Engine swap options for 3S-GTE, What would be best? 3rd or 4th gen Options

[JohanFer]

Hi everyone,

My mechanic has told me that my 5S-FE engine has about 2 more years to go and at 230,000 miles he might be right (my car, when cold, exhales white smoke though the tail pipe). I could either do an overhaul or drop in a new engine and make it stick shift in the process. So, if I were to drop in a new engine, what I need to know what would be more convenient. These are the options so far:

1. A 3rd gen 3S-GTE with AWD
2. A 4th gen 3S-GTE with AWD
3. A 4th gen 3S-GTE with FWD

Since I have seen 4th Gen 3S-GTE from Caldinas for sale with Manual trasnmissions and FWD, I assume that No. 3 above is possible. That would be great as I wouldn't have to spend that much money to convert to AWD since my Celica is FWD. So, is it possible to use a 4th gen in a '96 Celica? I remember reading it is possible somewhere in this site, but I would like confirmation on this. Also, I read here years ago that if one deicedes to use a 3rd gen 3S-GTE AWD and just use the front wheels instead of doing the conversion to AWD, one would lose about half the power from the engine, so if it is possible to do an engine swap with a 4th gen. 3S-GTE FWD would I get the whole 3S-GTE power in just the two front wheels?

What would you recommend I do? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Smaay]

I recommend you read the stickies again because all your questions have been answered. I know i have answered them myself elsewhere

[JohanFer]

I recommend you read the stickies again because all your questions have been answered. I know i have answered them myself elsewhere

It was there where I read about the 4th gen 3s-gte. Unfortunately I didn't read any elaboration as to the fwd issue or its power, but I'll take another look Since you have experience with engine swaps with that V6 on your celica, what would you recommend I do?

[njccmd2002]

i can tell you that your mechanic wont be able to do a awd setup.

Your car wont pass smog with a jdm engine in california.

Your mechanic needs to join and become a member and read the stickies to understand the tasks at hand.

anything can be done, with money, but its hard to tell you what your needs or wants are or how deep are your pockets.


My wants was a 2gr powered celica, but that is just me. and you will get 1000 opinions different.

Smaay will tell u a 1mz

then someone else will tell u a beams, then someone will tell you to build your 5sfe, someone else will tell you to get one from the yard.

Then there will be others that will tell you to search and research.

not trying to be an ass, but your question is vague, and is opening to a lot of answers because none of the options are convenient if you live in california. But if any option 3, but id still go with 2gr

[Smaay]

Yes being in CA the rule is for swaps is the engine must be same year or newer than the car, all smog devices installed and working, and must be same config as what it came out of.

This mean manual to manual, auto to auto. conversions are allowed too. But in the case of a 3MZ-FE only came to the US with an auto trans so you can NOT mount it to a manual. make sense?

That being said, if you have a 94, Technically you could put a 95 MR2 3S-GTE in there. and going a little deeper, you might get away with a 3rd gen JDM swap since Its still not ODBII.

Myself i have a 97 so I went with a "97" 1MZ It was actually a 1MZ from a 2002 solara however im running it on 97 Camry electronics. 1MZ is a 1MZ. so to be legal in CA that was my only option.

NOW, I have seen countless of other "swaps" and deals made to get around SMOG. but i know nothing.

Ok to answer your AWD issues. Just because you get an engine from an AWD car does not mean you have to keep it AWD. if you read the stickies, you will learn that all you have to do is take off the AWD trans and mount a FWD trans to the engine.

if you want to convert your car to AWD, well thats another story, I hope you have deep pockets