New to the site and celicas learning as I go Options

[hs2g]

Hey guys, I'm new to the toyota scene. I have been a honda guy for a couple of years now and thought it was time to find something new.

Well I purchased a 97 celica GT convertable with 75000miles. Is it me or is the car just slow? It feels slower than my honda civic ex. Well i have $1000 to mod it. I looked on jdm motor sites (sevenstarJDMmotors.com) that a 3s-ge motor is only for $550? The 3s-ge motor has vvti correct? so its kind of like the honda vtec motors? I read the feasable motor swaps and this motor just bolts right into my 6th gen celica? So with this motor and labor to install, will it be around $1000 give/take a few hundred.

If not the swap, I was planning on going with basic mods (headers, intake, exhaust) maybe put a dry nitrous kit (50 shot)for weekends (but very rarely I will use it) maybe once or twice a week. My goal is running in the low 15's or better. I'm a pretty good driver.

[Kwanza26]

There are many versions of the 3SGE and only the late model rare expensive BEAMS 3SGEs have VVTi. VVTi is NOT like VTEC or even similar. Doesn't work like it, doesn't do the same thing, and you can't really feel it. I'm pretty sure that the 3SGE you're looking at for 500.00 is NOT the BEAMS. Either way, assuming you're experienced with Hondas... toyota swaps are about ten times as complicated and usually when you buy just the engine... you're gonna have a hell of a time with the wiring... not to mention parts sourcing.

Good luck and welcome.