About to buy my 3S-GTE, Have some ???s Options

[Pfloyd09]

WARNING: I am an IT guy, not a mechanic..

So I'm about to put the money down to buy a 3S-GTE, and although I've listened to the podcasts, read more about Celicas than I have anything else in the last year, I am still not 100% sure on this. So many options, conflicting opinions, and ways to do this.

I have tried to find a Gt-4 clip at a reasonable price, but they all seem to run about $2500 and up, plus $600 to $1000 for shipping. It seems pretty easy to find a 3S-GTE engine with the harness, ECU, etc.. for about $1,500.

I know there are serious advantages to the clip, but is it worth the extra $1,500 to $2,000 to get it vs. just the engine with the needed parts? Examples of engine only, below.

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...p;#entry1022776

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JDM-94-98-TOYOTA-C...382&vxp=mtr

So if I buy one of those, or equivalent, what else would I need to acquire, and would it truly be better to buy the clip with the difference in $$ considered? I could see getting a clip at that price if it had a bumper and hood in good condition, but the only one I've found that fits that bill is $4,000, and would have to be shipped from Hong Kong.

Is there a better source for JDM engines/clips than what I see on ebay? I don't have unlimited funds to do this swap right now, but can swing the motor only, and some extra parts if needed. Will have to wait a month or two if the clip is the way to go. If I dip too deep into savings for this, the wife aggro may get a bit hot..

If there is a thread that covers this already, please enlighten me.