Good Idea / Bad Idea

[TadS]

This is from an article at www.toysport.com. I would have linked to the article, but the website wouldn't let me.

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The 3SGE and 3SGTE are important engines in the Toyota line-up. It is the most potent of all the Toyota 4 cylinder engines in the important 2000cc class. Celica, Camry, MR2, RAV4, and Corolla owners can benefit by upgrading to this engine.

For Celicas, Camrys, MR2s, and RAV4s- equipped with the 3S, 3SFE, 5SFE- engines the natural upgrade is the 3SGTE with horsepower ranging from 200 to 245 HP in the different generations. With minor bolt-on upgrades power up to 300 is attainable. Internally-built engines can produce up to 350 safely. The standard transmissions can be used, but be aware that you are running a lot more horsepower.

For a milder set-up the 3SGE may be adequate. Naturally aspirated the 3SGE is available from 140 to 210 HP. The 2nd generation (never imported to the US) produces 170 HP and relatively cheap. This has compatibility with parts from the US engines, and is therefore easier to get parts for. The 3rd generation has 200 HP, and we support parts for this engine. The 4th generation with VVTi has 210 HP, but is very expensive.........

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Basically my question is this. With the Rippmods SDS, which I have been saving money towards, weighing in at nearly 4k is this a considerable alternative? I would prefer to maintain a N/A configuration, but I had read that a motor swap was crazy hard/expensive on our cars. These guys don't make it out to be too much of a chore. What do you guys think? Do you think I am looking at more than 4grand for a gen3 3S-GE conversion? Are the people at Toysport just giving me bad ideas with articles like this ?

[impactX]

Don't even bother with another NA engine if you plan to swap.

3S-GTE is the way.

[Jackass-Jeff]

Engines are hard to find... I found a 3s-gte at a junkyard but the guy was saving it for his mr-2 rebuild project.

The engine will be hard enough to find... but installation might run it up a bit. =x

[impactX]

You know If you have the right amount of money and time and knowledge go for it. My toyota paseo was slapped with 3sgte but it didn't come cheap. I spent 4 grand for the whole swapped but its hella worth it. Its my brother's car now, 92 a rwd paseo that does 12.9 on 1/4. think about it.

And best of all, it still has room for improvement!

[Turbosolara]

3SGTE give you most of power on the basis of money. If you are worry about the reliability, 3SGTE had really good name with it. So far i had seem several 3SGTE Mr2 drove up to 150000 miles and sometimes up to track to race, still runs nice and dont have problem at all. I saw a shop is selling a JDM mr2 rear clip for $1800

[Eddiman]

What car comes stock with the 3SGTE engine? And how much is that engine? Is it possible to swap it into an 02 solara? Maybe there is hope in making my car fast

[Eddiman]

oh yeah i just did some research guys on the 3sgte engine
here is one for 23k dollars...but it produces 700 hp
here is the link http://www.suprastore.com/703sgtemot.html

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Don't waiste your time for $4000 dollars. I was SOOOOO close to doing that project for my celica!....but didn't want to drive to CA to do the swap!
Essentially: the USDM 3s's were 200hp (198 to be presise)...the JDM's your talking about are 225+ depending on what year...and do note that the one's out of a st205's YOU WILL NEED PARTS FOR THOSE FROM JAPAN ONLY..hence use only the engine from a mr2 or a GT4(alltrac). The front clip *i was going the front clip route...not just the engine..cus you get ecu, intercooler and don't have to located minute parts everywhere* was going for 1400-2000 depending wheather the hood+intercooler was included and depended on milage a little. The labor is close to 3-4K easily. I think EL prototypes is currently doing the swaps' for many m2r guys (last i heard)...but those are costing close to 5-5.5K's for everything. Its not a bad route....BUT if you think a NON plug n play motor is reliable..then your on cloud nine!

Go over to toyotanation and talk to wraith (justin) and undertake (or let it sink in)...what all problems he's had to get that baby to work the way its supposed to! Yeah, its a beauty of an engine...but i'd DEF. not mate that with our camry/solara bodies...I'd just use the money to start off with a mr2 or a celica...but if you got the money then power to you! Just remember...4K is just your foot in the door, for it to work...be financially prepared to spend a lot more.....

ON a side note: there are rumors that the third scion car will have the 5th gen 3sgte engine...meaning...newer (envt friendly) engines that we all can play with....if this rumor does become reality, meaning....more older celica's like mine..will mate theirs with the new engine..and thus have no smog prob's.....ME: I'd just wait to see if this becomes reality...or there is this car on ebay (808 original miles and a 3sgte)..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2426886039

[Eddiman]

so why wouldnt you sugguest mating that engine with the camry/solara? IT has been done to the previous generations of camrys...why not this one? its proally cheaper than doing nething else like custom turbo etc..

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I agree its cheaper than custom turbo's...but didn't someone who also did it (besides wraith) paid close to 12K to make it work RIGHT, thing is you already spent 5K, when you need something else, then you spend more and realise to make it work you need something else.by that time, you in knee deep to come out financially better half way through! ..like i stated earlier. ANYTHING is possible, but if your restricting your budget to 4K...then you should consider other possibilities. I'm not saying that camry/solara is a bad frame/car to work with...NOPE! But the price you'll spend to get that to work..it might equate to a working mr2 turbo or something! A lot of guys are buying high milage mr2 5s's, and buying rear clips and doing that route...thats cheaper (i think) than going the route you were mentioning..

[Blaze]

wow i want that mr2, even though i have no idea how id fit in it

[Eddiman]

i totally agree it would be cheaper than custom but really if you think about it..most people do spend about 10k - 12k or even more to modd the engine...just the engine. I dont think thats really that bad..turbos are expensive so the price is about realistic....and the 3s gte is a very highly moddable engine as well...so you will get your monies worth

[TadS]

I have seen what Wraith is doing. His 5S-GTE project is a bit more complex than what I would ever consider. It is brilliant, but I am just looking for a safe, reliable 200ish hp out of my car. Based on what jhbhatia has said it sounds as though the Rippmods system is still going to be my best option. I just wanted to make sure that I was getting the most for my money.

[Eddiman]

well i think i ran into some bad news guys but i heard taht when you swap an engine that is older than the car...you wont pass inspection..is that true? if it is..how can you get around it?