Toyota Celica ST 204 3SGE


Celica ST 204 3SGE 3rd Gen

The Celica ST 200 series got the upgraded 3SGE 3rd Gen engines when they were introduced in 1994.  This engine never made it to the U.S. (and neither did the 2nd Gen 3SGE in the ST 180 series).  The 3SG engines were discontinued in the U.S. in 1991.  In Japan and the rest of the world, Toyota continued to upgrade and sell the 3SGEs.  The 3rd Gen 3SGE and 3SGTE turbo engines continued to be available, in Japan and the rest of the world.  The 5SFE was a unique American market engine only.  The AT200 with the 7AF engine was a true joke- passed on to the bewildered Celica owners.  A true farce when Toysport considers the Celica owners as the most loyal and diehard Toyota owners!!

The 3SGE 3rd Gen engine was introduced with 170HP, with a shim under bucket head set-up.  This allows radical cam upgrades without the danger of the adjustment shims flying off.  A true naturally-aspirated, high performance engine in the Toyota tradition of Twin Cams  for Celicas.  This engine was installed in our 1997 Celica, after we pulled out the ST205 engine. 

If Toyota had installed this engine in the U.S. cars, this last generation Celicas with the S engines would have sold really well.  The aggressive looks finally had the power to back it up.  It is a real shame that this generation Celica - with rigid body and superior accommodations was not only underpowered- but it’s most potent version the ST205 was not even imported for the Celica ST165 and ST185 enthusiasts.

The 3SGE 3rd Gen engine dropped right in.  If you are conversion handicapped, we can get the exact brackets from Japan.  The difference between 5SFE and real 3SGE is phenomenal.  The car feels healthier and sportier with the correct engine.  You begin to wonder whether you should import the Super Strut suspension too, to get the maximum impact of what Celicas are suppose to be- even in FWD form.  (The Super Strut suspension is an entirely different front suspension system.)

Toysport stays in business by upgrading Celicas and other Toyota models.  We will fill in all the gaps Toyota and TRD leaves open for us.  Yes the Camry is a best seller- fully refined and well equipped for it’s market position- but us enthusiasts aspire for more than Camry. This Celica “upgrade” to stock JDM specifications makes us wonder what Toyota is really up to.  So- give your Celica this minimum upgrade, or go with a 3SGTE.

Some related thoughts:  The replacement Celica generation ZZT series proves that Toyota realized this mistake.  Although the new Celica is more a Levin / Trueno replacement- in size and engine availability- we will take the new Celica as true Celicas….wonder if a 3SGE/GTE will work…..

Altezza Dual VVTi 3SGE.  Since the Altezza was RWD it was a hard install on the MR2s and Celicas- but the single VVTi is a drop in.

Naturally- we had to install one at first opportuniyty- an MR2 NA with 180,000 miles, whose owner was wary of turbo engines- was first in line.  We had received 2 brand new engines from Toyota and wanted to see what it would be like.  For this install we used a header with built-in catalytic converters (duals for 1-4 and 2-3) to see if it will pass California’s strict emission standards; we have not done it yet- but- it has provisions casted in the head to fit in an EGR.

We ordered the engine harness from Japan for the VVTi engine and the only problem we encountered were the connectors to the chassis harness.  They are different- available Japan only.  (We will supply these connectors if you decide you need this engine too.)

Power delivery is unbelievable- reaffirming our belief that Toyota still is the leader on any Twin-Cam technology.  Although a little late in offering the variable-timing cam technology- Toyota has delivered the best available in the market- thank you YAMAHA!!! 

Aside from the special exhaust manifold, we fabricated a connector to an HKS turbo muffler- a little bit noisy, but we wanted absolutely no power restriction on this end.  Naturally we upgraded the shocks and springs- Eibach and Tokico Illuminas, still the best all around set-up.

A lot of our project cars are based on installing JDM specification engines in older Toyota models, and this proves to be one of the easier and most rewarding ones.  You cannot beat the factory in tuning engines, you just have to wait when they become available in the HP range you want.

We plan further tuning of this engine combination with cams and other electrical gizmos….  maybe a 2200cc version too… So that the MR2 NA crowd will be able to run and play- “all engine”…… stay in tune

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