Toysports has spoken regarding turbo charging a 3SFE - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

almc2242 · 01-08-2005, 04:01 PM

I emailed Toysport regarding the installation of a turbo kit for my 1997 Toyota RAV4. They answered as follow:

----- Original Message -----
From: angel maldonado
To: info@toysport.com
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 9:52 AM
Subject: Need Help Big time, PLEASE HELP

I'm on my way to turbo charge a 1997 Toyota 3SFE engine RAV4. Have you or anyone that you know ever turbocharged a 3SFE RAV4 engine that you know of. I'm herein a lot of horror stories. Do you have parts for this setup? I've invested a large some of money.I don't want to fall short at the end.

Answer below

do not waste time on this unless the engine has correct pistons

go straight to a full 3sgte conversion
packages start at $2750
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now, which piston does the 3SFE engine must use in order to work properly?. I already asked them. But as we know they take a few days to answer. Does anyone know?

userlain · 01-08-2005, 04:21 PM

3SGTE pistons.

edit: wait, doesnt the Rav4 3sfe have vvt-i? that would make it harder to install anything...

VooDoo · 01-08-2005, 09:37 PM

have a friend who turboed a 3SFE rav4 A/T. did encounter problems along the way. but i think its fixed now(not so sure about this though). but as it is, since the engine was not made to accept positive pressure (boost), a lot of work needs to be done. some i can see are:
- ecu isn't programmed for boost
- map sensor isn't made for boost
- stock pistons are high-com... but i think they're good for 8-10psi at the most
- injectors might lean out at max boost

won't it be easier just to swap in a 3SGTE engine from a celica or SW21?

almc2242 · 01-08-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VooDoo

have a friend who turboed a 3SFE rav4 A/T. did encounter problems along the way. but i think its fixed now(not so sure about this though). but as it is, since the engine was not made to accept positive pressure (boost), a lot of work needs to be done. some i can see are:
- ecu isn't programmed for boost
- map sensor isn't made for boost
- stock pistons are high-com... but i think they're good for 8-10psi at the most
- injectors might lean out at max boost

won't it be easier just to swap in a 3SGTE engine from a celica or SW21?

I got a Greddy E-manage computer for the euc problem
I have a 89420-17030 3SGTE MAP sensor
I'm just doing 7 lbs of boost
I have Lexus Fuel injectors.

The 3SGTE gig was told to me by Andrew Green from RAV4OZ.com. He installed it on his RAV4 and had a hell of a time installing it and spending a lot of money. With what I got I've still not spend no more then 2,500.00. I already have

Airesearch T3 .42/.48 40 TRIM with Manifold
Injectors
HKS BOV
3SGTE MAP Sendor
Intercooler
Performance Oil pump
Performance Water Pump
Exhaust
MSD
and a lot of minor parts.

What I'm thinking of are the pistons that toysport mension in their email.

any opinion or guidence will be apreciated.

white90dx · 01-09-2005, 02:22 PM

Everyone needs to stop saying that motor swaps are easy!!

If you plan on running low boost, you can turbo the Rav4 3s-fe just like any other MAP based ECU car (see: Honda). Keep is safe and don't get boost happy - but still be ready to replace the motor if it blows.

-Charlie

automatic · 01-09-2005, 05:23 PM

From my contact with toysport, the opinions there seem to be a bit narrow minded, if not very practical, which is what it sometimes takes to sell to the general public.
Hotrodding is all about pushing the edge beyond what was thought to possible.
Maybe you could look around to see if there are any programmable water injection systems to use, that and keep your boost down to 7psi or so.

Kwanza · 01-09-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automatic

From my contact with toysport, the opinions there seem to be a bit narrow minded, if not very practical, which is what it sometimes takes to sell to the general public.
Hotrodding is all about pushing the edge beyond what was thought to possible.
Maybe you could look around to see if there are any programmable water injection systems to use, that and keep your boost down to 7psi or so.

I tend to agree. Toysport is very narrow-minded and in all honesty, not very open to new ideas or all that knowledgeable. They have the same views about hybrids, which have been proven very successful.

VooDoo · 01-09-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almc2242

I got a Greddy E-manage computer for the euc problem
I have a 89420-17030 3SGTE MAP sensor
I'm just doing 7 lbs of boost
I have Lexus Fuel injectors.

The 3SGTE gig was told to me by Andrew Green from RAV4OZ.com. He installed it on his RAV4 and had a hell of a time installing it and spending a lot of money. With what I got I've still not spend no more then 2,500.00. I already have

Airesearch T3 .42/.48 40 TRIM with Manifold
Injectors
HKS BOV
3SGTE MAP Sendor
Intercooler
Performance Oil pump
Performance Water Pump
Exhaust
MSD
and a lot of minor parts.

What I'm thinking of are the pistons that toysport mension in their email.

any opinion or guidence will be apreciated.

i think toysport is refering to the low compression pistons. the 3sgte would have low comp pistons while the 3sfe and 3sge would have high comp pistons.

i'm not sure if you can get the pistons off from a 3sgte and swap them into your engine. but i've seen a 4afe fitted with 4agze pistons.

idea is to lower your compression ratio so you can boost safely.

dexter_5000 · 01-09-2005, 09:11 PM

deeper dish pistons and thicker headgasket.

almc2242 · 01-10-2005, 04:23 AM

Thank you guys. I'll surf the net to see what I can find. I guess lowering the CR is safer.

white90dx · 01-10-2005, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almc2242

Thank you guys. I'll surf the net to see what I can find. I guess lowering the CR is safer.

Don't open the motor unless you are forced too... its a lot of work and its expensive. Just keep the boost low for the initial version of the turbo kit.

-Charlie

almc2242 · 01-10-2005, 08:36 AM

I'm planning in doing 7ibs of boost. Regarding opening the engine, I will take your advice, white90dx. Just in case, do you have parts for the 3SFE engine?

white90dx · 01-10-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almc2242

I'm planning in doing 7ibs of boost. Regarding opening the engine, I will take your advice, white90dx. Just in case, do you have parts for the 3SFE engine?

I don't personally have parts - I haven't had to open my motor yet (though, it was rebuilt by the previous owner with chromoly rings and a metal headgasket). If/When I blow the motor, I'm not sure which way I will go - rebuild, new motor or 3s-gte...

-Charlie

almc2242 · 01-10-2005, 05:27 PM

Do you think 7 pounds of boost is adequate? If you decide to install the 3SGTE engine. That would be very interesting

white90dx · 01-10-2005, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almc2242

Do you think 7 pounds of boost is adequate? If you decide to install the 3SGTE engine. That would be very interesting

What do you mean by adequate? How much power do you want? My car is only running 5psi right now and it surprises everyone that gets in the car - but its by no means a rocketship. I also have a manual tranny, so that helps.

I'm pretty sure I could complete a 3s-gte swap - I just don't want to put out that kind of money unless I have to... (even though I'd do all the work myself, its still a lot of money in parts!)

-Charlie