3rd gen 3sge questions

[therealjab]

Hey guys!

I just acquired a '91 NA MR2 about two months ago and although I love it to pieces I want to give it more juice (insert stereotypical NA MR2 owner story here) As of right now, I'm deliberating between doing a 2nd gen 3sgte swap or a 3sge swap. I'm just not sure if buying a gen 3 3sge is really worth contending the scarcity of parts. Plus, I've read that despite the increased power of the third generation 3sge, the car is actually almost a second slower to 60mph.

So my question is this: Does anyone want to share their insights about the 3rd gen 3sge? Is it slower or faster than the 2nd gen? All owners stories welcomed and appreciated! Thanks in advance y'all!

[SpeedySix]

I debated this for a while too. If you were to purchase the engine, and just use your existing transmission, then that second slower won't apply to you. My understanding is that the slowness was caused by the gear ratio. The gen 3 does have some peaky cams, and that may be where some of the slowness comes from since you would have to stay in the upper RPM powerband.

There is a good article on here somewhere about modifying both engines, and it explains some of the differences. The shimless buckets and larger exhaust manifold really appealed to me on the 3rd gen.

The best advice I can give you is to research. After that if you still are not sure after doing all the research you can, just wait and watch. When a good deal pops up on either, jump on it. Just don't settle on paying as much as a beams or 3sgte swap will cost you. Good luck in your research.

[Mark_Dorman]

Check out the BEAMS forum...I'm pretty sure the 3rd gen 3S-GE the red top BEAMS

[SpeedySix]

Beams is 4th gen, but it is a good suggestion, maybe BEAMS is the route to go.

[Mark_Dorman]

^good to know...but yeah, If you're gonna do a swap, might as well go all out and do the beams. I've heard parts are hard to get a hold of but it's not suppose to be a difficult swap labor wise.

+1 for BEAMS

[SpeedySix]

Actually BEAMS is the route I ended up choosing too, but it is more expensive than the normal 3SGE swap... about twice as much in my case.

When I had the swaps all budgeted up the Gen 2 was 1300-1500, Gen 3 was 1500-1700, JDM 3sgte 2nd gen was 2400-3000, and now my beams swap will probably be 3000-4000 USD (depending on what upgrades, clutch, etc). There are better deals out there than that, but if you want the name of the places I found to order the engines PM me.

[therealjab]

Thanks for the replies guys! As far as the BEAMS suggestion is concerned, I'd be on that like Donkey Kong if it was financially feasible but I only want to spend a maximum of around $3500 (including labor) for an NA swap so it's out of the question.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a 3rd gen 3sge MR2 with the 5sfe tranny be faster than the 2nd gen 3sge MR2? Is it really only the taller gearing of the 3rd gen NA that makes it slower accelerating than the 2nd gen NA?

Also, do any of you guys have any seat time with the 3rd gen 3sge? Any owner stories? Thanks again

[mr220v]

I haven't had any experience with a gen3 (yet), though I've owned both a gen2 and the beams.

I opted for the gen2 over the gen3 because nearly all of the parts are available in the US. The gen3 was more powerful, but only by 10hp. This was accomplished with a little bit more aggressive cams, and higher compression. I was able to run midgrade gas with my gen2, and even got away with running 87 a time or two. With the gen3, you'd need premium.

So, for 10hp, it just wasn't worth the loss of usdm parts availability and the higher grade of gas. For 35hp on the other hand, it was.

Another thing to consider, a 91 3sge's wiring harness is PNP into your 91. A gen3's harness is not quite.

[SpeedySix]

There are way better deals out there, but I thought I would just point out this 2nd gen I found. They pop up every once in a while on ebay... though this is for a celica and a pretty crappy one at that. Gen 2 3SGE

I kinda doubt it will sell though, so you will probably see it pop up again for a little cheaper price.

[Servin]

Heck it might be cheaper to get this one: TOYOTA CELICA st202 MR2 REVISION 2 3SGE ENGINE on eBay, also, Toyota, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 03-Jun-08 23:12:19 BST)

Postage shouldnt be that bad from the UK...

[SpeedySix]

Originally Posted by Servin

Heck it might be cheaper to get this one: TOYOTA CELICA st202 MR2 REVISION 2 3SGE ENGINE on eBay, also, Toyota, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 03-Jun-08 23:12:19 BST)

Postage shouldnt be that bad from the UK...

Looked into it before, $500-700 for shipping... almost as much as the engine was. That seller always seems to have 3SGEs.

[djskorch]

that last ebay one is the 3rd gen. and the other one is a 2nd gen.

[therealjab]

Sorry to bring up this thread again but does anyone know of any member that owns a gen3 3sge swapped MR2?

Also, I'm a bit concerned about the parts availability issue. Does anyone know where a good source is for gen3 parts? Thanks again hombres

[SpeedySix]

I'd recommend hopping on the regional forums and asking that question. Our Australian, Asian, and UK friends should have some better ideas since the gen 3 was sold there. I've seen some gen 3 parts for sale on UK ebay too.

[Stevie_S]

I have a rev 3 or gen 3 as you guys call it, 175bhp.

Mine does 0 -60 in 6.9sec rev 3 have a higher top speed than rev1/2

in case you didnt know

rev 1 158bhp
rev 2 154 because the added a cat
rev 3 173
rev 4 168 they added something because of emission, i think it can be taken off
to give it back 173bhp
rev 5 197bhp japan only


anyway here is a pic of mine

[therealjab]

Nice ride Stevie S! Do you have any other driving impressions for it? If you live in the states could you compare it to the 5sfe? Thanks!

[Stevie_S]

Sorry bub, i live in the UK so cant compare. I have no problems with the speed of the car. If you are in the right gear it leaps into action when needed

I have a JDM import anniversary