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3S-GTE SWAP PART I - BASICS OF UNDERSTANDING:
FAQ produced by Trance4c

 

*** EVERYTHING IS REQUIRED READING, IF YOU PLAN TO DO THIS SWAP AND DO NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO READ WHAT I HAVE TO SAY, THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO DO THE SWAP***

First, we are going to cover the bases:

You MUST understand from the start, this swap is not necessarly clear, clean, cut and dry. Understand the words your about to read: Every swap is different and every person can go about it a different way. There is no end all - be all of the 3S-GTE / 5S-FE swap. There are different versions of the 3S-GTE and different transmissions that can be used. This FAQ ONLY contains information on a 3S-GTE swap into a 5S-FE powered 5th gen (90-93) Celica.

For this FAQ we are going to assume the use of a 2nd generation 3S-GTE. The particular one put into this 90 GTS was a JDM spec. The 2nd gen 3S-GTE (through out the rest of this FAQ referred to as the 3S) can also be found in the 90-93 Alltrac Celica's and the MKII MR2 Turbo's, both are USDM spec. To make it easy on ourselves, we got a whole front clip of a GT4 celica. I would recommend this to everyone. We didn't have to relocate small things like alternators, hoses etc. It was all ready to go in and the intercooler was in the correct place. If you plan to use a 3S-GTE from an MR2, again, I'm not much help to you on some specific things but the overall jist applies. We are also going to assume that the stock S53 Front Wheel Drive transmission was used in this swap. If you do use the MR2 3S-GTE, understand that Intercooler piping, hosing etc, a major portion of it all will be custom fabricated and your price will go up.

The USDM spec 2nd gen 3S's are 200hp & 200ft/lbs of torque. As stated above, the 2nd generation (through out the rest of this FAQ referred to as gen) 3S put into the 90 GTS was a JDM spec which makes 225hp & 200ft/lb of torque. The major difference is in more aggressive ECU tuning, there are really no differences in the USDM and JDM spec 3S's that I'm aware of. The 2nd gen 3S-GTE is the most available and most cost effective, there are other generations with different horsepower ratings and options. To get information on those is not the purpose of this FAQ.

With that said, an ECU swap is NOT just plug and play. There are sensors on the USDM engine, different wiring in the harnesses, etc that must be changed and/or removed. Baiscally, if you want the JDM with more base power.. then buy the JDM!

Secondly, buy manuals to read. Start with a Haynes and Chiltons and then graduate to the Toyota repair manuals.


Now that you have a basic understanding of what engine and what its capable of doing, understand this.. I DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING! I could only wish I do, I know enough that I was able to do the swap and am making progress, but it is ALWAYS and uphill battle.

Basic parts list:
1. 3S-GTE engine
2. engine wiring harness (if you plan to do a custom harness, I'm not the one to talk to)
3. ECU
4. Useable transmission (this will be addressed at a later date)
5. Ignitor pack
6. Coil pack
7. Upgraded clutch for whichever transmission you are using

Obviously you will need misc things incase of wiring issues, radiator hosing, throttle cable, fuse boxes etc. These things are going to be up to you to make so you have and come with the parts listed above. Again, this is why it is a GREAT reason to buy a full clip. All the parts you will need will be there.

Lets go over some more understanding here before we get to it. The 3S-GTE will fit into the 4th gen (85-89), 5th gen (90-93) and 6th gen (94-99) Celica. Since the clip we bought was from a 90 GT4 and it was swapped into a 90 GTS, we reduced a lot of stress on the work because many of the internal systems are redundent between the 3S-GTE and 5S-FE. In other words, if you try to take a 3S from a 5th gen and put it into a 4th gen OR take a 3S from a 5th gen and put it into a 6th gen.. your opening up a WHOLE nother can of worms!

Basically, what I'm trying to stress here (*and I don't know how much more I can stress it without coming across harsh about it*), make it as easy on yourself as possible. If you really intend to do the swap, get the parts that will work the best. Make sure you have all the parts you need before you start (that way your not trying to find some crazy small piece thats holding you up), and do RESEARCH! There are other articles and other people out there that are great sources of information.

I would like to point to the following places (I spent 2 years studying all of this before I attempted it):

Alltrac.net - Possibly one of your GREATEST resources for information on the Alltrac/GT4 Celica. Check it out, read as much as possible, join the messageboard, ask questions and search through the topics already listed.

Toyota Celica Messageboard Online - There is a devoted following (as I was once one) to this board of VERY knowledgable people. I lurked on this board for some time and make mistakes but learned a lot. I also suggest that you read through their 3S-GTE swap FAQ as well.

GT4 Mailing List - Get on it, a rough bunch and not necessarily liking of newbies but get what you can from them.. just don't stir the water.

Webring.com - Search everything under 'celica' and do your homework.

Lastely, Celica.net's messageboard and members are also a great resource. Use the search function on the messageboard for '3S-GTE swap' and read up.


If you come to me with questions like 'How much will this cost?' I'm not going to help you (or at least I'll take my time getting back to you), why.. because if you can't read this and the next few FAQ's that will consist of this swap and help yourselves, then I can not help you. So, help me help you - go to the library and check out the technical manuals, learn engine designation codes etc. If your the kind of person that can just throw money at it and have a shop do all the work for you.. why are you here?


Part 1 summary: Every swap is different, there is not definate answers in this game. Some times you just bite the bullet and you go for it. At the end of the day you'll find out what your made of. If your not, then your not. If this all discourages you and you haven't even gotten to the other parts in this FAQ, stop now.. and forget it.

-> Part II

This FAQ was made possible by the contributions from TWM Performance.

 

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