Thinking of buying a Celica, anyone got advice, Need info, want to be future owner, Options

[Total_Package]

I am a owner of a MAzda MX3 GS (1993)
I am going to sell it and am very intrested in Celicas. I was thinking of going with a Integra but there are too many out on the street. I like my cars being more unique then the average Honda, Eclipse or Mustang... thats why I bought a MX3

I got some questions:

1.) Do both cars (Sts and GTs) use the same engine/tranny?
2.) Any popular engine swaps?
3.) Is it hard to get these cars into the 14s?
4.) How well can they handle boost? Like, how many PSI?
5.) What are the common problems for these cars?
6.) Are parts easy to find?
7.) Would it be hard to find a 6G Celica for $3,500?
8.) How much power can the engines and transmissions on the 6G Celicas handle?

This post has been edited by Total_Package: Jul 16, 2006 - 1:35 AM

[XS4lv1Truch0x]

mmkay...

gt's and st's are different.

gt's have a 2.2 liter and st's have a 1.8 liter.

gt's are more powerful than the sts.

st's are for fuel economy, gt's are kinda sporty.

no both do not use the same enignes.

the 5sfe and the 7afe engines are kinda outta luck, thats why theres the famous engine swaps, 4age and the 3sgte.

and yeah, you could prolly find a 6g somewhere cheap or expensvie.

other people will clear this question up.

This post has been edited by XS4lv1Truch0x: Jul 16, 2006 - 1:38 AM

[pure_dx]

http://www.6gc.net/index.php?action=information

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1311

in my opinion, if you plan to make your celica fast, you better have $$$$$, they are not fast at all from the factory and basic bolt ons dont do much for these celicas

[rayneezy23]

buy one its a great reliable car

[Total_Package]

Those links make me want to get a Celica more than ever
If I could find one for cheap, I will defiantley get one anyday over an Integra even though Integras are a full second faster.

[trdproven]

1.) Do both cars (Sts and GTs) use the same engine/tranny? no
2.) Any popular engine swaps? 4age, and 3sge or 3sgte (Both are actual motors used in 6g celicas if you can find one or do a swap)
3.) Is it hard to get these cars into the 14s? If you have a regular ST
4.) How well can they handle boost? Like, how many PSI? not sure ask the ones who have turbo.
5.) What are the common problems for these cars? Figuring out which style you want, J/J, none really.
6.) Are parts easy to find? They aren't as easy but everyone on this site could tell you everything you need to know. Trust me, I couldn't find anything till I joined here.
7.) Would it be hard to find a 6G Celica for $3,500? maybe, maybe not, it depends if you can snatch up a good deal but it is possible.
8.) How much power can the engines and transmissions on the 6G Celicas handle? Ask the guys here with the beams motors, gt-fours, or with turbos, look at their profiles.

[Total_Package]

got some more questions

1.) Why does it seem like very few people here have even reached the 14s at the 1/4mile? I mean, cant the 3S-GTE swap bring you guys any close to 14s or high 13s?
2.) It says on that page that the front clip of the 3S-GTE for around $1,500. Is that all the money needed for the swap?
3.) Would I be able to get into the 14s or probably even the high 13s if I was on a $2k or $3k budget?
4.) They say the 3S-GTE swap is the best swap. What about just turboing a stock GT? 135 horsepower and 145ft trq + a turbo, you would end up at somewhere like 230hp, right?
5.) I see they have 4 Generations of the 3S-GTE engine/turbo setup. Is it next to impossible to find/get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th gen 3S-GTE? And they still cost arround $1500?
6.) How many miles do the 3S-GTE engines already have in them? Are they imported from Japan or something?
7.) Is this forum/site (6gc.net) the best site for 6 Gen Celicas? This forum seems kind of small


EDIT:
low/mid 14s are my goal at the 1/4mile
Dont want to spend no more then $2.5k doing that though
btw, sorry for asking so many stupid questions. I am very intrested in these cars though

This post has been edited by Total_Package: Jul 16, 2006 - 1:29 PM

[saleeka]

if you want cheap speed this is NOT the car for you...

[j0e_p3t]

1.) Why does it seem like very few people here have even reached the 14s at the 1/4mile? I mean, cant the 3S-GTE swap bring you guys any close to 14s or high 13s?
2.) It says on that page that the front clip of the 3S-GTE for around $1,500. Is that all the money needed for the swap?
3.) Would I be able to get into the 14s or probably even the high 13s if I was on a $2k or $3k budget?
4.) They say the 3S-GTE swap is the best swap. What about just turboing a stock GT? 135 horsepower and 145ft trq + a turbo, you would end up at somewhere like 230hp, right?
5.) I see they have 4 Generations of the 3S-GTE engine/turbo setup. Is it next to impossible to find/get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th gen 3S-GTE? And they still cost arround $1500?
6.) How many miles do the 3S-GTE engines already have in them? Are they imported from Japan or something?
7.) Is this forum/site (6gc.net) the best site for 6 Gen Celicas? This forum seems kind of small

1) not everyone here has a 3sgte swap. the majority of us have the 7a or 5s. and not all the ppl who have the 3s like to drag. but the 3s is very capable of hitting 14's.
2) that's just for a totally stock 3s. aftermarket parts will cost more. plus there's also the cost of labor.
3) you'll probably need more than that.
4) the 3sgte is the best. but a member here, presure2, has reached 235 whp on his 5sfte.
5) not impossible. 2nd gen's are most common 3sgte swap around here.
6) these engines can be anywhere from 7 to 16 years old.
7) yes, this is the best place for 6gc's. it may be kinda small cuz our cars are on the rare side.

This post has been edited by j0e_p3t: Jul 16, 2006 - 4:41 PM

[Total_Package]

I just heard how much of a pain a 3SGTE swap is going to be from someone in a different 6 Gen forum

How well can the stock engines on these Celicas handle boost? Do you guys recommend boosting a stock Celica even though internals arent forged? How about that 4A-GZE engine? You guys recommend boosting that even though the owner of this website said it would be "wiser" to go for a 3SGTE?

True or False, the 3S-GE and the 4A-GZE are direct swaps unlike the 3SGTE where you have to?

[j0e_p3t]

a 3sge and 3sgte directly swap into a gt. a 4age and 4agze directly swap into an st.

This post has been edited by j0e_p3t: Jul 16, 2006 - 5:54 PM

[Total_Package]

This what some guy in a different forum said

If you are looking into a celica I recommend that u search for an alltrac celica which has 4wd and the 3sgre engine in it already...otherwise here is what I have encountered.

there are several things that need to be done other than swap in the engine to make this swap feasible.

First off there is some wiring that needs to be done and you will most likely have to convert a RHD harness to a LHD harness and do a little rewiring at the ecu.

You will need to search for some engine mounts and/or alltrac crossmember with mounts on it.

Another thing is you will probably need to get a front mount intercooler in order to keep your car from over heating, The alltrac celica is a top mount so it came with a hood that included a scoop...regular celicas dont, so either you invest in a hood and keep the top mount IC or you go front mount with custom piping (there are no kits available for it as of yet).

The 5sfe tranny will bolt up but wont hold very well from what I have heard. Best tranny is the mr2 tranny with LSD otherwise v6 camry (what I have). You will need the shafts for these trannies in order to make them work with the celica...the V6 camry tranny involves having to make custom shafts (unless u can fab them yourself).


here is my setup if you wanna take a look. Car is ALOT fast and boosts stock at 7-9 psi...I have it running around 12 with the BOV looser inorder to avoid too much pressure at the waste gate (error 34).

We have 4 active members with swaps and roughly 6-7 with swaps total and at least 1 in progress (coolieboi)

gl man

That sounds like one expensive swap

This post has been edited by Total_Package: Jul 16, 2006 - 6:18 PM

[j0e_p3t]

if you want cheap speed this is NOT the car for you...

x2

[neKronos]

if you want cheap speed this is NOT the car for you...

x2

x3

Search for the worklogs here of people that have actually completed swaps, itll give you more insight as to what you would exactly have to do.

[Total_Package]

if you want cheap speed this is NOT the car for you...

x2

x3

Search for the worklogs here of people that have actually completed swaps, itll give you more insight as to what you would exactly have to do.

So how much money would you guys estimate I would need to complete a 3SGTE swap?
Thankfully I have a Daily Driver car that I can use

[Consynx]

5k, with exhaust and fmic prob.

can be more if you go to a more expensive shop.

buy the cheapest celica GT you can find
that is, if you are ok with all this

[crismillencolin]

unless you can get a 3sgte/3sge celica it'll just disapoint you performance wise - if i lived in the US i'd go honda

[Total_Package]

I am tired of seeing Hondas
As a matter of fact, I am staying away from any Honda or Acura
Thats the cool thing about owning a Celica or Mazda MX3
Hardly anyone has them

I found some good deals around here for a Celica GT.
However, I think I would rather just sell the MX3, and buy another MX3 but stickshift.

Celicas seem like tight cars and all but the engine swaps cost too much $$$

With a stickshift MX3, all I have to do is upgrade clutch, KLZE engine, 9lb flywheel, exhaust, CAI, short shifter and a few other small mods and I could be hitting mid 14s N/A

Of course, if I just change the engine without the extra mods, high 14s and low 15s.

KLZE or KLDE is just a direct swap

Much cheaper and faster then Celicas too

[burneeed]

1.) Nope
Gt = 5sfe/s series trans
St = 7afe/ I forget which trans?
2.) for the gt 3sgte out of a 90-93 celica alltrac is the most common.
3.) 3sgte swap with a 3" exhaust a decent clutch 15psi will bring you to low 14s
4.) I have boosted my 3sgte over 15psi it can handle it but the turbo shouldnt go past that it doesnt really pull.
5.) If you are dragging the car you will blow up a plethora of S series trans
6.) Yes parts are very easy to find as the 3sgte is in the mr2 and the alltrac you can source for aftermarket parts from each one.
7.) No not at all. Depending on how many miles you have on it. THey tend to run for a very long time if you keep it stock.
8.) Trans is junk sorry. the 5sfe itselff is just like anything else... your asking a pretty crazy question... Honestly it depends on how much you want to put into it. A 3sgte on the other hand... the titan motor sports supra with a 3sgte was at 1000hp.

[burneeed]

1.) Why does it seem like very few people here have even reached the 14s at the 1/4mile? I mean, cant the 3S-GTE swap bring you guys any close to 14s or high 13s? Honestly are cars are not ment to go down a straight line very fast. There not good for drag. If thats your intentions you should honestly try another car. There great roll racing cars though. When I had my swapped celica I could beat so many cars roll racing. Theres so much top end power on the 3sgte its unreal.
2.) It says on that page that the front clip of the 3S-GTE for around $1,500. Is that all the money needed for the swap? Sounds like you need to talk to lagos... since he is the 3sgte swap master ....muaha... ok.. the new pricing of a clip is around 2500 from jarco after nickel and dime parts and by the time you decide to get a front mount intercooler plus a 3" exhaust youll spend around 4k... Now thats doing the swap yourself.
3.) Would I be able to get into the 14s or probably even the high 13s if I was on a $2k or $3k budget? Nope sorry. you would have to 3sgte swap + upgraded turbo.
4.) They say the 3S-GTE swap is the best swap. What about just turboing a stock GT? 135 horsepower and 145ft trq + a turbo, you would end up at somewhere like 230hp, right? Right...... but whats not ment to be turbo'd is not ment to be turbo'd .... Doing it the cheep way is not always the best way. Cutting corners is the worse way to start a project car. 3sgte swap is the best swap for a 6gc celica.
5.) I see they have 4 Generations of the 3S-GTE engine/turbo setup. Is it next to impossible to find/get a 2nd, 3rd or 4th gen 3S-GTE? And they still cost arround $1500? Ok 2nd gen you can get for 2500 bux..... 1st gen you dont want... theres little aftermarket support and its 190hp. 3rd gen is realy expensive as its around 4k for the clip.
6.) How many miles do the 3S-GTE engines already have in them? Are they imported from Japan or something? yessir! 30-40k
7.) Is this forum/site (6gc.net) the best site for 6 Gen Celicas? This forum seems kind of small? Dont mock us! I just dont think the site gets enough advertisement.