Potential Challenge Car Guidance needed

OK some quick background here, this last challenge was my first and I worked with the guys on the parking lot build and had a lot of fun. My plan was to do research and start a High school team with the local High school auto shop class. That might still happen but some news today makes that less likely (politics of public school). 

So my second choice was to do a simpler build with Boy Scouts, I am already involved with a troop and two of the scouts involved would be my own boys. I found on Cl today an 02 MR2 spyder that has no engine and an auto trans, but includes "all the parts for a manual conversion" as well as some spare parts that are sellable, so I think I could get this down to $500, $1000 for car - $500 in recoup. I have yet to look at the car so this may all be a mute point as we have all seen cars that end up being not as described.

So now I would need an engine, anyone know if the 4a-GZE would bolt up to the later year trans? I think I might know someone that has one for sale.

Let me know what you think.

If it's the one in Kissimmee, I had Todd and Ted look at it on the way home from the challenge.  The car is rougher than it looks in the pictures and the seller was not willing to take any significant money off the price.

I offered him $1000 via text after they looked at it and he said his bottom dollar was $1450.00.

I passed and I have a engine and 6 speed for it already.  They are incredible autocross cars though...

In reply to pimpm3 :

yes that is the one, he said he has manual trans and I was with you that $1000 was about my max. Only about a 30 min drive for me so might look at it and through an $800 offer in person and see where he goes. At his price I don't think it makes challenge money work.

I think you can mate the 4agze to the MRS 6-speed (c62 i think), just need to use the bellhousing from the c50/c52 trans.

http://www.wcengineering.com/articles/toyotac62.html

HOWEVER, I have heard that these 'auto' transmission on the MRS is really an electronically controlled manual, and that you can rip out the computer stuff (if it works it sells for good money) and add a standard pedal and throw out bearing to convert the auto trans into a manual trans...

OK on to another mr2, this one is a 91, 5sfe 5 speed. has a new used motor in but not running, needs finished. Looks to have all the parts plus some spares and a Honda K24a2 that needs a rebuild. I think the car could be had for $800 and I think there is $200 to $300 in recoupe available in extra parts. My concern is rust in the rockers, which looks common for these cars, I am OK with fabricating up some patch panels and welding some new metal in, just wondering how deep does this usually gets.  I usually work with much older cars and when I started digging into my 57 it was inner and outer rockers as well as some inner structure. 

Let me know what you guys think, my boys like the gen 2 body style better that the gen 1, and their interest in the project counts.

Fladiver64 said:

OK on to another mr2, this one is a 91, 5sfe 5 speed. has a new used motor in but not running, needs finished. Looks to have all the parts plus some spares and a Honda K24a2 that needs a rebuild. I think the car could be had for $800 and I think there is $200 to $300 in recoupe available in extra parts. My concern is rust in the rockers, which looks common for these cars, I am OK with fabricating up some patch panels and welding some new metal in, just wondering how deep does this usually gets.  I usually work with much older cars and when I started digging into my 57 it was inner and outer rockers as well as some inner structure. 

Let me know what you guys think, my boys like the gen 2 body style better that the gen 1, and their interest in the project counts.

a k24 sw20 would be epic. probably a really fun car after the challenge too.

Surely however you can find a non-rusty one to start with. Just be patient. Waiting a month or two for a better starting point could save you 4-6 months in metal work. Maybe get this one as a starting point but work to recoup the entire $800, then find a good shell.

And when you need someone to come sit at a folding table with 3 harnesses splayed out on top and squint at a wiring diagram with you, let me know.

In reply to Robbie :

I was liking the Gastropod class discussion, so the recoup would not apply. My thoughts was to put this on two receipts, say $500 for car and $300 for parts. Parts could be sold to put cash in pocket but would not effect budget, just a $500 car. I think this works for the rules and would not invoke the your being a dick rule. I have not looked at the car yet, will go see it tomorrow and if it looks like the rust is too bad I will pass. My thought was this year get it in the Gastropod class with the 5sfe motor, then a swap and more serious work for the following year. 

When you are tired of snow this winter feel free so come down a sweat in the shop for a bit.

In reply to Robbie :

I’m snowless too, and closer!

(Robbie is now becoming a commodity!)