Limits of a 4th gen 3sgte bottom half Options

[teamchancery]

I have seen a dyno of a 4th gen 3s (caldina)making 400whp on stock internals.However with these things you never know how long these engines last for.My question from either personal experiemce or other persons experience .Whats the most power made on a stock bottom half 4 gen to be driven around daily without breaking
I have a 4th gen and changed the pistons cause orginals cracked but didnt have the extra cash to buy forged rods.So i got some JE pistons but the 4th gen rods look so much smaller than the older mr2 and celica rods that with my new build i am deciding to build it to around 350whp and leave it there cause the rods got me nervous

[pitcelica]

Yes it will fit as any other 3sgte. Depend on what "better" means for you.

Gen 4 :

Pros :
-COP ignition
-upgraded head/valves/intake cam
-sidefeed intake manifold
-higher compression (9.0:1)
-upgraded turbo (slightly larger than CT20b)(need to be confirmed)
-OBDII
-newer : 1997-2002
-540cc top feed high impedance injectors.

Cons :
-no wiring diagram available, wiring is harder to be done
-require a tach adaptor to make your stock tach working
-mostly automatic (seldom 5spd but they are hard to find)
-turbo manifold is cast with turbine housing. So, if you want to upgrade turbo, you need a new manifold.
-air-to-air top mount intercooler
-price is a little higher $$$

Gen 3:

Pros :
-easier to find
-water to air intercooler
-wiring is easier
-5sp tranny only (most of the time LSD (if a MR2 gen3))
-known to be good 'CT20b'. Some guys around here are doing 330whp easily with only exhaust, intake, boost control and water injection.

Cons :
-older engine (94-99)
-distributor ignition
-centerfeed manifold
-8.5:1 comp

Both swap are good. I suggest you gen 4th (I'm sold lol). But the water-to-air on the gen3 is really tempting. And if you find a WRC version, you will have water injection and antilag system included (need to be activated..).