About 2 years ago I started to collect part for a new project - putting a 3rd gen 3SGE into my wifes 6th gen Celica ST. Well, after a short bout with unemployment and a long home remodeling project, I've finally started on the engine swap.

The motor was dismanteled after receiving it, and the stock 10.5:1 cr pistons were replaced with stock turbo pistons. Everything else internally was kept stock. Since I am only looking for power in the 300 - 350 HP range, I could have used the stock tranny, but since I had a spare MR2 turbo trans sitting around I decided to use that. I found an stock LSD differential on the web, and had the guys at Team Rip (teamrip.com) install the diff and "clean up" the gears.

The turbo kit uses a modified Greddy based knock-off exhaust manifold along with a 14b Mitsu turbo and an Evo III O2 housing. The O2 housing comes a little too close to the 3S's AC compressor, so I'm using the A/C compressor from the ST with the comp wheel off the 3S compressor. Once the engine has been broken it properly, I'll probably swap out the 14b with a small 16G or EVO turbo.

Last weekend I picked up the GT4 super-struts from Martin and hope to have the full shocks / brakes installed this weekend (if the bushing collars ever come in from the dealership).

I'll post a couple of pics shortly.

This post has been edited by scothaniel: Jul 14, 2005 - 4:26 PM

that sounds awesome, good luck with it!

pics are key!

Out with the old:


In with the new:


Various:





This post has been edited by scothaniel: Jul 15, 2005 - 11:04 AM

nice work!

that looks awesome.

nice job...looks like a very cool project

how did u deal with the wiring of the harness? does the motor run yet?

I used the RHD 3SGE harness. Only 30 or so wires were needed to be extended. I haven't fired it up yet, but I tested for error codes from the ECU and only got 1 (code 23). Just need to figure out how to fix it. BTW - I'm using a 3rd gen MR2 turbo ecu.

besides extending.... did you have to rewire the ecu or fuse box at all ?

Nice work! That manifold looks sweet. >>

wow! I agree, that exhaust manifold is niiiiiice >> shiny shiny >>

VERY NICE you did all that work for your wife wow

nice swap where did u get the turbo manifold and will it hold a t3/t4?

damnn that looks awsomee.. nice man

Kewl finally someone who has modified a 3S-GE engine.

Yeah, I had to add some bling to the bay. Next will be cleaning up the wastegate - maybe some black paint to make it right.

I repinned the ECU connectors to the new ECU - had to do a little cutting and soldering there too. The most difficult part was getting a 3SGE EFI diagram in english - everyone one I found was written in Kanji. I did have to add a couple of wires for the 2nd air-temp sensor and the Turbo VSV. The wiring for the fuel pump is a little different too - the turbo ECU's have a low and high fuel pressure switch (via relay) to bump up the fuel under WOT, but the non-turbo cars only have 1 setting. I left the wire disconnected at the ECU, so I may end up with a code later on. Easy enough to fix.

Found the manifold on Ebay. It was supposed to be part of a 3rd gen Greddy L2 turbo kit - but it was a shotty knock off. The L2 turbo's have a circular 2" flange, so I just bought a standard TD05 flange, routed down the L2 flange. and welded the TD05 flange right on top of it. It wont fit a T3 turbo, but If I ever decide to switch over I'll just cut this flange off and weld on a T3.

This post has been edited by scothaniel: Jul 15, 2005 - 8:33 AM

wow.. seems like another person that might be able to help a "how to" for the engine wiring?

Wow That is AMAZING

OMG... the manifold looks awesome. great work man~!

looking at those pics, do you have to take off the intake manifold off to get to the spark plugs or to change the valve cover gasket?

Plugs are no problem - they come over the top of the manifold. But yeah, a leaking valve cover would be a nightmare. I am surprised on how much space is between the motor and firewall, I think I could get to the manifold bots from underneath pretty easily- or at least easier then on my 185.

so it's a stock toyota lsd installed in a non-lsd tranny?
just curious because if it's not i was under the impreesion that it would cause problems on a FWD car in turns. . .

ok, you just gave me another expensive idea what to do with my car, damnit......

-lagos+Jul 15, 2005 - 8:57 PM


I know for a fact that u dont have to remove the intake manifold if you want to change the spark plugs. The gasket is a whole different story!

nice job work.. on your project...
so i like to ask some information for you. when did the swap.. it hard righ..
you i have the some swap as you but now i just have problem with engine..
>>i star the motor. it run but when u press the pald but the rmp drop down to (0)
i just chroking then it just die. so can you help me out... a little bite.. but i was just thinking that i don't have enough fuel for my injector to the make enough spark or my vacuum air hose... i dunno what going on...

how long did it take for you to drop out the 7A and get the 3S and tranny bolted up and in?

about 3 day, but the wire it take about 4 week to figure it out.. cuz their alot wire

-funnys_tears+Jul 20, 2005 - 9:11 AM


i'm not sure but the same problem happened with my 5sfe. i had to change the ignition coil and all was fine.