(Admin please delete/move if incorrect forum)
Hey all,

Recently aquired a 2004 Caldina ST246 with a Gen 5(4.5) 3SGTE engine in great condition. I'm going to be taking the engine out and rebuilding it, hoping to swap out my tired old Gen 2 3SGTE in my 1989 SW20 GT.  I have searched all over for the last few days on guides of how to drop the engine out of a 2004 Caldina, and even gone to the auscaldina forums, but my request has been pending there for a while and I'm not sure if the forums are still maintained, you can't read anything without a valid account. I even obtained a translated repair guide, without luck.

Basically, Having a look at the engine bay, it is not clear to me if the engine is meant to come out the top or the bottom, and if anyone has had any experience with this, I could use the advice. It seems like it would be hard to get out the top, but my garage setup would make a top engine removal much more desirable if possible. I'm thinking that the removal of the front bumper assembly would make it much easier, but hard to tell. 
 


This type of swap is becoming more popular, as it is the only way to get the last generations of the 3SGTE, so I'm hoping someone here has done the same.
 
So yeah, if anyone has any experience, please let me know. Thanks :)
 
Apologies if this is not allowed in the forum, just thought I'd give it a go. 

Hey mate, go to the last page of this:

https://www.gtplanet.net/...w20-mr2.209447/page-26

Other than being a good read it should help you out.

MG_MR2
Hey mate, go to the last page of this:



Other than being a good read it should help you out.

Thanks a lot MG. Article was super useful. The pictures supplied were very helpful. 

👍 good to hear. Look forward to seeing some progress shots

I have taken one out of a ST185 and the only way is to take it out from underneath.

Hey Glen, I am going to give a top removal a shot. Will update with progress but you basically need to remove as much as possible (which is not a problem, as I am rebuilding the engine anyway). Having a look around the engine bay, it does seem possible but it requires a much more comprehensive strip down. Only concering thing is the intake manifold. Can't remove it due to awkward position of the bolts against the firewall. That could snooker the removal. 

Engine will come out tomorrow one way or another, so will update then. 

Good luck with it, though I reckon that taking it out underneath will involve less swearing. 🙂

Okay, so finished up for the day, and... Success! Engine removal from the top is possible! And not excessivly more difficult that it's not worth it. I timelapsed the removal so I'll edit that together and update the post with some photos and more detailed explanation of what was required.

Good work, it definitely would’ve taken me more than a day

MG_MR2
Good work, it definitely would’ve taken me more than a day

I had the benefit of my old man lending me a (significant) hand