Replacement project car

[Tercel GTS]

My boss went to an auction this weekend and bought a Tercel the same year as mine. He was looking at it having a popped timing belt and thought this was a good investment. Turns out the engine is fried, but the body is in pretty good condition, and the wiring is untouched. So,.. I offered him what he has in it, $122.00USD. Today I started ripping it apart, my 3SGTE/Tercel project is back on, and should go way smoother since it won't affect my daily driver.

[Tercel GTS]

Got the 3E and 4speed out the 93 Tercel today, anybody need a 4 speed? I have 2 I'll pass on VERY cheap. Kinda suprised at how the engine compartment looks empty. Was too dark tonight for pictures, but I'll get a few in the morning after cleaning it some. Try to get pics comparing the engine sizes also. My helper and I can lift and carry the 3E with 4 speed fairly easily by hand, but 3 of us can barely drag the 3SGTE with 5speed.

[Tercel GTS]

compared to...

[Tercel GTS]

You don't have to comment, but I see y'all looking

[TRDragoon]

oh damn, i didn't even notice this thread.
looking really smooth
so you already had the 3SGTE? that tercel gonna be mad once its done

[Tercel GTS]

Yes, I have a 91MR2 donor car that was already in process of stripping when I bought it. I gutted the bay on the MR2 late last month. Was looking for a Celica convertible to swap this in, but the price is right for the Tercel, and I already have a lot of mod parts for it. Gonna be like a minature camry, that screams.

[LBT96]

YEs yes, going to be sweeet sweeeeeet.. The more pictures the better of course.

[Tercel GTS]

Thanks Lil blue, your bumper job looks really good too by the way. You really need some kind of tag for that center though,... how about a japanese battle flag?

[LBT96]

Uh, if I could get my hands on one of those plates...

[TRDragoon]

Originally posted by Tercel GTS
Thanks Lil blue, your bumper job looks really good too by the way. You really need some kind of tag for that center though,... how about a japanese battle flag?

I very Like

[curious_g_83]

dammit
you're doin the same thing i want to do to my dad's tercel
engine has knock and i'm trying to convince him to do the 3sgte
is yours a 4 door? or a 2?

keep me informed on how this swap goes
like really informed
also where are you located?

[Tercel GTS]

This swap is going to be really involved, but I will be posting pics as work is done.
I looked at a 95 Celica today for the front structure, guess what? it has a 1.8 7AFE in it. This would make a much better swap for your dad's car, and I've read that an A series engine will bolt to an E series transmission. Therefore only one mount and some wiring should be all needed for the swap. Look into that. Later you could always upgrade pistons and swap on an AGE head.

scratch that, James at JARCO says that he knows for sure E transmissions will NOT fit A blocks.

[SurlySteve]

sweet man, that gonna be fast!

[Tercel GTS]

UPDATE
Finally the weather is warming up! Today my Dad came and helped out with his expertise. He cut the section of drivers(usdm) frame out needed for tranny clearance and welded in a reinforcement notch made from 2"square steel. The cutout is a little over a foot long and the square tubing goes about 8inches upward at a sharp angle, over about 3 inches then back down to reconnect with section at radiator support. We also added a 3inch piece of angle under radiator to give meat to the area that will support the lower motor mounts and cross-under bar. Soon as the rain breaks I'll get pics.
Working with Dad today was really great. I could tell he was enjoying this as much as I am myself. A few times he even kinda seemed as if he was working on a project of his own. I highly suggest that those able to try and involve your dads into your projects.
I guess I'll have to let him drive it once completed...even though he pushes engines far harder than I do myself.

[arknoid]

cant wait to see some more pics man, keep up the good work.