View Full Version : New engine for old celica, good or bad? Want info.
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 04:08 AM
I am looking into getting a 92 or 93 celica gt (I know, its not "New" but I dont have much money).
Anyway, all the older Celicas seem to only be a 4Cyl.
Before my sisters 92 Celica burned up (about 3 weeks ago) she was going to put a new engine in it that was a V6 and from a diferent company (I think it was a Nissan engine, not sure though), about how much does this cost? What would be a good replacement engine, and would it be a good idea to do so?
Also, I have read that TRD is about the best for there Exhaust systems, what do you guys think? How much do there custom rims go for? They have a website anywhere?
Sorry for what may seem like to most as "Stupid" questions, but I loved my sisters car, and want to get into the whole "Modding/Upgrading" thing, and want to learn more.
The Game
09-25-2002, 05:59 AM
If youre going to mod an older Celica then the 3S-GTE is the way to go, its already trubo charged but it costs $$$
The website for TRD is trdusa.com
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 06:22 AM
About what does a 3S-GTE go for? Is this the one I am seeing also called the GT-Four?
The Game
09-25-2002, 06:58 AM
The GT-4 has the 3SGTE, depending on what gen you get the price goes higher. The last gen put out 245 hp but I dont think it will pass the smog test, espically in CA! Look for a 90-93, you can get for maybe 3-4K
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 07:07 AM
Ok, thanks for the info. I'll look into it.
I have 5-6K to spend, so thats good.
The Game
09-25-2002, 07:12 AM
Installion will be a bish... but dont let it get you down!
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 07:17 AM
Installion???
You have any suggestions on where I could get info on that car on the net? All I seem to be able to find are the Ralley Car versions.
Johan
09-25-2002, 08:42 AM
You will have to change the fuelsystem too ( tank and piping ).
Will will be looking at a hell of a job, but it's not impossible to do.
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 03:02 PM
Thanks for the info.
Still wondering though, would it be worth it, and about how much would it cost to drop a V6 into a 92/93 Celica gt?
The Game
09-25-2002, 03:07 PM
I would advise against the V6, if it could be done. The 3SGTE is probably Toyotas' best engine along with the 2JZGTE or the 4AGE in trems of hp!
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 03:17 PM
Ok.
Why the work though? Changing the fuel system and such? I didnt really want to go all out and get lots of work done or something, I know very little about cars right now as it is.
Johan
09-25-2002, 03:26 PM
The 3SGTE engine is a turbo engine and you will need a fuel return pipe to the fueltank. I don't think you can simply put it on a normal tank, so you also have to change the tank...........
Also the mountingpoints for the 3SGTE engine is different, so you also have to change them. I know it is possible, because a friend of mine did the swap, but is was a hell of a lot of work.........
FleaOfTerror
09-25-2002, 03:29 PM
The reason behind this though?
Is it not "Street Legal" unless you do this?
The Game
09-25-2002, 04:44 PM
You do it so that the fuel systemcan properly work with the enigne! The fuel system already there is set to work with the engine inside (5S-FE) I think!
Brian00GTS
09-30-2002, 05:13 PM
http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/celica1/3sgteswap.htm
That's for the 3S-GTE.
You could also drop in a Camry V6 (1M-ZFE) in there, but mechanics and Toyota engineers recommend against it. It's possible to do, but will be expensive and time consuming. The V6 is a larger, but also heavier motor.
If you do still decide to do a V6 swap, consider buying an entire Camry front clip so that you have all the parts that you need for the swap. Relays, wires, nuts, bolts, will nickel and dime you to death. Good luck!
Brian00GTS
09-30-2002, 05:20 PM
You don't have to change the fuel tank for any of this. It's basically bolt-in on the GT model(90-93 or 94-99).
For the ST model with the 7A-FE, it's much more involved.
I had a 94 GT before my 2000 GT-S, and I researched this topic just about night and day :) Good luck with your swap and check out that link above for more info!
I'm not trying to plug another site but www.toyotacelicas.com has a ton of info on the 3sgte swap. A guy on there (jhull) has performed this and knows just about everything you would need to know to do it and would gladly help along the way. The second gen. 3sgte would be your best bet for about $1000 you could get a used J-spec with 225 hp or A-Spec with 200 depending on how difficult you want it to be. Plus it's real easy to upgrade to a bigger turbo for more horsepower. If I'm not mistaken the 3sgte is the same engine used in Tom's Castrol Supra.
oo_snoopy
09-30-2002, 05:47 PM
Go to
www.celica.net
they have alot on older celica, and they have one of the coolest members ever, "pimpcat"
FleaOfTerror
09-30-2002, 11:35 PM
Ok, I have looked into all this a lot more.
Next question, since putting in a 3S-GTE seems to be pretty extensive work, and fairly expensive, I have read that the 4a-gze is easier to do, and proboly cheaper.
How would you guys compare the stock engine in the GT-4 to the 4a-gze? And how about the stock engine in a GT to the 4a-gze? Would it, in your opinions be worth it? About how much HP gain would there be?
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