new to the boards, got a 3S-GTE swap question Options

[RbrtNdrws]

hi everyone,
I am new to the boards, i've been lookin here for about a month, but I just joined today.. I am still 15 and planning on getting a 6th Gen Celica GT for my first car.. I dont know what year yet, but I want the hatchback. Anyway, Ive been looking into the 3S-GTE swap idea, and it looks like it might be a bit time consuming and costly but I really wanna do it. I have a few questions for those of you who have swapped the Celica GT engine with a 3s-gte. My dad is big into cars and hes rebuilt engines 5 or 6 times. Also my neighbor is a big hotrod fan and just bought an engine lift, so i can borrow his when i need it..

-What are the exact parts needed to do a swap (engine, transmission, fuel pump)?
-What is the best transmission to use with the 3S-GTE?

If I were to do most of the work myself (with help from my dad, neighbors) how much would this cost me?

Last, I am not very comfortable paying over 2k to some company over the internet for a front clip (i have a fear that it might not ever get here) and I was just wondering what is the best site overall to order from (price, customer service, shipping times) ?


Thanks for your help,
Rob A.

[lagos]

at 15yrs old, i really wouldnt recomend a trubo car for your 1st car. i know you probably hear stuff like that all the time, but trust me, looking back now im really glad that i waited till i was older to do this type of stuff. its kind of like giving a kid a loaded gun to play with...not really a good idea.


anyway, im doing my swap right now and its costing me a little over 4,000$. some people spend more, and some spend less. it just depends on what your goals for the car are.

doing the swap is a huge project. expect to rip apart 90% of your car, and then be forced to have to remember how it all went back together. most muscle car guys have no clue when it comes to imports, so dont expect a lot of tech help from them.

the best thing to do is to buy a front clip. that will give you most of the parts that youll need. then upgrade your fuel pump, new clutch, pressure plate, and get some type of a front mount intercooler. after that you will get to the hardest part....the wiring. there is very little info on how to make the 3sgte harness work in a 6th gen. the good thing for you is that myself and DG_performance are planning on doing a full How To in the future. so that will help you and many other future swappers.

good luck
-lagos

[RbrtNdrws]

alright thanks for the info.. i just mentioned my neighbor cause he has a lot of tools and whatnot for working on cars.. I'm not going to rush into this thing, it might be a year or two before I get the cash to get a 3s-gte, but Im definitely getting a 6th gen GT to start with..

My parents dont mind me having a turbo engine installed.., as long as I use it responsibly and as soon as I get a ticket, i'm paying the insurance.. Mainly I want the engine for a car project to work on, and it would be a great learning experience too.. Plus to get that feeling when you finally get it together..

Ps.. I get my license in 2 months and then probably a car about a month or two after that, I cant wait to post my new car here..

Again, thanks for all the info

-Rob A.

[95celgt]

hey, im 15, iv'e had the car for 2 years...but im getting a Beamer now, gave up on GT-FOUR/3S-GTE dreams already........It will be alot of work for ya, i know what you mean about having it as a project, thats what my 6gen was for but i had to start by repairing my front end wich i shouldhave used toward the 3sgte.

well good luck to ya.

[neoklis]

[macavely]

[Drocay]

and the reason no state does it under 21 is because they will lose federal funding if they don't comply with it.

[Coomer]

Welcome to the site!

You may want to consider this deal. If you spend that little money on two cars, then you could swap the 5S-FE from the parts Celica into the good one for practice, and so that you can drive something for a year or two while you get the funds together for the swap.

Like Lagos said, it's going to cost a lot for this swap. I suggest getting a front clip as well, and many people are happy with Jarco, Inc. They're located in Georgia I think.

[RbrtNdrws]

hey coomer, thanks for that link.. do you think i could do a 3s-gte swap to that 94 celica?? Its a great car for me, and I wouldnt mind paying the repairs to fix it (to an extent), for 1600 bux. how much do you think it would cost to repair the exterior??


This post has been edited by RbrtNdrws: Jul 9, 2004 - 7:45 PM

[spunky393]

Tell ya what kid, i hope you or your parents are ready to shell some money out if you want a nice GT hatch. Go look at some kbb.com ratings. They arn't pretty and that's a minor reason while i feel proud to drive my car, basically, everyone on this site, you have to own the celica to believe in it. It's a whole nother story from one of those ricer civics or a old fiero or old rx7, i know a lot of the community on here agrees with me (hopefully). Good luck with you decision, keep us updated, and welcome friend.

[RbrtNdrws]

i think i'm gonna get a 94 GT, ive found several for around 4000, which is pretty affordable.. My dads willing to do the project if I get the money, but that will be a while before i get enough $$$ for a 3sgte..