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There is no denial of the fact that Toyota has been in the market for many years and is renowned as the best automotive manufacturer globally as well as in the JDM markets. People trust the automotive manufactured by Toyota because of many reasons but the main reason behind their success is their engines. The engines produced by this company have great power along with incredible reliability.
The ‘golden era’ considered for Toyota engines was during the 90s when everyone started considering their engines as legendary. For instance, 3.0L was a twin-turbo 2JZ – GTE engine from the Supra MKIV.
Also, during that period, the company built an amazing engine named 3SGTE. This engine was produced for around 21 years which was from 1986 to 2007. However, over the years, this engine improved tremendously and has existing five generations. Today, we are going to put light on the main changes made to every generation of 3SGTE.
Know about the applications of 3SGTE
Before getting into the details of everything, it is essential to know about the applications of the engine 3SGTE:
- Toyota Celica GT-4 ST165 during the years 1986-1989 and was the first generation engine.
- Toyota Celica GT-4 ST185 during the years 1990-1993 was a second-generation engine.
- Toyota MR2 during the years 1990-1993 was a second-generation engine.
- Toyota Celica GT-4 ST205 during the years 1994-1999 and was third generation engine.
- Toyota MR2 during the years 1994-1999 and was third generation engine.
- Toyota Caldina ST215 during the years 1997-2002 and was the fourth-generation engine.
- Toyota Caldina ST246 during the years 2002-2007 and was the fifth generation engine.
Specifications of 3SGTE engine
The 3SGTE engine is known to be turbocharged 2.0L with in-line four-cylinder gasoline. This engine produces around 182 horsepower at 6000 rpm as well as 250Nm of torque and that too at 4000 rpm. All of this is in its first generation.
When it comes to the fifth generation, the GTE is known to produce 256 horsepower which is at 6200 rpm as well as 324 Nm of torque and that too at 4400 rpm.
The 3SGTE engine is known to be based on the 3S- GE engine. This means that the engine can be easily used in various projects which is because of its tough build, nice specs, as well as tuning potential.
It is seen that manual transmission comes with the 3SGTE but when it comes to Caldina GT-4 it has Tiptronic transmission. However, this is very few engines where Toyota worked in conjunction with the famous company Yamaha. It is known that Yamaha designed its 16-valve dual overhead cam cylinder head which got added or used in this very engine.
The specs of 3SGTE engine
| Configuration | Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 2.0L which is 1998cc |
| Horsepower | 182-256 HP |
| Torque | 250-324Nm |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Block material | Cast iron |
| Head material | Aluminum alloy |
| Valvetrain | DOHC which is 16 valves |
| Bore x Stroke | 86mm X 86mm |
| Compression ratio | 8:5:1 to 9:0:1 |
The tuning potential of the 3SGTE engine
There are some options which can be opted to boost the power output of 3SGTE:
- Install a big turbocharger – This can be helpful in boosting the air entering the engine which further leads to more power.
- Upgrade the intercooler – It is the intercooler which is known for minimizing the compressed air temperature which enters the engine. Having an upgraded intercooler can be beneficial in minimizing air temperature and can lead to more power.
- Installing a great performance intake system can be helpful in boosting the air that enters the engine and will help in experiencing more power.
- Also, getting an upgraded ignition system will help the engine to get a better spark and leads to great power.
- Another thing that can be helpful is getting an upgraded engine management system that can aid with fine-tuning the engine to receive better power output.
However, it is essential that the modifications are done by a professional installation as well as tuning or other supporting modifications. Plus, it should be kept in mind that modifications will void the engine warranty and can cause some damage if they are not done in a proper way.
Common problems that are seen in 3SGTE engine
There are some of the problems that can be seen in the Toyota 3SGTE engine are:
Engine block
When it comes to engine blocks cracking then this can be serious. It is not overall worth it to repair the engine block. Plus, moving internally to a brand-new engine block can lead to additional expenses and can be time-consuming. This is why a new engine is the best option for the engine block of 3SGTE.
Oil leaks
Another issue which can be seen in the Toyota 3SGTE engine is oil leaks which are not because of design flaws or the 2.0L turbo inline-4 engine. This can be because of age or mileage issues rather than any other reason. This is a common problem for engines after 10 plus years or 100, 000 plus miles. However, getting them repaired is cheap and can also be done via the DIY method.
Turbocharger
The turbocharger issues of the 3SGTE engine can be because of the wear and tear of its parts over the years. This issue can be seen if you face excessive smoking, power loss, oil consumption, or turbo whining sounds. So, you can always replace them with a new one.
Is the 3SGTE engine of Toyota reliable?
When it comes to the reliability of the Toyota 3SGTE engine, then they can be considered reliable. Toyota has done an amazing job with its 3SGTE engine. There are not any major flaws than the Gen 3 engine block. However, it is essential to be aware of its blocks cracking when modding or upgrading the engine. Otherwise, the other problems can be faced because of age rather than any flaw in the engine.
Conclusion
If you are considering the 3SGTE engine by Toyota then it can be a great choice for potential project builds. It is reliable with great specs and minor flaws. Investing your money in a 3SGTE engine can prove to be a great decision where you will end up experiencing a high-performance machine.
Also Read – Toyota 2GR-FE Supercharger – Things that are essential to know
