The R154 is pretty easy to find.. in fact I think BIC is clearing out one for 300.00 (if its still for sale during thier move sale).
Lost of JDM ones floating around out there.. and they are fairly rocksolid.
I dont know about the US, but I can pick up a R154 for about 300.00 (delivered) in my city and a 7MGTE (with everything except the electronics) for about 749.00 (delivered) here. They are JDM.. but come with a leakdown test and compression test as well as a 90 day guarantee. For me.. its cheaper to buy the engine and drop it in than it is for me to replace the headgasket.
Other than the gamble on how good the JDM 7M is going to be... its a good deal really.
I am not THAT good of a mechanic to say if a 7MGE can be converted to turbo easily or not.. because I would assume there is more involved than simply bolting on the turbo or dealing with the compression issue. I just dont recall seeing any that were done successfully.. so I cant really be much of a help here.
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