rebuilding a 5sfe to handle boost, good or bad idea?, for those who say a swap would be easier... ur right. but this is also Options

[3sgteLuke]

hey guys,

in the last couple of years ive become really serious about working on cars (so much so that im majoring in ME) and now im planning on getting an engine rebuild under my belt. I work for advance auto and the CNC company my dad oversees is also my disposal; so theres no problems as far a recources go. with that said, my plan is to find a used 5sfe and rebuild it with high strength internals and optimizing it to efficiently flow boost. IE: I want build up a 5sfe so i can turn it into a reliable 5sfte before i drop it into my car. Now BEFORE you start telling me im an idiot read my reasons:


1. a swap is technically waaay over my head and means too much down time for my daily driver ( i figure you should be able to rebuild an engine with your eyes closed before you do a swap anyway)
2. You say:" if a swap if waay over your head then forget about an engine rebuild" I say: "**** you, and mention that with the rebuild i can take all the time i want and make as many mistakes as i need because my celi will still be drivable"
3. an engine rebuild is next on my list of learning so why not take the opportunity to build a high strength drop in for my car?
4. Even if I wanted to tackle a swap, tracking down a viable clip for a reasonable amount of cash is starting to get difficult ( jarco not importing and all...) yes I know it can be done. no i dont want to do it.
5. Im sure everyone here knows that with a swap you have to do it right the first time. i dont want to make learning mistakes on my celica. If i mess up an engine rebuild. no big deal. 5sfe's are a dime a dozen compared to 3s's
6. an engine rebuild is more forgiving because at least its a well documented process that i can follow step by step as opposed to shooting in the dark with a 3s swap.
7. why not just turbo the 5s as it is and call it a day you ask? Its a matter or reliability. This is my only car... and as much as i like working on it, replacing an engine after ~20k of boost would piss me off. this stuff is $$
8.finally, I always wanted to turbocharge an NA motor. If I have a chance to do it reliably, Im taking it.

so there you have it. those are my reasons

NOW i want your opinions.

I know the 5s is not optimized for boost as far as internal flow dynamics go, but thats half the fun. being able to say my economic little 5s still keeps up with your stock 13.5 lb wrx, srt, oz, xyz, ect car

[CelicaGT04]

personally it is your car you should do what you want to it. but in my opinion i dont understand why people take a motor that is designed to be any economy, n.a. motor and boost it to me it dont make any sense. but like i said i dont own your car so do what you want to it

Well typically many people do not like the fact that the motor is built to be an "economy" motor, basically depriving our little jewels we call our celicas of highly WANTED sometimes needed HP...

Thats all really..

I liked the whole weak link reply. it was a subtle little stab at my abililities but a project like this will really give me alot of experience.

As far as engine management goes, im not planning on using my stock ecu together with a piggy back to compensate for compression. Instead I want to get a complete standalone unit that i would be able to learn fuel maps and ignition timing on. I know the theory behind those two processes but I also know theory is far off from actually doing it.

Sounds to me like you need emanage