AE86 @CA18DET

[NoHachi]

I dunno Jamie, A CA18DET in good condition goes between 500 and 800 Euro's here. Thats engines that have just had new bearings etc. For that money you get an engine that is good up to 300RWHP, a turbo, all manifolds, an ECU that comes with plug and play upgrades - mappings, depending on your setup (no expensive tuning), Intercooler and a tranny that is good up to 400+hp.
Sorry, but no 4A-GE will ever come close for the same price.
Manifold? At least 150-200E for a cheap chinese one, and you have to pray that it doesn't self destruct.
Turbo? Again 150E for a decent T25
MegaSquirt? 160E, do you have to add money for the 2 bar mapsensor?
Intercooler? 50-100E used
And don't forget the tuning...not everyone can do it themselves, so theres another 250E for wideband use etc.
All in all, you've spent between 550 and 800E, right smack in the middle of CA18DET territory, and what does it give you? No bullitproof engine, tranny that is a timebomb, High compression and associated sensitivity to knock and a 30hp deficit compared to a CA at the same boost.

Don't get me wrong, I like the whole home tinker aspect of turboing a 4A-GE. But with CA18DET prices being what they are, it makes less financial sense. Same price for either an engine strung out to its max, or an engine that is just starting to stretch its legs.