3SGTE Swap Questions, 5SFE is no fun anymore Options

[kgr-gts]

I used to drive a turbo car (Merkur XR4Ti) and I really miss the balls it had. That and I just got a raise and money burns a hole in my pocket. It's time to turn my Celica into the car it was supposed to be.

Just looking for some answers/opinions from all you wise men who've done the 3SGTE swap. I've been going back through the posts to get the info I'm looking for, but some of it isn't turning up so I'll try and get it all done with one post. The car is a GTS (Canadian GT).

- 2nd or 3rd gen 3sgte
I'd prefer the 3rd gen, but since it was never used in US/CAN I'm wondering if future parts would be a little more painful than the 2nd gen. 2nd gen also cheaper and easier to find.

- motor condition
Did most of you tear down the motor when you got it or just compression test it and stuff it in the engine bay? I figure it might be a good time to have the head checked, gaskets replaced, etc.

- front clip?
What sort of parts end up being needed from the clip? Is it a bad idea to just get the engine?

- reliability
The car is my daily driver... is the 3sgte just as reliable as the 5sfe for the long-term? I don't want a pure racing machine... just a fast but reliable car that's fun to drive.

- transmission
My S54 will bolt onto the 3sgte, but how long will it last with the additional power? Looks like most people are still using it without problems. Any other options like the V6 Camry transmission, etc.?

- parts
I know the engine basically drops in, but is there anything on the car that has to be removed (or fabricated) to make it work? I'm guessing an exhaust downpipe, cooling hoses, and stuff like that have to be worked on.

- A/C
Here's a dumb one - can I keep my air conditioning? Do the existing lines hook up to the compressor in the same place?

- wire harness
And another - I understand you have to lengthen the engine wire harness (or something like that) because of the JDM engine being from a RHD car. Is it not possible to buy a new LHD harness from toyota? I thought I'd seen some LHD GT-Fours. (or is this $$$$$)

Last question, if I do this, will I be able to drive another Celica without being a little bored?

Thanks all!

[sphinx]

I used to drive a turbo car (Merkur XR4Ti) and I really miss the balls it had.  That and I just got a raise and money burns a hole in my pocket.  It's time to turn my Celica into the car it was supposed to be.  

Just looking for some answers/opinions from all you wise men who've done the 3SGTE swap.  I've been going back through the posts to get the info I'm looking for, but some of it isn't turning up so I'll try and get it all done with one post.  The car is a GTS (Canadian GT).

- 2nd or 3rd gen 3sgte
I'd prefer the 3rd gen, but since it was never used in US/CAN I'm wondering if future parts would be a little more painful than the 2nd gen.  2nd gen also cheaper and easier to find.

- motor condition
Did most of you tear down the motor when you got it or just compression test it and stuff it in the engine bay?  I figure it might be a good time to have the head checked, gaskets replaced, etc.

- front clip?
What sort of parts end up being needed from the clip?  Is it a bad idea to just get the engine?

- reliability
The car is my daily driver... is the 3sgte just as reliable as the 5sfe for the long-term?  I don't want a pure racing machine... just a fast but reliable car that's fun to drive.

- transmission
My S54 will bolt onto the 3sgte, but how long will it last with the additional power?  Looks like most people are still using it without problems.  Any other options like the V6 Camry transmission, etc.?

- parts
I know the engine basically drops in, but is there anything on the car that has to be removed (or fabricated) to make it work?  I'm guessing an exhaust downpipe, cooling hoses, and stuff like that have to be worked on.

- A/C
Here's a dumb one - can I keep my air conditioning?  Do the existing lines hook up to the compressor in the same place?

- wire harness
And another - I understand you have to lengthen the engine wire harness (or something like that) because of the JDM engine being from a RHD car.  Is it not possible to buy a new LHD harness from toyota?  I thought I'd seen some LHD GT-Fours.  (or is this $$$$$)

Last question, if I do this, will I be able to drive another Celica without being a little bored?

Thanks all!
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1. Most parts from a 3rd gen are interchangable with a 2nd gen but NOT all. You're right, parts for a 2nd gen will be easier to get your hands on.

2. A lot of people just get their motor and drop it in. I had more than enough time to do my swap. My compression test was good, but i still decided to rebuilt it. I got new rings, head gasket set, port and polish the head and replaced some of the tensioners cause they were bad. Apart from that, you should replace all belts, filters, ect...

3.............. CLIP .................. You don't want to have the motor in your car and come to realize that it doesn't start because you're missing something.

4. I would personally say that the 3sgte is as reliable. As long as you take care of it when it comes to tune up's, it should be ok. I have'nt had any problems with mine, and i've ran that motor hard. They're great motors, you'll love it.

5. I've gone through 3 GT transmissions. Others have had better luck, but not me. I would go with MR2 tranny.

6. You only have to worry about matching your exhaust to the DP.

7. I didn't even bother trying to get my A/C to work, so I eliminated it.

8. Have a professional do your harness. Go with Dg_performance

9. NO. Anytime after the swap, a N/A celica with seem like the slowest and most borring thing in the world.

Good luck with the swap.