This may be long, but I am looking for opinions.
I was initially looking to put in an Integra LS engine into my Civic hatch and try to turbo it. My buddy in Vancouver was trying to source an engine out there as he was going to do the swap for me. However, I talked to him last night and found out that ICBC decided to keep all written off cars now instead of sending them to the wreckers, meaning that pickings are scarce for engines. He can still get that engine fairly cheaply (about $2,000 - 2,500 for the engine and transmission), but it would be a '92.
He told me that a supercharged (Jackson Racing) '98 Civic Si engine is available (don't know for how long as there are a couple of other people looking at it) for $4,500. This includes the engine, supercharger kit, headers (didn't find out what brand), transmission, axles. The whole shebang is put together. He also had 2 suggestions to make this set up faster. Either attach a 50-shot of nitrous or add a supercharger high boost kit with a water (?) intercooler. Both would be about $1,000 (he works for a shop in Richmond, so he could get things cheaper).
Now here is the questions part.
1. Has anyone had any experience (driven one, seen one at a track, raced one) with a supercharged Si engine?
2. Considering that I have about $6,000 saved only, which would you get? I would most likely have to go into debt to get the turbo charged LS.
3. The LS is older and would require some tuning, which my buddy says could cost up to $1,000. Any one with experience doing engine swaps with older engines? Any problems?
4. Would the supercharged Si be worth it in terms of performance and bang for the buck? I looked it up on the Jackson Racing web site and, assuming it is the Canadian Si it would be the US Ex (?), a supercharged Si would get 139.3 hp to the wheels and 120 lbs of torque with headers and intake.
5. Any CONSTRUCTIVE comments or suggestions would be appreciated.