Seriously considering the swap, ,but i have some questions Options

[lagos]

ok, heres the deal. im seriously considering doing the 3sgte engine swap into my 98 celica gt. after talking to a few people, i found out that i can do everything i need for around the 3-4,000$. around 2,500$ of that would go into buying the clip and the rest would be for misc hidden costs.

before i jump into anything, i thought i would ask a few questions to the people who have done the swap.

1.right now my main problem is that i dont have a garage to work in. does anyone know if i can rent a public storage place and use it as a garage? can i get a whole front clip shipped to a place like that?

2. everyone seems to say that the only thing thats really hard about the swap is having to do the wiring. from what i understand, the harness has to be extended by 32inches. beyond that, there dosnt seem to be any other indfo on what needs to be done. do i need to do anything special to get the 3sgtes wiring to connect to things like my gauges, fuse boxes, etc?

3. (manditory ebay link) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2463438018
what are the main advanteges to getting a clip vs getting and engine, ecu, harness, tranny, etc kit?

4. if i do get a clip, where should i get it from?

5. the last question is...should i even do the swap, or should i consider the Ripp super charger. the cost would be the same as the swap, but it would be a very easy install and about the same hp as the 3sgte. my car is a 98 with 50,000 miles. that the same year and around the same milage as the ripp test car. if their kit works as well as they claim on their car, it should work on my car too.

[celica3sgte]

Check this out and email me with questions

www.geocities.com/zegoat2000/HOMEPAGE.html
http://www.enginedemons.com/steve2nd3sgte.htm

I'd say do the swap. It's more than worth it to do the swap. Even the base swap without any upgrades is a night and day differences from your stock motor.
The advantage to buying a front clip is that you will get all of the vital components to make the engine run. You will get the maf unit, resistor packs, ignitor, ignition coils, intercooler, turbo pressure sensor, uncut wiring harness, and throttle cable. Good luck finding these if you buy the motor alone. I like the way Jarco runs their business. www.jarcoinc.com Almost every 2nd gen 3sgte clip they have is $2200 plus about $500 shipping. But, the good side is that they have started the motor and you know you are getting a good motor.

steve@enginedemons.com

[94Toy]

I think that either way you go is going to be a good disicion. You can't go wrong with a 3s-gte, and from what I have read and seen in mags Ripp Modifications is a really up and coming performance parts suplier. I would love to see their kit in a celica. I would love to buy it, and I hope that by the time that I have the money they are still producing them.

If it was up to me I would get the Ripp kit.
Just my 0.02

[Andason]

[drdos]

3sgte > super charged 5sfe

[lagos]

im very surprised that some of you are recomending the SC. i thought everyone here would be all for the swap and nothing else.

the thing that really sucks about my situation is that i have the money to do the swap but i dont have the garage space. the SC would be a quick install and i wouldnt have to worry about having a garage to ship a clip to. on the other hand, since i dont have a garage, i shouldnt be doing anything custom, because if the 5sfe blows then ill be wishing that i did the swap from the start.

im going to start looking around at some garages for rent in my area. hopefully i can find something to rent for a month.


steve, thats a very good write up. ill be sure to read over it a few times before i start my project.

This post has been edited by lagos: Feb 29, 2004 - 7:34 PM

[jdm94gt]

hows it goin man,
I tried looking around in manayunk for garages and they are mucho expensive. I am renting a storage space and it is better than sitting outside. Let me know if you do this, I would be happy to help!

matt

[zipstrips]

lagos, get nitrous... upgrade the clutch, get a nx kit, gauge,purge and a heater.

[lagos]

[boosted_K2]

tools are part of the cost... unfortunatly, garage space is one of the biggest tools your going to need. around here the storage spaces are only used for just that, storage. you can rent one, and store the clip there, but if you are like doing work on it while its there, its a big no no, but thats just around here so it may be different where you are. plus most the garage spaces arent that big, and the really big ones are EXPENSIVE.

hidden costs kill you, and tools really add up if you dont already have a good collection.