3S-GTE into an 89 Camry

2132 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by toyrolla, Sep 29, 2004

Neocronic

Discussion Starter · Sep 12, 2004

I have an 89 Camry V6 that has recently blown its engine. I am looking to put a 3S-GTE into it, and I'm wondering what all I would need to accomplish this.

-What are all the parts I would need, aside from the engine, transmission, ECU, etc(Parts I would need apart from the engine)?

-What kind of modifications would I need to make to the car, and other parts in order to make this fit?

Any information on this would be greatfully appreciated.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

88 LE

· #2 · Sep 12, 2004

Neocronic said:
What are all the parts I would need, aside from the engine, transmission, ECU, etc(Parts I would need apart from the engine)?

The best thing to do is buy a clip (half cut car). Either a MR2 Turbo or Celica All Trac / GT4.

What kind of modifications would I need to make to the car, and other parts in order to make this fit?

I've heard that one of the motor or tranny mounts on the gen 2 V6 (what you have) is different vs. a gen 2 I4. I'm not 100% sure on this, so the best thing for you to do is compare the mounts and mounting points between the 2.

MR2 clip
------------

1. MR2's don't have power steering so you either need to drill and tap the block for the pump mount. Or use a electric pump.

2. The tranny from a MR2 will not work in a FWD application without modifications to the tranny.

To get around this you can use your stock tranny, but I don't how long it'll hold up to the increased power.

Or use a E153 tranny from a V6 Camry / Solara. Its the same tranny as in a MR2 Turbo except its configured for FWD.

Celica All Trac / GT 4 clip
-------------------------------

1. The tranny on it is designed for AWD.

I've heard different things about this tranny. Some say that it won't transfer the power correctly to 2 wheels (fwd application). And others say that it'll work fine if you make a block off plate for the driveshaft.

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special_k_camry

· #3 · Sep 13, 2004

i am looking into this swap aswell, i have an 87 camry, its an I4.i am also trying to figure the tranny thing out, not sure what to do about it. aswell any other comments would help meout aswell. thanks

white90dx

· #4 · Sep 13, 2004

Guys, fitting the motor is not hard... Getting the wiring to work is the hard part. If you know of a shop that can do it (or you are confident you can get it right!) then these swaps are possible. If not, you will never get the project completed. The 3s-gte is possible into a gen2 without much issue, but you will spend at least 3x the cost of the car to get it all running. If you are prepared for that, then ask some more questions...

-Charlie

special_k_camry

· #5 · Sep 14, 2004

I am good friends with the owner of a auto performance shop, and he his a master mechanic. he has done many swaps in the past, so i am competely confident in his abilitys. It is good to know that getting it to fit shouldn't be hard. I am still wondering about the tranny though, as i have auto now, and will be putting a manual in, just wondering what tranny would be good. and i guess also, i'm not even sure where to begin looking for the engine/tranny etc. thanks alot

kurt

white90dx

· #6 · Sep 14, 2004

The 'easiest' way I have figured to do it in a gen2 Camry:

Celica all-trac motor+harness+ecu with custom exhaust and intercooler
Celica GTS (97-89) manual tranny (supposedly Camry M/T axles work fine... stronger than the Camry M/T with better gearing)
Camry M/T pedals and hardware otherwise

Get wiring diagrams for both cars you are swapping and match everything up... good luck!

Oh yeah... keep in mind I haven't done this yet since I have the custom turbo setup. :wiggle:

-Charlie

Talisman

· #7 · Sep 14, 2004 (Edited)

white90dx said:
The 'easiest' way I have figured to do it in a gen2 Camry:

Celica all-trac motor+harness+ecu with custom exhaust and intercooler
Celica GTS (97-89) manual tranny (supposedly Camry M/T axles work fine... stronger than the Camry M/T with better gearing)
Camry M/T pedals and hardware otherwise

Get wiring diagrams for both cars you are swapping and match everything up... good luck!
Oh yeah... keep in mind I haven't done this yet since I have the custom turbo setup. :wiggle:

-Charlie

The Camry Axles work fine with the 3sge tranny(setup I have in my car).

But yeah, what Charlie said is the easiest way to do the swap. Only the wiring is a pain in the @ss. Well that and maybe the intercooler/piping setup.

special_k_camry

· #8 · Sep 14, 2004

alright, thanks alot for the help guys, time to start saving the cash now, hehe

Neocronic

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 15, 2004

Ahh I hope to try this soon! I know I'm getting myself into more than I know, but its gonna be fun. Thanks for all the info, hopefully I'll be able to get this done!

Neocronic

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 15, 2004

Oh yeah, since my car is front wheel drive, what type of transmission would I be getting, what do Celicas have?

da_horse

· #11 · Sep 15, 2004

3sge celicas have a s51 or s53 i think...cant remember which is which, but essentially its one of those codes. you wont be able to use a 5sfe celica tranny. what u might want to try is an e153 which might be a tad over kill if you're not going to go into excess with the 3sgte. as a stock 3sgte a celica trann from the st162 celicas is fine. try to find one that had the 3sge and u'll be fine. i think u might be able to use a GB from the Jap-spec celicas that had the 3sge(st182 )

all the best

Neocronic

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 16, 2004

Is there any way to convert the AllTrac transmission that goes with the 3S-GTE to FWD?

88 LE

· #13 · Sep 16, 2004

Neocronic said:
Oh yeah, since my car is front wheel drive, what type of transmission would I be getting?

Are you not reading the replies?

1. Stock tranny (if its manual) that came in the Camry.

2. E153 tranny from a V6 Camry / Solara. Its the same tranny as in a MR2 Turbo except its configured for FWD.

3. Celica GTS (87-89) manual tranny.

Is there any way to convert the AllTrac transmission that goes with the 3S-GTE to FWD?

1. The tranny on it is designed for AWD.

I've heard different things about this tranny. Some say that it won't transfer the power correctly to 2 wheels (fwd application). And others say that it'll work fine if you make a block off plate for the driveshaft.

The tranny will mount up, but will it work correctly is the question.

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white90dx

· #14 · Sep 17, 2004

88 LE said:
I've heard different things about this tranny. Some say that it won't transfer the power correctly to 2 wheels (fwd application). And others say that it'll work fine if you make a block off plate for the driveshaft.

The tranny will mount up, but will it work correctly is the question.

The best bet for the All-trac tranny is to weld up the center diff to it is locked, then remove the rear driveshaft.... Only do this if you have to - since there are a couple better options out there.

-Charlie

special_k_camry

· #15 · Sep 29, 2004

one more thing, i was wondering how many hours i can except for this to take? Including the tranny swap aswell.

Thanks alot!

toyrolla

· #16 · Sep 29, 2004

Neocronic said:
Oh yeah, since my car is front wheel drive, what type of transmission would I be getting, what do Celicas have?

Gen2 V6 5-speed is E52 and it fits the 3S-GTE.

You will need to use the Gen2 V6 axles.

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