3sgte swap into a 2.2 NA MR2

[pdxvento]

Hey guys,
Im new around here, but i had a question. I was wondering how difficult it is to put a JDM 3sgte into an MR2 that originally came with a 2.2 NA. I figure its a pretty direct bolt in swap since the USDM 3sgte came in the same car. My biggest concern is the wiring. This is my problem: MR2s were sold in the US from 91-95, which makes them all OBD1s, but the engine I want to swap in is from 94-98 JDM MR2s. my question is, would the JDM MR2s from 96-98 be OBD2, or does that not apply in japan? any other problems with the wiring?

also, how easy is it to swap from auto to manual when youre doing a swap like this?

thank you for your help

jason

[Piddy]

This question is asked a lot on this board... myself being one of those people. Here is what I have gathered:

The swap is really easy (ie. everything bolts up into the factory location) for almost anyone to do.

The most difficult would be, as you said, the wiring.

The easiest way to go about it is to get a rear clip with all of the wiring, motor, tranny, ecu, turbo, intercooler, exhaust system.... and it will most likely be a manual tranny, so you shouldn't have to buy too much to change it over.

The most popular anwser you will get is this..... "Sell your N/A and buy a turbo." I assume you are impatient like me and wanted your car NOW!!!..... and you wanted to slowly work on it (not to mention insurance is cheaper!!).

I know there are people out there that have done the swap in a weekend, but who knows how much engine knowledge they had. As for me, I am taking mine in to get it done, mostly cause I don't want a broke ass car lying around my garage. Not to mention.... I don't have a garage (anymore).

The guys I am using are charging me $800 to do the swap.... I am willing to pay it!

[pdxvento]

thank you for your help.
i really didnt want to get an entire rear clip. i mean, i know they arent THAT much more than just an engine/tranny, but how much wiring is there involved in the tranny? id be afraid there would be a lot...hmmm what to do. but as for the diagnostics on the engine, as far as you know, are the same? cuz if they were, then the wiring wouldnt be near as impossible. thanks again for your help

[Piddy]

I was thinking about that too... until i realized that the engine and tranny would not come with the exhaust... which would run me somewhere between $500 - $800. If I buy the clip... I don't have to worry about it 'til way down the road when I want to replace it! Not too mention.... the guys said they would install it cheaper.

[pdxvento]

yea maybe youre right.

what about the on board diagnostics though?

[Piddy]

That I have no clue about! Anyone?

[MRQtwinturbo]

Originally posted by pdxvento
yea maybe youre right.

what about the on board diagnostics though?

u'll need the ECU also to get the car running.....

[pdxvento]

but there arent like any extra sensors on the motor or anything that will have no where to go on the earlier chassis? so it should wire up fairly easily with all the components ecu/harness/etc?

thanks for your help.

[Piddy]

I think you would have to ask someone that has done the swap themselves. What I would do is go to your local Toyota dealship, and ask for wiring diagrams for both the 5SFE and the 3SGTE. That should help you out some. They usually are pretty willing to print you out a copy.

[pdxvento]

thanks man, i think i will do that. appriciate it.

[3sgtE mr2]

i have a 94 jdm 3sgte in my 92 US mr2 ... when i got the motor is was a whole rear clip in one piece so it will have everything u need.

[cesar418]

Ya i have a mr2 with a dying 5sfe i wanted to swap for a 3sgte but is way too expensive for now...around 4k for clip+install(gen2) so i'm going to swap for a 3sge for now since i need the car....

[MRtuned]

$4k for the 94+ and install. it isn't much more than $2k for a 91-93 rear clip. thats the way to go, it has everything. stronger motor mounts, fuel pump(not sure), ecu, axles, IC, mafc, etc.