Random idea

[ELCelica]

Okay, this was something I was thinking about

My dad has a 3rd gen GT liftback sitting in the garage. Since the 3rd gen is RWD, I was wondering, how interesting would it be to put the 2GR-FSE into it in place of the 22R-E. Granted, there would be a lot that would have to be done, and considering the 2GR-FSE (found in the Lexus IS350, JPN Lexus GS 350, and JPN Toyota Crown Athlete, the 3.5L V6 w/ direct injection and 306 hp) is 20 years newer than the 22R-E (one of the first fuel-injected Toyota engines), it would be difficult. But how interesting would that be, a RWD Celica w/o a turbo or supercharger putting out 306 hp?

[herojuana]

That would be pretty cool, but would the engine even fit in the celica engine compartment?

[stepho]

I know that 1UZ-FE will fit in an RA6# engine bay.
The 2GR can't be any big than that.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_GR_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Toyota_engines

I'd say it is doable by an experienced enthusiast but not recomended for a novice.

Pay attention to the following:
- Sump position relative to crossmember,
- if the 2GR-FSE tailshaft has no uni-joint near the gearbox then consider swapping to IRS (use Cressida MX73 or MX81 as donor),
- make sure gearbox and diff are perfetly aligned or vibrations will shake you apart.
- exhaust manifold may interfere with steering column( use extra unijoint and extra shaft held in place SOLIDLY by quality tie rod ends to bend around manifolds),
- upgrade to EFI pump, EFI filter and add a surge tank,
- upgrade to thermo fan mounted in front of the radiator (more space and robs less HP than standard fan),
- Standard Celica T series diff is too weak( use Cressida MX72 F or even better Cressida MX81 G series diff),
- upgrade front/rear brakes.

Overall, I don't think it will be as difficult as you think if tackled step by step.
The price of the 2GR-FSE might be prohibitive.

Think about a 1UZ-FE (260HP standard).
Much easier to find and much cheaper.
Many people have added twin turbos by pointing the exhaust manifolds forwards and upwards instead of backwards and downwards.
The engine is easily strong enough to make serious HP without any internal mods.

- Stepho
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/stepho/mods.htm#CarinaV8

[ELCelica]

yeah I hadn't actually thought about doing it, it was more of an interesting idea, but yeah, the rear suspenion would have to be swapped to irs from a GTS model, and the brakes and tires would have to be upgraded (185 width tires aren't gonna handle that much power). and yeah, with it being that new, it'd be hard to find a 2GR-FSE.

Hmm, a 1UZ-FE? seems a bit big, but I'm not surprised, considering that 22R-E in the bay is just long, not wide. A RWD-mounted 2.4L I4 allows for a much larger V engine.

[ELCelica]

also I haven't foun either of these engines for sale, maybe the 2GR-FSE is too new, how much would a 1UZ-FE run?

[stepho]

In Australia, a second hand 1UZ-FE + gearbox + computer costs about AU$1500 (approx US$1000).
It first apeared in the Lexus circa 1990, so it should be available from wreckers.
In Australia we normally buy them as low milage half cuts imported from Japan.
That way we also get the loom, computer, gauges, radio, etc.

The 1UZ was designed to fit in a car with a low bonnet, so they made it ultra compact.
This caused no end of grief for the engine designers but eventually they managed it with very good results.
Light (all alloy), small, powerful (260HP), rugged (over engineered so that luxury car owners don't need continual repairs) and easily available.
That makes it the engine of choice when putting a V8 into anything smallish.
One guy stuck it into a 1973 TE27 Corolla.

If all this is starting to sound too hard, then consider putting a 20R head on your 22R block to raise compression.
Add a good cam and carby (or EFI) and you can get 120-140 HP for little outlay.

- Stepho