V6 Conversion, gearbox Options

[watty01]

Hey guys,
I thinking about doing the V6 camry engine conversion on a 1990 SX. Just wondering dose anyone know if the ST185 gearbox will fit to any camry engine. i was hoping convert her to AWD.
Cheers Guys

[kurt95gt]

the stock s54 trans from a gt will bolt to the 3zv 1mz an 3stgte so I would assume that the ad trans would work om a v6 too

[Smaay]

not again

[Neon90424]

newbies should be unable to create a thread without using the search function atleast 10 times

[kurt95gt]

Im working on doing a v6 swap too
there is info on hear about it
yrs you can search an find this info but its still not super clear an the sticky don't give alot of info
eather
I chose to stick with the s54 to swap the awd trans in you'll need a flywheel an pressure plate to match motor an clutch disc to match trans at you'll also need gt4 mounts an a custom pass side mount and the wiring is little bit of a nightmare from what I've been told so far
good luck with your swap

[BonzaiCelica]

newbies should be unable to create a thread without using the search function atleast 10 times

haha ya right lets move this to the website discussion thread for voting. Mods???

[watty01]

Im working on doing a v6 swap too
there is info on hear about it
yrs you can search an find this info but its still not super clear an the sticky don't give alot of info
eather
I chose to stick with the s54 to swap the awd trans in you'll need a flywheel an pressure plate to match motor an clutch disc to match trans at you'll also need gt4 mounts an a custom pass side mount and the wiring is little bit of a nightmare from what I've been told so far
good luck with your swap

Thanks mate

not again

im sure if it bothers you that much you could choose not to reply or discard it from your memory

[kurt95gt]

newbies should be unable to create a thread without using the search function atleast 10 times

haha ya right lets move this to the website discussion thread for voting. Mods???

you make it sound like you've never asked a stupid question
everyone has at some point in time
if you don't like it then don't respond

[watty01]

newbies should be unable to create a thread without using the search function atleast 10 times

haha ya right lets move this to the website discussion thread for voting. Mods???

you make it sound like you've never asked a stupid question
everyone has at some point in time
if you don't like it then don't respond

Exactly, cheers mate. though looking back it was pretty stupid.

[quick_5hifter]

I am wondering why in the world would you need a V6 swap, when a 3sgte swap is better? What is the advantage of dropping in a V6 engine?
Let.s count:
-less power;
-more work to do;
-more expensive swap, including the custom work and parts needed (engine mounts, clutch etc.);
-more expensive taxes (in some states);
-harder to do it legally (in most european states, as far as I know).
The guy who did it the first time (SnapshotGT, I think) is an exception. He did something that nobody ever did before, which is worth the effort (IMO); how about the rest of you guys? You ALSO want to do something that nobody else did before, EXCEPT FOR SNAPSHOTGT and some other guys? What is the gain in this?
Even if you think it.s cheaper for you (since you pobably have found a cheap V6 engine or you already have it or something), I think you should probably think twice about this kind of swap.
Good luck, no matter what you choose!

[richee3]

Power delivery is way better with a V6 than the 3S, plus immediate torque. I see the benefits of a V6 swap.

However, like you, I'd go for the 3S. Cheaper and easier by far.

[kurt95gt]

I don't see how a 3s is cheaper my v6 swap is looking to cost around may 1900
I found a good v6 for 550 an wiring is 400 that my new u pipe will cost 70 an im going to make my own pass side mount
im reusing the s54 an the clutch isn't that bad im sure I read somewhere the s54 flywheel can be modded to work (not 100%including sure though) the v6 doesn't have that much less power if you tune ot little with a good exhaust an intake plus you can walk intoany autoparts store an buy what you need to fix it not guess work or wait for parts to pass customs that seem well worth it to me plus you don't have to wait for the n/a v6 to spool up like a 3sgte an they can make just as much (if not more power )the as a 3s canseems worth while to me but everyone has there own opinion

[richee3]

^^ I agree with most of that, apart from the total cost of the swap and the ease. $1,900 is a little low for a V6 swap, though I'm hoping you can stick to that budget and make it happen. A proper 3S-GTE swap will cost around $4-5,000, and a V6 swap could easily hit that and more if a few mistakes happen. The most important bit is the ease of swapping in a 3S-GTE. It's been done over and over and over, so there's very little gray areas in the swap. It's well known. Doing the V6 swap, you're almost on your own. It's barely been done, so you could very easily encounter an unknown problem. What it boils down to is budget, preference, and mechanical ability. Both swaps have their benefits.

[kurt95gt]

The reason mine is staying on such a low budget is because I have a gt so im reusing my trans axle mounts shift cables
I already have a 2.5 inch exhaust so already having alot of the need stuff helps
if you have a st an need all that (like Stephen_lee) it will cost alot more
plus im not rebuilding the engine
the only thing yet that might run the price up is the clutch
is there any difference between a 3s an a 5s flywheel?

[watty01]

In some cases money isnt that much of an issue, better spending it on a car then pissing it out on a friday night. im more doing it for a project and i love celica's. yes it might be harder but the satisfaction of knowing you did it will be pretty awesome.

[giraffe]

and to reiterate: having a 3rd gen 3s-ge in the states is such a ****ing hassle. you can't get parts without jumping thru a million hoops, and they cost way more then they're worth.

it's a good motor, but a giant pain in the ass.

[njccmd2002]

Just because it has not been frequently done, does not mean it cant be done.

an NA V6 engine IMO would be better than 3sgte, not because its more power, but i just dont like the idea of messing with turbo, period, im not a turbo fan.

and plus a V6 in the states has more parts readily available, and less expensive, yes we can get parts from the 3sgte, but i dont like messing with turbo engines.

[stephen_lee]

turbos are extra parts. more stuff to go wrong..

cost of a v6 is lower. period. they can be gotten locally... i paid 400 for my v6 + e53. then another 450 for my LSD. then maybe another 200 for axles. 100 for shift cables and mounts.

if i didnt want LSD it would be 400 + 80 for axles +100 mounts and shift cables.
so motor set for... 600, and misc parts 1000-2000

total v6 swap w/o lsd 1600-2600...... the cost of getting a 3s imported alone.
total v6 w/ lsd 2000-3000
total v6 w/ s54 1400-2400
and add 500 for a wiring harness if you dont want to do it yourself

so anywhere between 1400 and 3000

BUT as stated youre basically on your own.. little info compared to the 3s swap.

[stephen_lee]

also about the awd trans... It will bolt up to the engine as its essentially an e153. BUT the transfer case interferes with the block. Its not much, and with careful grinding, it will fit fine.

[mandrek]

also about the awd trans... It will bolt up to the engine as its essentially an e153. BUT the transfer case interferes with the block. Its not much, and with careful grinding, it will fit fine.

still waiting to see who is going to do the 2GRFE in a celi with GT4 AWD drive train... (and perhaps + turbo!!!)


No car on the road would have that configuration. AWD V6, (posible turbo) 2dr lift back, light.