1990 MX-83, replace with 7M or 1JZ

[MX83-maybe]

Hey everyone,
I will be purchasing a 1990 MX-83 in the next 2 weeks from a mate who is going to Japan. He recently replaced the head gasket, water pump and timing belt on the 7M, then managed to starve it of oil and now has a bottom end knock. The car is completely stock apart from a welded diff. As I already have a car, at this point in time I do not intend on keeping the cressida. I have 2 options:

1. Replace the motor with another 7M and then sell it (it will be something for me to do over my uni holidays)
2. Buy a JZX-81 halfcut and replace the 7M with the 1JZ. Maybe drive it a little, and if I can stand to lose it sell it

If I choose the 1JZ path will I get my money back when I sell it? What do these halfcuts cost if I can manage to find one? The car is in relatively good condition and will have been registered before I buy it. As I will be doing all the work labour will not cost me anything. I have not been a member for long and would like to know what cressidas with 1JZs usually sell for? Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated. cheers, Mark

[CrUZida]

Welcome to the forums.

Now is a good time to spend a few hours with the search function.

Both the 7M vs 1JZ and both conversions are very very well covered here.

[LeeRoy]

My friend has built a couple and he only just managed to sell one of them for just above what it cost him to build. This was mainly due to him getting a swag of bargains throughout the build and doing almost everything himself. The other one he lost a touch of money on.

Best advice for you, look in the classifieds at what they sell for and if you can build one for less then that will answer your question about putting a 1jz in.

[amichie]

install a 1jz + engineered and legal would be worth atleast $6000.

install 1jz without engineer is worth about the same as a jzx81 front cut.

7m with rod knock put it on ebay for $1 and pray for a bidding frenzy.

[richzx]

Mate it's on Page 1 of 'General Car Talk'.