Originally Posted by Epstein
edit: didn't see that Taylor responded inside the quote box. Here's more info!
1. I have built a car around a 200k chassis. You have to replace everything! Tie rods, ball joints, bushings, shocks, brakes... anything that can be considered a wear item. Not to discourage you, but it's a lot of work and money.
2. The only things that will be hard to find are the dual-cam (91-94) power steering lines and reservoir. The radiator and heater hoses can be purchased anywhere. Some local shops know exactly which hoses fit best, since normal parts won't work. For AC, see #5.
3. If you physically have no harness, then you're going to need to buy one. They run about $300 new. If you're talking about converting the SR harness to work in your 89, then you can do it yourself, or have someone do it. Taylor has been "mondifying" harness for a few years and goes beyond simply splicing a few wires.
4. The hardest part is to get the motor to slide in. Sometimes they go right in. Sometimes you have to wrestle it with a couple 2x4's.
5. AC is simply connecting a few wires (in the main harness), and getting a few AC lines made. Lines should cost anywhere between $100 and $200. You'll be using the SR compressor, and you'll need the original lines for the car (to cut up).
6. Taylor answered this.
My car has nearly 200k miles on it and alot of things on it are shot .... the only thing on it that is in good working order are the brakes.... my struts/shocks are shot , rack and pinion , tie rods , ball joints e.t.c. To continue on with a project like this ... you are going to spend at the very least around 6k dollars total when it's all said and done ... (and that is cheaping out) I'am spending more then that, but i like my car .... i waited over a 14months just to recieve the title for my car, and i sold my much nicer civic so i can bring my s13 back into shape (and then some). If you are going to be doing everything yourself , don't rush into anything take your time . If you don't have all the money for the parts you want right away.... don't cheap out, just wait a bit and spend the extra money on the better parts. You may also want to consider buying a daily beater. I don't know about you but i don't feel comfortable driving around in such a huge investment everyday (considering all of the things that can happen to it on the road) , but i guess i just like my car a little too much.