On the edge..., fte or gte Options

[frosty]

Alright, I have the money stashed for most of a turbo project, but it won't get started this year since I want to build a building to work in on the land we just bought. (plan to have it built sometime in feb of 08)

I'm not interested in the 3sgte, not that I don't like it, I just know that if I got one I would upgrade to much on it (mainly the turbo, and a stroker kit.) Gotta have more displacement since I grew up with v8s and you know the saying, "no replacement for displacement!" So why spend money for a different motor when I know so much more will be spent on upgrading it? I could save that money and use it for the current block in my car!

I know for sure I'm using the 5s bottom end. Will probably get different rods if I end up deciding on reving it past the rod bolts limit.

My biggest decision is which head to use. The fe or ge. After much reading/research on the mr2oc forums I have a new appreciation for the fe head and it's capabilitys. I'm not shooting for over 500hp like some of the mr2'ers that build like crazy. Haven't quite made my final decision on the hp #'s but it's good to know that the fe head can handle alot.

Since I can get the ge head for around $250, that cost isn't a concern. It's also not that big of deal to get it mounted to 5s block either. With either head I plan to run a full standalone so no problems there. I've already fully researched the ge head swap so I know of all the other things that may come up and I'm comfortable with it.

I basically just don't know which head I would be happier with. Both are capable of what I'm looking for, I guess I just don't know which would be cooler . I don't know which I would be more proud to lift my hood and show off. After all my reading on the mr2 forums, I think the fe head might just do it since so many people don't believe it's really good at all.

(mabey I'll just build this on as an fte and buy another celica and build that with the ge head! )

Oh well, thoughts anyone?

[frosty]

if your not ready or not interested in swapping, gte is not for you.
its not as easy as you make it seem.
the fe head is good for at least 240whp...add cams...if your goal is sub 300whp...there really is no need for the g head.

It's not that I'm not ready or interested in the 3s-gte, I just don't see the point if I'm gonna stroke it out and change so much on it. Isn't the stroker kit for the 3s still well over 1k? I could throw that money elsewhere. And I know I could use the 5s crankshaft on the 3s but then I would want to bore out the block for larger pistons and I want save as much on the block as I can.

I know I make it sound easy and for me, it is. I'm used to metal working, welding, fabricating, wiring, ect.
This makes all the things I read about building a 5sgte seam easy. It's work I can do the majority myself without any concern. (the 5s will definitly not be my first motor to break down and build)

And with either a full motor swap, a fte build or a ge head swap, the whole motor is coming out no matter what. I would rather do most of this build outside the bay, and even with a 3s swap I would use a standalone ems so the wiring will be changed no mater what.

After all that I've read and seen, I believe the fe head can handle more than what you say. Besides cams, I would do atleast 1mm OS valves, new springs to help handle the new stress, and have some reshaping done to the ports.

And as You should know, with proper tuning anything can be possible, and with all that I plan on doing, the parts are proven to handle higher stress levels of 300+hp.

I'd probably do like alot of mr2'ers and run low boost for DD and have it built for higher boost for drag days.
Either the fe or ge head is good (stock) for only up to 300hp. Beyond that there needs to be modifications performed.

I just see people like you running your fte the same as those with 2nd gen 3sgte swaps and acheiving practically the same results. Go FE!