swapping a 5sfe for a jdm 3sfe

[bis_1315m]

Hi I'm new here and had a few questions about this swap I know it has been discussed in other threads but I just couldn't find the info I was looking for so now I'm asking y'all.

So I recently bought a 98 Camry with 198,xxx and its still running strong but I would just like to replace the motor and tranny or rebuild them.

So I did some searching and found that a lot of the jdm sites advertise the 3sfe as the jdm replacement for my motor.

So my question is will this drop right in without having to mod anything and what tranny do I need to get so that everything bolts up together wasn't sure if I need the 3sfe tranny or the 5sfe one.

I'm just trying to weigh out my options without burning a hole in my pocket so any feedback would be appreciated.

Oh and I'm not worried about the loss in power just looking for reliability.

thanks
Michael

[jtex2717]

1. There are many threads open about this right now....look at the first couple of pages in the gen 3 to 4.5 thread.....

2. If you are going to go to a 3s then you might as well go to the 3sgte (turbo version) and with that said....I have no clue about bolting a 3s to a Gen 4 Camry but I do know that with the 3sfte you will get more power. The 5spd tranny will bolt up to the 3s but you will need a stronger clutch to handle the power.....I wouldnt say this is the cheapest option....unless you have a full engine w/ ecu and all....Also I am sure you would need custom motor mounts....

3. If you want to go strait 3sfe you will be loosing .2 cubic inches of displacement, while paying around the same amount for the 3sgte mounts and u would still need an ecu and wiring harness and hope that you get a obd2 engine not obd1......there is a lot that comes with this....


Hope this gets something started.

[LynchburgCSI]

Correcto. Search around. And uh... 3s-gte... not 3s-fte. 3s meaning the 3rd generation of the S block engines, G for the performance head (not F for the economy head), T for turbo, and E for electronic fuel injection.

[bis_1315m]

yeah im not trying to go turbo just want to try the 3sfe which in japan came in the 97-2001 so everything should bolt fine and would anyone happen to know of a thread on here that goes through the actual swap process with problems they have ran into.

Just curious but how much does it usually cost to rebuild a 5sfe if I had a shop do it for me.

thanks
Michael

[bis_1315m]

oh and quick question is the 1mz a direct replacement would I need the harness and ecu as well or will the one off the 5sfe work with it, and could I use the 5sfe tranny or would I need the 1mz tranny from it.

thanks

[rusty9]

if it aint broke, dont fix it.

[bis_1315m]

I usually have that mentality but I plan on driving this car across country and I dont want to get stuck in the middle of know where and the tranny shifts pretty hard and the motor has a ticking noise so I'm sure its just a matter of time before it craps out.

So just trying to weigh out my options Im trying to see how cost affective it would be to rebuild the motor now also.

[LynchburgCSI]

Rebuilding what you have is usually going to be cheaper. Swapping in a 3s-fe or 1mz-fe is going to cause issues with the ENTIRE wiring harness and engine mounts. Not cheap. Thus... fix what you have and if it ain't broke... don't fix it.

[RichieRichJP]

Originally Posted by bis_1315m

So I did some searching and found that a lot of the jdm sites advertise the 3sfe as the jdm replacement for my motor.

Seriously, why would you go from a 5sfe down to a 3sfe..

[LynchburgCSI]

I see this as having a broken toe and wanting to amputate your leg and replace it with a prosthetic one. But not a BETTER super cool robot prosthetic one. A crappy wooden peg leg.

Just everyone is clear here:
5s-fe problem = broken toe.
3s-fe = wooden peg leg

[bis_1315m]

haha that's funny with the hole wooden leg thing but really I don't think going from a 5sfe to a 3sfe is much different from each other at all. But I might just rebuild my 5sfe.

Anyone know of a good shop in Phoenix by any chance.

thanks

[LynchburgCSI]

I hate to sit here and wail on the 3s-fe. It's a great motor.... but the 5s-fe is just better. More power, better fuel eco numbers, newer and easier to find. More info on the S block family: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_S_engine

Anyways, I have nooooo idea on AZ shops. Good luck man.

[jtex2717]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Correcto. Search around. And uh... 3s-gte... not 3s-fte. 3s meaning the 3rd generation of the S block engines, G for the performance head (not F for the economy head), T for turbo, and E for electronic fuel injection.

Yeah I fixed it....i sometimes mix up the 5sfte and the 3sgte and create the 3sfte....lol....wonder if its been done....

[jtex2717]

Originally Posted by bis_1315m

haha that's funny with the hole wooden leg thing but really I don't think going from a 5sfe to a 3sfe is much different from each other at all. But I might just rebuild my 5sfe.

Anyone know of a good shop in Phoenix by any chance.

thanks

Thats what im in the process of doing now...I was going to turbo my 5s and said to hell with it...I am just going to clean it up...gasket it...have the heads machined and replace all sensors, vaccum lines and hoses and call it a day....I might do some cams though.....

Good luck with finding a shop....would u b able to DIY?

[bis_1315m]

Yeah I can rebuild it myself just seeing which is going to be more cost affective with the least amount of down time.

Where is a good place to buy a rebuild kit for the 5sfe, and how much does it usually cost to freshen up the tranny.