l have a 92 5sfe celica and the engine and the tranny are on their way out. l was wondering whether it would be cheaper to drop a 3sgt engine in or to just fix the issues?

You will have to get price quotes from ur local shops. It varies everywhere. Oft times there r ads to sell used imported engines but seldom used transmissions. So, u really have two issues here. Most of the used engines have about 50,000 miles on them because Japanese restrictions r tough on older engines; consequently, they change them out & send us their rejects which r actually in pretty good condition. The swap may be faster than a rebuilt if time is of importance. If u change the type of engine, be sure that everything else is compatible - air intake system, cabling for gages, clearances.

Well, for a complete 3SGTE swap, you're looking at around 5,000-6000 invested; after u track down the other parts u need, besides just the engine.

Also, just because the engine is advertised at 50,000 miles or something like that.ask yourself this: How were those miles achieved? Was the car babied? Or was it driven into the ground? The number does not matter, so much as the actual use does. And most times than not, JDM low mileage engines, still need a rebuild.

And then u have a car that is not legal to be on the road, because the 3SGTE was not for sale in the US market.

If that is somehow cheaper, in ur book, go for it.

Does not seem like it to me though.

SWAP!!!!! The 5sfe is a very common powerplant. Remember it was not only used in the 1990-1993 Celica GT/GT-S, but also the 1991-1996 Toyota MR2 N/A and the 1992-2001 Toyota 4 cylinder Camry. You could also do the 3S-GTE swap you were mentioning. It would be cost a little more than what rebuilding your engine and tranny will cost and it would be awesome to drive. , but a 5sfe used, imported, replacement engine and tranny would be even cheaper.