I need help/guidance!

**drumtheatre3** · 05-11-2006, 05:49 PM

Hey guys, I have been reading the forums for a while, trying to gather information. Don’t regard this as “Another guy who hasn’t used the bloody search button” because that’s not me – All the info I have got has sort of confused me to some extent. My situation is that I live in Sydney and have a TA22 lined up for me for early next year and I was wondering if you guys could help me on prices and advice. It will be my daily driver by the way.

The car has been sitting out in the weather for a couple of years (with a cover over it) but it seems to have minimal rust. I have mates who can fix the rust and paint it for me so this isn’t a big deal. The motor - Well… apparently something has gone in the bottom end, instead of fixing the problem I was thinking of an engine conversion…(Just for the record, what does a second hand stock TA22 motor cost these days?). What could I get a second hand 3SGTE for? (I can’t really remember but they have stopped producing the 3TGTE haven’t they?) With this motor (3SGTE), will the stock gearbox bolt straight on? Will it be strong enough? If not, then what gearbox should I get and for how much? It has a Tarago rear diff in it. What clutch do I go with? I would be after a heavy duty one but for street drivability (Which is what I would be mainly using it for) I don’t really want a button/puck style clutch. I want to do all these mods myself but I don’t think I will have the time, so how long do you think it would take at a mechanic/workshop to do all the engine/driveline conversions? Labour costs? What are some good places in the Sydney area, preferably in the North Shore area, that know Toyota’s and in particular TA22’s? Driveshaft?

It has been lowered using King Springs already so I guess this will be fine. Does anyone make coilovers to suit a TA22? Swaybars? Strut Braces?

Engine management – What do you recommend for me? I am on a budget so not Motec… What about the stock 3SGTE ECU? Where do I get one of those from? Also how much for a dyno tune after it is all done? I would be happy with a stock map tune that would come with some ECU’s but what ones suit a 3SGTE?

I will work out the interior and do that myself. One question though, I believe the SW20 seats are relatively easy to install, would these be the way to go?

Brakes now… Slotted rotors? Or a full disc/calliper conversion? How much and what parts? I can do this conversion myself.

Is there anything else I need?

Basically, what sort of price would I be looking at to do all this stuff including parts and labour (for the engine, gearbox, tuning, ECU, ECU/Engine wiring, I think that’s all… - I will do the rest myself) and where would I source them from. I would need an engineer’s certificate at the end of this won’t I; sorry to be ignorant but how much does that cost? I know I would be getting it tuned (Or maybe not – Using stock 3SGTE ECU) but how much wheel hp/kw would I be expecting with this setup?

Exhaust? Opinions?

One last question – Is there any good N/A 6 Cylinder or other cheaper turbo engines that are a straight bolt in or relatively easy to install? Or should I dump this whole idea and just fix the motor…

It would be great if you could help,
I really appreciate this guys.

Will.

**Vios-GT_07** · 05-11-2006, 06:05 PM

hmm... the TA22 would use a 2T or 3T engine i think... and they do come in a variety of options if u notice on the forums.. some of them are carbie, some of them with solex webbers or dolerto (sp?) side draft things.. you could rebuild the engine if the head isn't some single cam carbie thing, might be worth it.. say it's just a big end bearing, why not rebuild it? if the block has cracked or something silly then yea fair enough, new engine time!

yeh the 3S-GTE has long been out of production, i think the last of them would be the Gen5? with vvti... would be hard to find i'd imagine.. and the most u'll need to make fit would be to modify the bell-housing and sort out some clutch issues. I've seen V6s hooked up to the 4WD gearboxes so it shouldn't be that hard to work around

ECUs - depend on what you want from your engine.. if u're on a budget, a stock ECU would allow you to use stock everything.. as for stock map? well the 3S-GTE ecu would have the map for a 3S-GTE engine.. ur question there is confusing ...

with the stock ecu if u read on the forums, has problems with higher boost levels from using big dump pipes or similar i.e. boost cut or fuel cut , which can be overcome with a FPR, boost controller / boost cut defender devices

SW20 seats fit into anything.. provided u have the rails made up for them.. and yea they're a good confortable seat.. i've used one in my old G11 Charade turbo from way back..

and brakes.. erm... the stock items are reasonable, but if u're going with stock and a car that old it wouldn't hurt to recondition the calipers and new discs and pads... this u can definitely do yourself.. and while u're at it, check ur brake booster is good..

Price wise, from what i can tell u might need 2 grand for the engine (3S-GTE) and work to make it fit, brakes etc etc.. and might set up back up to 5 grand easily.. (just off the top of my head).. labour and parts...

exhaust? erm.. that's all up to you mate.. though a good dump pipe and 2.25 inch exhaust for the 3S-GTE wouldn't hurt but u might have to sort out the boost issues..

NA-6 for the TA-22? well there is the 1G-GE... i think there's some people on this forum that have it.. (Lambolica comes to mind for some reason)..

**Vios-GT_07** · 05-11-2006, 06:18 PM

http://www.toymods.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13746

here's a start if u're interested

**drumtheatre3** · 07-11-2006, 06:13 PM

Hey,

Thanks so much for that info! It helped a lot. So you think around 5 grand for everything? I am now starting to believe that I should do the conversion. What is involved in mounting the engine and gearbox (the 5 speed one that "comes" with the 3SGTE)? Do the engine mounts need to be modified? The shifter will also be in a different location am I correct? That is easy to fix I assume? Just cut a new hole? If I had the 3SGTE engine and gearbox in, all I would need to make it work is a custom tail shaft wouldn't I? How much would that set me back?

Thanks again for the wealth of info!

**Jorrs** · 07-11-2006, 06:19 PM

if u are going to the way of the 3sgte, you will need to modify the firewall back as the motor sits in to long, or install coil packs...
i say dont go 3sgte, from what i have read appears to be quite expensive and a major pain in the ass, have you considered perhaps the 18RGU? makes pretty decent power and would be alot easier..
theres heaps more to these conversions then you think and you be headspun, i think take advice from one of the boys on here who have done something similiar when they reply is your best bet..

**Vios-GT_07** · 07-11-2006, 06:24 PM

erm.. the 3S-GTE only comes in a FWD + 4WD type coz it's an east to west engine, unless u're talking the BEAMS..

but yea it can be done u'll need a bell-housing to make the gearbox fit to RWD.. and on top of that, what Jorrs said about the firewall.. IMO if u have to fabricate the tunnel it's a whole different level of a conversion.. still can be done though, it's all about how far u're willing to go

if ur blown motor isn't too seriously damaged i'd just rebuild it.. (just to be clear that's what i'd do)

**Hash_ra23** · 07-11-2006, 06:40 PM

i think ppl are confusing 3sgte and 3tgte a bit in this thread

3tgte is going to be easier and theres alot of info on it around to help you.
3sgte is gonna be a pita.

**YelloRolla** · 07-11-2006, 08:56 PM

The 3T GTE is going to be the easiest for this conversion, they make alright power too. They went out of production in about 1984 I think?

I wouldn't bother with the stock TA22 gearbox, but rather go for a W55, 57 or 58. Tailshaft from an Automatic TA22 will tie it to the diff.

An organic HHD clutch will bo OK for a while.

There are a few cost effective brake conversions - search on the HiLux/Peugeot brake option. Alternatively Pittwater Brake and clutch can do a conversion using Holden VT calipers and slotted rotors.

ECU is up to you - you may just like to use the stock one for a while - they will cope with moderate boost increases. There are plenty of entry level computers on the market, so I would get to know a tuner and see what they like to use. (I use a Wolf 3D on mine and it has served me very well)

Exhaust - I would go 3" stainless mandrel.

Seats - milk crates are cheap, light and easy to install too.

AFAIK there is no EASY 6 cylinder option for the TA22.

HTH
Jase

**drumtheatre3** · 07-11-2006, 09:24 PM

Hey guys.
Thanks again, this is really helping me. Yeah that was my original idea before I had this last one.... 3TGTE with a W55.... The only problem was where to get one from and for how much? I haven't seen any for ages. So this conversion (3TGTE and W55) will be straight forward (i.e. bolt on)? I could, if I couldn't find a TA22 auto tailshaft, get a tailshaft custom made but I am wondering how much that would cost. Are there any good wreckers in Sydney that would have this stuff (auto tailshaft, etc)?

Thanks again.

**RAIncarnated** · 09-11-2006, 12:10 AM

Got my 3TGTE for 1.5 k including w55. Purchased as a rebuilder though as was a bit smokey b4 it came out. Good score though has everything attached AC compressor Power Steering pump carina xmmber with steering rack attached. I have seen motor only with out ECU etc.. for $300 they are getting a bit hard to find though.

**skiddz** · 09-11-2006, 12:28 AM

mmk for the brake upgrade have a look at takia's rona/pug/lux upgrade, i have done this myself, tested em today, n they go alright. as for rear discs this is somthing i am investigating myself (and taking my time), but the rear brakes arent that bad, if anything bad brakes will make you revise your driving habits (read: speeding and hooning).

to me it seems pointless to own an old car if you dont have "time" i dont have alot of time, but 8 months ago i saw a car, and thought that looks hot, i could make it look hotter, then 8 months and alot of money passed and i now have a nearly finished ta22, moral of this story is it takes money and time, alot of time (8 months is only a fraction compared to some)

and for 5 grand you will not even come close to doing an engine conversion especially a 3sgte , theres all sorts of hidden costs you dont think of, like things breaking, various upgrades eg brakes, diff, suspension, ecu's, intake, exhaust, cooling and all sorts. not forgetting engineering!

also dont be asking us for good wreckers let you fingers do the walking, you will find places have bits'n peices especailly from these old cars