Engines, Purchasing Options

[mr_dude]

So I'm soon to pass the 200,000 mile mark. I have to think about the future.
Everyone talks about a 3SGTE swap and it sounds good, but the details elude me. I'm a few months from gradicating as an electrical engineer, so I can pick up car mechanics easy, but I don't have any background in it. (Just did the suspension with a friend's guidance and it was fun).
I'm sure there are some extensive how-to's, and those will be useful.
Question is, what are the options for getting a 3SGTE? Would I have to find one in some junkyard and have it cleaned up? Do companies still build them (as I've heard BMW does with their cars). Are there any alternatives even if I, say, wanted to throw more money at the project than the car is worth (which I do)?
If I do get one, what kind of experience should I be looking for for doing a good swap? Can I take auto mechanics at some community college (they don't have it at UCSD) and be proficient? Do I need to find a friend who works in an auto shop? Will somebody out there do it for a sixer of Newcastle?

People who answer questions rule.

[macavely]

there is alot off stuff to that swap.. look on at the stickys at the top of this section....

[Stipt]

yeah its ****in more expensive than I thought it would be but hell its all gonna be worth it

Lets see.....
Engine $1750
Tranny $300
Clutch/Pressure Plate $400
Hoses $50
Wiring $150-$400 Depending if you purchase qatar's services or not (Do purchase it, he rules)
Spark Plug Wires $160
Spark Plugs $40
Supra Fuel Pump $100
FMIC $300 (you can use top if you want)
Gauges $200-$400 (depends what you get)
Flywheel resurface $40 or Lightened Flywheel $300
That sounds about right to me, and some extra cash for flukes, never know whats gonna go wrong Expensive, but kick ass hehehe.

Hope that helps you a little bit and give you an idea whatcha gonna get into for a 3sgte swap, I think its worth it for the power and potential of the engine, if not, swap in another stock engine then for a couple hundred bucks.

[PaulGT]

but if u buy a clip for 1500 then you get it all i thought accept a trans???? am i right or just a dumbass?

[mr_dude]

All cool... where'd you get the engine?

[Chrobis]

U get all the wires and stuff, but you should replace the spark plugs and wires, all the hoses, belts, and alot of the seals.

I paid $1500 for an engine package, $400 for mike to do my wiring, and for parts and labor at my shop I'm at about $3000. Which dosnt include the exhaust and FMIC. Its not cheap to do this, and you would probably need about 2 or 3 semesters of auto shop classes to even begin to be good at doing something like this.

[Green_MachToy]

I am looking at doing this myself down here in San Diego. I found that at ARD in Chula Vista you can get the engine for $1300. The best place to get the install done is at a place in Miramar called ABS (i think). I have a lot of questions still myself and am in a similar situation. I wanted to keep it SMOG legal but am finding that with the 3SGTE it won't be. Unless someone tells me otherwise, it seems you will have to have a SMOG shop in your back pocket. Someone also told me to go with the 4AGE because it will bolt up. I am still leaning towards the 3S. I found a guy to do the install for $700. Shoot me an e-mail and keep me posted on your progress. I would definately like to learn as much before going full throttle into this. Are you going to do anything else to it? I am going to do interior, paint, body kit, rims and tires, and suspension.

[snadman]

See some previous work of the guy that said he';d do it for $700.

[audiophile24]

[mr_dude]

I don't really trust my car to anything on Miramar...

[Green_MachToy]

Sorry I should have said off of Miramar Rd. Actually they are located on Dowdy, if memory serves. I have seen some of their work; an older 79 Celica with a Supra swap that was done, they are currently working on a couple others I belive a 5th gen with a 3SGTE 3rd gen. They seem to be on the up and up, good people and all. I was also told today from a friend that most legit mechanics will have to make sure it passes smog before it leaves their shop. I am not sure how true this is.

In the list in this thread I didn't see anything about the tranny or the axle, don't these need to be looked at?

This post has been edited by Green_MachToy: Mar 23, 2004 - 2:51 AM

[kuya1284]

[Green_MachToy]

I have a 94 MR2 engine, wiring harness, ecu and tranny for $3k that I have found. I am verifying that they are set up for CA emissions. Toysport will get the engine and the kit needed to keep a car CA SMOG'able for $6k.
Question: I thought due to the modifications it would be better to go with the same year Celica GT tranny and axles instead of trying to use the MR2 tranny. Is this not the case? Will the GT tranny be able to handle the 3sgte? I have read it going both ways.