3SGTE help, Wanting info from those more experienced Options

[jrg]

I own a 94 GT, body type ST204. I am interested in putting in a 3SGTE. I'm doing research, and I would love for anyone and everyone to give me any advice on which model 3SGTE would be compatible with my car and what I would need to do to complete the swap.

[scothaniel]

Hello guys,
New to the board, just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. I have a 90 Celica ST185 thats 90% finished in a ST205 engine / trans upgrade ( i'm doing the work myself, so its taking forever).

With the ST205 front clip I ordered, I received the entire rear diff assembly (rear diff, axels, entire sub-frame and all the suspension arms). To my surprise, then entire thing bolted right up to my ST185, they are identical!

Going a step further, I jacked up my wife's 96 ST and checked it out. I have the ST205 center drive shaft, and the bolt holes for the support are there, and line up. Unfortunately, the rear frame that supports the rear diff sub-frame is not there. It may be possible to take the rear frame from the ST185 and weld it on to the ST202, but thats not a task I will take on anytime soon.

From experience, there are some advantaged and disadvantaged to using the ST205. The disadvantages are in sourcing parts. The exhaust manifold gasket and valve cover manifold gasket are not available in the US. And for future performance, finding a 3rd gen aftermarket exhaust manifold is extremely difficult.

On the other hand, the power capability of the 3rd gen is far supierior. A place in Chicago did a flow test on the 2nd gen and 3rd gen heads, and the 3rd gen out flowed the 2nd by 45%. After porting/polishing and upgrading the valves on the 2nd gen, the 3rd gen still matched it.

I agree with zigy 100% - get a full clip. You can always sell off the extra parts.