5SFE: Another rebuild thread.

[ShackC]

I have been going through too much trying to get an engine so i bought one. It came from a 90 celica, and the head looks different. Now i am at the point of taking the engine back to the yard i got it from and using the money to repair the 5s my car was originally equipped with.

I am hoping that the low compression is being caused by the head, if so ill be taking it to a local machinist.

[ShackC]

I might be undereducated in mr2 or toyota more specifically but i have wrenching experience, along with swaps into civics. I have searched and searched, on how to make this 90 4a work with my 91 5s setup, having no luck yet.

[rousegk7]

There is not much interest in making power with the 5sfe. For your power goals it would be cheaper to do a 3sgte swap, and you'll have 50+ more horsepower to boot.

[ShackC]

for my current funds i really need to just get my mr2 going, ill worry about upgrades later, but thanks for the tip.

[rousegk7]

Ahh, in that case, I am not sure at all. I think there is a thread somewhere talking about exactly what you are looking for.

[ShackC]

not really, i just talked a toyota mechanic he said it would be best to rebuild the mr2 5s and that around here a smog man would not pass me visually because the celicas engine numbers and the mr2 numbers dont match up. Once again california sucks balls.

[328FTW]

I'm no 5sfe expert but the cover on the celica motor is different but the mr2 valve cover should bolt on that way you have the same looking head and spark plugs. And what engine numbers are they looking at? I know the block is stamped with 5s somewhere but I dunno about other stampings since it is kinda irrelevant for what I do it doesn't matter so never paid attention to any other stampings.

[TomsMR2]

Originally Posted by ShackC

not really, i just talked a toyota mechanic he said it would be best to rebuild the mr2 5s and that around here a smog man would not pass me visually because the celicas engine numbers and the mr2 numbers dont match up. Once again california sucks balls.

your "smog man" has 100% no idea what hes talking about. you could stuff a corvette engine in your mr2 and legally pass smog. you can stuff anything in your car and legally smog it. people just like to spread rumors and complain. dont fall in that circle.

ive smogged both my swapped mr2's. no problems, no questions, 100% legal.

are you sure you dont have a 3sfe from a celica? all 5sfes fit in mr2's. camry 5sfes should be avoided because some brackets cause problems, but they can be used anyway if you're out of options.

the 5sfe isnt a bad engine. you toss cams in it, bone stock, and run high 14's. look up what modern cars run high 14's.. its a respectable time. it needs cams. skip everything, go directly to cams.

im all for rebuilding 5sfes.. but! never send 5sfe blocks to machine shops! if it needs machining, put it in the dumpster and find one that doesnt! this is the key to reliability.

[ShackC]

thanks, not a 3s, im also not sure with it but one area i have found some numbers on the block, not the tag riveted to the block, but just off of the tag it says 4A, along with the other numbers same as the other motor the wrecker had sitting there which he said came from a geo metro, the spark plug tubes do not go through the valve cover, nor are they threaded. But the distributor is on the opposite side of the cam gears, so its not a 4age... i think. Anyways, the motor is going back unless you guys say something to change my mind. I got my head off today from my 5sfe nothing looked bad, but we'll see on that. As for the rest ill be getting started on the block itself in a day or so. And ill work on some pics, no promises though i have a tough time with that.

[TomsMR2]

might be a 4afe.. which is a real turd.

[ShackC]

Probably is a 4afe, its gone now i'm just overhauling mine.

Just for an update, i have everything out & mostly cleaned up.

You think non Toyota ones will go bad under normal driving.

Looking into a 3sgte for my next project, so i just want this engine for a NO FUN backup.

[Medusa]

When in doubt, OEM. The OEM gaskets for our engines don't have any problems, so stick with them if you aren't sure what to use.

[ShackC]

just more update, all the head needs is some valve work, and tlc.

[TomsMR2]

are you sure its a 5sfe?

[ShackC]

which, mine yes, i checked the vins on my 2,
the car has never been modded except for a POS Spectre air filter on the end of a rubber tube which is not from a 91 deuce, so i replaced it with the stock induction system i bought from clonesmr2, here.
As for the other engine i would agree with one of TomsMR2 previous posts about it being a 4a-fe, That crap is long gone now, my 5s is apart, head being machined, block lightly honed, everything looks good. We have found nothing wrong, other than a valve job being needed. But i see it as a good thing, looks like my project may be a bit shorter than i thought. Along with cheaper. Ordering the overhaul kit Tuesday or Wednesday, the machinist needs the valve seals and stuff i need the others.

Other than that, are there any temperature issues with an all stock engine, and or wiring, i should bug out now.

[TomsMR2]

the stock setup is rock solid.. if you have a dremel and some spare time, its not a bad idea to port out the head (dont bother polishing anything). besides that, you;re good

[ShackC]

Thats already being done by a machinist, not confident with that myself, plus its not costing any extra.

[ShackC]

What are opinions on prothane body and suspension bushings and the engine mount inserts?

[ShackC]

Engine wiring harness, untaped, cleaned up and retaped.

[TomsMR2]

i doubt anyones porting a head for you for free.. its hours of work by hand. i probably have 10+ hours in mine with power tools.

ran engine mount inserts, hated the vibration, knew that im getting zero realistic "gain" from being vibrated to death. split between useless and annoying!

ive had quality issues with the rear bushing sleeves on a few sets of prothane bushings. they're not to the same tolerance as oem, and cause the suspension arms to shift under heavy load, making the car impossible to align and impossible to hold an alignment. rapid tire wear. other sets have been fine. i wouldnt recommend them unless your bushings are trashed, and even then id only replace the ones that are bad, leave the good ones in there.