I've done the research and the math and already started collecting what I think I'll need. Here's my plan as of now; 3S-GE BEAMS (Red or Grey Top), E250F tranny out of a '99 Rav4, get rid of the vacuum actuator for center diff lock replacing it with something simpler and smaller, mod'd prop shaft to the rear, possibly grafting Rav4 gas tank into the body, full custom rear subframe already built, RX300 rear diff, axles and drive hubs/brakes. Hear me out on this combo. Pull up the gearing on that gearbox, it's built for low to moderate torque figures and high RPMs, which should match nicely to the 3S-GE engine. I need reliability first, power second. If I have to change engines, might as well get a power upgrade over the 5S-FE. I love the possibilities of the 3S-GTE, but I can't trust a turbo engine not to overheat in the worse times. I live in the desert where I'm already battling heat just by going outside. I already picked up the donor Rav4, 1999 with a bad engine for $300. This gives me the time to pick all the pieces I want or think I might need without having to search salvage yards and pay a lot of extra money.

This post has been edited by Roodwerks: Sep 29, 2020 - 10:08 AM

I would go with an MZ for a build like this. You want reliability, but you can't go to Autozone and pick up replacement parts for a BEAMS.

Plus, with what you are planning to do, it seems like your formula is backwards: you'll need more TQ than HP. BEAMS are rev happy, but not so torque-y, you may have issue with the extra drag of a 4WD drivetrain.

In the end, it's your car, your $$, and a cool build either way. I can't wait to see which direction you go!

I think I'm pretty set on sticking with the 3sge. It's basically a bolt in, so that's a bonus. It actually came bolted to the tranny I have acquired, in Japan. With the very low final drive, a high reving engine will do very well. As for not getting parts in the US, in stores, that should be fine. The basic maintenance items can be, hoses, filters, etc., the long term items are available, just not quickly. I don't put a ton of miles on my toys, so all major maintenance on the engine will be before its' installed; water pump, timing belt, clutch, etc..

It's been a few years, huh..? I did finish building up the ST204.5 Safari Celica. The BEAMS Red Top engine mated to the Rav4 '99 AWD/4WD gearbox. The rear end and suspension is a modified version of what I had built for the fwd setup, just with a differential mounted up to the tube work. The differential is out of an RX300, with a factory torsen style gear LSD. The rear hubs are out of an '05 Highlander. If anyone has questions, hit me up. I've driven the car around for 8 or 9K miles now, loving it. It's no turbo power house, but the BEAMS has no problem pushing the car around quickly.

Damn, Sept. '20 since I've been around, saying anything about this build. The AWD/4WD Redtop BEAMS setup turned out great for me. The amount of work was HUGE, but the reward has been huge too. The only real hick-up that came about was having custom front axle shafts made. I could have cut and widened them the cheap way, but that made no sense for me, if I wanted it as reliable as stock and vibration free as possible. The rear driveshaft section had to be custom made as well, but getting to the RX300 LSD is where it's at for the car. The rear subframe is what I had built for the FWD setup. If anyone wants to know specifics, just hit me up.

After running as the "0" Car for the Prescott Rally last month, the only repair needed (plus a new spare tire) is a torn rear CV boot. It was on the only axle that came off of the donor '99 Rav4, so expected.

This post has been edited by Roodwerks: Nov 1, 2024 - 5:14 PM