3SGTE Swap Questions, 5SFE is no fun anymore Options

[kgr-gts]

I used to drive a turbo car (Merkur XR4Ti) and I really miss the balls it had. That and I just got a raise and money burns a hole in my pocket. It's time to turn my Celica into the car it was supposed to be.

Just looking for some answers/opinions from all you wise men who've done the 3SGTE swap. I've been going back through the posts to get the info I'm looking for, but some of it isn't turning up so I'll try and get it all done with one post. The car is a GTS (Canadian GT).

- 2nd or 3rd gen 3sgte
I'd prefer the 3rd gen, but since it was never used in US/CAN I'm wondering if future parts would be a little more painful than the 2nd gen. 2nd gen also cheaper and easier to find.

- motor condition
Did most of you tear down the motor when you got it or just compression test it and stuff it in the engine bay? I figure it might be a good time to have the head checked, gaskets replaced, etc.

- front clip?
What sort of parts end up being needed from the clip? Is it a bad idea to just get the engine?

- reliability
The car is my daily driver... is the 3sgte just as reliable as the 5sfe for the long-term? I don't want a pure racing machine... just a fast but reliable car that's fun to drive.

- transmission
My S54 will bolt onto the 3sgte, but how long will it last with the additional power? Looks like most people are still using it without problems. Any other options like the V6 Camry transmission, etc.?

- parts
I know the engine basically drops in, but is there anything on the car that has to be removed (or fabricated) to make it work? I'm guessing an exhaust downpipe, cooling hoses, and stuff like that have to be worked on.

- A/C
Here's a dumb one - can I keep my air conditioning? Do the existing lines hook up to the compressor in the same place?

- wire harness
And another - I understand you have to lengthen the engine wire harness (or something like that) because of the JDM engine being from a RHD car. Is it not possible to buy a new LHD harness from toyota? I thought I'd seen some LHD GT-Fours. (or is this $$$$$)

Last question, if I do this, will I be able to drive another Celica without being a little bored?

Thanks all!

[Toad]

i'm pretty sure there are other threads on the forum that talk about this, i'd say searching around for them.

[celica3sgte]

2nd gen
I didn't do any motor rebuild and 4 years later my motor is strong
get a front clip
Your car will not be as reliable as before, until you've worked all the bugs out
I would used the camry v6 to begin with, but I used the gt tranny for 4 years with no problems aside from my syncros being worn from my shifting. I ran slicks at the 1/4 track and I've never had and axle break or the tranny

Yes you can keep your air
To be honest buying the LHD harness would be a waste of money. Dg_performance can do your harness for much cheaper.

Any stock celica will be boring afterwards
www.geocities.com/lowrider_44004/HOMEPAGE.html

the page will stop loading after looking at 6 pages so you might want to copy and paste the text and save some of the pics

[Hanyo]

maybe i have no right to post on this thread since i have never swapped a 3s, but i have read multiple post and accumulated alot of information.

-motor condition-tear down
i believe most members here do recondition the engine. such as timing belt and water pump. But not to the extremes of replacing the head gasket. But the general preference is, if you have the money and time. Go for it!


- front clip?
its a bad idea just to get the motor. Because with a front clip you get everything that comes with the motor. You wont be left clueless where a odd looking sensor goes.

- reliability
it will never be as reliable as a stock 5s. Because you are dealing with turbos and turbo seals, turbo shaft play, boost leak, ect. Also, turbos heat up the oil more, so you will need to change oil more often. You will need to be on top with maintainence.

- transmission
here is a tough question, i think either super or sphinx has gone through a 5s transmission before. And Lagos has been babying his tranny, so its not giving him problems. he started out with a great condition tranny in the first place. Before you attempt to put that much power into your tranny, make sure its in tip-top-shape. If your worried about the tranny get a mr2 tranny or the v6 camry. I also have seen a member snap a 5s axle before.

-parts
i remember lagos had a fuel line problem, something to do with the feed fuel line was not long enough to reach the fuel rail.


well that is all the stuff i have the top of my head. As a disclaimer, I just read and learn on this board. I'm not a pro on 3s's like art or eric.

This post has been edited by Hanyo: Jun 26, 2005 - 6:27 AM

[lagos]

just for the record...i dont baby my tranny....but at the same time i dont beat on it like in idiot.

the only problem with the fuel line is that the 3sgte fuel line is a tiny bit too short. you can fix this by bending the bracket your fuel pump connects to, to give you more slack.


here is my opinion on reliability.... the 3sgte is a great great moto. very strong and reliable. the problem is, the more power u make, the less relibable you are. my motor has NEVER gvien me any problems.....but i had to deal with boostleaks, brokend axels, worn motor mounts, etc ...etc etc... make no doubt about it... doing the swap, a 5sfTe, or a supercharger, will turn you into a mechanic and make the car a little less reliable then a stock 5sfe.

This post has been edited by lagos: Jun 26, 2005 - 9:56 AM

[Consynx]

wiring harness from dealer 600-900
can be bought for USDM ECU, but i do NOT know if USDM ecu pin-out is same and JDM, and if you go USDM you lose power due to timing.

[sphinx]

I used to drive a turbo car (Merkur XR4Ti) and I really miss the balls it had.  That and I just got a raise and money burns a hole in my pocket.  It's time to turn my Celica into the car it was supposed to be.  

Just looking for some answers/opinions from all you wise men who've done the 3SGTE swap.  I've been going back through the posts to get the info I'm looking for, but some of it isn't turning up so I'll try and get it all done with one post.  The car is a GTS (Canadian GT).

- 2nd or 3rd gen 3sgte
I'd prefer the 3rd gen, but since it was never used in US/CAN I'm wondering if future parts would be a little more painful than the 2nd gen.  2nd gen also cheaper and easier to find.

- motor condition
Did most of you tear down the motor when you got it or just compression test it and stuff it in the engine bay?  I figure it might be a good time to have the head checked, gaskets replaced, etc.

- front clip?
What sort of parts end up being needed from the clip?  Is it a bad idea to just get the engine?

- reliability
The car is my daily driver... is the 3sgte just as reliable as the 5sfe for the long-term?  I don't want a pure racing machine... just a fast but reliable car that's fun to drive.

- transmission
My S54 will bolt onto the 3sgte, but how long will it last with the additional power?  Looks like most people are still using it without problems.  Any other options like the V6 Camry transmission, etc.?

- parts
I know the engine basically drops in, but is there anything on the car that has to be removed (or fabricated) to make it work?  I'm guessing an exhaust downpipe, cooling hoses, and stuff like that have to be worked on.

- A/C
Here's a dumb one - can I keep my air conditioning?  Do the existing lines hook up to the compressor in the same place?

- wire harness
And another - I understand you have to lengthen the engine wire harness (or something like that) because of the JDM engine being from a RHD car.  Is it not possible to buy a new LHD harness from toyota?  I thought I'd seen some LHD GT-Fours.  (or is this $$$$$)

Last question, if I do this, will I be able to drive another Celica without being a little bored?

Thanks all!
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1. Most parts from a 3rd gen are interchangable with a 2nd gen but NOT all. You're right, parts for a 2nd gen will be easier to get your hands on.

2. A lot of people just get their motor and drop it in. I had more than enough time to do my swap. My compression test was good, but i still decided to rebuilt it. I got new rings, head gasket set, port and polish the head and replaced some of the tensioners cause they were bad. Apart from that, you should replace all belts, filters, ect...

3.............. CLIP .................. You don't want to have the motor in your car and come to realize that it doesn't start because you're missing something.

4. I would personally say that the 3sgte is as reliable. As long as you take care of it when it comes to tune up's, it should be ok. I have'nt had any problems with mine, and i've ran that motor hard. They're great motors, you'll love it.

5. I've gone through 3 GT transmissions. Others have had better luck, but not me. I would go with MR2 tranny.

6. You only have to worry about matching your exhaust to the DP.

7. I didn't even bother trying to get my A/C to work, so I eliminated it.

8. Have a professional do your harness. Go with Dg_performance

9. NO. Anytime after the swap, a N/A celica with seem like the slowest and most borring thing in the world.

Good luck with the swap.