turbo front clip longer? - 1st gen questions

[mustbfaster2]

I used to own a 90 laser RSturbo back in the day (waaaayy back when they were new) and am considering buying one again to restore. The one I am looking at is an automatic and 2.0 non turbo. I want to make it a manual trans and turbo like my old one. The tranny swap should be simple but how much work is involved in making it a turbo car (i will probably want to make it a stock turbo setup to start). Also, for some reason i think i remember hearing the turbos had a slightly longer front clip (like 2 inches) to accomodate the turbo. Is this true or are the engine compartments the same size?

THanks
Dman

 

[numlock666]

Exactly the same.

I did the manual trans swap on a 1G, wasn't fun. Cutting the hole through the firewall hanging upside down under your dash is not fun. What's the cost of a N/T 1G? A decent one, $1000. Cost of a decent Turbo one, $2000. Cost of NT + $400 for tranny parts, $1200 Good engine, and $300 for Misc stuff and HOURS and Labor on your part or a Mechanic's. Not worth it. But if you have a ton of time, love working on cars, and is in this for the fun of it and to do something you'll have a sense of accomplishment for. DO IT.

 

[Cs4g63]

There is definately no truth to the thought of the turbo model being longer than the non turbo model. They are the same car.

 

[mustbfaster2]

the car is 600 bucks -good body (no rust or major dents - just faded paint) and runs well. I know it will probably be overkill.......but I plan on stripping the entire car down to nothing, have it repainted , and then build it back up on the weekends. Im in no hurry to get it done, I just need a new project. Ive restored a few cars in the past and have hated/enjoyed every minute of it