'92 5EF-E into '89 Tercel - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Donald · 06-08-2005, 05:51 PM

My car just passed inspection. This is what I consider the completion of my engine swap, after three months, three weeks, and $$$$ later.
In Feburary I bought an '89 Tercel EZ (EL32) with a frozen engine (I have never before seen a rusty cam shaft inside an engine, but this one was) with the intent on using it as a daily beater to and from work. I discovered on this message board that the Paseo engine is the same block and would bolt up to my gearbox, so I thought "Hmmmm". I found a complete Paseo in a local salvage yard and the fun began.
Along with the engine and all the assoiated wiring I swapped the front struts and brakes. Straight bolt up except for the top strut mount plates. I had to keep those from the Tercel. The 13" wheels won't fit over the Paseo brakes so I got a set of 15X6 aluminum wheels with 195/50/15 tires on them(used)
This is one mod that I wouldn't reccomend to anyone, unless you get someone like Dr. Tweak or Back Yard Productions to build your wiring harness for you.
The big problem with this swap was that the '89 Tercel is carburated whereas the Paseo is fuel injected, and therefore a lot of rewiring had to be done.
The swap, with new gaskets, seals and such the like was straight forward, except for the fuel pump and the intake, and only took a couple of weeks. The wiring on the other hand was a nightmare, even though I have the TOYOTA Paseo wiring manual along with the Haynes Tercel manual. I ended up having to add in some relays to get the head light high beams to work properly since thte Paseo light switch works differently to the '89 Tercel's.
After a long search I found a generic in-line fuel pump that put out enough pressure for the fuel injection ($108.00). The one I got from Advance Auto Parts is a MASTER brand and puts out 45-65 psi. Not even NAPA could find me one equivalent that didn't cost an arm and a leg. A Cold Air Intake was installed since the Paseo air box wouldn't fit.
I plan to Auto-cross the car so I'll be cutting the rear springs to lower and stiffen the rear end.
I posted some photos in the Tercel gallery. Take a look, they are on the second page right now as Ter-seo, 5EFE, Tight fit, In the begining and Then there was rust.

Now I wonder if I should go drag race my son in his Integra???

dexter_5000 · 06-08-2005, 06:30 PM

first off don't cut the springs and be a hack job get some real drop springs or coil over sleeves. if you wanna auto-cross your car find wedge and talk to him. he was originally building a paseo for that until it got hit from behind. now he is rally racing one.

Donald · 06-10-2005, 07:34 PM

The plan was to start with the cut springs and get some propper short springs later. The reason being my $125 car has now cost me about $2500 to get road worthy. My wife isn't happy about that since I told her in the begining that I could do the swap for about $1000, but steering rack, alternator, exhaust pipe, fuel pump, and other little tid-bits have got into the picture that I hadn't planned for. Hell of a learning experience!!! But fun :o)
Anyway thanks for the advice I'll look up "Wedge" and see what information he has to share.
Anybody else who has advice to share ........ I am willing to learn.

Carlos · 12-12-2005, 02:07 PM

I want to know if some one does know anything a bout the wiring??
harness and computerbox ??
does a computerbox of 5A-FE wil run my motor with out problems ?
Does a bigger fuel pump (supra) wiil increase my power my horses??

Donald · 12-12-2005, 04:17 PM

I don't know anything about the internals of the computers, but I believe that you will have less problems if you get the computer and the wiring to match the engine that you plan to install.

To improve performance, I would install a free flow intake (cold air intake or a short ram pipe), exhaust headers and a larger diameter exhaust system, 2 inch or 2.125 inch.
I doubt that a larger fuel pump will give you any better performance, since the fuel pressure regulator will still limit the pressure at the injectors.

Why not get a Japan market Turbo Starlet engine? --- MORE POWER!!!

4speedsleeper · 04-15-2008, 03:51 AM

I cut the stock springs in the front of my car. Because I wanted a softer feel in the front. I found some springs on a lowered civic in a junk yard. Cut them as well and the Honda springs are progressive springs they are stiffer than stock. The ride is great and lowered to what I wanted.From the tire to the body in the rear theres a 1 1/2 finger space the front has 1 finger space.If done wright it will look great and it's a free mod. The reason I wanted it stiffer in the rear is so that I would have more under steer on the front.On another note I didn't know that 5efe in an 89 tercel would be that difficult.I was going to get 90 but now I don't know.

4speedsleeper · 04-15-2008, 03:57 AM

i just realized how old this thread was oops

Donald · 04-15-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4speedsleeper

I cut the stock springs in the front of my car. Because I wanted a softer feel in the front. I found some springs on a lowered civic in a junk yard. Cut them as well and the Honda springs are progressive springs they are stiffer than stock. The ride is great and lowered to what I wanted.From the tire to the body in the rear theres a 1 1/2 finger space the front has 1 finger space.If done wright it will look great and it's a free mod. The reason I wanted it stiffer in the rear is so that I would have more under steer on the front.On another note I didn't know that 5efe in an 89 tercel would be that difficult.I was going to get 90 but now I don't know.

The hardest part of the 5E-FE into an 89 is getting the fuel pump.
I went about mine wrong, by splicing the Paseo wiring into the Tercel wiring. Afterwards
I learned that all that was necessary was a permanent hot and a switched hot to the ECU, then tap off for check engine light, oil pressure, water temp and stuff like that.
I ended up rewiring the whole car with a combination of both harnesses - not necessary!
The headlights were a nightmare. Now I know better I think it wouldn't be that hard.

Cutting springs makes them harder, not softer.

4speedsleeper · 04-16-2008, 04:30 AM

What issues did you have with the head lights? I recently gutted my car to the fullest I could think of. Even cut the ac wires out after I took the the hole ac unit out including the blower motor. And all the extra weight from the ventlation system as well.But, I failed to pay attention to the the little white module that needed to be grounded to run my head lights doah!!!!! Anyways after a couple of days sorting through the wires I found my problem.last ime i ran at the track my best time was 17.34 with out striping all the stuff out now im eager to go back.hopfulley i will get better time this go around.

Donald · 04-16-2008, 05:27 PM

The '89 Tercel and '92 Paseo have opposite systems for operating the headlights. One works on a positive signal to operate the relay, and the other uses a ground signal.
I don't remember which was which, but I had to put extra relays into the system in order to use the Tercel switch to operate the Paseo headlight relay, so I could get low beam, high beam and flash to work.

I have the Paseo fuse and relay boxes installed.

4speedsleeper · 04-16-2008, 11:54 PM

crazyness

Turelpwr · 08-01-2008, 03:57 AM

I'm so friggin happy I stumbled upon this post. Thank God for Google! I'm basically in the same spot with my "cheap beater" 1988 Tercel. Yeah, it got expensive too. Has a great handling suspension on it now (everything else went bad just about the time the motor imploded), too bad I've only felt these new parts under the power of a tow rope.

Hey, I could really use a little advice to get me pointed in the right direction on the EFI fuel system conversion if you'd offer your insight Donald. I'm planning on using the existing line for the fuel return to tank. What type of hoseline did you run for the "to engine" (high pressure) line from the pump? How did you connect the line to the dorky hose connection at the fuel rail?

How did you wire in the high-pressure fuel pump to the electrical system? Does the ECU control when the fuel pump turns on/off? If not, is there a circuit to keep it from overheating if, say for instance, someone borrows the car, and leaves the ignition "on" while the motor isn't running (say listening to the radio or something stupid)?

Hows it run now that its done? Does it feel peppy with the newer EFI power boost? If my research was right, that's a 35hp increase from the stock 65; not bad in a 2000lb car

Donald · 08-01-2008, 08:41 PM

I mounted the fuel pump on the cross member behind the fuel tank.
I use the original lines and just added in extra hose to route from the pick-up tube on the tank to the feed tube to the engine. 3/8" HP hose I think.
Same hose from the fuel pipe to the Paseo fuel filter, and then again from the filter to the fuel rail.

The fuel pump is run by the ECU. I kept it that way because the Paseo system has a shut-off, if the oil pressure drops too low (saftey in the event of a roll-over). I used the Paseo wiring for the pump.

The pump only runs if it gets a signal from the igniter unit, and runs as long as the engine is running. The ignition switch in accessory position to run the radio, won't run the pump.

I think it is a 22HP increase from 78 to 100.
The car runs very well, and I used to autocross with it. Because of the engine swap I had to run in a modified class against some realy fast cars, didn't do very well.

I never drove the car with the 3E engine so I really can't say what the improvement is like, but I feel strongly that it would out run my younger Son's '93 Civic.

My older Son who had a '95 Integra was very impressed with the accelleration of the Tercel. Actually that is what he is driving now, since he wrecked his car.

One problem with the fuel system as I have it now, is that if the fuel level gets below 1/4 tank, and I make a sharp left turn, or a fast sweeper left turn, the engine sputters from fuel starvation. The pick-up tube is to the left side of the tank, so when all the fuel sloshes over to the right, the pump sucks air.

I have another tank that I am planning to modify with a pick-up tube that feeds from the middle of the tank to try and eliviate that problem. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. For now we just don't let go below 1/4 tank.

Turelpwr · 08-23-2008, 08:44 PM

Hey may, thanks so much for the info. Got distracted by a new job, and had to set everything on hold for a bit, until summer school ended. The information is SO helpful, and I feel like I have the knowledge I need now. Still gotta find the time, don't suppose you know the trick to that one though

Seriously, can't thank you enough. You're a Tercel god! That doesn't sound like much as I look at it, but it's meant with the kindest sincerity.

Donald · 08-24-2008, 05:12 PM

Ha-ha-haa. Tercel God......

No...there are others on here much more capable than me.
Anyway, I am glad to be of assistance.

The time finding trick is in the works. I just haven't perfected it yet, but for the time being I buy lottery tickets every week to see if that can help.