aight, obviously u get more power out of the 3gste.....(ofcourse if u have a stock one versus a super modded 5fse then it has no chance, so dont bring that up)

What kinda $$$ difference are we talking about by swapping out the 5fse and putting in a 3gste?

Price of 3gste: Give range plz
Price of swap: Give range plz

Price of turboing (is that a real word?) 5sfe: Give range plz


For the same amount of money, which is gonna put out more ponies? [this includes install(swapping, tubing, turbo, etc...), Parts (engine, linkage, turbo, etc...)]

Thanks and love to all 6gc owners

the basic idea is, you have to PAY TO PLAY. how much you spend is really up to you. some people buy more toys while some go for as cheap as they can(not always the best idea). most swapers and 5sfTe guys end up spending about the same when all is said and done. 2-5 grand is what you should expect to spend on either project

turboing? i think turbocharging works better >>

as for your questions on price, theres a thread on celicatech that has a lot of swap information, and it points out how stupid frankly it is to ask for price. you can pay as little or as much as you want. if you want to know exactly how much it costs, i suggest looking up clips, installation, etc. heres a thread that will give you a rough idea 3sgte swap and heres a guy who will install it for ya dr_tweak. a 5sfte cost all depends on whether or not you plan on doing engine work, install, and if you get the parts new/used. as for which will put out the most bang for the buck, the swap will. but if your like me and just want a somewhat quicker car on the streets, go with 5sfte, will save hassle of full blown swap.

ya lagos is right, id say 2 is your lower end, and the skys the limit. i would suggest having at least 5 though at beggining of either project because unexpected things might pop up.

This post has been edited by celicaST: Nov 1, 2005 - 2:56 PM

-celicaST+Nov 1, 2005 - 2:48 PM

Yeah tweak does good work, i just cant have him working on it for like 2 or 3 months. >> not that him taking his time is bad, never hurts to double check, but its my daily driver, so i dont have a replacment. And im not gonna spend like 4000 to 6000 on a swap and have to buy a beater while its being done.

Swap = $6000
Beater used while swap was being done = $500
Parts for beater because it was a POS = $1,000,000,000,000,000
Total for swap =$1,000,000,000,006,500
Not very logical is it now lol (of course the parts are exagurated)

well for swap, depends if you're gonna do the swap yourself or if you're getting someone to do it. but let say if you're getting someone to do it, i'll say $6000 range, that includes replacing all belts, filters, gauges, tune up etc.
for 5sfte set up, which is wat i'm currently doing, i've spent $3k+ on getting the parts in. always remember, RELIABLE KIT DOESN'T COME CHEAP. i'm glad i have manny, jeff, dustin, mac and other EC 6gc members who will be helping me out when i'm ready. if you're doing the work yourself, cost of the 3s MIGHT come up cheaper than the 5sfte. either way. you'll learn alot from both. cause i know i did. >>

the issue is that im 18, in college, and hold a steady job...not much time to work on my car. Other then like 8 hours or less on a weekend. And with no beater or back up ride, if it comes appart on the weekend, it has to go back together on the weekend....or it atleast has to be driveable, and safe. (safety is always a close second lol) Idk maybe in the future, when i have more free time ill consider a swap or turbocharging my 5fse, but right now, unless someone else does it for me, its just not practical.

Oh well, lifes a bitch, then u die....lol <----unless driving a nice GT-4 then it doesnt get much better than that....life that is....lol >>

If anyone has ne ideas hit me up with a PM.

-devilsden97+Nov 1, 2005 - 1:35 PM

with that said save money up and wait until your ready to undertake either jobs might take a year or more but its worth it in the end

-devilsden97+Nov 1, 2005 - 2:35 PM

im saving up right now for next summer, you dont have enough free time in summer? if need be you could always carpool or take the bus to work for awhile. and since your young like me and in college, i think the smarter route is to go with 5sfte. do research, install yourself, run at like 5si for daily driving and your set. id like to do swap, but if your like me, id rather not remove engine, tranny, splice wires, and worry about all the little junk. however, turbocharging a NA engine can bring its own host of problems if installed/operated incorrectly. either way, learn to the best of your ability exactly what needs to be done before buying parts, installing.

in the end, being cheap in either route will be pointless, do it once, do it right...


anyone in my area seriously wanted a swap done, i have the room and capibality.. for the right price im willing to swap for you. the wiring will be out sourced of course thou. be forewarded, the parts and clip alone add up fast. i promise to be as fair as possibe on labor.

-zipstrips+Nov 1, 2005 - 6:15 PM

I wish you were in Cali...

heres a good place to say this quote i found.

the irony of cars " you spend money you dont have, for parts you dont need, to impress people you dont like"

no offense on the ppl u dont like part but i thought it was funny.

-celicast3sgte+Nov 2, 2005 - 1:10 AM

people you dont know might work better. that quote is so true, i kind of wish i had the money ive spent on my car back. as much as i love the celica, its really not worth it. only young once i guess.

the way i see it, is that i spent a few bucks to turn my car into something that i alwasy thought it should be. if i didnt do all the stuff that i have, then i would probably be driving around in an sti right now. as fun as it would be, i didnt want the 30k loan .

so if you really love your car, and plan to keep it for a while, then its worth it to make it into something that can rival todays sports cars in looks and speed at a fraction of the price.

Well said Art. I know alot of guys who drop huge down payments on new cars and hardly have the time to enjoy it because they work so much.

It's all about knowing what you want, and then having the patience to get there.