Irrespective of turbo/superC/NA, the beams is the best 3s variant.

Start with the beams as the basis for any 3s engine build and you will be happy. Obv adding forced induction of any kind will increase the power substaintially more than any NA modifications.

Who here has done the Beams swap? I need more advice.
I have 2 options atm, there is a MR2 half cut available and also a engine from a Celica for about half the price.
Which is the better way to go? What additional costs would be involved with getting the engine only and fitting it to my SW20? I gather there would be a fair bit of rewiring involved as well as sourcing the air filter and induction stuff.
I have to do it all myself as i'm 800kms from Adelaide and nobody locally would be able to help with aftermarket ECU's if needed.
If i get the half cut then i have all the wiring looms and other ancillaries included, but it'll cost me twice as much.
 
Thoughts???

Plus you have the ecu ready for forced induction or get the full gains from any other mods like cams or bump in CR.

Im sure there would be someone competent in sa to wire in and tune a good ecu. Maybe ask in the sa section.

Here is the link to the celica engine on ebay
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JDM-93-99-ST202-SS-III-Toyota-BEAMS-3SGE-Celica-Engine-Motor-Kit-Gearbox-3S-GE-/380844772590?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58ac1e0cee&_uhb=1
 
It currently has an auto gearbox, but i'm assuming that i'll be using my existing gearbox anyway. It looks like it has an ecu with it, but i'm not sure what difference the auto box makes to the swap.

Hey Rick, check out the guide to swapping Beams engine on the forum:
http://www.mr2australia.com/mr2play/tm.aspx?m=93280
It goes over the pros and cons of half cut vs engine swap package, ECU auto vs man, air box solution. Many questions can be answered I believe :) (but keep asking if not sure)
I think the beams is the cheapest engine swap actually, maybe not a direct bolt on in terms of ancillary parts but I calculated parts altogether whilst doing mine to make it work which was $2500, add another 1k or 2k for labour. I messed around a lot but that was all avoidable and unnecessary, thus the guide lol. The dilemma of Beams vs turbo is in essence "power to cost ratio". People can spend on whatever they want but it's important your goals are clear.
 
I agree with just_ace here as it was the same reason I decided to buy an engine swap package from local. I believe items over $1000 internationally will attract customs (check tho) so it's already $4500 before it's even landed on your door step!! However the list of parts the half cut comes with does look very attractive lol, pretty much a drop in. Do you need everything listed? Not really. (If it had LSD that would be really nice, then you can sell your engine/box and maybe recuperate some dosh)
 
So I guess it's up to you to decide spending more money and less time fiddling aka half cut vs cheaper minimum package but elbow grease/labour. Because mine is a stock motor, having the SW20 Beams b-pipe would've been nice for me since it would take months of lurking yahoo japan. Custom exhaust ofc solves this but again $$
 
P.S Since you have a gen 3 already, your swap is actually cheaper than mine because you can re-use parts such as the b-pipe, water outlet etc.

I can't get the link to work :(

The $1000 also includes the shipping and if something went wrong the insurance is only for the declared value. Just something to keep in mind.
 
If going after market ECU you really need it to be tuned on a dyno. There is a few people on here that could help with info on the wiring. Depending on what brand ECU you went you may be able to get a base map for it to be at least drivable.