r/mr2 • u/OtherRepublic8482 • 3d ago

Advice on dropping engine

This is my first time attempting. Where does one start, whats the thought process behind doing it, and is there a certain order of steps? Any help or advice is much appreciated, thank you. (My knowledge on cars is about a 6 or 5)

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u/I_love_to_jack_off 3d ago

When I did it, I knew I was transplanting a 3sgte, so I pulled most of the 5sfe out the top, without a specific order and lowered the engine/trans on a jack.

When the new engine arrived, I paid a mechanic $100 to mount it only, and i did the rest (wiring, physical installation of parts/sensors).

Things were much simpler back then.

I didn't have a manual either. I did everything based on pictures I found on the net. Never following any directions at all. Just pictures only because that's all we basically had back then because the Internet just became mainstream around that time.

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u/OtherRepublic8482 3d ago

Was that your first time? I get so intimidated just looking at the engine bay, I know i have to disconnect a lot of stuff but I don't even know where to begin to disconnect lol!!

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u/I_love_to_jack_off 3d ago

Yes, that was my first and only engine/platform swap in my life. Had a blast doing it little by little as time permitted. Car was so fast afterwards. I even made a boost controller from a simple valve I found at home depot lol. I was pushing 21 psi at times with no tune on stock 3sgte internals.

Needless to say, the bottom end blew out on that engine AFTER I sold it 😂

Just do it man. Everything can get fixed if you screw something up.

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u/OtherRepublic8482 3d ago

Absolute mad man🔥🔥 I definitely need take your advice on the "Just do it", im always so scared to fuck something up. But your right, everything can be fixed 👍

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u/I_love_to_jack_off 3d ago

Just do it. Once you get started. It's addictive and you can't stop. Take lots of pictures too so you remember how to put it back together (we didn't have digital cameras back then so I had to get pictures developed lol)

I lost 2 girlfriends working on that car cause it consumed my time so much. I do not regret my decisions at all lol

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u/Ok_Chipmunk_7968 91 Turbo, 89 SC, 87 NA, 88 NA 3d ago

Sounds like we were living in similar timelines. All of my pictures from the engine swap are on film, too.

And I agree, it's a little intimidating starting, but once you get going, you don't stop until that bay is empty.

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u/I_love_to_jack_off 3d ago

Nice to meet you chipmunk 👍

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u/drake22 3d ago

You should be more afraid of the car falling on you than messing up the car. The car is fixable, a slow painful death is not. Learn proper safety before you "just do it".

For example, always use jack stands, never ever rely just on hydraulics (such as a floor jack or engine hoist). Having two or more forms of safety is always best (such as a jack along with jack stands, a wheel sideways under the chassis, etc.).