Need advice on picking up an abandoned project, Just how much of a masochist am i? Options

[2mAn]

Some of you who know me, know that I've been on the hunt for a long time, sometimes aggressively, sometimes not at all. I recently missed a chance to pick up a extremely loved -6 conversion that was driving but needed love. I now do canyon runs with that car as my friend picked it up. This has lit a fire under me again, and theres a good chance I might be able to make a straight trade for my current fun car.

Heres the stalled project.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=320529

Just needs the cooling system, the fuel system and a million other little things done... lol

The question is I currently have a finished, running and driving car. Its a blast, but I also live in CA where its a headache to have a car that doesnt contain the OEM motor. I just finished getting this headache done, and I am basically clear for about a year. However, Im not sure I will get a chance to make a swap for a car I want.

I also have a few questions regarding some of the high level needs that the car is going to need.

#1 The Cooling system. I dont want hard lines running underneath the car, I dont really want them running down the center tunnel inside the car. I recall the longs being an option, can both lines be run in the pass side long?

#2 Fuel System. Its a 74 so it should have a fuel injected setup, is the OEM tank easily able to convert for a high pressure pump, or is the pump running external from the tank?

...and finally... is it worth getting rid of the car now, just a few months after finishing it to jump at this opportunity, or do I wait?... I've got a baby coming in February (1st one!) and I think I would have to be nuts to get rid of my fun car for a project that likely will take me well into the summer before I can finish it.

So... how stupid am I for considering this?

Pics for your enjoyment

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-16644-1608264503.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-16644-1608264504.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-16644-1608264505.3.jpg)

[Superhawk996]

I'm just going to state my personal opinion. Agree or disagree, it's my opinion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

If the price of the proposed project hasn't come down to 1/10th of the original asking price you're insane to even consider it, especially with a baby on the way. There is no way I'd consider trading a running, driving MR2 for that stalled project.

The amount of time, effort, and money invested on the linked project car has absolutely no bearing on the value of the car. It's a stalled project with only God knows what Gremlins lurking that still need to be sorted. Unless you're a master at fabrication and have an abundace of tools, knowlege, and time on your hands (remember -- kid on the way) that project won't see the light of day anytime soon.

A 914 with a chopped up body to fit a waterpumper and some sort of modifed WRX dash installed in a 914 is not likely to ever net you a return on the time and money invested into it by it's creator, or any subsequent work you do to finish it. I say this by noting that I recognize that I'll never get a return on "investment" that I have in my own 1/2 baked current project!

I'm sure I will have offended the creator of the project in question. That really isnt my intent. If I can help keep you from getting in over your head with sorting out someone else's stalled project in trade for a driveable MR2, while you have a kid on the way, I'm game to speak the truth as I see it.

Signed -- a cranky old realist.