3sge Beams into 98 GT Options

[njccmd2002]

I did my harness (past avionics tech experience).
It did throw me for a loop though. After everything was installed, It would not start. I traced it back to a non-existant but required jumper under the fuse box in the engine bay. It was something I missed when doing my wiring. If I remember corectly, I only had to cut about 4 or 5 wires and lengthen them. Mechanically, parts will bolt into place.

thats it, only a couple of wires?

[2bcelica]

I did my harness (past avionics tech experience).
It did throw me for a loop though. After everything was installed, It would not start. I traced it back to a non-existant but required jumper under the fuse box in the engine bay. It was something I missed when doing my wiring. If I remember corectly, I only had to cut about 4 or 5 wires and lengthen them. Mechanically, parts will bolt into place.

i haven't start work on the beams yet cause of other obligations, but I was wondering and I'm sure i'll find out when I do work on it --- are all the plugs and wiring scheme the same? since you mentioned that you only had to lengthen only about 4-5 wires. I have a copy of the beams wiring diagram and 5sfe diagram, but haven't looked into it yet, since i know i'm going to forget unless I'm doing it while looking at the diagram at the same time.

[Outsider]

You have a BEAMS harness and it will plug into the same spot under the fuse box.

Looks like I will have to rebuild the links to the pics in the old install posts on this forum.

Search my old posts

[2bcelica]

Had some time to take things apart. So far there are a few items that needs to be replaced.

1) Clutch -- old one was really shot
2) Fly wheel - or resurfaced
3) Waterpump - Timing Belt
4) Thermostat

I will be cleaning up the engine block and tranny to prep it for paint. I wanted to paint the block and tranny gold, but the parts store didn't have any gold (closest thing was yellow), so I decided to go with a different theme. Superman colors - Blue and red - Not sure how this would turn out, but hope it'll look good in the engine bay. The header heat shield will be silver.

Here are some pics of progress. Not much to look at though.

[Rusty]

nice to finally see a BEAMS engine with the cover off

I will be cleaning up the engine block and tranny to prep it for paint. I wanted to paint the block and tranny gold, but the parts store didn't have any gold (closest thing was yellow), so I decided to go with a different theme. Superman colors - Blue and red - Not sure how this would turn out, but hope it'll look good in the engine bay. The header heat shield will be silver.

please dont, someone had painted the whole engine red (but with a 3rdgen 3sge) it look wrong (putting it the nicest way I can) the engine looks tidy just the way it is.

[njccmd2002]

tell me where you get the parts for the engine. this is one hell of a thread....

[2bcelica]

nice to finally see a BEAMS engine with the cover off

I will be cleaning up the engine block and tranny to prep it for paint. I wanted to paint the block and tranny gold, but the parts store didn't have any gold (closest thing was yellow), so I decided to go with a different theme. Superman colors - Blue and red - Not sure how this would turn out, but hope it'll look good in the engine bay. The header heat shield will be silver.

please dont, someone had painted the whole engine red (but with a 3rdgen 3sge) it look wrong (putting it the nicest way I can) the engine looks tidy just the way it is.

The existing red is staying red on the valve cover and the intake manifold. I agree, I love the red where it is. the block will be blue, but after everything is put together the blue won't be that noticeable I don't think cause the header heat shield (which will be gray silver) kinda covers up most of the blue that you can see. Working on it right now. Taking a break to wait for the paint to dry a bit.

I'll be getther the OEM parts at a local dealer since they are able to get JDM parts. Their price is about the same as 1sttoyotaparts.com just about $3-$10 higher, but I save on shipping - although I have to pay tax.

Will be posting pics of the paint soon enough.

[2bcelica]

it looks nicer in person . From the pic it looks weird that every thing is blue, but imagine with the red of the valve cover on and intake manifold along with the silver of the head shield - might not be too bad. Thats enough for tonight. Will continue working on it when I get the free time again or when I get the parts needed.

Another guy on here, who is also a local in my area was working on his beams and was going for the iron man theme, which I thought was cool - so I guess its SuperMan vs. IronMan. Sorry I'm a marvel comics geek.

[soulshadow]

I think the beams swap is a lot cheaper and less headache for a lot of us ST guys because we basically have nothing in terms of axels, transmisson, shift linkage and that needed passenger mount.

[BonzaiCelica]

hmm blue block. painting the tranny gold wouldnt be a bad idea if ya still plan on doing it. It might just look good when you put the engine and everything back together. painting different parts of the engine never came into mind when i thought of engine swaps.

so you going straight through a toyota dealer huh? how is that so. I also thought you could not order red top engine parts from 1sttoyotaparts. (or atleast thats what some people where saying)

how are you going about putting everything back on the car. how about when using a torque wrench, how do you know how many pounds the flywheel needs, or the valve cover, or the top of the engine to the block? You have a manual? do you just use the same specs as far as torqueing down stuff off the 5s-fe motor.

Your sticking with stock headers im assuming.

BTW i'm liking your carbon fiber garnish license plate thing. w/e its called. it looks nice

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: May 29, 2009 - 1:47 AM

[2bcelica]

hmm blue block. painting the tranny gold wouldnt be a bad idea if ya still plan on doing it. It might just look good when you put the engine and everything back together. painting different parts of the engine never came into mind when i thought of engine swaps.

so you going straight through a toyota dealer huh? how is that so. I also thought you could not order red top engine parts from 1sttoyotaparts. (or atleast thats what some people where saying)

how are you going about putting everything back on the car. how about when using a torque wrench, how do you know how many pounds the flywheel needs, or the valve cover, or the top of the engine to the block? You have a manual? do you just use the same specs as far as torqueing down stuff off the 5s-fe motor.

Your sticking with stock headers im assuming.

BTW i'm liking your carbon fiber garnish license plate thing. w/e its called. it looks nice

Yeah the part numbers weren't able to be pulled up by 1sttoyotaparts - I was just mentioning them because the parts that I normally order from them my local dealer normally gives me about the same price. I know the guy at the dealer, so he's able to order parts for me (my family bought 4 toyotas there, so its been a pleasant experience). http://www.beams-redtop.com/redparts.htm
That website has great beams info. Hmm torqueing down stuff -- I use air tools, so not really following any torqueing specs - I probably should, but just going by feel and as long as nothing breaks.

[6GenCelicaST]

Hmm torqueing down stuff -- I use air tools, so not really following any torqueing specs - I probably should, but just going by feel and as long as nothing breaks.

Bad idea my friend. I can see where this is going.

[2bcelica]

Hmm torqueing down stuff -- I use air tools, so not really following any torqueing specs - I probably should, but just going by feel and as long as nothing breaks.

Bad idea my friend. I can see where this is going.

Yeah I understand your concern, but this is not my first, 2nd or 3rd, engine rebuild, but my first engine swap. Never had a problem with all the rebuilds that I've done. I can honestly tell you that not even the best of the best torque everything down to factory specs when working on a vehicle. And I'm sure even mechanics at dealerships don't with every single nut and bolt. I'm no pro, but after working on engines for a while you just kind of get the feel for it.

Hope I didn't offend any one with my comments.

[BonzaiCelica]

hm oh ya the beams engine parts list. ya try to get your hand on a red top manual. if somebody from the forums has them. then you have to worry about converting it from japanese to english.

Id just say go off the 5s-fe engine as far as torqueing down stuff goes. I mean it has the same engine set-up. My guess is that the red top might have some bolts that need more pounds of torque than the 5s-fe. but that would be your closest bet. Good luck with the build.

[2bcelica]

Just a little update. Nothing much besides paint.

[njccmd2002]

hows it going.

can you put a list of the parts replaced...

[2bcelica]

Just a little update.

Got all the parts I needed, and had some time to work on it. Then I found out I received the wrong timing belt - I ordered the right part according to the receipt, but the actual part had a different part number, so I had to reorder. Installed the water pump, thermostat, AC condenser, clutch set. (All toyota parts from 1sttoyotaparts.com, and shoptrd.com)

I hope this weekend I'll have time to start removing the 5SFE, clean the bay. Oh I also purhcased an exhaust system that I hope will get me some good results. As slow as I'm getting things done, I'm glad its coming along. I hope to get some pictures up this weekend. I'm also in the market for a new suspension setup because the Tein SS coilovers sucks over bad roads. (once i find what I'm looking for - the Tein SS will be for sale) I just need something more comfortable but still able to keep my ride low.

Parts replaced

1) Timing belt, V belt
2) thermostat
3) Clutch set
4) Water Pump
5) Spark Plugs
6) Alternator
7) TRD short shifter (coming soon - will order)

This post has been edited by 2bcelica: Jul 16, 2009 - 7:35 PM

[Spider77]

Cant wait to see this thing.

[Rusty]

so just waiting for that belt, then not long till the removal and new install, what cleaning are you going to do in the engine bay?

[BonzaiCelica]

hmm nice update good to see things are coming along. been two months since you got that engine. I see you've been working on it slowly, but c'mon finish it up