Australian swaps Options

[UVZ164]

As the title says, has anyone in Australia ever completed a swap?

I was considering it but couldn't find any importers that looked decent and looking at the RTA specifications you would need to convert brakes, suspension, steering and the works to get it registered and knowing the laws prob a mandatory AWD conversion too. In the end it would be worth hunting down 1 of the 77 GT4's and buying that.

Also, the NSW laws don't permit a 5sfte to be used on the road because of some stupid law that says if the engine did not come standard as a turbo it can only be used on the track if it gets a turbo added. Although im sure there must be a loop hole there since i'm sure i've seen alot of random turboed cars around.

Cheers.

[Timmyface]

Well from my understanding, you can't do much if you want it legally registered. My best bet would be find someone locally that only checks the min requirements to pass you, eg brake.

According to the RTA website, Yes you should upgrade your brakes suspension etc to compensate for your power gains.
Also reading, it pretty much says your allowed to have a 0.153% Weight gain when adding in a new engine, so basically if the 3SGTE is under 4kg heavier than your stock engine, you SHOULD be completely legal, but i dont really understand all the crap.

For example, i have 15% window tint and illegal ride height aswell as HID's but i havn't been picked up on it ever.

S8S8 in QLD has recently put a Beams in his car.

If you find a GT4. i'd buy it haha

[Grega]

You have one from USA here on ebay, but I don't know if you could arrange with the shipping

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-Toyota-Celica-...=item27c0875c82

[UVZ164]

There are hundreds of motors and clips on ebay that I could ship to Australia. However, how reliable and trustworthy are the majority of the sellers?
None of them can provide an exact number for mileage, they all say less than 50k miles, sorry but in 99% of cases i would call BS on that unless I can find a pic I believe to be genuine of the odo. Also all of them claim the motor runs and has good compression but none of them provide a video.
This is more so my issue than actually getting one to Australia, the rest lies with our RTA...

Thanks

[Neon90424]

cant you just get that stuff from japan?

[Grega]

There are hundreds of motors and clips on ebay that I could ship to Australia. However, how reliable and trustworthy are the majority of the sellers?
None of them can provide an exact number for mileage, they all say less than 50k miles, sorry but in 99% of cases i would call BS on that unless I can find a pic I believe to be genuine of the odo. Also all of them claim the motor runs and has good compression but none of them provide a video.
This is more so my issue than actually getting one to Australia, the rest lies with our RTA...

Thanks

I gave this link because of sellers feedback and having everything together (engine, transmission, F/R shocks, brakes, ....) , but as you said, there is no proof that engines like this are in actual condition as the sellers claim, nor the condition of everything as a set, but all in all, that is probably the only minus that keeps you/us from buying something like this (doesn't count the money issue in), because you can't check engines and their components before purchasing them, so you simply have to take a risk and trust thoose sellers.

[mikegt]

Trusting someone who is thousands of miles away is a hard thing. I am doing an engine swap in my 6 BUT i know the guy i'm buying it from and it's local to me...however.....my new engine is still going to be stripped, checked, cleaned etc etc to check for bore wash, ring / piston damage just as a precaution and that is what i would recommend regardless of where it comes from. The last thing you want, is the moment you put the power down and blow a piston. Better safe than sorry IMO.

[CelicaZR]

there is a few place that have 3sgte clip in sydney.
Just need to ring around and ask.

[UVZ164]

Do you by any chance know where in sydney they can be found? I'm guessing more out towards Parramatta?

[CelicaZR]

yea i found one at girraween a few months ago.

[Neon90424]

If my memory serves me right there was one of the 77 located at a junkyard in australia by a member on here...said it was pretty beat up...cant remember who posted it or where maybe the search button might help

[S8S8]

There are loads of importers here in Australia where you can buy a 3SGTE or Beams, either an engine+gearbox package or the full clip. No need to order from the US as they all come straight to Aus from Japan.

I went with a Beams and it was easy to track down the clip. I was able to go and see it running before I bought it.

The rules and regulations aren't as tight as you think. As long as you can get an engineer to sign off on the work you'd be surprised at what crazy conversions can be approved! A Beams or 3SGTE swap will be easy to get through.

Check out my build thread to see my Beams swap.

[UVZ164]

Hey S8S8, do you know any decent ones? if you do mind putting some of the names of them or their websites on here would be hugely appreciated.
Checked out your thread and i can say i did very much like what i saw.

Thanks

[S8S8]

I got mine from Rollin Automotive Imports. You can check out their website here: http://www.japparts.com.au/products/stock-arriving.html

Looks like they have another Beams in stock right now.

I spent a few days Googling to find mine. There are plenty out there, but the prices can vary a lot. Best to find one close to home so you can go and see it running for yourself.

[PL-41-ER]

I recently completed my 3rd Gen 3SGTE swap. I cant exactly remember where I purchased my cut from (some place from Revesby). But there is another place that Ive bought parts from and they are good. The place is Ichiban (http://www.ichiban.com.au/) give them a call as their website is not always up to date.

I also got my car engineered by Col Potts (Col Potts Engineering Pty Ltd) He is authorised by the RTA. He is really easy going. The inspection for my car only took 30mins, and he even told me i didn't need to upgrade my brakes just gets good brake pads (but i had already done the brakes).

I hope this info helps

[CelicaZR]

I recently completed my 3rd Gen 3SGTE swap. I cant exactly remember where I purchased my cut from (some place from Revesby). But there is another place that Ive bought parts from and they are good. The place is Ichiban (http://www.ichiban.com.au/) give them a call as their website is not always up to date.

I also got my car engineered by Col Potts (Col Potts Engineering Pty Ltd) He is authorised by the RTA. He is really easy going. The inspection for my car only took 30mins, and he even told me i didn't need to upgrade my brakes just gets good brake pads (but i had already done the brakes).

I hope this info helps

was the halfcut a dark blue/greeny colour?

[PL-41-ER]

Yeh it was a dark bluish colour, how did you know lol

[Cuts_the_Pilot]

There is a fair few swapped 5th and 6th gens, and a few turbo 5s and now even a supercharged 5s, laws are different from state to state, but you can get it blue plated (an engineer checks over it and puts a plate on it if its all good then the cops can't touch you)

AWD conversion, don't even bother, buy a genuine Aus delivered, or if you are game buy one of the few dodgy imports that are on the road.

[CelicaZR]

Yeh it was a dark bluish colour, how did you know lol

Then I think you brought it from autobase!
Very neat halfcut was very tempted myself

[PL-41-ER]

Yeh it was Autobase haha.
I still have to make a custom intake box to make it 100% legal to drive.
But knock on wood, I havent been pulled over yet.