St202/ssiii/ssii

[jimmysst202]

I have just bought a jap import celica st202(1997)can some1 please tell me the difference between the st202 and the ss2 or ss3. i dont know its equivalent, and what is the spec difference. a friend told me the jap import has higher bhp. is this true. thnx :-)

[Leeky]

Welcome to the forum. If you do a search on the forum you'll find a dozen posts with people already asking this very same question.

Lets start with that all SS models are Japanese Grey Imports.

The first model is the SS1. Thats a celica with the 140bhp 3SFE engine.

The SS2 is pretty much the same car as the UK model Celica GT. Both roughly 170bhp.

The SS3 was almost identical to the SS2, but came with Toyota's Superstrut suspension as standard (Was standard on the GT4 and optional on the SS2). Some SS3's (and rumour has it a few SS2's) came with the later spec VVTI engine (Red Top Beams) which had around 200bhp.

The easiest way to tell which engine you have is to look at these pictures.

140bhp 3S-FE

Notice how the camcover is very square.

170bhp 3S-GE

Notice how the cam cover looks more rounded by the sportier intake manifold which says 2000 Twin Cam 16 on it.

200bhp Beams Red Top 3S-GE

With its read cam cover and BEAMS logo its easy to spot this engine.