Turbo Beams? Options

[Espo]

Alright, I've run into a dilemma here. I was under the impression that the 3S-GTE was a red top beams engine, and was planning on swapping that into my ST later next year.

Now, I saw someone's thread in the general discussion forum and it seems the beams is only a 3S-GE, but the 4th generation of the 3S engine.

However, toyota engine code has been explained (as I understand it) as (Engine generation #)(Letter representing engine family)-(features, I.E. G being for performance, T for Turbo, E meaning EFI) so wouldn't this make the beams a 4S-GE...? I'm confused.

Nonetheless, I'm curious as to whether a 3S-GTE Red Top BEAMS was ever produced, or if turboing a beams is possible/practical as compared to just swapping in a 3rd gen 3S-GTE. I wanna hit 300-350whp fairly soon after my swap. I've been doing a lot of reading into the 3S and beams, but clearly I was understanding, lol.

Thanks in advance for any info/help.

[D-Man]

no prob man. it's how i learned

back to discussion:


redtop/blacktop/greytop is another one of those 'enthusiast invented words"

it reffers to the beams motors; however all beams motors were n/a. (not that they stay that way )



REDTOP:

The fourth generation 3S-GE, also known as the BEAMS 3S-GE began production in 1997. The first version was equipped with VVT-i and produced 197 bhp (147 kW, 200 PS) @ 7000 rpm. It was available in a few models sold only in Japan - the MR2 G and G-Limited, the Celica ST202 SS-II and SS-III and the Caldina. BEAMS is an acronym which stands for Breakthrough Engine with Advanced Mechanism System.

BLACKTOP

In 1998 a second version was released with dual VVT-i (variable timing on both the intake and exhaust cams), titanium valves, battery-backed injectors and a slightly higher compression ratio (11:1 instead of 10.5:1). This engine powered the Altezza RS200 and produced around 207 bhp (154 kW, 210 PS) @ 7600 rpm.

(note that they did not add a turbocharger)
GREYTOP

The "Grey Top" BEAMS 3S-GE was an available engine option in the Rav4 and Caldina GT in Japan. Even though the valve cover on this engine is black, it is referred to as "Grey Top" due to the grey intake plenum to differentiate it from the Dual-VVTi "Black Top" in the Altezza. Power output is 177 bhp (132 kW, 180 PS) @ 6600 rpm.

now the issue with running F/I on the beams motors is the level of difficulty to turbo/supercharge due to tuning issues. i dont know much about people running nitrous oxide on them. i would imagine it'd be a similar issue; but due to the fact that it last for such a short time (and most all N/O setups are a bit off tune-wise) i dont think it'd do too much damage. (because our s class engines have been known to handle chemical induction on a regular basis w/o issue)




as for the most (powerful?) advanced 3s-gte motor to date being installed in a minivan... IDFK what to tell ya. it makes me cuss every time i think about it. it was only sold in japan, and they were rare-rare from what i understand. i have a buddy over there; and he's yet to spot one.




you're thoughts?

[SwissFerdi]

as for the most (powerful?) advanced 3s-gte motor to date being installed in a minivan... IDFK what to tell ya. it makes me cuss every time i think about it. it was only sold in japan, and they were rare-rare from what i understand. i have a buddy over there; and he's yet to spot one.

And yet you can get a 4th gen for cheaper than a 3rd gen...don't ask me how. I've seen a 4th gen on Craigslist for 1k.