deciding on an engine to swap. HELP!, currently 7afe, but wut next?? Options

[cjh4l22]

OK so here's the scoop. currently i have a 95st w/5spd and a 7afe engine that is leaking a little oil and has just under 260k on it. so, by x-mas i'd like to swap it w/something b/c i'm afraid the engine won't make it till summer plus i'm asking santa for x-tra power this christmas. lol SO I'm asking for info from the wonderfully knowledgeable ppl here on 6gc.net I need to know which engine would be my best choice based on the following criteria... a) ease of the swap b) power gained b/c like i said, i would like an increase c) ease of turbo later and d) cost effective. b/c i have been considering a 3sgTe but it just seems too expensive for a poor college student. furthermore, i was hoping for something w/an equal if not higher displacement than the 7afe (1.8L) but i have heard good things about the 4age(20v) which is only 1.6L. If anyone would be willing to enlighten me, please do so and i'd be forever greatful. thanks.

Oh, and no i don't plan on racing this car or anything, just building up a car thats got some guts, ya know? something w/some spunk. anywho, thanks for your help.

[InfamousChappy]

i have about a month and a half to make the money for a swap, then make it happen over xmas break.


Damn I wanna work where you're at..4 grand in two months is some good money.

I've got about a grand right now..then all this crap started happening. I know a guy that lives on my road and works at a toyota dealership so I'm gonna go talk to him about this the mechanics of the whole thing. 3s sounds like the way to go..the 4a motors sound like less bang for about the same buck, considering you'd probably have to get a clip and all...plus both the 4a and 7a series motors sound like they hold up poorly under boost. The 3s was ENGINEERED by Toyota to take the pressure..and operate normally for thousands of miles, provided everything is installed right. With all this power though..you've got to keep it on the road...wheels and tires for a better stance..new shocks springs...strut bar and maybe sway bars. Just a thought.