Celica engine swap

[LBCxCeLiCa]

I have a 97 celica ST. I want to know if a supra engine will fit and what kind of mod will need to be done. If you know how much it cost that would be nice too.

[vvtlikick]

No.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

Why not? Give me some details

[vvtlikick]

The Supra's engine is long (6cyl), longitudinally-mounted (front-to-back) engine. Your Celica has a short (4cyl), transverse-mounted (side-to-side) engine. It doesn't even come close to bolting in to your engine compartment.

The only way I can conceive of it working is if you took a entire Supra drivetrain, shortened it, and build a custom tube frame chassis to hold it, and then you placed body panels over it to make it look like a Celica, albeit a RWD Celica. But if your going to go to that much effort, why not make it a tube-frame Supra?

The 3SGTE 2.0L Turbo engine in the Celica GT-Four/Celica All-trac would fit, but I'd imagine the entire AWD drivetrain to go with it wouldn't be cheap. And I don't know how easy it bolts into a non-"All-trac" Celica.

[VZV21]

3S-GTE conversions have been readily done on 1986-1999 Celicas, and Camrys. Transmissions, you can choose from the rarer 1988-1991 Camry V6, or MR2

[LBCxCeLiCa]

How much would it cost though? Is 155 hp the max you can get from the 3s-gte? I am thinking of spending about 2-3 Grand for another engine but just dont know what to pick. I don't know too much of anything about engines and diff mod to do to make it fit.

[vvtlikick]

Originally posted by LBCxCeLiCa
How much would it cost though? Is 155 hp the max you can get from the 3s-gte? I am thinking of spending about 2-3 Grand for another engine but just dont know what to pick. I don't know too much of anything about engines and diff mod to do to make it fit. I think all US 3S-GTE's were 190hp to 200hp stock, overseas they eventually got up to about 270hp stock. But they take well to modification, Sport Compact Car Magazine had a heavily modified project MR-2 Turbo with a 3S-GTE that made well over 500hp at the flywheel.

[VZV21]

The 1989 Celica All-Trac Turbo made 185 bhp.

In 1990, The 3S-GTE got a new intake manifold, which was a simpler manifold, axing the TVIS system (dual runner intake manifold), which bumped up the power.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

Does it matter what year 3s-gte I get? My Celica is a 97 would I have to get a 97 year model 3s-gte engine? question....HOW MUCH??!...for all modification to make fit....oh yeah on more thing how much of a diff will it be meaning driving wise???....thanks alot appreciate it!!....anyother engines recommended for a swap??

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

Ull have to get a 97 Engine because of our Smog Regualtions. All together you'll probly be looking at a good 3000 or more to do the swap. Get a JDM engine they are like 2 grand and then the extras.

Supra Engine wont fit in your car because its an Inline 6 and cant be placed Transversely in the Engine bay.

Get the 3SGTE and smoke some people.
Matt

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

I dont agree with Bastardizing a car like this... but I have a friend who has a 97 Celica with a Turbo h22 VTEC engine in it. Its fast but kind of feel bad for the car.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

turbo h22 vtec huh??...i wonder that worked? well anyways, so you just suggest getting a 3sgte? guess that sounds good. That is a stock turbo mr2 engine rite? A JDM engine for about 2 grand?...where can I find one?...oh yeah i was just wondering, is there a j-spec celica i can get parts for if there is one because I hear about everybody getting j-spec civic or integra parts and stuff?. well thanks...(how fast is the turbo h22 vtec??)

[VZV21]

Celica GT-4 and Toyota Caldinas.

You'll also need the corresponding hood also for the top mount intercooler (Toysport.com sells the hood and bumper).

Go to www.toysport.com as a reference.

[t2000gts]

how the hell did he fit an H22A into a '97 Celica?

[1zz-fe ce|ica]

yea wondering the same thing ... how did a honda prelude engine fit into a toyota celica ??

[Qwertop]

why won't a h22a prelude engine fit in a 97 celica? the engine sizes are both 2.2l. or are you saying that it won't fit mechanically?

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

They are the same size... all he did was got custom mounts everyhting else was fine.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

I was looking into a h22a VS 3sgte, and the more I look at it, seems like it may be cheaper to get the h22a swapped in. I am not sure, but i was just reading the earlier post and it said i would have to buy awd drive train??....h22a is already FWD so how much are the custum mounts??....Can anybody find what would be cheaper to swap?....h22a or the 3sgte?? To me just seems too many mod may have to be done with the 3sgte, but if not please let me know if the h22a have to have more mods to make work...oh yeah...can someone get me a price quote one the "97" h22a or "97" 3sgte

[VZV21]

You don't have to mod the 3S-GTE to fit it in the Celica. Get a MR2 turbo 3S-GTE and it drops right in. Get the wiring warness & ECU for it also.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

Really?...,but isn't the turbo 3sgte RWD??....wouldn't that be a problem because my 97 celica is FWD??...sorry i ask so many questions. I am just so new to these things and i want to be sure. Thanks!!

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

Do the H22a drop in. Its not like cool but its diffent.

[VZV21]

Here's a picture of a Camry with the 1st gen 3S-GTE motor (88-89 Celica All-Trac turbo, which has a liquid intercooler). Unfortunately his car got stolen a while back.

http://www.phoenixknights.net/teamsc3/shots/1006.jpg

go to this quick link http://www.toysport.com/catalog/3sgt_Conversions.htm

I used to have this link illustrating the conversion into a 86-89 Celica....but I deleted it a few years back.


The quick point is, the 1986-1999 Celicas used a "S" block, where have been the 3S-FE, 3S-GTE, 3S-GE, & 5S-FE. Your Celica has a 5S-FE, note it is a "S" block motor. The Camrys also have been "S" blocks for the 4 cylinder models. The 90-91 Camry up there, originally had a 3S-FE motor.

Then again, places like Burien Toyota (www.poweredbytoyota.com) have a simple turbo kit for the 5S-FE motor. MR2 owners in the past have had turbo kits on their 5S-FE motors, with boost pressures up to 15 psi.

The MR2 have a mid-rear layout, not a front-rear layout, which is a different case. There's a MR2 (www.altantamr2s.com), a MKI with a 97-99 Camry V6 motor, with supercharger in it. Coincidentally, the "A" blocks (Such as Corolla, MKI MR2, and Celica ST) are compatible with "S", "VZ". & "MZ" blocks.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

Well, I like the Burien Toyota idea with just their turbo, but my engine is a 7a-fe. I emailed them and they replied that it won't work. I was reading the info you linked me to @ toysport and it was good info. It told me that i needed a new transmission, new engine bracket, new powersteering and ac lines. are those new things just minor things or are they major things meaning is that like the normal things needed for a swap or is that just too much?? It also said to stick to the 2nd gen. engine. Isn't that year to old since my celica is a 97??....not too sure....i remember someone telling me i need an engine the same year or newer due to smog in california. I just dont understand the FWD or RWD thing. oh yeah you was saying something about A blocks are compatible to the S, VZ, and MZ blocks...can u explain more on that and what the VZ and MZ block are meaing what car does it come from and its HP and torqe max. THANKS AGAIN!!

[VZV21]

For California smog, you need 97 or newer. The problem is, Toyota USA doesn't sell 3S-GTE motors in the US 97 or newer.

Acutally, in Australia, the Sportivo Corolla has a turbo on it (Toyota Australia made their own turbo for it, the website is something like www.toyota.com.au)

The VZ motor is the 2.5L DOHC V6 (2VZ-FE) found in 1988 to 1991 Camry and 90-91 ES250. It makes about 155 bhp & 155 lb-ft. The 3VZ-FE is a 3.0L V6 (92-93 Camry and ES300) makes about 188 bhp.

The MZ motor (1MZ-FE) is a 3.0L DOHC V6 currently found in the Camry platform. What you really want is the 97 to current 1MZ-FE non-VVTi in the Camry. 194 bhp and 201 lb-ft. You also can get the TRD Kazuma Supercharger good for 240 bhp (at the wheels).

[LBCxCeLiCa]

So what are my other alternatives?? I don't know about getting the 1mz-fe...maybe you can give me another engine type i can use.....the 1mz-fe sounds kinda of expensive just knowing it came from a camry....not sure if it is or not...let me know if you do know....its giving the thought of choosing the h22a prelude engine. not knowing a thing about it but i will look up on it....well try to convince me please....well thanks

[RLFlipsyde]

I'm looking to do an engine swap as well. I have a 2000 Toyota Celica GT auto. I'm ready to rip this thing apart and put a brand new engine in it. I know crap about engines. But the thing is, I'm on my way to Japan in a few months and I really don't want to miss an oppurtunity to get an engine over there that would fit inside mine. Any suggestions with you engine buffs out there on what type of engine would be perfect for a Celica over there? I'm thinking of spending around 5-6 thousand for an engine swap. Any suggestions?

[VZV21]

Originally posted by LBCxCeLiCa
So what are my other alternatives?? I don't know about getting the 1mz-fe...maybe you can give me another engine type i can use.....the 1mz-fe sounds kinda of expensive just knowing it came from a camry....not sure if it is or not...let me know if you do know....its giving the thought of choosing the h22a prelude engine. not knowing a thing about it but i will look up on it....well try to convince me please....well thanks

Go to www.atlantamr2s.com and email the person who did the 1MZ-FE swap, on how much it costs.

Other options, now include importing engines from Japan, like the 3S-GE variants, 3S-GTE, 4A-GE 20V.

Look into rebuilt 1MZ-FE 1997 or newer.

H22A, think of what may be involved in making custom mounts, so it probably would end up costing more money in the end. You'll need the honda drivetrain also, more money.

[VZV21]

Originally posted by RLFlipsyde
I'm looking to do an engine swap as well. I have a 2000 Toyota Celica GT auto. I'm ready to rip this thing apart and put a brand new engine in it. I know crap about engines. But the thing is, I'm on my way to Japan in a few months and I really don't want to miss an oppurtunity to get an engine over there that would fit inside mine. Any suggestions with you engine buffs out there on what type of engine would be perfect for a Celica over there? I'm thinking of spending around 5-6 thousand for an engine swap. Any suggestions?

I'd look into the 4A-GE 20V, that was available in the Levin/Trueno.

[RLFlipsyde]

thanks for the reply. What exactly is that engine? I need some help. I know squat about engine types and variants.

[VZV21]

The "A" series engine has been long used in the Corolla & the Celica, as well as the MKI MR2. The FWD Celica ST had the 4A-FE or the 7A-FE motor, as well as the regular Corollas.

The 4A-GE line is the performance line of the 4A family. It had a redline minimum of 7600 rpm (back in the early 80's).

The 4A-GE 20V, has a two stage Variable Valve Timing (VVT) mechanisms, the predecessor to VVT-i. 3-intake valves & 2 exhaust valves per cylinder, and a redline of 8100 rpm. This motor made around 170 bhp, for a 1.6L engine. Unlike the ZZ engines, it's still a heavy duty iron block. This particular motor never made it to the states, but it made its way around the world. The South African market (www.toyota.co.za) still has this motor in the Corolla RXi with speed manual.

Go to places like www.club4ag.com as well as places like www.toysport.com for more info.

[The Game]

Why not try the 2zz-ge??? You would be a pioneer:)

[RLFlipsyde]

so I should buy this engine in Japan? you're going to have to educate me on engines and all that sometime. Would this be my best bet to give with? How much do you think parts and labor would cost?

[VZV21]

Well, places like Toysport already stock the 4A-GE 20V, with harness & ECU.

In my best opinion, go V6. Why? Because the frame's girth. You want something with a broad power band, plenty of torque, and you really don't need to spin the engine. IF the 1994-1999 Celica was a few hundred pounds lighter, I'd go for the 4A-GE 20V or try a 2ZZ-GE. The 1MZ-FE also allows the option of the supercharger, for a nice linear powerband.

Do some research on the internet. I gave you some links to check out as some starting points. I can only guide you with some information. It's up to you to decide how you want to spend your money.

[RLFlipsyde]

thanks a lot. I have a 2000 GT tho. Should I be looking at the same engines as older models of Celica?

[The Game]

No, older Celica engines are weak, 130 hp was the highest, i think. The only good Celica engine was the 3SGTE.

[RLFlipsyde]

so, will the 4a-ge 20v and the 2zzge engines will fit in the engine bay of the 2000 celica GT?

[VZV21]

Oh sorry, got you mixed up for the original poster.


the 2ZZ will fit, since the 2000 Celica also came in GTS 2ZZ form.

The 4A=GE 20V should fit, since it fits the 1ZZ-FE bay on other cars, such as the Corolla RXi in South Africa (www.toyota.co.za).

There was a limited availablilty of a 3S-GE motor in the 86-89 Celica GTS, around 88-89. That motor made around 150 bhp. But I don't think the 3S-GE motors will fit the Celica too well.

[RLFlipsyde]

so the 1zz-fe or 2zz-fe engines should fit? how much work do you think will be done to make this work? Also, I have an Auto GT, wil that GT-S engine work?

[VZV21]

My best recommendation, is to trade up to a GTS. Sure you'll lose some money, but for the cost of a 2ZZ, transmission, ECU, & wiring from the GTS and labor costs, you'll be better off. PLus you'll avoid complications & have a Toyota warranty.

[LBCxCeLiCa]

Well, thanks for all the info that you gave. Very helpful. Now I am really thinking about going for the 1mz-fe V6. I was wondering if they made the v6 model in a manual 5 speed. When I think about it.....I never seen a v6 camry in a 5 speed manual. Wonder if you can find out or if you already know if they did make one in a 5 speed manual for the v6 camry 1mz-fe....I think I really like the torque level it gives....well thanks again!!

[VZV21]

the 1997 Camry V6 was available with the 5-speed manual until 2001

The Solara has the V6 5-speed combo still.

I drive a Camry V6 5-speed

[LBCxCeLiCa]

old old post....wondering if the 1mzfe make the front end real heavy if i did the swap?

[veilside02celi]

i wonder if a older gen Celica AWD Turbo wouldnt be a good swap? on the old ALL TRACs, of course a drive train modification would have to be made, but if the money is there anything is possible i suppose

[VZV21]

Use a MR2 turbo transmission, and you'll still keep the FWD.

[Oo DaRk StAr oO]

keep the 1ZZFE

[chameleon]

OK, I'm not necessaraly saying that you guys shouldn't attemp an engine swap, but before you actually go thru with it you should do this first...

Once you pick an engine, find out exactly how much money it is going to cost to get the engine, the new ecu, the transmition, and all the wireing and mounts and everything else you will need to install it into your car.

Then find out, as close as you can, exactly how much it will cost for any labor you will need. Whether you are paying someone to actually remove your old engine and install the new one, or if you need to do some custom fabricating to get stuff to work right, or whatever...

Then find out exactly how much it will cost to add anything to the new engine that you want to make the power that you are going for. I heard a supercharger mentioned. If you are planning on buying a certain engine just so you can supercharge it, add the cost of buying the supercharger. Add the cost for anything else, such as a different intake, or internal parts.

Then add all that up to see how much money you will be paying for how much hp you expect to get out of the engine. Then take that final amount of money and find out how much power you could get out of the engine that you already have in your car if you dumped all that cash into it. A lot of the time, you will find that you can get as much power, if not quite a bit more, from the engine you already have if you put as much money into it as it would cost to swap in a different engine.

[veilside02celi]

Originally posted by LBCxCeLiCa
I have a 97 celica ST. I want to know if a supra engine will fit and what kind of mod will need to be done. If you know how much it cost that would be nice too.

if this were ever to possibly work , cn you say Torque Steer much???????

[PapiChuu]

you can put pretty much any engine in any car, you just gotta have the money to get it done, and the more exotic, like a custom mounted 2jz in a celica would be lotsa cashola, youll somehow have to get it shoe horned in there, a chasis shop will proably be able to do that putting in custom mounts and other stuff make room for the drive shaft, then making it real wheel drive..... in other words its alotta cash to do that, your better off buying a supra