SUPERTECH bronze valve guides Toyota 3S-GTE

Toyota engines concerned

This kit fits the 16-valve cylinder head of the Toyota 3S-GTE, the turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder that powers the Celica Turbo 4WD and GT-Four of the T16, T18 and T20 generations, the MR2 SW20 Turbo and the Caldina T21 and T24.

Toyota specifies a guide bore of 6.000 to 6.018 mm for this engine and, for the oversize, a seat machined into the cylinder head of 11.038 to 11.056 mm. A single SUPERTECH part number serves inlet and exhaust: the kit brings 16 of them, as two sets of 8.

SUPERTECH manganese bronze valve guides

The guide sets the working axis of the valve over its seat, directs part of the heat stored in the stem towards the cylinder head and holds the stem seal. As wear sets in, the valve gains play, closes off-centre and lets oil work its way down the stem; blue smoke, frequent oil top-ups and falling compression follow.

SUPERTECH machines these guides from manganese bronze; the brand states that this copper-rich alloy conducts heat far more effectively than the sintered guides used in production. In most builds they sit alongside reinforced valves. Supplied as two sets of 8, the kit covers the 16 guides of the head with a single part for both sides.

Valve guide technical specifications

Valve guide installation

Technical guide

Reinforced valves with a 6 mm stem, available for the 3S-GTE engine:

Our brand

From its San Jose workshop in California, SUPERTECH has supplied motorsport with valves, springs, retainers as well as guides for three decades. Designed by finite element analysis and inspected by ultrasound, X-ray and laser, its parts are refined alongside engine builders in drag racing, rally and circuit racing.

Manganese bronze

Manganese bronze is based on copper and zinc, completed with manganese, iron and aluminium; this blend gives it solid mechanical strength and good behaviour against wear and oxidation, which is why it is found in heavily loaded bushings and guides.

When valve guides must be replaced

• Blue smoke caused by oil passing the stems
• Reinforced valves going onto a tired head
• Head readied for track, drift or rally
• Complete overhaul of the whole valvetrain

Vehicle compatibility

Remember the valve stem seals

Fitting new guides also means replacing the valve stem seals: Toyota lists them by production period for the 3S-GTE.