3sge swap on st, engine swap Options

[sam2010]

I drive a 94 celica st with 7afe and I wanna go for the red top swap, what is it that I need ? and does it drop in simple and easy or you have to do some modification I need help

[richee3]

Wow, there's a lot of BEAMS swaps going on lately. I need to join the "I did the BEAMS swap before it was cool!" club.

First things first, why pick a BEAMS? Is it for 200 horsepower with naturally aspirated reliability? If so, then a V6 swap is a very viable option to consider. The major downfall of the BEAMS is cost. However, if you're after a BEAMS swap because it's c00l, then right on. Speaking of cost, you will need the OEM intake and B pipe- if you don't get them with your engine, that's another $400-500 out of pocket. It needs to be said that the BEAMS is hardly any more fun than a 5S-FE until 4,500 RPM, so enjoying those 200 ponies in daily driving is.. ahem.... difficult. On a track where you can keep the revs up would be a totally different story.

Second, we're generally a pretty good group of people here on 6gc, and we enjoy helping those who help themselves. I can't say for sure, but it seems you haven't put any effort into researching the BEAMS swap yet, as there are many many threads covering what you need to do to drop any S block engine into an ST, and more specifically just last week there was a thread concerning putting a BEAMS in an ST. Nonetheless, it isn't too hard to type and I'm fine with helping you get started.

The BEAMS swap is arguably the easiest swap you can do in a 6th gen chassis. Starting with an ST chassis does slightly complicate things and raise the cost as compared to a GT chassis, but not unreasonably. To get started, you will need the complete engine, wiring harness, trans, and ECU. There are extras you'll need, but not absolutely mandatory. The stock intake, believe it or not, is by far the best intake for the BEAMS. The MAF in the intake is the Alpha and Omega of the BEAMS, and it is so incredibly picky that the stock intake has proven dyno gains over every other intake available. Ideally, you'll want the B pipe as well, although an exhaust shop could fabricate one for you. After you've acquired all of this, you'll need to switch to GT motor mounts, axles, and shift cables. You will need to drill the holes to mount the new passenger side motor mount, which isn't hard since the holes are already marked

Wiring only requires a few simple changes, none of them are complicated. You will either need to extend the harness or cut a new hole in the firewall.

There is a common misconception on 6gc that parts are impossible to get for the BEAMS since it's a "rare" engine and it uses "rare" parts. In truth, the BEAMS is not at all rare, not even a little bit. Most parts (key word, most) were carried over to the 1ZZ engine, as well as a few bits and pieces here and there on other engines.

Check the Forced Induction stickies for a thread covering a 3S-GTE swap into an ST for more specific details of swapping a 3S into an ST. After that, all that's left is paying the bills to buy the motor.

[sam2010]

Thanks so much ive been up on my research but not many answers were givin considering an st coupe and some having different opinions on whats required for the swap but you really help alot thanks again but another question? since the mr2 is rear wheel drive do i have to change my axles? how does that work?

[richee3]

Coupe, convertible, or hatch- doesn't make a difference. It's ST or GT that matters. You will need a set of axles from a GT, since the BEAMS and 5S-FE use the same trans.

[sam2010]

it actually doesnt sound like too much for the swap is that all the things I forsure need ? thanks again btw

[Smaay]

personally i would NEVER do a BEAMS swap. its a cool engine but im just not impressed with it. since you are coming from an ST, its going to be the same about of work and will cost less to do a V6 swap. look at my thread for what i did.

Im going to have another 1MZ engine for sale really soon, that is fully rebuilt.

[richee3]

personally i would NEVER do a BEAMS swap. its a cool engine but im just not impressed with it. since you are coming from an ST, its going to be the same about of work and will cost less to do a V6 swap. look at my thread for what i did.

Im going to have another 1MZ engine for sale really soon, that is fully rebuilt.

I think cost is the major downfall of the BEAMS. It's a lot of money to spend for 200 hp and no room for improvement without spending big money for a standalone.

[sam2010]

You think most of the money is gonna go to labor or buying parts cause im thinking about going to a shop

[Smaay]

agreed. the V6 will give you 200HP and 200TQ and have alot more room for more

[sam2010]

what would I need for the V6 swap?

[Smaay]

engine, harness, ECU, passenger engine mount, new water hoses, and a few little things. how long can you go without your car? I can do the swap and im only 3.5 hours away from you.

[sam2010]

So I could use my tranny and axles ? I dont mind having my car down for no longer than two weeks

[Smaay]

nope i just noticed that you have an ST so your trans will not bolt up. however i happen to have a 5 speed and axles for a GT left over from mine.

[sam2010]

its sounds just about the same as an 3sge swap what makes it so cheaper? I was looking up on engines there just about the same price is it 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe btw cause im confused just a tad bit

[kurt95gt]

1mz's Are a very easy motor to find they came in a lot of different cars here in the us
I only paid 350 for my 1mz. It was in a wrecked car (hit a deer at low speed) so I was able to hear it run an even do some burnouts with it before I pulled it out of the car lol
If your spending more than 1000 on a 1mz it better have super low miles or be rebuilt. That is what makes the v6 swap so much cheaper.
Idk where you looked at them but if a 1mz an a beams are the same price the beams is probably junk or the 1mz is WAY overpriced

[mkernz22]

The 1mz is just around the same weight as the 5s / 3s so that also says something.

[sam2010]

im looking at ebay

[kurt95gt]

Look more local to you
You'll find you will save a lot on shipping
Try craigslist might get lucky like I did