Looking for advice on performance, Swap, hybrid, rebuild? Options

[Delta_Phoenix]

I've already made my cosmetic and suspension plans for my Celica that will come in the future, but now I have to think about what is going to be under the hood. Sometimes it only frustrates me to think about it so I figured I would get some ideas and opinions.

OK, so far I've pretty much ruled out a 7a-fte project. It just doesn't seem like it will pay off in the long run. The minimum goal I'm wanting to achieve is 250 whp, and 250 lb-ft. of torque. How I get that... I really don't care. The problem I'm having is that I don't know where to start. I want something that is going to completely blow people's minds when they see it. I know that getting something like that requires custom work - and I'm not talking about the homemade kind (unless you're someone that knows how to do it). I don't know anyone at all that can make custom headers, mounts, intakes, piping, etc.

I know that probably the most fun project would be a 7a-gte. I'm really impressed by frotou's project. After seeing all the custom work he's had done, I doubt I would ever be able to pull something like that off. I guess the only other option I have would to be a 4a-gze or 3s-gte swap. After seeing all the trouble that John went through with his 4a-gze, I'm kinda iffy about that as well. I know that the 3s-gte would give me trouble since I have an ST. I haven't done that much research about it. I don't know which generation of the 3s-gte is better, or if it's more common to find a USDM 3s-gte for the swap or a JDM 3s-gte. Sitting around and thinking about all this just makes me want to turn the Celica into a beater and save up for an EVO. But despite that, all my friends say I should keep the Celica and fix it up beyond belief. I guess that's the path I'll go unless a swap or hybrid project drives me insane. I am by no means a car expert, and I wouldn't even touch my engine in any way other than to change the oil, spark plugs, belts, or any other job that a monkey with a wrench could do successfully. I'm all about tearing it apart to learn about it, but I wouldn't consider putting anything together on my car without some supervision (I think I got lucky when I successfully replaced my front axles). I dunno, maybe I know more about cars than I think, but I'm still nervous to do anything big.

Alright, I started rambling. So give me your ideas, opinions, criticism or anything else you can come up with.

[shadycrew31]

oh i know that with stock internals it will suck. but like i said im leaving nothing stock. im also cryo freezing whole whoel thing after im done. im getting the turbo and manifold on tuesday. and the engine next month. and ever ymonth something different ,its gonna be fun. casue no one will ever expect a 7a-fe to have the power this bad boy is gonna have. and even still 220 is a pain in the ass goal i recomend that you read the fourms a lil bit more and get used to your powerplant and then make your choice. but everyone has a different expirence. there was one guy on here waited 1 yr to get his baby back. another guy waited like 2 months, its all different. but go in it with an attiude of my car is the best and im gonna make it better. and on the terms of a fuel efficent head. the 5s is one of them to. the best heads for toyota are the ge's. but i think i will have to disagree with kwanza i have 2 cams on my 7a if ijm not mistaken.

This post has been edited by shadycrew31: Oct 3, 2004 - 5:03 PM