New to Celica but in love. HELP me figure out what I want to do. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

JMFD0013 · 12-17-2011, 12:33 PM

Hi, my name is Joe and I have 1993 Celica ST coupe. This car is not fast at all, doesn't get the greatest gasmileage due to 220000 miles. She's not even manual but I LOVE this car....been looking for a car to stick on me for a long time I'm 22 and this is my 18th car.

Here is my questions.
I want to do a motor swap and of course change it to manual. I've been looking into it for a bit and the 3sgte seems to be the motor of choice. But suggestions are open. I've looked into the 5sfe also. For the life of me I can not decide what I want please make me some suggestions.

I do know I want a supercharged motor instead of turbo. And I want to stay FWD. I want 300hp at least and no I'm not expecting a stock motor to do so. I want forged internals and lots of money into it. Lots and lots.

I know my question isn't very direct, but I'm looking for advice on what I should do to my dear Lilly. She's the first car that's ever gotten me 10,000 miles....not because I treat cars like crap but because I never spent over a grand for a car. But she's done me good so I want to do the same to her, I'm sure you all know what I mean.

PLEASE just help me decide what motor to go with. What transmission, what supercharger, even the engine bay color for god sakes even though I think I'm stuck on HKS PURPLE for that one.

PS; I do not want a different Celica, I don't want a hatchback, I like my coupe

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to reading your suggestions. And geez corolla drivers get angry when you accidentally post in there forum about a Celica......damn corollas I only like AE86's

RobMilkshakes · 12-17-2011, 02:33 PM

Honestly, the most cost effective and reliable way for you to reach your goal would be to swap in a 3SGTE, stay turbo charged and build from there. I've yet to see a supercharger offered for an S series engine thats worth a damn and the ones available for the 1mz (TRD) are few and far between, not to mention are rather low boost. 300+ has been extensively documented on the 3SGTE between Celica, MR2, and Alltrac forums. Even a few of our own here are very knowledgable in these regards, first that comes to mind is the mod mr2jedi around here.

What exactly is your budget?

JMFD0013 · 12-17-2011, 02:52 PM

I have no budget because I have not yet figured out what to expect when doing this. I've never swapped a motor in my life. I've always bought swaps that people screwed up doing and repaired things like junk mounts. Horrid wiring etc. All I know so far is 3sgte would be the way to go, but don't know the details in going to face. I plan to buy the motor and build it out of the car until this poor little 1.6 is on its very last leg, which may be soon if a headgasket and head doesn't fix the extreme valve lash I've got going on. It burns oil and lightly smokes, not enough to see just enough to stain the bumper a little.

If i had to choose a budget I'd say 5g for the complete motor swap and installation.

my Main focus is to stay fwd and powerful. I like awd but i already have a talon tsi. And i miss burning the tires and showing off. So what tranny do i use, so far I've read the mr2 tranny will fit but certain things don't match up. Where do i go to get the motor mounts. Do i have to cut anything to make it fit. And above all i want heat, ac, cruise control and possibly p/s but not really needed.

RobMilkshakes · 12-17-2011, 05:37 PM

Engine mount on the passenger side (timing cover mount) will have to be fabricated. Keep in mind that things get expensive quick. Factor in about $1500-$2000 for an engine, $500 for misc, possibly another $500 for a wiring harness conversion if you don't tackle that yourself, however much it would cost for the mount fabrication, possibly another $150 or so for new mounts, possibly $200 or so to do maintenance to the engine before you install it(timing belt, water pump, gaskets, etc), cost of the axles(depending what kind you go with), $200 minimum potential new clutch, $500 new exhaust and so on. This is all before your modifications to reach your hp goal, also with that much more power it would be good to upgrade your tires, suspension, and brakes, as well as any other potential maintenance that may have been neglected over time.

Celicatech, mr2oc, alltrac.net are the best places to do serious research and I can only suggest that when you think you've researched enough, research more, there is a lot of info out there and make good use of it. It can save you a lot of money and time in the long run.

JMFD0013 · 12-18-2011, 12:22 PM

Where are you finding full swaps for 2000 lol I'm not finding that. And is the fact that it's automatic gonna cause me problems.

RobMilkshakes · 12-19-2011, 09:50 AM

Japanese engine importers usually list the 3SGTE engine, trans, wiring harness, and ecu around $1500-$2000 or so depending on generation, condition, and area. Plus You still have to factor in shipping. You may be able to find them local for $1000 or so, but most are very high milage or have been sitting in a junkyard, potentially for many years.

The for the trans, and manual conversion, factor in probably at least another $500