Which To Do? Options

[GuYun14]

What’s up fellow 6gc Celica enthusiast,

I just need some advice, tips, opinions, ideas, on what I want to do this next summer before I head out to school. I have a 1998 Celica GT which is unfortunately an auto. I only have next summer to work on my car so here’s what I have in mind at the moment:

•Suspension - since I do want try autocross this summer. I have Eibach springs with KYB struts, TRD front strut brace, OEM rear strut brace right now.
•Cams upgrade - since I do want a little power increase but don’t know how hard the install is.
•Body work - because the car does have a few ding and scratches here and there. And either new paint or plastdip
•Auto to manual swap – because manual.
•Engine swap – more powah! But maybe not in my price range.

Now know that I have no experience with any of these except suspension work. So, in the timeframe I have, what’s the most viable project to get done? Your opinions will very much be appreciated.

[GuYun14]

An engine swap is definitely one of my top wants and the budget I’m trying to set myself at is probably $2000-$3000 for the summer. Keep in mind that I’m am heading off to college, so I’ll have to save some money for that as well. Seeing that cheela’s swap is over $3000 I’m not sure if my budget is enough. Also, since my Celica is a 1998, obd-II and emission might be a problem passing. But if I can get a swap done within my budget, that will be the project I’m heading towards. Either a 1mz-fe or a Redtop BEAMs swap, want to keep it NA. And I know the 1mz-fe motor can be gotten for cheap, plus parts available. And I need it up and running before college.

Next on my want list would be getting seat time for autocross so I can get a feel for my car and have fun during the summer and I would probably just replace suspension parts here and there, so I guess it is the cheapest route.

As for camming the 5s-fe, since it doesn’t appear to be as much work as doing a swap and is considerably cheaper, I might do what Tigawoods did and have it for a couple years then swap the motor when I really do have the time and money and not in a rush.

When it comes to my car’s body, it’s still in good shape just a couple rust spots here and there to touch up on, but a new color is tempting.

So if an engine swap is viable this coming summer, I might go that route.

What’s everyone’s thought?