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Which engine to swap in??

Discussion in 'Diagnosis/Help' started by scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012.

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  1. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    I currently have a 3sfe in my 88 GT and am looking to swap it out. it is burning through quite a bit of oil. I dont want to deal with rebuilding at the moment so i am just going to do a swap. My question is which motor would you recommend swapping in?

    I currently have access to a 3sfe AND a 3sge both completely rebuilt and machined. The GE is actually priced lower at the moment.
    My only concern with the GE is how many sensors i will have to swap out and how much wiring I will have to change.

    Is any of the wiring for the FE compatible with the GE? I'm assuming i would have to replace the ECU. Anyone have one laying around? if not i'm sure i can pick one up (as well as wiring) for a fairly decent price at a local wrecking yard.

    I would really like to go with a GE if it is not too hard or expensive. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!:biggrin2
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012
    #1
  2. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    also is it possible to swap a 3sgte into a FWD car? just curious, I REALLY want a turbo car.
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012
    #2
  3. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    I have a 3sgte in my ST162 so it can be done, except I had all the cabling/wiringlooms from the 3sgte, engine side and interior side...

    Easy swap for you is the 3sfe again, if you are not able to spend a few thousand then keep ik as it is.
     
    lone wolf, Aug 4, 2012
    #3
  4. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    I've found a couple of 3SGTE's that come with trans and all wiring including ECU for a price that is in my range. Only question now is whether it will fit without modifying any engine mounts or engine bay.
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012
    #4
  5. eNtraxGT88

    eNtraxGT88 Well-Known Member Donated!

    those 3s-gtes most likely come with the AWD trans, and will need a modding to work (fwd diff among other stuff).

    what you basically do is take out your transmission in the 3s-fe (if it's 5speed) and mate it to the 3s-gte motor (nomodifying there), then maybe change the axles to the GE type axles for strength. no modifying mounts or engine bay. you just need to put together the wiring and you're good to go.
     
    eNtraxGT88, Aug 4, 2012
    #5
  6. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    please don't forget that there are always extra costs involved, it's not a straight costs picture as you think.

    I had the engine and wiring allready and still spend over 1000 euro's for small parts which were broken or needed, fluids, clutch and so on.
     
    lone wolf, Aug 4, 2012
    #6
  7. 4thgenceli

    4thgenceli Test Dummy

    A 3sfe will be the straight swap to replace for you.

    With a 3sge you'll need the 3sge wiring harness and ECU. Should be a fairly straightforward swap if you can get the harness uncut and undamaged.

    The 3sgte also will bolt right in and up to your transmission, but again you'll need other stuff as everyone says. I have a gen4 3sgte in my st162. It dropped right into the engine bay with no mount modifications needed. But that doesn't factor in the turbo clocking, intercooler fabrication, exhaust, blah blah blah blah.
     
    4thgenceli, Aug 4, 2012
    #7
  8. eNtraxGT88

    eNtraxGT88 Well-Known Member Donated!

    yeh i shouldn't have said "basically you do ....." because it's never that easy lol, good point!
     
    eNtraxGT88, Aug 4, 2012
    #8
  9. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    Okay so i now know that i can use my transmission. My next question is the wiring for the interior/lights etc. Doesnt all that run through the ECU? will that all need swapped out or will it hook up to a 3sge or 3sgte ECU?I'm planning on taking my car out of commission for quite a while to do this swap, and I dont see money being too much of an issue as long as I dont go overboard. I'm thinking i will go with a gte.Anyone know of any good sources for these engines/ECU's/wiring harnesses. I've found several stores on EBAY and other places on the web but i'm not sure about their reputability.The majority of these places say that the motors are pulled out of running cars in japan and imported with low miles.....is this true?
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012
    #9
  10. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    Lights etc are not connected to the ECU
    The ECU & engine loom are seperate and on a big grommet under the glovebox

    For the hassle of changing the ECU & loom it is better to fit an aftemarket ECU, expensive but worthwile.
    Unless you find one complete with warranty!
    [​IMG]

    You will struggle to find a decent gen1 GTE, the gen2/3/4 is far more common and yes the Japs "kill" cars at 100 000km to keep their industry alive.
    NZ has disallowed importing older JAP models so there will be many more GTE motors coming up for sale in the near future

    My advice is that if you do this, get another car for a daily
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2012
    Stig, Aug 4, 2012
    #10
  11. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    Why would you recommend finding a different daily? This is currenty my daily but i do have other cars that could easily become my daily. If i get everything switched over fine shouldnt i still be able to use it as a daily?isnt the ECU behind the stereo/climate control?
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 4, 2012
    #11
  12. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    They are heavy on gas and parts are expensive, there is a lot more to wear out, turbo water pumps/seals etc
    Servicing a GTE is a pita compared to an FE motor
    Everyone I know who has one has parked it up and using something else daily.

    ECU sits behind the ashtray, lift the carpet away and you'll see it. The harness runs from it thru the firewall under the glovebox.
    Your other wiring is fed thru the fenders on both sides

    My car runs dual ECU's as I don't trust electronics but ND has proven me wrong
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2012
    Stig, Aug 4, 2012
    #12
  13. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    what is the purpose/advantage of dual ECU's just out of curiosity?
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 5, 2012
    #13
  14. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    Ever broken down hundreds of miles from home with no spares in sight?
     
    Stig, Aug 5, 2012
    #14
  15. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    how often do the ECU's fail? how do you wire up two at a time?
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 5, 2012
    #15
  16. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    One is a backup in case the other fails - they haven't failed yet but.....
     
    Stig, Aug 5, 2012
    #16
  17. 1fstgts

    1fstgts Well-Known Member Staff Member Administrator Moderator Donated!

    Not sure what part of the world youre in, but if you are in the States and go do to a JDM swap into a USDM car, you will need to extend the wiring harness since, JDM cars are RHD and USDM is left hand drive.

    Then as Stig said, you can go standalone ECU...but I can vouch for it will cost you at least 2k to go standalone.

    A swap IMO will cost anywhere from 3-5k....depending on what skills you have and/or available for parts.

    Dont even think about trying to turbo a 3SGE...been down that road myself already.


    If you want to go straight 3sge swap, I probably have a bunch of stuff laying around to help you including ecu's and harness.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2012
    1fstgts, Aug 11, 2012
    #17
  18. scottjackson1209

    scottjackson1209 Well-Known Member Donated!

    How do you go about doing this? Splice wires in for each wire?
    I really like the idea of a jdm 3sgte or a completely rebuilt 3sge. I have found the 3sgte for cheaper and really like the turbo.
     
    scottjackson1209, Aug 11, 2012
    #18
  19. 1fstgts

    1fstgts Well-Known Member Staff Member Administrator Moderator Donated!

    Yes. Look through my build thread and youll see where I pulled apart the harness to do just that. In my case I ended up going father and ripping it all the way apart because since Im going standalone I only need parts of the factory engine harness. ie charging section etc.


    Just be careful on the where you buy your engine from. Rule of thumb is you always get what you pay for. I was fortunate because when I got my jdm 3sgte I had already had plans of tearing it down. But if I didnt I was gonna be in for a world of hurt because it was full of water and junk. Again see my build thread.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2012
    1fstgts, Aug 12, 2012
    #19
  20. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    be warned that many of the current engines out of Japan can have water damage !!!! So if it sounds like a good JDM deal, be doubtfull and ask for guarantees !!
     
    lone wolf, Aug 12, 2012
    #20
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