Doing the GT-4 Conversion, Should I? Options

[94CELICAGT_98584]

Okay I have a 1994 Toyota Celica GT with the stock 5SFE motor in it. IF you check out my pics you will see I have all the Gt-Four body parts. What I want to do is do the 3SGTE swap. Not just the 2nd Gen 3SGTE swap but the 3rd Gen. Then I want to get the rear end for the GT-Four and have it installed. I have been talking to an MR2 Shop near me here and they have found me a 3rd Gen motor out of a Celica in Japan. The guy is currently putting together a quote but he is thinking about 5500 for the motor/installation. The car I have has a ton of miles on it but it looks great. It currently run great just leaks a ton of oil, and all the electronics and everything works great as well. I guess what I am asking is if I should do this or not. I'm thinking after I get the motor in for 5500 the rear end will cost another 1000 then I want to custom paint the interior and get new seats which I think will cost around 1000 then get a few dents pulled and fixed and finally get new rims and tires. All in all I believe I will have around 10-12 Grand into it. Is it worth that much to have an almost one of a kind car in the US. I know that there are a few others that have done the whole conversion but I have never seen one before. Just looking for some advice. Thanks

[jcbass7]

the 3sgte sounds nice, it was definetly my favorite change that i did to my car. but i think you will be looking at a lot more money invested into getting the rear put on there.. its no easy task and i doubt you could even get all of the AWD parts never mind the whole rear for 1k

[njccmd2002]

whats the difference in the rear? are we talking bout the awd system. or exterior.

From what i have seen here, no money amount is too much if you love your celi.

[94CELICAGT_98584]

jcbass7 did you get the 3rd gen motor or 2nd?

[CelicaB]

Not to sound harsh, but if you double your price, you might come 80% of the way there. For what it's worth: I paid over 4500 for my clip before shipping. Also don't forget about not being able to get parts easily/cheaply/at all. Good luck if you go with it, but it honestly sounds like you don't quite know what your getting into.

Happy Holidays
-Bryan

This post has been edited by CelicaB: Dec 17, 2007 - 3:58 AM

[black13]

I'm debating the whole swap thing myself. All I know is, once you put down the money you better be keeping that car cause the resale value won't be high enough to compensate for all the costs.

[j0e_p3t]

i was thinking about getting the whole conversion done. but then it wouldn't be my dd. cuz i'd be way too afraid to let something happen to it. plus if something breaks down, parts and repairs are gonna be a b*tch. it'd probably be worth it to me, but i don't have the money. and by the time i will be making that kinda money, i should be driving a benz or bmw.

[jcbass7]

jcbass7 did you get the 3rd gen motor or 2nd?

93 JDM st185 (2nd Gen)

I'm debating the whole swap thing myself. All I know is, once you put down the money you better be keeping that car cause the resale value won't be high enough to compensate for all the costs.

If anyone is going to swap their car they better not be doing it for a resale purposes. Swapping is only a personal investment. Its something you do for you to enjoy and have fun with. You will never get your return on a swapped car. So its all about if the fun/expereince is worth the $ to you. There are a lot of members on here that will say it is.

Me personally.. worth every penny and it will be worth the rest that i throw into it. I've learned so much on this car and haven't regretted a second of it.

[frosty]

94CELICAGT_98584:

If when you say "the rear of a gt-4" you mean the awd assembly, then you have more than just 1k to spend. Even if you got them cheap the cost of shipping would raise it up and unless you do all the install/fab work yourself then it's gonna be $$$.

Personally, if you plan to keep the car forever, then it would be worth it completely. If not, then I wouldn't bother.

[Shink]

Then I want to get the rear end for the GT-Four and have it installed.

I'm pretty sure you can't do this. I'm fairly certain that the entire underside - including middle - of the chasis is different in a GT4 and GT. I also think the floorpan under the driver/passenger seat on a GT and GT4 are different - I read somewhere the GT and GT4 seat rails are different. In other words, you'd have to reshape the entire chassis, which isn't really practical.

Seriously, just buy a GT4. It'll be cheaper and less crazy

[94CELICAGT_98584]

I definately appreciate the help everyone. I think I am going to stick with the Front wheel drive. Idefinately want the 3rd gen and the shop that is doing it is going to swap out MR2 tranny parts to convert the AWD tranny to FWD.

[trdproven]

If money is not an issue and you have a trusted mechanic, I would do it. If not, I would just do the 3sge Beams or 3sgte conversion, FWD.

[Rayme]

If you're ready to pay 12 K for something rare go for it, it's just money you will never see again. I had a similar issue where I needed to decide what to do, and instead of putting more money into a 13 years old car I just bought a more recent one that was fast from the factory...in the long rung its almost the same money.. kinda..but the car is newer.... mmhhh

[lubu]

Then I want to get the rear end for the GT-Four and have it installed.

I'm pretty sure you can't do this. I'm fairly certain that the entire underside - including middle - of the chasis is different in a GT4 and GT. I also think the floorpan under the driver/passenger seat on a GT and GT4 are different - I read somewhere the GT and GT4 seat rails are different. In other words, you'd have to reshape the entire chassis, which isn't really practical.

Seriously, just buy a GT4. It'll be cheaper and less crazy

Its doable, one member on 6g already done it, cant remember who it was but lots of moddings required. The rails are the same on both GT and GT4, they arent different.

[94celigts]

could you not purchase a JDM GT4, get it chopped in half, but all parts kept, make it seem like you are purchasing the front clip and the rear clip, have it shipped here and then just put it back together again?? Would that not be the simplest way or is there too much law ****e involved?

[jcbass7]

Its doable, one member on 6g already done it, cant remember who it was but lots of moddings required. The rails are the same on both GT and GT4, they arent different.

A guy in Connecticut did it with his dad who happened to be a professional fabricator. Another guy out of the west coast is doing it now in a coupe but hasn't been around on the site too much.

[frosty]

could you not purchase a JDM GT4, get it chopped in half, but all parts kept, make it seem like you are purchasing the front clip and the rear clip, have it shipped here and then just put it back together again?? Would that not be the simplest way or is there too much law ****e involved?

HOW DARE YOU CHOP A SACRED GT4!!!! BLASPHEMY!!!!!! (j/k)

[GMan]

> jcbass7
> '94 GT Hatchback
> From New London, CT
> A guy in Connecticut did it with his dad who happened to be a professional fabricator.

Search for Celiman05. He (and his father) did the swap.
http://www.6gc.net/members/3517

There is a swap in CO too. It was done by an importer in FL who sold it, and it was sold again...

If you have to ask How to do it, Can U do it ?
If you have to ask -How Much, you cannot afford it.

Swaps and Real GT4's do come up for sale.
Save your car as is now, save for the day when one comes up and Jump on "IT" ?

just my 02c.

Regards;