Yes the CA conversion is definantly a big job.
I bought a half cut & used everything from it that I could to keep cost down.Took all my spare time for 6 weeks.Not worth tackling yourself if not into metal fabrication & welding.Having access to a machine shop and steel stocks defiantly helps.My conversion is almost stock & uses S13 computer,loom,radiator,clutch,instrument panel,light/wiper switches & even the battery!Used CA 18 5 speed.Had to fit about 800mm of new tunnel and rear mount points.Shifter sits back about 200mm so handbrake has to be moved back.Here what it cost.
Half cut delivered $2000
VL turbo feul pump $ 290
Tail shaft mod $ 160
Double dump exhaust & cat $650
Rad. hoses,tim. belt,oil ect. $200
2nd. hand intercooler(supra) $100
Plumbing $ 60
Engineer cert.& mod plate $750
All fabrication was done by myself,eng. mounts,swirl pot,tunnel ect.The ute is great to drive & is very reliable & economical.Ive done 15000km so far.I think this is about as cheap as you could get out of it if you can do all work yourself.Hope info helps, cheers.

ive just started the same project myself.....

wouldnt mind seeing some pics of your conversion also some more details about it would be good too....

email them if you can rbthirty@hotmail.com

good work!