What to look for in an SR?

[jdkruger4]

Hey guys I'm driving an hour down to see this guy thats selling at 92 coupe with an SR waiting to be put in. He has to paper work for the engine as he bought it from someone else that decided to by a redtop. You think its a good idea bad idea to buy something like this? Also when i go to look at it what are some things to look for on the engine that may be damaged? What can i look for in the turbo? He's asking $3500 for a 92 car with a good not great condition body/interior, and a S13 Redtop with no wiring harness or intercooler piping, but he has a brand new S15 intercooler. Does this sound like a decent deal or do you think id be better off buying the car alone for about $2000 and then buying an engine complete from somewhere else, only prob is then id have to pay shipping, and this engine i can move myself with my Toyota pickup. Thanks as always to the great guys at zilvia!

[nrcooled]

If he has paperwork check the compression and leakdown on the engine.  I can't remember the exact numbers but check w/ heavy throtle and they can give you the info.  Also look for shipping damage that may affect the internals.  Dented oil pans are most common and look at the overall condition is it dirty, rusty, stored indoors or out, etc.  Check the turbo if you see fine white lines in it she has been cooked and count on spending at least $300 to replace it check the exhaust mainfold also for cracks and signs of exessive heat from running lean ::too much boost::  Look for an exessive amount of tees taped into vacuum lines ::gives an idea if he was running a BC::  
The harness can be had from JimWolfe Tech for a pretty penny but see if HT can score you one but either way look to spend $500 for the harness.
As for the IC piping think of it a good reason to get a FMIC I wish I could afford one. (bigger injectors also <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> )