3sgte swap or 5sfte(engine rebuild) Options

[fastgt]

I've been really thinking about doing something major to my celica but I'm not sure what to do. Given that everything turns out the way I planned i can get the 3s swap for 4-5k.

Now I was also thinking about rebuilding the 5s with new internal and strapping a turbo to it which sounds cheaper, but I need to know if it is really cheaper

Also I heard that the 3s head can be swapped to the 5s block, can a 3s head from (just an example) a junked mr2 with a 3s be put on my motor

I've done alot of my research so I know the details of both sides but I wanna know the opinions of you guys for internals and how your projects turned out for the 5sfte and 3sgte

I'm sure questions like this have been asked before but I need all the help I can get before I start spending the money I have saved up

[Supersprynt]

The turbo project will ultimately be cheaper however the 3sgte will open more possiblities of increased power. It depends on your end product...do you wanna stop around 200hp or do u want to go higher? If you see urself wanting more, I think you should go with the project which has more to offer, the 3sgte.

[fastgt]

I was thinking of using better internals than just stock pistons, rods, cams etc...would that still not be better

[Jabberwock]

heh...supersprynt, he wanted to rebuild his engine to new internals.

If he is going to do engine rebuild he would probably want to get internals with better compression for turbo.

It also depends on what 3SGTE engine you are going to get and how many miles. If you are going for a cheaper used 3SGTE like ST185 with lower mileage like 20000 miles then you would spend around 2000 and the swap will maybe cost another 2000-3000 and then hidden costs.

I went with the 3s swap and its going pretty good and I originally had a 1500000 mile 7AFE so since I was going to get another engine I went with the 3SGTE.

Its all up to you.

[fastgt]

Well originall i wanted a 3rd gen 3s, then i set my sights on 2nd gen...but lately ive been reading on too many maintence probs with the 3s swap

[97sccelica]

a head swap is $$$ and complicated,

it may require some machining to the 5s block and it will require a 3sgte intake manifold, wire harness, ecu and other parts

might as well get a 3sgte and install the crank from your 5sfe in there

5sgte, easier than a head swap, and same results.

since you own a 94, you could get a 3sgte and still be smog legal(provided you keep the cat and other emissions crap) because the engine was in us production until 95(mr2 turbo)

boosting the 5sfe is cheaper, untill you want to do stuff internally. the engine can make a lot of power, once you replace the rods, pistons, rings, bearings, cams, valves, springs, etc. and P&P the head. get a bigger throttle body and other things.

it will make a lot of power, but it will cost you, and then you will realise that with the money you spent, a 3sgte would be making around 100hp more or make the same power but with less money into the project.

[kuya1284]

[celica3sgte]

Do the swap. You have a GT. It would only cost you $3500.

[Supersprynt]

Ohh i thought he just wanted to bolt on a turbo, my bad.

[lagos]

both will cost about the same. i would to do thw swap. the 5sfte is a custom project with a high failure rate. the 3s is built for turbo from the factory and has more power potential . it will probably be more realiable in the end too.

This post has been edited by lagos: Jan 20, 2004 - 10:14 PM

[shid]

and the 3s doesn't have a high failure rate? lol

[x_itchy_b_x]

well i spent $1.4k on my turbo setup. and i plan to spend alot more on pistons and rods and bearings. and valve springs. like i want to up the boost someday. its all tuning. the bottom end can handle it. displayed over at the mr2 boards. well see what happends i need money i have sum good plans.

[hyp3rk1d]

cmon lets not forget the lovely 7afte