Go for a 3S-GE, or even better a 3S-GTE. And autos do suck, which is why i am selling mine and buying a manual one.
Its an understatement to say the 3sfe is the worst. Anyone whos said that hasnt ever had one. Ive got a 89 st 3sfe and it has good power and its a light car. With an intake and exhaust, the 3sfe is a pretty quick motor, it even is when its stock.
the FE is "peppy". my original motor was a FE. with supporting mods on everything else you may get around a 16 second 1/4 which isn't bad. but the G series can be upgraded and run much faster.
y not go one step further and make a 5sge or even 5sgte i've already done the 5sge just need the turbo for the t part
