Need some decision help
 

here's the story:
i have a '88 supra silver exterior, maroon interior (eww) with the 7mgte. it runs "fine" but lately i've been noticing that its using coolant and oil. i've always wanted to do a 2j swap so i figured now's the time to do it. i went to the "bank of mom" for a loan (trying not to sound like a spoiled brat)and got approved so now i'm sitting on total of 5k. at first i thought this would be enough for the 2200 2jzgte + 1500 labor + 1300 in other parts (bell housing, throttle cable, motor mounts blah blah blah). now it sounds like it'll be alot more than originally expected. i was then just looking around craigslist and found a '89 supra with a 1jzgte with one-off custom hood, shaved wing, emblems, and wiper, custom "smokey granite mica" paint, super rare Advan wheels, lots of new drivetrain parts, upgraded suspension, brakes and a "few loose ends" to tie up. (have to figure out exactly what those are) the cost of that is 5k flat. it has a decent amount of upgrades excellent exterior and interior condition, unlike my car with is only okay condition and mostly stock. the reason i am even considering the new car is because it has the interior color that i desperately want (grey) and targa top. i really wanted a 2j but not sure if my wallet is up for that. so now the question is do i keep both cars, save again and swap the 7m to 2j? or sell the 7m and swap the 2j into the 1j car?
i know that was alot to read and most of you could care less but any input would help in making my decision. thanks.

depending on what you really want. i would get the 1jz and stick with it. you can generate almost the same amount of power out of the 1jz depending on the upgrades it has and whats done to it

like he said , take a nice look at the 1jz car and ask for a test drive. and maybe for a little discount, go with 4500 and i`ll bet he will give it. i wich i can swap my 7mgt for the 1jz but for now I will upgrade the 7mgt. Good luck bro . Q

Get the 1jz both the 2j and 1j can take 900hp on the bottom end stock but 600hp int the valvetrain and the shop near me wants 13,000$ for a 1jz swap 4500-5000$ is the price of the motor I think

Wow...that is way too much for a 1jz motor and just the motor at that. Go to this website http://www.japandirectjapanese.com/home.php?cat=2 to order your engine and it comes with wire harness, ecu and transmission for $2,381.01. Or http://www.jdmenginedepot.com/jdm_engines/Toyota if you just want the engine $1,599 and by the time you have it shipped to a shop it's still no where close to $5gs, maybe after paying for labor and misc parts you'll be a little bit over $5gs but not by much. If that shop is giving you that price for the engine I would think about looking for another shop it sounds like they are trying to rip you off...

Yea I know but they would buy the whole front clip of the 1jz car and swap it in thats why they want so more but I see front clips for like 3000$ so ur telling me they want 10,000 in labor forget them

I am kind of a purist myself. I like the 7mgte solely because I dont plan to throw it on the track, so being realistic, I dont actually need the benfits of the 1JZ although it would be nice.

In my years of doing up cars the way I want them (much prefer that to buying new), I have found that the biggest mistake people make is underbudget and then overbuild one specific area. I have lost a friend who went and built a 640 HP "ground pounder" and ended up leaving the roadway into a tree because he didn't build the bottom end of the car. A spindle broke off and byebye car.

My recommendation is do what your doing... talk about it, think about it, plan it, and then do it. I gave myself 3 years to finish my car to the "happy" point. everything after that will be maintenance and gravy upgrades.

the hardest part of these cars is finding your "happy" point.. I am pretty sure you could spend 20k on fixing up the car without giving it too much thought. In the end, I think your ahead (no, you wont be able to get that "out" of the car, however, you can buy a 20,000.00 new car and watch it be worth 8,000.00 in 5 years and not the car you bought, or you can build the car you want.. spend the money.. and end up happy.

to me.. smiling is what its all about.. and I love the MKIII


That doesnt really help you with your decision.. but as I am an old fart.. I always feel like I HAVE to say stuff like that :)

Yea that's right im happy wit rims, nice inside and paint and a turbo I like the sound of it and the sound of a BOV you can't use 500hp-1000hp on the streets

haha, thanks for that. very helpfull and i agree with what your saying. its just hard because i dont know what i want and what exactly would make me happy....i know a 1000hp 2j would make me "happy" but at the same time, realistically i know thats unreasonable lol. i guess i just have to think about it long and hard and decide for myself what i want just like you said.


lol, very true. but we both know how badass it'd be to just be able and say we have it at our disposal y'know? well, at least i would. lol

thanks you guys for your imput. the funny thing is, i think i'm somewhat giving up on the 2j swap and considering a 1j. i did a bit more research and realized that in order to do a 2j, not only would i be paying for the motor and labor, but i would need a FMIC, piping for that, probably a radiator, electiric fan (if i wanted), bell housing, moror mounts, flywheel. and the thing is, i recently came across a guy who is selling his 1j with tranny and mines ecu, fmic, oil catch can, polished stuff, custome piping, turbo timer, boost controller for about 4000. for now, i decided that i would try and buy the car first, and if someone gets to it first, i would buy that motor and swap the 1j into the car i have now. again, thanks everyone and i'll get an update posted once i actually do something.

That sounds like a good plan bro, make sure u check that car very good , i mean take a hard test drive, that way if it`s going to break thats the time. good luck my supra friend . Q