6G Celicas Forums

Before i start, let me say that i ran a search and found alot of info about this, and yes it has been discussed before, but my hearts not content with what i've found.

My celi is getting pretty up there in mileage and i read horror stories all the time, so before my 5s catastrophically craps out on me, i wanna either rebuild it or figure out if i should just save for a swap.

basically all i want to ask is if i decide to rebuild the 5s, is there anything i should do now while someone will be in there that will assist with a future turbo setup? I don't have the money for a turbo now, so thats out of the question at the moment, but id love to prepare the bottom end for boost. Pistons? rods? any suggestions? is stock better? mainly, how much will this cost me? average with parts and labor, and what are the costs of pistons?

Ive also read not to even think about a 3s swap unless ive got 6k lying around, which i don't. Is this really true? 6k? i see 3sgtes selling for 800 sometimes on ebay, do they require rebuilding? what moves this figure to 6k?

I have about 2k, i don't really want to spend it all on this rebuild (or drop 6k on a swap), but i just want to be one step ahead of this engine.

Please give me some advice guys, i see alot of happy 5sfte-ers on this site that run reliably and with power comparable to that of a 3s, and i just dont want to spend my money only to regret it or wish i had done the opposite of what i already did, if that makes sense.

sorry this is so long.

CP pistons and Pauter rods alone will cost almost as much as the turbo parts needed to boost the 5s. Not just that you will need to get a metal headgasket and do your maintenance while you're in there. water pump timing belt.

Might as well save up for the swap.

I bought my complete 3sgte swap for 1700 shipped to my door. No issues what so ever.

Yeah well she needs the t-belt in a few k which is when i was gonna figure out if i should get the motor rebuilt at that time. It makes no sense to spend that kinda money on rods/pistons if its gonna be more than a 3s...

And you put in your motor yourself right? That's a deal!

Anyway i couldn't put it in myself cause i lack the knowledge/experience and i have no room to put a engine hoist/ w/e in my garage. so thats probably where i'm gonna get burned...

This post has been edited by samir0189: Nov 2, 2008 - 7:53 PM

you dont need knowledge. Well I am very mechanically inclined and as long you have heart you'll get her done. It doesn't just stop there, it cost more then that. You'll need the wiring harness done, clutch, just maintenance stuff.

does the clutch from the 5s line up in there? ive got the ACT stage 2 currently, that would be too perfect. How much is a harness to get done? and then just regular stuff like the t-belt, fluids etc? So this can be done for under 3k almost?

Some people will knock on DG_Performance, but he's a good guy and he will get your harness done. Or you can go to Doc he's also a good guy and extremely helpful. Doc gets a lot of customers and his workload is more, but DG don't get as much so If you're in a rush go to DG. DG charges about 450 IIRC and Doc charges maybe 500. I really don't remember.

Clutch, you'll need a 3sgte pressure plate, because you'll obviously keep the 3s fly wheel. You can keep your 5s clutch disc.

Yeah you can do it for around 3,000. But thats still cheap. You'll still need the 255lph walbro fuel pump and gauges. I don't think you can get maintenance stuff done along with the other things needed for the swap for 3K though.

sorry, will, but after what ive seen in the harness DG did for shannons (formally RJB) car, i would never recommend DG for harness work again.

Get the motor rebuilt - $1500 should get your block & head rebuilt (stock) with you assembling it yourself. Toss in a metal headgasket and you are set for future modding/turboing. No your motor won't be a beast but it will be reliable - just be sure to use a reputable machine shop. Though out of curiosity what is the mileage and what makes you think it will be crapping out?

Chances are a swap will be more headache/costs associated than the cash you have on hand. It is all the little things that will get you.

-Terracar

This post has been edited by Terracar: Nov 3, 2008 - 12:45 PM

I don't think its something i can handle myself, I try to do alot of things myself but i don't think i have the right tools to do this, and its my DD so i cant have alot of downtime. It would be a great learning experience, yes, but its not an option right now.

I currently have 239,2xx. I see most people on here have issues right around that amount of miles so im scared, although she runs strong.

i've previously had the valve seals etc done on the head, so i think thats ok, i'm mainly worried about the bottom end.

I mean, I take good care of her, and fortunately ive never experienced engine failure, so i dont know if there are warning signs, or if it just goes kaBOOM and there i am on the side of the road. If you guys think i should let something happen first and go from there, im all for it. i just dont want it to break in a way that i cant fix it, and in the event it does, i wanna have a game plan.

This post has been edited by samir0189: Nov 3, 2008 - 6:10 PM

I understand where you're coming from Manny, but that was then. Maybe he learned from his mistakes? IIRC he did Lagos' harness too.

My suggestion to you, do a compression test. If it good, you have nothing to be worried about. Now if you really want power just do the swap. Its not worth to build motor with that many miles. Think about all the wear and tear on that baby. If you want to stay 5s with a turbo get a newer 5s. 98+ camry, you'll have the metal head gasket and a higher flowing oil pump. But then again those motors go for a little over a grand plus your turbo parts. The beauty of boosting the 5s, is the fact that you can buy parts here and there and then when you're ready you can put it all together. Now with the 3s, you have to drop a lot all at once.

If your going to build the bottom end Id say go with 3sgte rods and CP pistons. Youll run fine before a turbo and be ready for one later. My rebuild cost me close to $2400 it included a head rebuild with P&P, machined crank to fit the 3sgte rods and install of everything.

arts was one of the first harnesses he did, and there were problems with that harness as well, that art fixed himself.
not saying that they dont "work" but man, the work sure is shoddy.

oooh! i've always heard of compression tests but i never really researched them in detail. Can i get the tester at any autopart store? I googled it and found a bit of info.

I think im gonna save up for the 3s, it seems like the 5s is gonna be just as much, and in that case I guess i might as well just drop it in.




Wow! thats alot, just to build up the bottom, im sure it could hold a crapload of boost though.

Thanks guys, this is just the kind of info i was looking for!!!

Dude don't worry about the bottom end. Manny and Shannon is the living proof of the 5sfTe set-up. The stock bottom end will hold up to 18 psi with proper tuning. If you want power from your 5s the head is where you want to focus on. Yes the 5s rods are tiny compared to the 3s forged rods, but they will hold.

ou can go to any autozone or checkers and find a compression checker. I think they go for about 30-40 dollars.

I think their cheaper then that. I agree with you though. If it aint broke, dont fix it. I only went as far as I did because of a leaky head gasket and a spun rod bearing. I also agree, the head is where its at. Id love to find someone to make a intake manifold.