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1994 Celica ST, 4th Gen 3SGTE (ST215) Swap,
Auto/Manual Conversion, etc
What a conversion! Take an automatic Celica ST, convert it to
manual, and then swap in a 4th generation 3SGTE from the ST215 Caldina,
the most powerful 3SGTE engine ever built and what do you get? One evil
machine comes to life in Dr Tweak's clandestine laboratory in this
week's episode: Dr Tweak and the TMNT (teenage mutant ninja turtle)
Celica... I don't get it.
Why's it called the TMNT Celica? Installing the clutch master cylinder for
the auto/manual conversion... Wiring...
  The 4th gen 3SGTE from the ST215 uses a
single-piece manifold/turbine: Engine installed with the turbo clocked to
save on intercooler bends Intercooler and piping installed using the
shortest, most effective route possible: Note the much better angle of the intake
manifold inlet. The design has improved greatly over the years from the
earlier 3SGTE: Poly mount
inserts installed to help reduce engine movement: This,
I think, is an awesome idea that I
came up with. I always am very careful to get oil pressure into the
engine before starting it up. Normally I pull all of the spark plugs
(so there's no load on the engine) and then crank it until I get
pressure. Here's an even better method. I take an old fuel pump,
connect it to a fitting that goes into the oil pressure port, put the
pump into a bottle of oil (in this case, the BK cup), and turn it on!
The fuel pump pushes oil into all of the oil galleys, gets everything
nice and lubricated up for the first startup, and even registers oil
pressure on a gauge!
 Completed the auto/manual conversion:   Up and running, and FAST! Note the factory blow-off valve custom installed. Wait a minute, what about the Dr Tweak pose?  AHA!  IT'S ALIVE!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
The owner Matt, on the left in the pic
above had this to say after riding in his new swapped Celica. "ah the swap was AWESOME! tweak took her on this parkway and OPENED HER UP! it was CRAZY! i dont want to say exactly how fast we were going in 4th gear but it was VERY impressive! illneversellmyceli was in the back seat gettin thrown around! i must say it was WELL worth the wait! to all the wanna-be swappers soon to be swappers- IT IS WORTH IT! the feel is awesome from 7a-3s....is a WRAP! hands down the high point of my year! doc has been GREAT he perfected everything and remained patient with me (even when i got testy and antsy) and was professional the whole time...if you want your swap done RIGHT take it to the man!"
UPDATE: In April of 2007, Matt was involved in a tragic head-on collision in the TMNT Celica. Though Matt and a few others suffered serious injuries, everyone made a full recovery. The TMNT Celica, however, was not so lucky. Here are a few pics of the damage.    The happy ending to the story is, Matt has already purchased a replacement Celica, and hopefully later this year (2008) we will be transplanting the ST215 engine from the TMNT Celica into his new car. Stay tuned! |
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