1986 GTS 'To mod or to mod a lot, that is the question.'

[Sypherz28]

I just recently purchased a 1986 GTS off of ebay, and the car is absolutely perfect except for the blown engine. It has a 3SGE model engine in it currently. I have many ideas that I keep playing with and many unanswered questions.

I could either buy a rebuilt engine or rebuild the one I have with all performance parts. If I do the engine swap would the 3SGTE engine fit in there comfertably?

What does everyone think I should do?

[illGT4]

Do what you want to do.

Why not just rebuild the 3S-GE? or find another as replacement?

It's easy and cost effective.. you're sticking to the same engine that's in it, so you don't have to worry about an after market ECU or rigging it up.

CHris

[Sypherz28]

I have always been a fan of the sounds from a turbo, but I am just not quite sure if the 3SGTE will fit in there. I am new to the whole Celica scene and don't know all the mechanics yet. I am willing to go through the hell of getting the 3SGTE in there if thats what everyone reccomends. And the engine is just the start of my Celica adventure, there is more to come about what else I want to mod on it, but one thing at a time.

[illGT4]

I hope you have a lot of cash. I haven't looked in the bay of an '86 recently, but a 3S-GTE should fit.

But do you understand what it takes to control it?

CHris

[illGT4]

I'm not trying to discourage you.. just know what it takes $$ to do it.

Here's a taste...

Your ECU won't control a turbo. Scrap it.
New Standalone, $1500 or so. TUning is key. $$$

You'll need an Intercooler... you don't have a hood scoop, so can't go Top mount.. Front mount would work, but that's going to set you back about $1000 or so for GOOD work.

So... it depends.... COULD be:

ECU $1500
IC $1000
2nd gen 3S-GTE $1000
misc. $1000 (clutch, fw, etc...)

so there's ~$4500 right there. Do you want to put that kind of money in an 86 GTS??


Chris

[Sypherz28]

Well if necessary I can make the necessary adjustments to get the engine to fit, such as a hood scoop. I also have a few connections to get parts and such but not too many. What I really want in the end is what is going to perform best. I'm not looking for extreme speed but I do want enough to turn some heads when necessary. I must admit it is a little intimidating looking at an import engine and wondering if I can rebuild it. I am use to working on american engines around that year and I am sure you know there is a huge difference between the two. There are so damn many vacumn hoses I can't keep up with them all.

[Sypherz28]

Here is some more questions I need to find out..

--What kinds of bodykits are available for 86 celica GTS Hatchback?

--Does anyone think a white tiger theme would fit this car?

--Are any other aftermarket parts available such as cold air intake?

--Who or where would I go to get a fiberglass dash and center console made?

Chris

[Sypherz28]

Oh and by the way I decided to just rebuild my current 3SGE engine with all performance parts.. I'm sure with all the extra performance parts such as the pistons and all I can make mine run just as good as the 3SGTE..

[jibo]

yo, dude I got the same model car but mine is an 86 gts two door coupe. I am also looking for some parts for my 3s-ge engine that'll "turn some heads" haha. Well lets tag team this summama biotch and turn it into an under cover beast. Hit me back up when you find some parts.

[Sypherz28]

Hey man where abouts do you live? Cause if your anywhere near Swansboro NC and you get that car running you have a shot at being in a car club.

[jibo]

Sorry man I live in Long Beach, Ca and people over here always be braggin about their cars and my car is under powered compared to theirs. so i want to modify my engine so it can hual "some" ass. haha. I want to surprise people with my celica. Do you think we can keep up with 89-91 supras that are stocked with turbo?

[Sypherz28]

Well from what I have found out so far if you heavily modified the 3sge engine you could keep up with a stock supra, or at least come close, but our year car is more of a project car for street performance and for style.. not for racing. Toyota designed their celica engines to balance power with fuel economy. Supras are more built for racing performance. Dont get me wrong there is a lot of power to be harnessed in our engines just not for psycho speeds. NOS makes a system for our engines which is a definate plus if you want the high power.

[jibo]

ok, so what can we do to our engines to atleast pull some ass out of it? Do you know where to get some parts for our car? I really want some harder suspensions for my car because right now it is so damn soft that when i make turns at 40-50 mph my wheels hit the gutter thing of the car. I would like to turn my car into my first drift machine. I'm already drifting with it even thought it has front wheel drive.

[Sypherz28]

Well for parts you are going to have to just look around. I haven't found any solid places to get crap from yet. HKS USA has the exhaust system and NOS offers a Dry Shot package. As far as spension just get some lowering springs, and some solid shocks. To reduce swaying get anti sway bars installed. Here is a short list of some of the things you should look for.

Exhaust header, Cold or All-weather intake, Cam shafts, Timming Gears, Pistons, Bosch +2 or +4 Plugs, Thicker Plug wires, Injectors, Port and Polish, Valve Job...

I'm still in the early stages of my adventure so I dont have any definate answers as of yet. I've been doing a lot of research and I'm rebuilding every since inch of my engine. Since I am doing all the labor it's not costing nearly what it could. I am also forever posting messages in this forum about my car so you'll always know what I have found out.

[import_cowboy]

yo check this out 5gen coil overs work on 4th gen celica's a.k.a. ours (me being a 86 gt-s owner too) , and for body kits wize this ant shit out thier for kits, their all over seas and thay cost more than our cars are worth, best bet is go with the body kitt of a 4th gen celica alltrack/4wd aka gt-4 the stock body kitts on thouse are nice and fit right on to our cars and mod wize the the 3s-gte will fit in place of the 3s-ge only problem is you cant use the stock tranny due to the starter placement witch is underneath the exaust manifold, the 5s-fe tranny should work fine but you would still have to babby it becouse the extra hp might tear the gears apart, thair is still hope for modifying our cars you just have to talk to the right people...