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?

 

you got to ask yourself why in the world would he want to trade plus 2200. sounds like he wants another project.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.