ST205 WRC Swap ST165, Old news, but new to 6G Options

[MR2Guru]

In the beginning:



All of the original wiring was jacked from dry-rot and hacking from the previous owner/shop. It just made sense to me just to do a swap. :-P

The purchase:



1994 Celica GT-Four WRC. Third Generation 3SGTE. 2500 of this particular engine were built, the bare minimum production requirement for entry into WRC. If you are interested in something similar, the non-WRC is just as fun, and MUCH easier to come by.

In and out with the ol' swaparoo:



Don't try to look under her skirt.

The easy part is complete in 6.5 hours. Bolting in is just the beginning:



Bolted right in as if they were meant for each other! Minimal fab required.



The waiting game.... Wiring is fun, so until we could get caught up around the shop customer wise, she collects some dust. At least she looks really good, even just sitting.



Add 8 months and a few Coronas and Newcastles..........



3 Sets of wheels and numerous 16 hour days later....




















Anyway, this is my new baby. She's been a long time in the making, but it was well worth the wait! If she is not the first actual WRC swapped 88 in the US, I am the first girl to have done a WRC swap in that generation afaik.

No flaming on this one boys, plenty of witnesses to me being completely hands-on with this project. I needed a lot of help (TY Harry) - not like he had a choice - but I cant thank him enough. We had to COMPLETELY re-wire this beast, and I own him years of backrubs to pay him off. Every bolt I couldnt break loose, everything that was too heavy, everything that was beyond my "girly skills", he was there to help every step of the way.

Mod list:

Modified engine mounts with 90A Hardness urethane filler
Fluidyne radiator from 4G63 T
Frankenstein half-shafts (ST205/ST165)
ST185 Coilover system (some fitment modification)
Synchronic BOV



MBC @ 17psi
Upgraded Heat Exhchanger for factory A2W IC system.
Lo-tec Pillar Pod with Autometer Water Temp/Boost/Oil Pressure Gauges



Apexi Turbo Timer
17" Scion tC wheels
Battery Relocation
Short Ram Intake (AEM filter)
Hand-built exhaust with custom divorced WG downpipe

She's pretty much stock, but I love her just the same!

Future plans:

SuperPro Urethane Bushing Kit
4-Wheel Alignment w/ sport tuned coilover system. (Just need them adjusted)
*Hoping for handed down GReddy 20g Turbo from one particular MR2*







Short Vid:
ST205 WRC ST165

[6strngs]

nice! What kind of coilovers are those? I want to get the new megan racing ones. also, I know you said you have an upgraded heat exchanger for the A2W IC, but it looks about stock size, I thought the ST205 heat exchanger was much bigger?

Hopefully one day mine will recieve an ST185 or 205 swap, the engine is showing it's age with a cloud of smoke on cold starts and at WOT, lol. Plus my wiring is all ^%$ed up too, seems to be a common problem for the st165. anyway, nice work, keep it up!

[MR2Guru]

nice! What kind of coilovers are those? I want to get the new megan racing ones. also, I know you said you have an upgraded heat exchanger for the A2W IC, but it looks about stock size, I thought the ST205 heat exchanger was much bigger?

Hopefully one day mine will recieve an ST185 or 205 swap, the engine is showing it's age with a cloud of smoke on cold starts and at WOT, lol. Plus my wiring is all ^%$ed up too, seems to be a common problem for the st165. anyway, nice work, keep it up!

The coilovers I believe are Cusco. I actually couldnt find any badges on them, but the color combo seemed to lead me to believe so.

The picture above is older, and displays the old exchanger. The heat exchanger currently installed is actually quite a bit larger than stock. The core is 4" thick, but only measures around 12" and 9" in height/width. I did not have a 205 clip to work with in which to kidnap the 205 exchanger, but this one is cooling quite efficiently. It puts the ST165 exchanger to bitter shame.