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Buy the car or do the engine swap?

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Old 04-11-07, 09:06 PM
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Buy the car or do the engine swap?

I'm now at this crossroad - I can either traide in my 90' N/A for a Turbo 90' for 2200 more or I can buy a 13BT engine from ebay (including harness, ecu, tranny, clutch, etc) and spend about 400-600 more for a complete swap. Now, the tradeoff in terms of dollars is pretty down-sided, but I'm not completely sure if I should get SOMEONE else's 7 or just fix my own up, because I don't like buying used turbo cars - they always suck.

Parts alone cost about 1500 + shipping + labor (friend asking for 800) OR

trade the car in for a turbo'd one. (depending on the car's condition, the value goes from 500-600, or less)

Ideas? For the sake of simplicity, though, is buying the car better than swapping an engine?
Old 04-11-07, 09:09 PM
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you got to ask yourself why in the world would he want to trade plus 2200. sounds like he wants another project.
Old 04-11-07, 09:12 PM
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Depends on the cars. I was at your same road a while back. I bought a TII and sold my NA. I wanted to fix up my NA. In my circumstances now I should have swapped/fixed my NA. My NA worked PERFECT except it looked like crap and would have cost money (on top of a TII swap) to repaint. My "new" TII leaks oil, recently developed a fuel leak ( ), was pissing coolant, needed new tires, et cetera. I have fixed many issues, and haven't dumped money into it (yet) because most fixes I did myself with just some time. Granted it's a friggin' BEAST but there are so many quirks it drives me bonkers and makes me hate it frequently.
Old 04-11-07, 09:37 PM
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Unless you already have a lot invested in the N/A I'd buy the TII. You'll get better suspension, better seats, the hood and mirrors look nicer and you won't have all the hastle of doing the swap.
Old 04-11-07, 09:40 PM
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Generally, you are better of getting the whole car than just the engine. IT will he a whole lot less work and hassle. You say that Turbo cars are crappy, but what makes you think a turbo motor is any better? At least you know that the turbo car is running, while you have no guarantees with just the engine.
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