Well I have a shop that has experience in these types of swaps. Now what I wanna know is what if they can only find the jspec mr2 3sgte engine, is it still basically the same as the celica one? Ill need a wiring harness, the intercooler of the 3rd gen 3sgte will fit under the stock hood, exhaust need to be altered to line up. Should I just do the front mount intercooler right away? how much will it run for that? is there room up front for one?

Also does the 3sgte tranny that comes on the engine line up with the celica? Because one possible source for the engine comes with ecu and tranny, and is there a difference between the mr2 and celica 3sgte tranny?

Basically what Im looking to do is go in steps.

step1- basic engine swap (intercooler?)

step2-axles

step3-larger exhaust (2.5")

step4-intercool ( if not done yet)

step5-solara tranny and clutch(if needed)

step6-enhance(boost controller, bigger turbo, who knows what)

Its been a while since I did the research for this but since its getting closer to actually having the swap done then I need to refresh myself. And I know Im going to get "well get a front clip" but unless I can find one for like 2500CND then I doubt it. I have to see what the shop Im taking it too has to offer, they said they would check with there suppliers so maybe I can get a deal on the engine.

This post has been edited by Uppitycracker: Oct 1, 2003 - 6:09 PM

I'm sure you can get a clip from a 2nd Gen 3S-GTE for less than 2500. And that will probably be easier than any other Celica 3S-GTE because so many more people have done it over the other two.

-Uppitycracker+Oct 1, 2003 - 4:06 PM

-kuya1284+Oct 1, 2003 - 4:56 PM

Info provided by Richard Doig:


Celica alternator
Celica alternator bracket
Celica air conditioning pump
Celica power steering pump
Celica power steering pump bracket
Celica dipstick and tube
Celica crank pulley
Celica lower cambelt cover
Celica upper cambelt cover support plate - under camshaft pulleys (if SW20 lower cover used)
Celica 3S-GTE radiator hose junction
Inlet manifold support brackets
- One at throttle body, only required if using ST205 intercooler adapter
- Two rear manifold supports - required to clear PS pump

-kuya1284+Oct 2, 2003 - 2:45 AM

This is an old thread but I have the same question as Uppity. Does anyone know what parts in the list posted by Ray can come from a 6gc GT and what have to come from a ST185? I am looking to buy an MR2 clip right now. Thanks for the replies.

Jay.

This post has been edited by jgreening: Mar 27, 2004 - 5:03 PM

get a 3rd gen MR2 3sgte you fool!!! jeez tim >> >>

-boosted_K2+Mar 27, 2004 - 3:17 PM

get on AIM i need to talk some sense into you >>

Does anyone know the answer to my question? I have a 98 GT and am seriously considering a 2nd gen JDM MR2 clip. What other parts will I have to source? If that list is accurate, what parts need to come from the celica with the 3s and what can come from my car? Thanks for the replies.

-jgreening+Mar 27, 2004 - 9:32 PM

yes but the mr2 clip comes with the better of the trannies to use.......the 5sfe tranny has a way of grenading under the higher horsepower......that is why i purchased a 2nd gen mr2 motor and tranny.....im in the middle of collecting parts my self so i will be subscribing to this thread a lot me self. so i said the hell with it im purchasing pistons ferrera reainers springs stainless steel valve arias connecting rods and je forged pistons i mean damn might as well do a "good" buildup while i got the engine out. so i can really crank up the boost just got my pistons from paradise racing and i am ordering the multilayer metal head gasket as we speak. yes im having a shop do all this for me also so i should be able to lay down some serious numbers on the dyno when complet and yes it will be sprayed **** im already 4500.00 into this swap and i havent even began to get together the parts to actually put the engine in yet.......lol but my target date is sometime in fall to have all this done.....wish me luck my goal is 450++++

This post has been edited by audiophile24: Mar 28, 2004 - 2:49 AM

and get a gt4 hood as these cars run very hot under the bonnet, and heat soak can be combatted by lagging and polishing the chargecooler as shownhere:






This post has been edited by uzthedentist: Mar 28, 2004 - 5:01 AM

I'd take the hassle of selling an AWD gt4 tranny and buying a camry tranny over changing over a bunch of different parts on an mr2 engine PLUS changing over the tranny to work with your FWD setup any day. Good luck finding all those changeover parts too. I've been looking for a month now for just a replacement dipstick and tube for my engine without going to toyota for it, nevermind the other 10 parts you're going to need.

Also I'm not sure how you know that the 5sfe tranny has a way of grenading under more horsepower (torque). I'm running a rebuilt 3rd gen and boosting 15-16psi daily for 2 months now and the tranny is fine. That's with a copper/kevlar clutch and a 9lb flywheel as well. If it does grenade it'll give me an excuse to go LSD and get rid of that lightweight flywheel. But I know of way more people running with the s53 tranny than the e153.

- aba

they must not be launching too hard on them then......i have been advised against using me stock tranny....

what are you talkin about puttin it in tim? your MR2? or a celica??

-boosted_K2+Mar 28, 2004 - 8:08 PM

LOL WTF i didnt notice... who brought this back from the dead?? lol

I did (with a disclaimer that it was an old thread)....and I still haven't got any love on my question....laughs.

-Jay

-jgreening+Mar 28, 2004 - 8:48 PM

Ray:

The reason I am going to buy the MR2 clip is actually because of one of your posts - that the E-153 tranny is a much more reliable way to go. Additional research has confirmed this for me despite the success of some people using the GT trans. Simply put, I want to do this swap, have the car for about 5 years, and not have any problems. Also, I might want to continue the hp build in a few years. Now, I realize that I could simply source a E-153 tranny but of course there is extra cost with that as well. The other reason is that I have found a very good buy on a MR2 clip with LSD ($2400 delivered). The prices I have seen on the ST185 clip have ranged from $1500-$2300. This does not include shipping, the E-153, and (in the case of a solara and any available MR2 trans) the LSD.

I also found someone who has done the MR2 clip swap to a celica that tells me that all of those parts in your list can come from the GT celica except for the alternator bracket. Thus, it almost seems like a no-brainer. I know you have done it and wonder if you or others have any contrary thoughts. Respect.

Thanks,

Jay

P.S. Parts accumulation in process - look for (one of the first?) celica convertible 3sgte swap in a few months >>

This post has been edited by jgreening: Mar 30, 2004 - 11:24 PM