AT200 Engine Swap Questions, 3SGTE clipless swap Options

[Celica_MKVI]

Hey guys, I've read the main engine swap sticky and have done plenty of searches on this site in regards to engine swaps. Many of which are near decades old, and I wouldn't want to bring back any long dead threads. Considering many of the threads are older, I am thinking there may be newer ways around some of these issues.
With some projects being the same, but all going about it different ways, I just had a few questions that seem to be contradictory from one build to another. Also since there are not too many AT200 swap threads.

My plan: 3rd or 4th Gen 3SGTE swap in my ST. I do not want to get a clip/half-cut, as the cost of shipping is way to costly imo, and I am in SoCal where I can source an engine and pick it up myself. I am considering the 4th gen since I do not plan to modify the engine over 250whp.


1) How are many of you going about modifying the AC lines and PS lines? I really don't see any "how to's" in that area. Are some just running no AC and no power steering?

2) What is the definite answer for the cross member and motor mounts on the AT200 ST for a 3SGTE swap? The main swap sticky says to swap all parts...but I noticed some say just certain mounts need to be changed, and the cross member is the same.

3) For 3SGTE/3SGE swaps w/ E153 or S54, what axles or axle combinations are folks going with? Would like to know for both the E153 lsd and S54. I know many say the ones that come with the 3SGE, but where do you source them? I may just settle on the S54 and use the GT axles(considering I am not looking to exceed 250whp).

4) I notice many people(including MR2 owners) are moving to the ST215 4th Gen 3SGTE engine. But most of these engines come with Auto ECMs. How do you work around the Auto ECM to work with a manual tranny?


I'd like clear 'up to date' answers and if there are any other areas I may have missed where all this is documented, please show me which links to be directed to. Please don't say, "do a search", I have searched. With so many pages(many of them being years old), I don't have the time to read through 20 pages per build thread with most not pertaining to anything related. I hope to get some help. Thanks guys!

This post has been edited by Celica_MKVI: Aug 17, 2015 - 4:33 PM

[richee3]

If you aren't buying a clip, you'll want a 4th gen 3S-GTE. You can send the wiring harness to Doug Copeland at Wiregap. All you'll need for that swap is the engine, harness, ECU, and a FMIC. After that, it's all the usual bits necessary for a swap. Power steering lines from a GT bolt right up and a/c lines fit the compressor perfectly. If you use the S54, you can use axles from a GT. Forbthe E153, the axles actually separate and you'll need MR2 inner axles and ST185 outer axles. Some people need a spacer, others didn't, I think it just depends on how low you are. You'll need a new passenger side mount for sure and I believe front and rear mounts. I'll chime in with more clear and direct answers later when I get a bit more time.

[Celica_MKVI]

If you aren't buying a clip, you'll want a 4th gen 3S-GTE. You can send the wiring harness to Doug Copeland at Wiregap. All you'll need for that swap is the engine, harness, ECU, and a FMIC. After that, it's all the usual bits necessary for a swap. Power steering lines from a GT bolt right up and a/c lines fit the compressor perfectly. If you use the S54, you can use axles from a GT. Forbthe E153, the axles actually separate and you'll need MR2 inner axles and ST185 outer axles. Some people need a spacer, others didn't, I think it just depends on how low you are. You'll need a new passenger side mount for sure and I believe front and rear mounts. I'll chime in with more clear and direct answers later when I get a bit more time.

Thanks richee3! How about the ST AC and PS lines? I'm not positive they plug and bolt right up. I may just do away with the AC.
Is there an easy source for the MR2 inner axles and ST185 outer axles?

Nice MKIV by the way. Great to see other MKIV owners in here who are also 6GC owners...now I don't feel so bad, for a min I thought I was just wasting my time. LOL Any future plans for the Supra? Mines in pieces right now. Kinda tough trying to build both cars at the same time.

[AlphaSigma]

I am also really curious in exactly what I would need. I am finding it near impossible to even find a clip for sale anymore, so I am going to have to just buy an engine. I have read on earlier threads that it would be near impossible to do the swap without the clip because of the missing parts. How much truth is there to that?

[njccmd2002]

not true, you can source every part, with patience and money.

even clips may not come complete, and you end up with a lot of wasted weight.

you definitely need gt power steering lines, since the reservoir of the St is on top of the power steering pump. and when you use the pump from 3sgte, you dont have a reservoir...

all in all, if it does not exist make it. Im swapping right now, and parts are not available.. so i make em


high pressure hose


low pressure line

[richee3]

Thanks richee3! How about the ST AC and PS lines? I'm not positive they plug and bolt right up. I may just do away with the AC.
Is there an easy source for the MR2 inner axles and ST185 outer axles?

Nice MKIV by the way. Great to see other MKIV owners in here who are also 6GC owners...now I don't feel so bad, for a min I thought I was just wasting my time. LOL Any future plans for the Supra? Mines in pieces right now. Kinda tough trying to build both cars at the same time.

I know you'll need a new power steering reservoir and lines from a GT, but the rack is the same. AC lines will be the same, and you can use the compressor on the new engine. They'll bolt right up. I never have looked into sourcing the axles. You may be able to pick up the halves from RockAuto but I've never looked into that at all.

Personally, I'm a fan of the 4th gen 3S-GTE over the 3rd gen for a few reasons, one of which is that you don't need a clip. You can buy the engine/harness/ECU, freshen the engine up with new gaskets and belts, have Doug Copeland (mr220v/WireGap) do your wiring for a perfect plug and play harness, pick up a FMIC, clutch/flywheel, upgraded fuel pump, and drop it in a GT. For the ST, you'll need to add in the mounts, trans, axles, GT shift cables, power steering bits, GT radiator and coolant lines, and you should be good to go. For the 3rd gen swap, it's best to get a clip so you have everything necessary for the fuel pump resistor pack, W2A intercooler, etc. Because you are swapping into an ST, the cost of extra parts may come close to the cost of a clip.

Since you have an ST, a V6 swap will have a lot of the same work as the 3S-GTE swap so it won't be too much more difficult, but it's a legal swap in California. I personally want boost and I have no emissions checks here but if I was in California, the 3MZ would absolutely be the way to go.

Thanks for the compliment on the Supra! Mine is basically stock. It'll be at BPU here in the next few weeks. What are your plans for yours? Be sure to post pictures of your cars up here. Just like other forums, we love to see pictures! There are a few other mkIV owners here as well- Smaay, Ngofcukinway, and a few others.

[Box]

If you're in California I'd look into the 1MZ/3MZ as well, Hell I live in Alabama the land of no testing or inspections of any kind and that'd be my choice. Sure it doesn't make as much power but you're not too far off(keeping the 3S stock anyways) and there's no lag, and really 200-250 hp in a 2,500 pound FWD car is plenty. Really for me it also comes down to the fact it's cheaper and if you ever need parts you can get them from any parts store since so many USDM vehicles had the 1MZ/3MZ, just get parts as if you had a Camry. Though with you being in California you have the very important benefit of passing emissions. Just some things to think about anyway. Plus the 1MZ/3MZ should get over 30 mpg with the E153 or if you swap in the S51 5th gear into the S54, as the Camry/Solara got like 29 or 30 mpg and it's heavier and probably not as aerodynamic.

This post has been edited by Box: Aug 23, 2015 - 9:53 PM

[LtSolid]

richee is the ****ing man. those outdated threads, although they explain a lot, can get a bit complicated. rich should do a "3sgte swap for dummies" book

[Smaay]

having both a 3rd gen swap and my V6 swap. I enjoy driving the V6 so much more. no lag at all, and since i changed the trans back to the S54 and changed the 5th gear. the car is absolutely perfect.