Author | Topic |
Location: Washington State, USA
Registered: February 2005
|
How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Sat, 05 February 2005 04:22
|
|
Well, I'm about to be the proud new owner of a '77 TA23 Celica, but I want a little more power in it, so I was looking for an engine compatibility list and I found yours (Here). Now, I know it says that the engine will fit, but at the top of the page it also implies that such an operation may take a bit of work.
So, I was just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this or a similar swap, or if anyone knows how well this would work. I'm willing to put the time in, but if costs (after the engine) will exceed ~$1000 USD, or $1300 AUD with the exchange rates at the moment, then I'd have to think about it.
Thanks in advance, and I really like these forums so far... *points to registration date*.
|
|
|
Location: Land of Oz
Registered: June 2004
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Sat, 05 February 2005 05:20
|
|
Hi,
I think you're gonna need a bit more than $1000 dollars to do it. Also, I think you'll need to do some work on the firewall to fit the engine into an RA23. However, I'm not too learned on the 7M-RA23 conversions so perhaps soemone else here could enlighten you.
Why don't you put in a 3SGTE or something like that? It'll fit into your engine bay without major body work, it'll probably be lighter and therefore cause less handling issues than a 7M and with the turbs this engine can develop enough HP to keep you both happy and in trouble.
seeyuzz
river
|
|
|
Location: Washington State, USA
Registered: February 2005
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Sat, 05 February 2005 05:31
|
|
After doing a bit of research, it would seem that the 3S-GTE is an AWD motor? Is it possible to convert an old FR Celica to AWD?
And, just for a ballpark kind of number, how much do you think the 7M-GTE conversion would cost? I could probably go up to $3000 or so in expenses after the motor, but what all would need to be done? Firewall work probably wouldn't be a big deal, my dad's got quite a few mechanic/junkyard/autobody friends so I probably have the manpower for it...
If you don't want to go into vivid detail, is there a site (or place on this site?) you could suggest? Thanks!
|
|
|
Location: Land of Oz
Registered: June 2004
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Sat, 05 February 2005 05:42
|
|
Hi,
Sorry, I meant 3TGTE engine. Also check out 1GGTE engines. Do a search on these forums 'cos there are a few people who have put these engines into their RA23/RA28 Celicas.
One RA23 with a 3TGTE made 184kw at the rear wheels at the last dyno day. That's plenty of power for a little car.
Also, you'll need to beef up your brakes, gearbox and diff and no doubt need some suspension work to take this power - all up it adds to the cost. It's not just the engine costs you need to worry about.
seeyuzz
river
|
|
|
Location: Brisbane
Registered: May 2002
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Sat, 05 February 2005 07:48
|
|
I'm pretty sure I've seen it done before. Yes it is possible, in that it will physically fit in the engine bay (with enough persuasion), but we're talking a LOT of work here and the resulting car won't be good for much except the drags with that huge lump of iron way up front. There are better options but if you really want to do it, there's no reason why you can't. Better increase that budget a fair amount though.
|
|
|
Location: Madrid - Spain
Registered: August 2002
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Mon, 07 February 2005 00:07
|
|
Yup it has been done before and if you already have the engine and supporting gear such as transmission ecu loom intercooler etc then you could get away with it for that price.
You may need to mover the radiator forward which will restrict your intercooler thickness but they do fit.
From what I have heared they do end up very nose heavy with this engine in, but as long as you happy to insult people on a straight track and not one with corners, then I say go for it.
Contray to popular opinion, the 7M is a great motor.
|
|
|
Location: Gold Coast
Registered: October 2002
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Mon, 07 February 2005 06:34
|
|
yeah i read an article on www.classic-celica.com maybe? and aparently it isnt a very difficult swap at all. but thik of all the extra weight.
|
|
|
Location: Washington State, USA
Registered: February 2005
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Mon, 07 February 2005 06:55
|
|
That's the biggest thing, the weight
I jumped into this pretty prematurely... I kind of looked at the list and went "V6 turbo? I like it!", but since this car will be a rally car eventually, I'm thinking I should just go with a more powerful 4 cylinder motor. Any advice on one that would be a (fairly) simple conversion? I know turbo's nice and cuts times on the course - I've seen this in the passenger seat of two WRXs, one with turbo and one without, that were about 40 KM/h apart from eachother at the end of the same straightaway - but I guess it's not... mandatory.
Bleh, I'm such a newbee
|
|
|
Location: Adelaide, SA
Registered: May 2002
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Mon, 07 February 2005 07:36
|
|
V6? 7M is an inline 6...
Unless I missed a post or something
|
|
|
Location: Washington State, USA
Registered: February 2005
|
Re: How hard would it be to drop a 7M-GTE in a TA23?
|
Mon, 07 February 2005 07:41
|
|
Ugh, yeah, straight 6. That's what I meant, I'm just used to saying V6 because I've always been around old American cars.
|
|
|