diegohiga celica progress, 3rd gen 3sgte, jdm mirrors, quick release steeringwheel installed. Options

[diegohiga]

first day i got it back in 2008


after 3 years i got a gt4 front end swap, side skirts and TRD spoiler



built my rear lip

and finally it was ready to paint


got orange wheels after the paint

installed megan racing coilovers


converted drums to disks

got 5zigen wheels

modified my trunk

got a suede interior



got front GT4 brakes


and my final pick up was the 3rd gen 3sgte w/ harness and ecu

axles

mr2 e153 tranny

And last pic of the car

its been a long wait but good stuff takes time to build

This post has been edited by diegohiga: Apr 15, 2013 - 2:30 PM

[Smaay]

awesome. love the seats. i hate to tell you but the MR2 trans wont work unless u mod it for the linkage

[kurt95gt]

Amazing looking celica
Hands down one of the bezt looking ones on here imo

[cheela]

everything was and is a move in the right direction.

looks great.

[S8S8]

Awesome job mate. Love it.

[diegohiga]

awesome. love the seats. i hate to tell you but the MR2 trans wont work unless u mod it for the linkage

Thanks evryone and yes i knew that. Ill be using the linkage from the gt4 trany.

[diegohiga]

Before installing the 3s do you guys recommend to get a better head gasket and upgrade head studs? Even though the original gasket is still good?

[SupraKid]

Depends on the mileage of the engine...and if your planning to stay stock boost or not.

[diegohiga]

Depends on the mileage of the engine...and if your planning to stay stock boost or not.

45,000 miles and yeah ill add boost so i guess ill replace it. Which head gasket is good for the 3s? Hks?

[richee3]

I'll admit, I remember seeing pictures of the GT4 front going on. At the time, I remember thinking it was just another 5S powered Celica with a GT4 front end- looks good, but really isn't anything special on 6gc. Then I saw the rear lip and did not like it, though I respected your abilities with the body work. Then you painted it white, made me eat my words, and now it's one of my favorite cars. I'm constantly using it as an example. It deserves the 3S you're putting into it and I hope to see your sig reflecting Manny's, Dustin's, Jim's, and several others with dyno results and 330 whp+. With these cars getting older every day, fewer members are willing to spend the money to build their Celicas, and threads like this are being forgotten. I'm looking forward to this thread and where you go with the car

This post has been edited by richee3: Mar 9, 2012 - 2:26 PM

[delusionz]

I got 210,000 kms (130xxx miles) and overheating issues, suspect blown head gasket, after eliminating everything else, opened up the engine to find the headgasket isnt popped but both the block and head surfaces are uneven (warped) ;\

Toyota genuine gasket (3 layer steel) is the best for a gen 3 3sgte anyways

[SupraKid]

I'll admit, I remember seeing pictures of the GT4 front going on. At the time, I remember thinking it was just another 5S powered Celica with a GT4 front end- looks good, but really isn't anything special on 6gc.

Since when did STs come with 5sfes?

I can't give any advice HG wise diego sorry, havent looked into them enough.

This post has been edited by SupraKid: Mar 9, 2012 - 4:02 PM

[delusionz]

love the attention to detail, no part has gone untouched... just polishing that intake manifold and turbo takes many hours...

[diegohiga]

So today i removed the gt4 tranny


And swaped the shift link from the gt4 to mr2 tranny. But i have a question what do i do with this hole? Leave it like that?
Gt4 tranny

After the modification on the mr2 tranny

[dudeofchaos]

Car is looking awesome! I want my calipers and head this color! Would you happen to have a color code?? ^^

[WhipCreamCelica]

Sick man!, love every bit of it!, how much lower can u still go with the megan racings? i want to get that kit, but i wanna be super low!

[diegohiga]

Sick man!, love every bit of it!, how much lower can u still go with the megan racings? i want to get that kit, but i wanna be super low!

This much! About 2 more inches on the back and 0.5 inches on the front. But my car is at the lowest point. If i lower it 5mm on the front it rubs when i turn fast and on the back the fender hits the tires because the tire is sticking out of the car a bit.

[diegohiga]

Before

After

Can you notice the difference?

Car is looking awesome! I want my calipers and head this color! Would you happen to have a color code?? ^^

I bought the paint at advance auto parts its on the metallic section. I think they have metallic blue, red.and purple. And its heat resistant. At least the paint is lasting on my calipers lol

This post has been edited by diegohiga: Mar 19, 2012 - 10:09 PM

[diegohiga]

today i got my alternator because the engine came without it
which fuel pump are guys using for the 3s swap? supra non turbo?

[Ehrgeiz]

Your car is such an inspiration. Love it.

[diegohiga]

Your car is such an inspiration. Love it.

Thank you very much!

[diegohiga]

Should i replace the insterts of the engine mounts.for.those red ones? I dont know the brand.name.of it.

[mak5603]

Should i replace the insterts of the engine mounts.for.those red ones? I dont know the brand.name.of it.

Kirkosauras inserts? They go over the stock mount inserts, not instead of. Yeah, I would recomend them.

[diegohiga]

Should i replace the insterts of the engine mounts.for.those red ones? I dont know the brand.name.of it.

Kirkosauras inserts? They go over the stock mount inserts, not instead of. Yeah, I would recomend them.

Ohh ok ok didnt know that. And i think a memeber here sell those right? Or where should i get them from?

[smkr3w]

Should i replace the insterts of the engine mounts.for.those red ones? I dont know the brand.name.of it.

Kirkosauras inserts? They go over the stock mount inserts, not instead of. Yeah, I would recomend them.

Ohh ok ok didnt know that. And i think a memeber here sell those right? Or where should i get them from?

He's a member both here and the mr2 forums. Though he's almost never here.

I ordered mine from his site: http://home.comcast.net/~kirkosaurus2/MR2_...ts_ordering.htm.

[diegohiga]

Should i replace the insterts of the engine mounts.for.those red ones? I dont know the brand.name.of it.

Kirkosauras inserts? They go over the stock mount inserts, not instead of. Yeah, I would recomend them.

Ohh ok ok didnt know that. And i think a memeber here sell those right? Or where should i get them from?

He's a member both here and the mr2 forums. Though he's almost never here.

I ordered mine from his site: http://home.comcast.net/~kirkosaurus2/MR2_...ts_ordering.htm.

Excelent! Thanks for the info and help!

[diegohiga]

I need some help here please. i have read many many theads of 3sgte swaps, but im not a mechanic and there are many stuff im still missing.
this is what i have so far.
3rd gen 3sgte
e153 tranny from a mr2
st185 axles
mr2 axles
gt4 shift cables
greddy BOV
hks turbo timer
intercooler
automotive fuel pressure

i still need a fuel pump and im sending my harness to tweak, but there are some other stuff that i think i still missing

like this... waht is this??? brake fluid?? do i need to get this front a gt4 or should I move the one from the 7a?? and what else ill be missing to do this complete swap? the threads are very helpful but i need a direct direccions to what to get lol

batman thanks for the picture

This post has been edited by diegohiga: May 8, 2012 - 10:34 PM

[Box]

Power steering fluid reservoir I believe.

[kurt95gt]

Yep thats the ps fluid reservoir

[diegohiga]

Ok so i need to get that too.. Do i need the replace the power steering pump from the gt4 too?

[kurt95gt]

Ok so i need to get that too.. Do i need the replace the power steering pump from the gt4 too?

Ill look in the garage in the morning i might still have an extra one since i deleted my ps from the 1mz swap

[diegohiga]

Ok so i need to get that too.. Do i need the replace the power steering pump from the gt4 too?

Ill look in the garage in the morning i might still have an extra one since i deleted my ps from the 1mz swap

Did you find it?

[kurt95gt]

Just looked an i still have it
Pm me a shipping address an ill figure out a price shipped

[rave2n]

Ok so i need to get that too.. Do i need the replace the power steering pump from the gt4 too?

Doesn't look like you have to, I think you just run new lines to the res.

[diegohiga]

Ok so i need to get that too.. Do i need the replace the power steering pump from the gt4 too?

Doesn't look like you have to, I think you just run new lines to the res.

Yeah i was thinking that too. I just wanna know what else im missing. Because i dont want to start the swap and realized im missing something else. What else i need to get besides these parts:
Complete 3sgte with tranny
Hybrid axles
Converted harness
All the mounts
Gt4 shifter cable

Is there any small componets i need to get that i cant use it from the st?
And should i use the fuel pump from the supra non turbo?

[kurt95gt]

so do you not want the rest
I only want like 5 plus shipping

[diegohiga]

so do you not want the rest
I only want like 5 plus shipping

What rest? Im saying that i dont know what else im missing. I want evrything i am miasong for this swap!!!

[kurt95gt]

I typed resv
My stupid smart phone put rest

[rave2n]

You are going to need off the top of my head:

Rad w/hoses - ST is to small.
If you do not have the IC relay box that comes with a clip, you will be needing that too. Depends also on which IC route you are going. OEM or FMIC
If you want AC, going to have to work that into the equation. Not positive on how to go about that, working on it myself.
Full exhaust overhaul
Gauges, and you'll need to change out your tact to match the new.

If I remember anymore I'll edit =P

Do you have your whinebro fuel pump?

This post has been edited by rave2n: May 12, 2012 - 10:16 PM

[diegohiga]

You are going to need off the top of my head:

Rad w/hoses - ST is to small.
If you do not have the IC relay box that comes with a clip, you will be needing that too. Depends also on which IC route you are going. OEM or FMIC
If you want AC, going to have to work that into the equation. Not positive on how to go about that, working on it myself.
Full exhaust overhaul
Gauges, and you'll need to change out your tact to match the new.

If I remember anymore I'll edit =P

Do you have your whinebro fuel pump?

Yes im geting a megan racing radiator i dont think is bad and ahould be better than oem and its more affordable than mishimoto or koyo
Ill be using front mount IC. So i need the relay box that is next to the radiator if im using a top mount? (Little confuse)
Ill check about the AC because i deff want it.
Exhaust... I got that
Gauges, BOV, fuel pressure regulator and turbo timer got it.
Bit my main consern is what small componets in the engine bay ill be missing?? Anyone? Or thats all i need?

[kurt95gt]

Pm stambo he might be able to help you figure out what yout missing
he did an awsome job on his 3s swapped st

This might help too

Its a newer post
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=83732

[Ted95]

You will need to get the relay box regardless whether you go with the TM or FM. You will need to do some small wiring to by pass the code 54 if your doing the FM which tweak should take care of.

A stock GT ps reservoir will work as well as GT a/c lines. Gt radiator and hoses will work and will probably have to shorten the Gt hose a little bit as it will kink slightly disrupting coolant flow.

Is your Mr2 tranny already converted to fwd? If not then that should be first priority as you won't want to be waiting on your tranny to finish your swap.

You will need to drill a hole in the frame rail for the side Gt mount to fit and will need a rear gt4 mount for the e153. Changing your tach isn't 100% necessary as all you need to know is that your redline is now at 7k rather then 6k.

Just a heads up, your downpipe will more then likely crack being a solid section dp. Berk makes a great dp that has a built in flexpipe which helps relief the torque and stress the dp goes through. It's easier to change the dp with the motor out of the car lol just a fair warning.

Great thread so far man, the car looks great glad to see your going for the swap!



This post has been edited by Ted95: May 14, 2012 - 11:51 AM

[diegohiga]

today i went to take some photos, but i wish i have a better camera and be able to take better quality pictures
my next challenge is to take some rolling pictures because i never took any before.

[Ted95]

car looks sick man, the wheels and calipers pop on the white!

[smkr3w]

i'm pretty dure you've been asked this alot, and I think I remember the question being asked in another thread too but....

Y NO JDM TAILS??

[rave2n]

Just a heads up, your downpipe will more then likely crack being a solid section dp.

Could you expand on the reasoning for this? Never heard the stock DP would crack and curious to what lead to that conclusion, being I have the same swap to accomplish soon.

[diegohiga]

car looks sick man, the wheels and calipers pop on the white!

Thanks but im.really thinking on getting the nt03 or the varrsoten wheels

[Ted95]

Just a heads up, your downpipe will more then likely crack being a solid section dp.

Could you expand on the reasoning for this? Never heard the stock DP would crack and curious to what lead to that conclusion, being I have the same swap to accomplish soon.

with the torque of the motor the engine will rock under a hard pull. when the motor gets rocked back under a hard pull the dp is pulling back with the engine as its attached. when the pull is relseased the motor naturally jerks back forward putting stress on the dp and can cause cracking over time. Berk Tech made a dp with a flex pipe in the middle of the dp to help protect the dp from the big pulls as the dp can now have a little give when rocked forward.

[rave2n]

Just a heads up, your downpipe will more then likely crack being a solid section dp.

Could you expand on the reasoning for this? Never heard the stock DP would crack and curious to what lead to that conclusion, being I have the same swap to accomplish soon.

with the torque of the motor the engine will rock under a hard pull. when the motor gets rocked back under a hard pull the dp is pulling back with the engine as its attached. when the pull is relseased the motor naturally jerks back forward putting stress on the dp and can cause cracking over time. Berk Tech made a dp with a flex pipe in the middle of the dp to help protect the dp from the big pulls as the dp can now have a little give when rocked forward.

Excellent, thanks!

[diegohiga]

i'm pretty dure you've been asked this alot, and I think I remember the question being asked in another thread too but....

Y NO JDM TAILS??

Lol yes i hate the usdm tail lights and.im.getting the jdm ones but i was trying to get them without the amber but cant find a pair so.im just gonna get them with the amber and remove it myself.

[RabidTRD]

I want your TRD spoiler

[celica74]

i want your car. so sexy

[jordisonjr]

Personally, I don't htink nt03's would look that good on your car.

I think these ones suit it the best.

[S8S8]

Those new pics look great. Your car makes me consider switching to white now that I have the GT-Four front end fitted.

[Anoroc]

So much motivation right there.

I clearly need front/rear end caps!

[diegohiga]

Those new pics look great. Your car makes me consider switching to white now that I have the GT-Four front end fitted.

I like white but LOVE white pearl

[diegohiga]

Personally, I don't htink nt03's would look that good on your car.

I think these ones suit it the best.

Yeah im not sure too. I saw it on a s2k 18x9.5.with 35 tires and it looked soo clean and nice!
I like my 5ziggen because they are 8.5 wide but now i want something different so I am.considering varrstoen wheels too. In.18x9.5 +35. The front fender will need to pulled just a bit. And it wont look rediculous or with a crazy negative camber. Ill make ot look really nice and.clean.
It wont be the best option for a performance.car ones i drop the 3s but this is my DD and if i want to take it to the track ill just swap wheels in less than 15min.

This post has been edited by diegohiga: May 30, 2012 - 11:30 AM

[jordisonjr]

Are you going to go with the TE37 knock off varrstoens?

[diegohiga]

Are you going to go with the TE37 knock off varrstoens?

Thinking about i dont want to spend more than $3k on wheels and tires

[jordisonjr]

Yea no doubt.
I have nothing wrong with "fake wheels" if you're really not putting them to the use they were designed for, EX. Racing.
And they're not as bad with cracking as everyone makes them out to be.

[diegohiga]

My first attempt using photoshop lol. I might go back to orange wheels, but with wider wheels

or nt03 in 18x9.5


This post has been edited by diegohiga: Jun 10, 2012 - 11:44 AM

[marinos]

Congrats you have one of the prettiest celicas here.
I would say don't mess with your wheels and put a lip on your front bumper. Those side spats are nice but are only much with the rears on. Your rear skirt is fantastic one of the best I have seen so IMO it would better if you put a lip like eurou or c-one or something similar so it will complete the car better. But that's just my opinion.

Congrats you have one of the prettiest celicas here.
I would say don't mess with your wheels and put a lip on your front bumper. Those side spats are nice but are only much with the rears on. Your rear skirt is fantastic one of the best I have seen so IMO it would better if you put a lip like eurou or c-one or something similar so it will complete the car better. But that's just my opinion.

[diegohiga]

Today i worked on a H2 hummer which had 32" ASANTI wheels!!! Only $30,000 wheels pretty cheap huh?? Lol my car looks like a toy next to it

[rave2n]

I think the hummer looks looks like a blown up toy =P

[Ehrgeiz]

I think the hummer looks looks like a blown up toy =P

Haha, I was gonna say this. The hummer has nothing on your Celica!

[RabidTRD]

Is your spoiler legit TRD or Hiro? I've been trying to decide between a TRD or C-ONE spoiler lol

[diegohiga]

Is your spoiler legit TRD or Hiro? I've been trying to decide between a TRD or C-ONE spoiler lol

Its a TRD replica from.vincent_doogie idk if i spelled correctly.
Its a good replica!

[RabidTRD]

lol doogie. Does he still sell them?

[diegohiga]

lol doogie. Does he still sell them?

he might ask him
http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=69686

[diegohiga]

my tires were really bad and decided to change them from 225-40-18 to 215-35-18 and lowered the car a bit more but i lowered too much lol ill raise a bit later.

[celica74]

my tires were really bad and decided to change them from 225-40-18 to 215-35-18 and lowered the car a bit more but i lowered too much lol ill raise a bit later.

Never too low, just to slow. I like it. Your car must love pot holes and pebbles in the road

[mak5603]

^^ Yeah, last time I checked too low was when it can't move. Your car rolls doesn't it?

Lookin good.

[diegohiga]

finally gor a pair of jdm tails dammmmm what a difference!!
from this to...

amber was removed
this!!

[cheela]

perfect!

[celica74]

my tires were really bad and decided to change them from 225-40-18 to 215-35-18 and lowered the car a bit more but i lowered too much lol ill raise a bit later.

too much flush to know what to do with.

[diegohiga]

some of you might already saw them but here are some pictures i didnt upload before. took them with a professional camera

[Ehrgeiz]

Beautiful! Just need some projectors to finish it off.

[Box]

Yeah, projectors!

[diegohiga]

today i got the passenger side engine mount i was missing and now i need to get a walbro fuel pump for the 3s. where should i get it from?
also someone told me i can use the fuel pump from the supra non turbo??

[CRTRD]

Diegoooooo !!!! If u need a non turbo fuel pump from supra there is like 4 down here in Miami I can find u one unless u need a new one or something

Btw everyone !!! If u think this car looks good in pictures ... If u see this car in person omg ... No words guys no words

This post has been edited by CRTRD: Oct 13, 2012 - 10:47 PM

[diegohiga]

Diegoooooo !!!! If u need a non turbo fuel pump from supra there is like 4 down here in Miami I can find u one unless u need a new one or something

first i need someone here on the forum to confirm this info is right. and yeah i would get a new one. had issues before with fuel pump not working because they get old and it sucks haha

[diegohiga]

do i need a gt4 trottle cable or gt one works fine? because i realized that the cable goes around the valve cover an seems much longer than the gt or st cable

[Batman722]

GT is fine.

[diegohiga]

today i got a couple packages albro
APEXI n1 muffler
megan racing 2 core radiator
QTP exhaust electic cutout 3"'
Walbro fuel pump




try to take a pic measuring the outlet but came out blurry. inlet is 3' and oulet 4.5'

[Syaoran]

I was searching around and found this topic: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...ss-iii+trd+rear

It's come along really well.

[enderswift]

I like your exhaust cut out. You have good taste

[diegohiga]

I was searching around and found this topic: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...ss-iii+trd+rear

It's come along really well.

wowww thats old haha i had different ideas back then, that front bumer was pretty ugly now that i see it hahaa

I like your exhaust cut out. You have good taste

thanks

[jordisonjr]

That'll look real nice.
Whats the "exhaust cutout" ?

[richee3]

It's a butterfly valve to bypass the majority of the exhaust for more power when he chooses, when he gets the 3S swapped in.

[Ted95]

The cutout is a great option for instant power without further adjusting your boost controller. I'm running 14psi with my cutout closed and jumps up to 17psi with the cutout open and sounds great!

This post has been edited by Ted95: Nov 5, 2012 - 8:56 PM

[jordisonjr]

It's a butterfly valve to bypass the majority of the exhaust for more power when he chooses, when he gets the 3S swapped in.

Thats what I though.
So, electronically controlled, you can let more exhaust flow for more power?

[Syaoran]

It's a butterfly valve to bypass the majority of the exhaust for more power when he chooses, when he gets the 3S swapped in.

Thats what I though.
So, electronically controlled, you can let more exhaust flow for more power?

Yep, basically you put it before anything ideally (cats, resonators, mufflers) to simulate an open downpipe.

You can also do it with a throttle body. My previous Celica had it done with a 60mm TB on 2.25" exhaust tubing. The difference is it's manual vs electronic. I plan on doing it again to my actual Celica, and it'll be manual again. There's no motor that can go bad that way.

[jordisonjr]

It's a butterfly valve to bypass the majority of the exhaust for more power when he chooses, when he gets the 3S swapped in.

Thats what I though.
So, electronically controlled, you can let more exhaust flow for more power?

Yep, basically you put it before anything ideally (cats, resonators, mufflers) to simulate an open downpipe.

You can also do it with a throttle body. My previous Celica had it done with a 60mm TB on 2.25" exhaust tubing. The difference is it's manual vs electronic. I plan on doing it again to my actual Celica, and it'll be manual again. There's no motor that can go bad that way.

This would only be beneficial to a Forced induction motor, correct?
Would that not cause a decrease in back pressure on a n/a, resulting in a loss of power? (if used in the exhaust)

[Syaoran]

It's a butterfly valve to bypass the majority of the exhaust for more power when he chooses, when he gets the 3S swapped in.

Thats what I though.
So, electronically controlled, you can let more exhaust flow for more power?

Yep, basically you put it before anything ideally (cats, resonators, mufflers) to simulate an open downpipe.

You can also do it with a throttle body. My previous Celica had it done with a 60mm TB on 2.25" exhaust tubing. The difference is it's manual vs electronic. I plan on doing it again to my actual Celica, and it'll be manual again. There's no motor that can go bad that way.

This would only be beneficial to a Forced induction motor, correct?
Would that not cause a decrease in back pressure on a n/a, resulting in a loss of power? (if used in the exhaust)

Depends on the location and application. Think of it as an alternative, not an upgrade. Instead of getting a noisy exhaust, you can bypass your stock muffler with upgraded exhaust tubing up until the cutout, then scale down to stock for quietness.

In a Forced Induction setup you could use it as an exhaust bypass, which would mean better spool, for example.

[Special_Edy]

Yall are silly. The real reason you spend hundreds of $s on exhaust cutouts if for the sound. The car goes from quiet like grandma's grocery getter to open headers racecar pitstop in a few seconds.

And backpressure on any engine is bad, its high velocity flow which is good for a N/A.

[Batman722]

Yall are silly. The real reason you spend hundreds of $s on exhaust cutouts if for the sound. The car goes from quiet like grandma's grocery getter to open headers racecar pitstop in a few seconds.

[Syaoran]

Yall are silly. The real reason you spend hundreds of $s on exhaust cutouts if for the sound. The car goes from quiet like grandma's grocery getter to open headers racecar pitstop in a few seconds.

And backpressure on any engine is bad, its high velocity flow which is good for a N/A.

That's the only reason why it was on my previous Celica...

[jordisonjr]

And backpressure on any engine is bad, its high velocity flow which is good for a N/A.

Go put 3" exhaust, from header back on your n/a, and let me know how that works out for you.

[Syaoran]

And backpressure on any engine is bad, its high velocity flow which is good for a N/A.

Go put 3" exhaust, from header back on your n/a, and let me know how that works out for you.

Backpressure is bad. NA engines need high velocity exhaust flow. Narrow piping generates more backpressure than wider piping, but it also speeds up the exhaust gas velocity.

So it's not really backpressure what you want, it's exhaust velocity.

Hotter air also flows faster, which is one of the reasons why things are thermal-wrapped and coated. They help keep the heat in which in turn speeds up exhaust gas velocity.

What backpressure means in an engine is that the exhaust gases are being restricted or prevented from exiting the combustion chamber. If backpressure was good, clogged cats wouldn't be bad, as they generate immense amouns of backpressure.

[smkr3w]

Stop arguing and click here

..And let Diego have his thread back so he can post some more pics of his amazing car