Bought an engine but.....

[soloracer]

.....don't shoot me for it. I just purchased a Toyota 3S-GTE engine out of an MR2 Turbo for $1100 canadian (Approx. $600 US). The engine included turbo and intercooler. I checked with Kennedy Engineering and they have adapter plates for it and my 915 tranny. I understand this motor makes 200-220 hp stock and that 350 to 400 is attainable on stock internals with turbo and fueling upgrades. I plan on running my Haltech E6K with this engine and upgrading to a T04 series turbo. Intercooling is going to require a little more thinking however.

Just thought I would update you guys and get some feedback. Has anyone seen this engine combo done before? Any advice you have would be appreciated. I just figured that bang for the buck it couldn't be beaten. I would really like to go with a Porsche 6 but the economics just weren't there. I was almost set to go with a V8 conversion or Subaru 6 but I think this Toyota 4 will better suit my needs.

[jabb]

No much experience with a Toyota conversion, but why the 915 ?

Making the 915 work in a 914 is an expensive propostion, I would really consider staying with the 914 gear box.

Good Luck with your project

[soloracer]

Why the 915? Primarily because it's the transmission that came with the car and has a Vellios side shift conversion already done. Also, from what I understand, the 915 transmission will handle more power.

I also have a question about the adapter plates. I was asked if I was using a 914 flywheel by Hobart Kennedy - great guy by the way - and I told him I did not have one. He then gave me a price on a Porsche clutch and flywheel for my set-up. After I hung up I started thinking about it and must admit I'm a little confused. Doesn't the adapter plate fit the flywheel that goes with the motor? (Ie: The order of things would be Engine, Toyota Flywheel, Adapter Plate, Pressure Plate, Clutch Disk, Transmission.) Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I could call Hobart again but won't disturb him if I don't need to. Thanks.

[Zeke]

The *adaptor plate* marries the engine casting to the trans casting. It does nothing about the internals. I have not done a Toyota conv, but I am familiar with the term adaptor and am familiar with Kennedy.

[mike mueller]

Like Zeke said, the adaptor plate bolts to the engine, then the tranny bolts to the adaptor plate.

The flywheel is (or can be) a new stock 914 flywheel that has been modified to bolt onto the end of the Conversion motor crankshaft.

Sometimes a new flywheel will be made from scratch if too many modification need to be done to the stock Porsche flywheel.

You are better off buying everything from KEP so that you know the parts will work together.

The reason he asked if you had your own flywheel was that if you did and it is in good condition, it can be modifed by KEP instead of buying a new one from them.

That motor should be okay.....but you better try to get that car as light as possible since you'll have to push a lot of air with those flares and overcome the rolling resistance with the massive tires you have.

Do some more research on that motor before you start to bump up the boost too much.....they are not as bulletproof as one would like when pushed to the limits. Have fun and keep us informed.

[soloracer]

Thanks for the info Mike. You will probably laugh at this but the other day I was in the garage looking at the back of the car and while staring at that huge rubber (315/35/17's) was wondering if I had made a smart choice of engine. Power and torque wise I can get more out of a modified 3S-GTE than out of a stock 3.0, 3.2 or 3.6 but it sure does physically look too small for the job. It just seems like a guy would need a big ol V8 to adequately turn the wheels with authority. I just keep telling myself that the 3S-GTE has been used in racing and is capable of 900 hp so it should be no problem.

As far as bulletproof goes I understand that 350-400 HP is the max you want to go on stock internals. Even then it is suggested you go with different connecting rods to be safe. The nice thing is that a 3S-GTE should not cost so much to rebuild - as compared to a Porsche engine that is. The limiting factor I believe will be my 915 transmission. Speaking of which, assuming the transmission has stock gearing, does anyone have an opinion on how the gearing for the 915 will work with this 4 banger? I know the V8 boys talk about 1st gear being pretty much not needed.

As for weight, I hope to keep it under 2000 lbs. Right now the car weighs in at 1400 lbs without engine or transmission. The engine is supposed to weigh 293 lbs and I estimate the transmission is around 75-100. That would leave 200 lbs for everything else. Does this sound reasonable?

[J P Stein]

Solo:
You may want to get hold of a copy of Sports Compact Cars, Aug 1998 issue. They did a serise of articles on pumping up a 3s-gte.

They did it in steps and list stuff & costs.
In the end, they had 30psi boost and 450-500 hp at the wheels.... for bout 25K. Woofed a motor along the way.....

With the stock turbo they were gud for 16 psi & 250 at the wheels.....3700 bucks.

[JRust]

Ok JP I know you have a toyota MR2 & love it. Do you think that motor even stock would make a great conversion? I realize it isn't a Porsche motor. "Oh well". I like the reliability of toyota very much. That engine conversion sounds like a good possibility for me if it would work well. Whatcha think? Keep us updated soloracer!

[J P Stein]

It's a good motor,but I'd rather have bamboo shoots burning under my fingernails than try to stick that motor and it's myriad accesssories into a 914. Looking down thru the engine room of Mr.2, you cannot see the ground anywhere. Turn that 90 deg and stuff it a 914....not me.

[soloracer]

What if we remove a bunch of the accessories (such as A/C, Power Steering, Emissions stuff, etc.) and as many vacuum lines as possible. Sound any better then? My biggest concern right now is how far forward it would sit. I can't imagine it would be any worse than a short block chevy however.

[J P Stein]

Were I building a hot rod using the 3s, I'd use........ta da...a Mr.2 body, trans and the rest.
Cut the weight down to 2400 lbs and jack the motor to 300hp.....yehaw!