Engine Swap at PA Autoracing - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

semi-charmed · 11-10-2005, 11:02 PM

Hey guys,

Right now I have a 1991 N/A and I'm thinking of doing a swap to a 3S-GTE. After doing some research I found that PA Autoracing seems to have a good rep. I was thinking of going with a 3rd gen JDM motor, but Dave's prices seem kinda steep.

My question is essentially this: are these costs justified? The quote on his site is $5,550-$5730 USD. I mean, I'm sure he knows what he's doing and it looks as though he'd do a very thorough job, but would you guys recommend it? I'm just worried that if I get it done at some other shop they won't do it right. I'm from Toronto, Ontario btw, so it's a little out of the way for me as well.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Ryan

Drifting Dane · 11-11-2005, 01:38 AM

Let me tell you this:

I have gone through every possibility for swapping my car and Dave is still the cheapest option (and will do the highest quality work with over 50 MR2 swaps under his belt).

I will have had 2 swaps done by him at the end of this month. I wouldnt steer you in the wrong direction... it took me months to figure out that Dave is the best/cheapest option.

My Gen2 swap (the first time) put me back about 5800 clams... but i had other things done not totally necessary for the swap.

I reccomend Dave 100%! Great guy, straight foreward, cheap, and great work. I cannot say enough good things about him.

JekylandHyde · 11-11-2005, 05:03 AM

Dave is the man. He's an awesome guy with tons of experience.
I would highly recommennd him.

Please tell him I sent you

Wasted Youth · 11-11-2005, 04:26 PM

never seen dave(only on pics lol) but just like you i did a research whileback and i was sure that i was going to let him do the swap to my mr2. but later on i ust got a turbo one.
I would suggest him, from what i heard he's a great guy.

semi-charmed · 11-11-2005, 05:40 PM

cool...thanks for the replies, at least now i feel a little more comfortable shelling out that kind of cash...i'll post the results of the swap when i decide to go through with it...

keck03 · 11-14-2005, 10:09 AM

i had dave do a swap in the beginning of the year when his labor was a lot cheaper (you would cry if i told you what i paid

). he does a good job and is very down-to-earth. that being said i dont know if i would do it again. remember the clips are bought sight unseen in japan. there may be issues and it would be your cost to fix. i would prob just buy a turbo mr2 or get it rebuilt yourself. i saw all the clips when my group buy was shipped in. i'd say 90%-95% are perfect but that seems to be like one or two with issues each time.

hey dane ur getting another one done already?

Drifting Dane · 11-14-2005, 06:22 PM

Yes, my father messud up my 2... so we bought a new shell, and now they are both up at Dave's shop. Should be done by the end of the month.

...trying not to thread jack, ill get it back on topic:

Im so satisfied with Dave's work im having him do it again.

OMNI · 11-15-2005, 03:10 PM

how easy is it to find a straight shell where you live? and what is the cost? if you dont mind me asking.

OMNI · 11-15-2005, 03:11 PM

and I was going to attempt to do this swap myself, am I completely insane or is this do-able.

Drifting Dane · 11-15-2005, 03:43 PM

The shell i found was from www.mr2oc.com under MR2s for sale section... i found a great condition one in KY, and that was relatively close to PA, so we picked it up.

Just keep a weather eye out on that site for the one you want. They come and go like ashlee simpson songs.

As far as doing it yourself, it is pretty straight foreward if you buy an entire clip. Wiring will be your biggest fiasco. But since im having Dave do the work for me, im no expert on this... if i recall there should be a write up about this somewhere... anyone know where it is?