Camry+Celica?, camry engine? Options

[monkeywrench]

Hi, I'm Lea (Lee-uh) a 17 year old girl, and car nut.

I'm going to be getting a Celica soon (possibly buying back my moms old one) for really cheap (just wait, I'll explain) and I don't care what's up with the engine, I'm going to pull one out of a junkyard and have it rebuilt. I read the topic about what engines will and won't fit. From that list I'm leaning toward the 3S-GTE, but id wondered about the engine from a. '04-'06 Camry (a 3MZ-FE V6). I don't know if this would fit in the engine bay, or if I would have to get a new transmission along with that. Or would I be better off finding a 3S-GTE? I want something more powerful than a 7A-FE or a 5S-GE.

I'm still learning and don't know much about interchangeable parts. Also, about how much would it be if I had a new transmission installed in a '94 ST coupe?

[frisp]

Have the 3VZ-FE fitted to mine. So yes it will fit

[Random_Stranger]

I wish I got started at your age.......... I have waited waaaaaaaay too long.

[Culpable04]

Hi, I'm Lea (Lee-uh) a 17 year old girl, and car nut.

I'm going to be getting a Celica soon (possibly buying back my moms old one) for really cheap (just wait, I'll explain) and I don't care what's up with the engine, I'm going to pull one out of a junkyard and have it rebuilt. I read the topic about what engines will and won't fit. From that list I'm leaning toward the 3S-GTE, but id wondered about the engine from a. '04-'06 Camry (a 3MZ-FE V6). I don't know if this would fit in the engine bay, or if I would have to get a new transmission along with that. Or would I be better off finding a 3S-GTE? I want something more powerful than a 7A-FE or a 5S-GE.

I'm still learning and don't know much about interchangeable parts. Also, about how much would it be if I had a new transmission installed in a '94 ST coupe?

you have a ST so if you go with a 3sgte you'll need a new transmission, same thing with any V6 engine, you have done the best first thing you could have, you read some of the stickies, if you read a few more on the same topic, it's all explained there.

STs have a A series engine, so in Theory any other A series engine will bolt to the transmission, if you consider any other series ( S as on a 3sgte for example ) a different transmission will be needed along with a lot of other small parts ( mounts, cables and such ) to make this work. it's not too hard as long as you do the proper research and do the work yourself taking your time. most members started knowing very little about cars and have swap their celica successfully.

[bccentaur3]

if you want power and a complete drop in, depending on if you want NA power or FI power go with the A series motors. 4AGE or 4agZE. Either one you choose you will be making double the power your motor is putting out now. Now the cost of replacing a tranny. Fly me out to Cali and I'll do it for free.

[3SGTE-auto]

Hi Lea,

I have a 3SGTE with a water to air intercooler. It is pretty powerful.

Best option if you want more power (in my opinion) is to buy a half-cut, either from a Caldina or Celica with the 3SGTE engine, or a half-cut from a late model camry with the V6 engine. If you want an auto trans, the Camry is the easiest option. If you want manual, you can use either the camry engine or the 3SGTE. The half cut should hopefully include all the engine essentials, and is a complete unit, with which you can transplant all the bits and pieces into your celica. If going Auto, use the V6 and auto trans from the Camry. The ECU in this package should be able to control the transmission. If going Manual, best to use an E153 gearbox from an MR2, however other S-class gearboxes like the S51 or S54 are OK (but not as strong as the E153). These gearboxes all can mate to either the V6 or the 3SGTE.

Most time consuming and tedious issue will be setting up the electricals.

Any other questions?

[monkeywrench]

I just found out that the guy who has my mom's old ST doesn't want to sell it, so I've got a different idea. I know whatever I do, I want to either swap in a 3sgte or add a turbo/supercharger to whatever engine it has. I think if I were to add either 'charger to a stock Celica engine I would have to reprogram the computer (that's what dad told me), wouldn't I? If i were lucky enought to find a 3sgte, would I also have to reprogram the computer for that engine?

All the things I'm thinking of doing, I'm going to do over a long period of time so the cost isn't really driving my decsision. Which would be easier to do? I think I might be leaning towards adding to the engine the car already has, after I have it rebuilt, because after my old Camaro I don't trust the engine of a cheap car, but what do you more experienced people think?

And whatever trim of Celica I get, it will definately be a manual.

[bccentaur3]

If you plan on swapping in a 3sgte then NO you will not need to reprogram anything. And that is the beauty of it. Its turbocharged naturally and the ecu is programed for it. But if you plan on adding any sorts of forced induction such as supercharging or turbocharging a Normally Aspirated motor you will need to either use a piggy back or a standealone to tune the set-up. We don't have a honda so we can't just chip it.

Now if you pick up a camry pick up the one that has the 5sfe motor. I'm sure its just as easy to drop in a 3s like the celica. How ever if you plan on boosting it, you might as well rule out the supercharging because you won't find any supercharger kits that will bolt on. Unless you find the RIPP MOD kit. So just turbo it using the mr2 turbo or alltrac parts. Turbo manifold is a bolt on.

But if you end up picking up a v6 camry, you might as well build a v6 beast and not boost it. But then again it will be your car.

[monkeywrench]

If I'm going to have the engine rebuilt, would it be a good idea to have a new transmission put in to go with the 'new' engine? I'm asking because ideally, I want the car to run as smoothly as a 'new born' right out of the factory. Also, since the car will be used, could the computer be messed up? If so, how would I go about fixing it? I know those are a lot of questions, but I've only got exparience with old chevys and fords as far as working on cars and I have so much to learn (and can't wait to learn).

[3SGTE-auto]

Hi there,

If you are enthusiastic about the 3S-GTE engine, that's good- you should be. It's got a great power/weight ratio.

Have a look around for half cuts of the Caldina, the Rally ST185 (with the water to air intercooler), or the ST205. These ones are prolly the best of the lot. BCCENTOUR3 is right - get a celica that fits the S- class engine, like the 5SFE. That way the engine mounts on the chassis will be correct location for you to just put a 3SGTE straight in.

Don't forget to replace the water pump and timing belt before you put the engine in - that is the only necessity.

Lastly, an E153 tranny from an MR2 (or rarely from a manual Camry V6) sounds like your best bet. New transmission? Just get a low milage one - they are as good as new. Any Questions?

[bccentaur3]

If I'm going to have the engine rebuilt, would it be a good idea to have a new transmission put in to go with the 'new' engine? I'm asking because ideally, I want the car to run as smoothly as a 'new born' right out of the factory. Also, since the car will be used, could the computer be messed up? If so, how would I go about fixing it? I know those are a lot of questions, but I've only got exparience with old chevys and fords as far as working on cars and I have so much to learn (and can't wait to learn).

Its so rare to have a messed up ecu, but lets say you do, then just go out and get a new ecu.

[monkeywrench]

Where would I find an ECU? My dad thought he had to replace the ECU in my moms old celica and he went to the local Toyota dealership to order one and they said ECUs for that car aren't made anymore. I've heard the ECU out of some other cars would be the same as from a Celica?
And arent the chassis codes for the USDM ST and GT AT200 and ST204? Are those the chassis codes for all the US 6th den Celicas? I was wondering because before I buy a Celica I want to know what the chassis code is.

[DEATH]

Yup - you got it [You want the ST-204 cause it sounds to me like you won't be happy NA for long - ST-204 will make it much easier to swap and the stock GT tranny is just fine for a pretty long while/stockish 3S-GTE HP]. Our ECUs are still made but there are many lazy counter men out there.

[GriffGirl]

In the unlikely event you needed to replace the ECU though, it would probably be MUCH cheaper and easier to find one from a yard than to order it new from Toyota. Try http://www.car-parts.com for used parts searches - it hits a database that connects salvage yards all across the country.

[monkeywrench]

Okay! That helps me a lot, so I'll be loking for a Celica GT. I was hoping id get one exactly like moms old one (An ST), but that was before I knew all this stuff. I hope I'll be able to find a GT that doesn't have a hatchback, they look so unsexy to me (a kid at school has one and I thought ew.. ). But I just like the plain 2dr coupe because to me the body looks longer. I'm super picky about body and head/tail light design. I like Celicas so much because its the first car I ever drove and they are different. There are five running around my hometown- 2 silver ones, a black one belonging to an oil field worker and another black one that has a huge stick through the bigger headlight housing and a matte grey one belonging to my ex's bro in law.

Thankyou all for answering my questions, you helped clear up some confusion.

[bccentaur3]

no prob and eww on the coupe lol..