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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Conversion thoughts.
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Wed, 26 May 2004 10:37
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Ok, my car is suffering the infamous 5sfe worn valve stem syndrome.
Right now it's not that bad, just the occasional puff of smoke on startup and no discernable use of oil on occasional dipstick checks.
But I know eventually it will get to the point I'll have to get it fixed probably to the tune of $1000.
What I was thinking instead of that, to get a frontcut of something else and transfer the engine. Plus I currently don't have an airconditioner, so a frontcut that has one in it would be one I'll be looking at. And an airconditioner for my car I priced a couple of years ago at $1200 fitted, so it makes a frontcut of another car even more viable.
The one I'm primarily thinking of would to get a front cut from a V6 camry and transfer that. Would there be any major hassles mounting the engine?
My other thought would be MAYBE a 3sgte. Externally they are supposed to be the same as a 5sfe, would the 3s use the same engine mounts? And what other things would need to be done? Would my current auto box interface straight to it?, etc. I know brakes and suspension would be an issue, but the frontcut should come with that anyway. (Well, for the front). Thanks.
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Location:
Yeppoon/Rockhampton
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Thu, 27 May 2004 13:04
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should cost about $500 to get the valve stem seals done and the valves grinded.
basically
$250 - $450 labour + parts.. cheaper depending on the experience of your mechanic and what he charges. but i was quoted change out of $550
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Location:
sunny coast, qld
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Thu, 27 May 2004 14:18
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As others will tell you, engine conversions are not cheap. Unless they are a direct bolt in which is fairly unusual then there will be issues.
No idea about the v6 but if you were to get a 3s-gte (assuming they use the same engine mounts) you would use the gearbox that came with the frontcut and then hopefully it would connect to the place that the original gearbox did. They have a top mount intercooler if it is a GT4 one so you would either need a bonnet scoop or a front mount intercooler. More money 
Then once it is in there you would need bigger brakes for engineering.
And while the engine is out you would want to do some maintenance like timing belt, plug, fluids etc. This can add up pretty quickly.
If the valve stem seals only cost $500ish I would just get them done unless you were planning on modding this car a lot anyway. That is my opinion anyway
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 10:21
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I was under the impression that they were about $1000 to do. Ah well, I know what to aim for then when I "have" to get it done.
But I am still leaning towards the V6 mostly though. I know about the brakes and stuff if I was to go the 3sgte, and as I said, the frontcut should come with them anyway, and I could "probably" put my current fronts on the rear. But yea, the other issue of the gearbox/drivetrain lining up too and having to front mount the intercooler.
I might just get the seals done in the end though. But I also want an aircon, so a v6/aircon 'upgrade' is still strong on my decision. It still wouldn't be for a while either way though as I'll only do it when I have to, so I'm basically trying to find the best decision before crunch time.
I also guess I'd have to have some exhaust work done if I got the V6 as well.
Heck I'd love to drop a 1uz in it and convert it to RWD, but that would be beyond my scope for sure. 
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 11:37
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A tweaked v6 would make for an interestiong diversion ..
isnt there a bolt on suprcharger kit for the Camry ( later model ) that goes with the v6 or am i mistaken ?
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 12:22
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| Classique71 wrote on Fri, 28 May 2004 21:37 |
A tweaked v6 would make for an interestiong diversion ..
isnt there a bolt on suprcharger kit for the Camry ( later model ) that goes with the v6 or am i mistaken ?
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That TRD one looks like a sweet intake manifold replacement, but I think it's fouled by the brake booster.
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Location:
Campbelltown, NSW, Austra...
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 13:05
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I heard that the V6 engines from the 3rd generation camrys aren't that good and tend to blow head gaskets. I would stick with ur current engine and maybe look at a turbo setup (i've heard of it done before).
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 13:27
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| Camry_omega wrote on Fri, 28 May 2004 23:05 |
I heard that the V6 engines from the 3rd generation camrys aren't that good and tend to blow head gaskets. I would stick with ur current engine and maybe look at a turbo setup (i've heard of it done before).
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Yep, there is the 5sfe turbo kit:
http://www.poweredbytoyota.com/ssfeturbo.html
But I think I'd rather spend the money on an engine that has an aircon with it.
Plus I'd rather the performance gained from a V6 rather than turbo the old 5sfe.
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Location:
Adelaide, SA
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Fri, 28 May 2004 15:29
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Surely there were more than a few 5sfe powered camrys with aircon? Perhaps it's just a matter of searching through some wreckers until you can find the aircon system out of one.
My parents had a '94 widebody V6 Vienta/holden apollo - a great motor but blew the headgasket(s) at 140,000kms. $3500 later it was as good as new (new VRS kit, new cam bearings, heads straightened) and had over 350,000kms on it when sold  . Still performed well with only the slightest puff of smoke on startup but was starting to get a bit rattly.
IMHO it's prob not worth doing either a V6 or a 3SGTE conversion. If you want a V6, it'll be cheaper in the long run to sell your car and buy a V6 - and the same goes for a 3SGTE - ST165 GT-4 Celicas can be had for less than $6K these days.
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Sat, 29 May 2004 05:14
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Yea, that is an option too. I hadn't really thought of that one that much, but it might be cheaper to do that and fit it myself, and with the steam seals done for the prices people say it should be, I'd probably get my ultimate goal done cheaper than just getting an aircon fitted. I'll definatly keep this in mind too, as well as the fact that if I did get a wreckers aircon system, I'd probably have to replace all the seals on the unit as well, but I might even have to do that if I got a frontcut engine too.  But this is the reason for my current research.
I do understand what you're saying about the prices of just buying a car with those fitted, but the celica ATM is too small for me, (Plus I really don't like the 165's), and I'd probably have to get the turbo rebuilt and engine rebuilt too for a price that low, and my car is going on 9 years old, but has only done almost 80,000km's.
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Location:
Adelaide, SA
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Conversion thoughts.
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Sat, 29 May 2004 08:18
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As you said you'd probably have to put new seals in when it's gassed up anyway - esp if it used old gas and you convert to R134a.
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