have decided the route i'm gonna go with the MR2 is the 1.8-liter 7AFE shortblock from a later corolla/celica. the bottom end of the engine is the only part that needs replacing, and i can think of few mods as effective as an extra two-tenths of a liter. an article here indicates this should be doable without too much drama.
now i've just gotta see where i can find one the cheapest. i want to get these cars running and sold, damnit.
ok, off ISO nicotine.