its not to far back same as a ca, you can do the extension housing mod to bring it forward

as for the money up front, get a loan and buy one, even after you pay the interest, the cost of building one yourself costs alot more then the loan would.

I was looking at nearly $25,000 total spent before I finished mine, but I did buy alot of good parts that were not nessasary, like microtech, big turbo, manifolds, expensive diff etc.

Wish I'd just spent 15k on a finished one.

That does make sense to buy one already done, but one of the main reasons for the engine swap is to take on a little project. Being as the 12A is going to be a N/A I should imagine that will keep the costs down, no turbo, computer, intercooler ect, and less fabrication costs on labour.
I would look at putting some money into a engine rebuild by myself and for the porting obviously not by myself :)
All of the bodywork and paint I can do myself.
I will have to look into the engineering side on the 12A because I dont want to do the engine swap and find out I cannot get it registerd :(

if you want to register it in NSW forget the rotor unless its a 10A but they are very rare at the moment , the ca is about the most popular conversion for bang for buck and the 4agze is a easy one as well

Thanks for the heads up. Could you explain why the 4agze is a easy conversion, what would be involved in that one?

have a look at smurfs build thread

they won't even let you have a NA 12A in NSW?? man that blows.. i thought it's weight x 3 in cc's NA and 2.67 or thereabouts for turbo for cars under 1200 kgs in the national guidelines? you should come to WA, the govt makes you put SR20 turbos in everything ;)

Because they a rotor it dosnt work out the same as a normal piston engine

Could only find the the smurf build with the evo 8?

Done right an A16 can make 200hp at wheels with more if needed. Look up a Finnish member he has the fastest A series about 250hp atw with boost and going for more in his 79mm bore 1600cc A15. CA18 is the easiest though agreed.