ca, something that stands out a lil more.and thank you guys. All the info is a big help. I keep the site up dated on the car