1990 Celica GT,Engine Swap,Or Rebuild,help!!

[Freshnicity]

Ok, so i just bought a 1990 toyota celica GT..clean little car. In pretty good condition, with minor cosmetic issues(rough paint)

but anyway, car doesnt run. Originally the guy said it needed a new head gasket(it doesnt). he then told me he was driving it, the top radiator hose blew off, and the car over heated(not sure if he continued driving it while it overheated).

So if he drove it while it was hot, the engine is pretty much ruined, i know that, and will probably need a rebuild, so what exactly would i go about rebuilding????

Its either rebuild the 2.2L 5S-FE thats in it, or replace it with another 2.2L 5S-FE($750) or a 3S-GE NA($399)

But since this is my "project car" im wondering if it'd be worth saving the $1600 it'd cost to do a whole swap to the 3S-GTE. Im looking for a good amount of speed here with this car, in due time. Should i rebuild the engine, and build from that??? or swap it??? I heard if you turbo a 3S-GE engine, you can get a decent amount of whp from that, any advice?

(KEEP IN MIND I DONT MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY lol)

any and all advice is welcome. need lots of help here.

[concealer404]

Originally Posted by Freshnicity

(KEEP IN MIND I DONT MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY lol)

any and all advice is welcome. need lots of help here.

Then.... ya may not want to swap. Gotta pay to play.

Just grab a good 5sfe longblock from your local junkyard and drop that sucker in.

You won't get a 2nd gen 3sgte running and driving in your car for $1600, sorry.

The 3sge that you're talking about would be a step backwards from the 5sfe, and would be a small wiring hassle.

[Freshnicity]

Originally Posted by concealer404

Then.... ya may not want to swap. Gotta pay to play.

Just grab a good 5sfe longblock from your local junkyard and drop that sucker in.

You won't get a 2nd gen 3sgte running and driving in your car for $1600, sorry.

The 3sge that you're talking about would be a step backwards from the 5sfe, and would be a small wiring hassle.

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah im thinking of rebuilding this 5S-FE and doing what you said. I actually found a 3S-GTE in "ok" condition, with decent milage on it, for $1650 on ebay, came with tranny, alt, start, etc etc. But i dont think thats really an option for me right now, not making as much money as i want to be.

So..think ive decided to either replace/rebuild this 5S-FE and build the car from there.

Can i get a "decent" amount of whp with this type of engine? i mean with the proper parts an what not, headers/full exhaust, CAI, etc etc.?

Thanks for the reply

[concealer404]

Originally Posted by Freshnicity

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah im thinking of rebuilding this 5S-FE and doing what you said. I actually found a 3S-GTE in "ok" condition, with decent milage on it, for $1650 on ebay, came with tranny, alt, start, etc etc. But i dont think thats really an option for me right now, not making as much money as i want to be.

So..think ive decided to either replace/rebuild this 5S-FE and build the car from there.

Can i get a "decent" amount of whp with this type of engine? i mean with the proper parts an what not, headers/full exhaust, CAI, etc etc.?

Thanks for the reply

The short answer is.... No.

A fresh 5sfe, running properly, with intake, header, full exhaust, and a timing advance, head milled .040, should put down.... 130-140whp. It'll be entertaining, but not fast. Get a proper tune on there with maybe an Apexi Neo or a full standalone, maybe 150whp. Regrind your cams, improve your powerband, pick up another 5-10whp. Now we're talking.

You want to make real power n/a out of a 5sfe? Pay some money, and don't expect ridiculous numbers.

Get some head work done.... port/polish, and some 2jzge valves, Webcams cam regrind, and you're in good shape. Another 10-15whp.

And... that's about it for stock bottom end. You CAN improve on how fast it really is by gutting your car, removing unneeded accessories, such as a/c, and power steering. Strip your emissions equipment.

To really make power, you're talking a built, high compression bottom end with a full standalone EMS. I have NO doubts at all that a builts 5sfe can put out 200whp with a HUGE powerband, but it'll take money, and probably more money than it would cost to swap a turbo motor, or just turbo the 5sfe.

As long as you aren't expecting a race car, you CAN get respectable performance out of a 5sfe. 150whp is within reasonable cost and reach.


Or just spray it. $600-$800 investment, and you can make 200whp+.

[Freshnicity]

Originally Posted by concealer404

The short answer is.... No.

A fresh 5sfe, running properly, with intake, header, full exhaust, and a timing advance, head milled .040, should put down.... 130-140whp. It'll be entertaining, but not fast. Get a proper tune on there with maybe an Apexi Neo or a full standalone, maybe 150whp. Regrind your cams, improve your powerband, pick up another 5-10whp. Now we're talking.

You want to make real power n/a out of a 5sfe? Pay some money, and don't expect ridiculous numbers.

Get some head work done.... port/polish, and some 2jzge valves, Webcams cam regrind, and you're in good shape. Another 10-15whp.

And... that's about it for stock bottom end. You CAN improve on how fast it really is by gutting your car, removing unneeded accessories, such as a/c, and power steering. Strip your emissions equipment.

To really make power, you're talking a built, high compression bottom end with a full standalone EMS. I have NO doubts at all that a builts 5sfe can put out 200whp with a HUGE powerband, but it'll take money, and probably more money than it would cost to swap a turbo motor, or just turbo the 5sfe.

As long as you aren't expecting a race car, you CAN get respectable performance out of a 5sfe. 150whp is within reasonable cost and reach.


Or just spray it. $600-$800 investment, and you can make 200whp+.

Hey thanks for the reply/advice.

Spraying = Not an option, at all.

But as for building up the 5S-FE as you explained, and turbo'ing it, very much an option. Im for sure going to turbo the engine, just want to build it up a little before i do, so it wont be a half ass job. Im not expecting a full out race car, this is my first project car, just expecting a little speed with it, and a lot of style.

So yeah, going to rebuild this 5S-FE to greatness, and save up the cash for a decent size turbo, nothing crazy tho, im looking for like 200whp, MAYBE a little more. Just a first project car to get me started.

Thanks a lot for the reply, was really helpful Con.