98T5M: The Engine Is Out. Now What Should I Put In...?

[mulcy]

This was my first time pulling an engine. I went at it alone with the Haynes manual and, except for 2 or 3 broken clips and hoses, it was a surprisingly smooth job. The hardest parts were detaching the hydraulic mount by the firewall (I couldn't get my socket to stay on either the upper or lower bolt, so after a lot of swearing I ended up just detaching the bracket from the engine) and undoing the ground for the engine harness by the passenger side headlight.

Now that it's out, what should I put back in? Should I stick with a 98 2.3 or would it be safe to go with a 2.4 (plus my t5m ecu) for a little performance bump? Any input on using an engine from a different year? I've heard that a 99+ would be hard, how about an engine from a 96 or 97 850t5 or R?

Also, I'm just starting to put together my list of parts to change while I have the chance. So far:

-rear main seal

-cam seals

-clutch

-pcv

-timing belt/tensioner/waterpump was done 1.5 years, 20,000 miles ago so I'm contemplating just switching it over

-front and rear hydraulic engine mounts

-maybe subframe bushings?

Any additional suggestions?

[Chilled man]

04 R motor :lol:

[mulcy]

04 R motor

Anyone ever done that? V&S has one with 29000 miles for 2800...

There's also a junkyard in canada that's listing one with 56k for $740. Too good to be true?!

[Chilled man]

Anyone ever done that? V&S has one with 29000 miles for 2800...

There's also a junkyard in canada that's listing one with 56k for $740. Too good to be true?!

I am and that second one sounds way to good to be true