Beta into an X3
I am a total newb here, so be kind.
My last boy will be driving in February of 2004. He will take over on a '96 Accent GL that has been driven for 50k miles by his two older brothers as they learned to drive. My youngest is the only one to actually see a car as more than a way to get from home to somewhere they probably shouldn't be.
Here is what I want to do:
The car has a gearbox that seems to have been very nicely abused by the two older boy's. That is going to have to be replaced or overhauled at least. Seeing this as an opportunity to talk the wife into letting me have the checkbook for an afternoon, having a bit of a thirst for more power, and arranging for a bit of quality time with my youngest I was considering throwing a new engine in with the tranny. So, I have to ask if the 1.8 or the 2.0 is the better swap? Is it doable by a fat guy and his son in their spare time? How much one off manufacturing will it require? Where does the closest gearhead live?
Keep in mind we are talking about a 16yo and his first car. I'm only looking for some modest gains and durability has to be considered. I can take it folks, let me hear your opinions.
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