Problem there is (and the reason why my ass wasn't all up in the local muffler shop this weekend) it would seem that the muffler in and out aren't clamped on, rather they're (nicely SS) welded to exit 'tip', and inlet 'pipe' that goes mid-car... Doesn't appear a clamp-on solution will work without hacking.. Don't wanna do that at the moment.

Managed 31mpg hand calculated going 300 miles with top down and no a/c, 27mpg top up and a/c on...

Speaking of which- HOLY CRAP the a/c pulls this car down!! when the clutch engages, there's a chirp and you can FEEL it getting slower.. Idle droops way low too when compressor cycles... Jeez.. Shame because in Texas A/C is mandatory 10 months out of the year..

I am going to say it because it will be said eventually anyhow.

Before buying donor engine, buy and build megasquirt, harnesses etc. Then go ahead and start accumulating parts for engine, turbo etc. At some point before actually building the engine, start your megasquirt install. It will take you a little while to work out all the mistakes you will eventually make and this way you can just swap back and forth with your stock ecu if you screwed up a step too badly.

Once you have a stable tune and have figured out most stuff on the megasquirt, start building your engine. At that point whenever you have the parts and time you can install the turbo setup. You can use the extra time to research and buy quality used stuff on here and wherever you can find it.

There are some things you can buy on eBay. Learn what you can and cannot get away with. Good luck.