** 3S-GE Beams VS Rav4.1 [replacement engines?]

Unknown member · Jan 10, 2009

My current engine was overheat. I want to replace the engine with more hp. Without any knowledge, I bought the engine 3S-GE without realising that it was for 2 wheel drive, not the engine block of Rav4. Even the engine and the gear box could be mounted, there were problem happened
The problem is, there are 2 sensor from the differential that could not be plugged into ECU. So, I have to remove the engine and went to the used engine shop for return. The owner said why don't I try 3S-GE Beams which come 4wheel drive.

I would like to ask for your comment is there any possibility that I could used the stated engine. I look at 3S in the Wiki and saw that they used in Japan.

Is there any member replace with the 3S-GE Beams with Rav4.1? If so, do you have to modify the engine mounting?

Thanks in advance for all of your comment.

Bothwell_buyer · Jan 17, 2009

basically, the RAV4 originally got fitted with a 3SFE engine.
The 3SGTE and the 3SGE both have the same block as the 3SFE physically. However I think to fit a different engine, you will need the ecu and probably wiring harness to make the engine work.
I know from what we have done that the 3SGTE engine fits to the original RAV gearbox and I've read that some folk have a 3SGE engine in their RAV.
The 3SGTE engine is , being a turbo, a bit different to the 3SFE !!! The 3SGE is a na engine and should fit in easier to the engine bay. but you still need to check on the installation differences.

If you reall y want more hp, then the best is to get hold of a wrecked donor MR2 which has the turbo 3SGTE and swap the engine, ecu, loom, etc into the RAV. It will take it from 127bhp up towards 300bhp and has the potential for 600bhp !!!

Rav4jptrk · Jan 17, 2009

about how much (hp and torque wise) does the 3sge make...and at what rpms do they peak?

Corrupt_File · Jan 17, 2009

According to wiki, the 94-99 3S GE made 182 hp @ 7k and 142 ft lbs @ 4.8 k. The 99+ made 200hp @ 7k, same torque.

Guest · Jan 17, 2009

While waiting for the reply, no choice, have to pursue the project. I had removed the 3S-GE out since it did not work as stated above, and then, put the Grey Top Beams 3S-GE into it. There are 3 things need to be done,
1. drive shaft for which Beams is much bigger than the 3sFE engine. The one that come with the engine was cut while they dismounting from the used car scrap yard. I have to send the sample to the lathe factory and ask them to make it. Should be ok Monday

2. Automatic Transmission Mounting. There is no plarts available here. I am trying to looking for the parts number in order to order from Japan/Aus. Temporary use, our technician is modiftying from the old one. Should be able to see the result today too.

3. Wiring. Now, they are doing wiring and expect to finish today.

Will share more in detial

Gryphon1 · Mar 11, 2009

Hey there. I'm interested to know if this ever worked and how well? Did you get it to fit ok? what was required to make sure the mating worked? would it be easier with a manual tranny?

Cheers

Corrupt_File · Mar 11, 2009

I believe there is a difference between the FWD and AWD block designs - it wasn't the same between rav4's, so it likely won't be the same between 3s-fe and 3s-ge. There was a slight difference in oil pan design between the manual and automatic, but they were swappable.

If you can track down an engine harness and ecu from the 3s-ge/gte, you can use it, but the modifications/cost would be significant.

Bothwell_buyer · Mar 11, 2009

Corrupt_File said:
I believe there is a difference between the FWD and AWD block designs - it wasn't the same between rav4's, so it likely won't be the same between 3s-fe and 3s-ge. There was a slight difference in oil pan design between the manual and automatic, but they were swappable.

If you can track down an engine harness and ecu from the 3s-ge/gte, you can use it, but the modifications/cost would be significant.

I keep forgetting that there are 2WD versions as well!!

Reveryjim · May 28, 2009

Any more information on this? I would like to set up a new topic if there's nothing more for this one.

mrtaxi · May 29, 2009

Beams Rav

Here in New Zealand you can get the 4.1 Rav 4 with the Beams engine and it puts out 175 Bhp.

Guest · Sep 8, 2009

Man, sorry for very late reply. Since I worked abroad and did not have time to follow up my car, it took about 6 +1 months from the date that my car was over heated to complete.
I could not correctly say complete since I use the Beam Grey top engine but with the old transmission.
As of the 1 days (after 6 months) I took my car out from the garage, there was a problem on the rattling noise from the VVti and the mechanic could not fix it right away. They had to removed the whole engine block and remove the lower part of the crankshaft and see what was wrong. Long story short, it took one more month so they could fix the problem.
Driving the car, pick up rate is not acceptable due to the unmatch gearbox with engine. You need to use o/d to help accelerate. However, you get better rpm on the higher speed. You can drag on 3rd gear (turn of o/d) to 140 km/h and turn on o/d. Then, it will be exceed 180 km/h.
I made up my mine to change to 3S-GTE but need to wait until I am station in my country so I could follow up since I learned that it is the same engine block but not that easy

Guest · Sep 10, 2009

Hi Cheep, have you been using the orignal Auto Gearbox with all these engine changes? Just wondering cause I'd like to do the same. Our Rav is dead at the moment.

anarcki · Sep 25, 2009

the ones i see on ebay are all FWD, currently i have AWD -- whats my plan of action if i were to get one with a FWD tranny?

anotherdave · Sep 25, 2009

You dont need to stop at ebay, you can look around the net at different JDM importers. I believe there are at least a few beams engines around with 4WD. If it isnt mentioned as to whether or not it is an AWD, it never hurts to contact with questions

Though in my browsings, the beams engine isnt as common as the 3SGTE.

anarcki · Sep 25, 2009

exactly. i've been seeing a lot of 3sgte's but rare 3sge's on the jdm import sites.

calgaryrav4 · Sep 27, 2009

you want one that is from a FWD. the engine will have all the proper mount locations to be transversely mounted (FWD or AWD RAV's), where the RWD beams may not have the all the mount locations you need to install transversely in the RAV. I believe that the AWD beams was mounted longitudinal in the cars it comes out of similar to the AWD skylines.

anarcki · Nov 17, 2009

so if my car's currently an AWD auto-trans, i can just buy a FWD 3SGE beams off ebay,
like this in particular:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...wItem&item=180427756048&viewitem=&_trkparms=algo=LVI&its=I&otn=2&category=33615

and i would have all the parts necessary to make it run ?

jcubillo · Nov 17, 2009

that engine looks niiiiiiiiice.

why are you going with the beams engine? you can buy a turbo 3s-gte engine for that same amount of money.

about the parts... you will ALWAYS have to buy some extra components when swapping an engine. if you decide to go on with this project... have at leas $1K spare to buy some parts you'll need. even if you happen to be really lucky and don't have to get extra parts... that 1 grand will always come in handy to get some extra toys for the car :wink:

if you do buy that engine... sell me the transmission

anarcki · Nov 17, 2009

how is your 3sgte doing? i probably won't be able to do the swap on my own

jcubillo · Nov 17, 2009

I already have the engine at my house and will start the swap once I get my christmas bonus. As far as I know I will only have to buy a new flywheel, clutch kit, slim radiator fans, fmic, tubing, and that's it... but then again.. once you have it installed it will surely show some probblems and that's where the fun starts.

facebook album of the car:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=322781&id=759355313&l=a78d87b82b

I'll upload mor pics as the project goes on

** 3S-GE Beams VS Rav4.1 [replacement engines?]

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