97 1.8L Engine Corolla into Celica. Compatibility?

[metroidnemesis13]

In May, my house and virtually all of my cars were destroyed by a tornado. I had a 1993 Mustang 5.0 LX (as my main driver) and my dad had just inherited his mom's Corolla when she died. My Mustang was totaled (windows knocked out, what looks like an engine hitting the sides of the car, doors busted, etc). The Corolla really didn't look that bad with only window damage and the roof dented (don't even get me started on the Nova and AMX that were out there), but the body was damaged enough that the body shop wanted $4500 to fix it. It only had liability since we weren't driving it yet and we thought it would be safe.

Recently I have been looking for a car with better fuel economy (the Mustang got 18-21 mpgs) since I drive four hours per week mainly on the highway. I need something reliable and the Corolla had only 45000 miles on it. It's a '97 with all brand new wheels, tires, new suspension, air filters, etc. and the engine according to toyotareference.com is the same as the '94-'97s Celica STs. What parts are compatible?

Ideally I'd like to find a black/silver roller with little or no hail damage/wreck free that just threw a rod or something. I'd prefer it to be a manual. Would the tranny swap? What about the suspension, etc. Any advice on where to find a roller?

My main question is is this a realistic project or is it worth the trouble? I suppose I could do the work myself but I'm curious as to how much a GOOD repair shop would charge.

Could a 1.8L go into a GT body with little or no difficulty? What about a seventh-gen Celica GT/GTS?

Also what are you guys getting MPG wise? GT or 6th, 7th gen, etc.

Thoughts? Your help is much appreciated.

I did check out the swap guide but haven't found anything on tranny swaps and what not. Will report back.

[Bitter]

into a GT, no. Into a 7th gen, no.

into a 94-99 ST, yes.

[metroidnemesis13]

Why not the GT? I guess the 2.2 liter is a great deal bigger or has different mounts?

[RobMilkshakes]

One mount primarily is different, as well as transmission and all.

[Bitter]

not to mention wiring harness and computer are totally different.

[metroidnemesis13]

Duly noted. The computer would suck. Do you guys know if the interior would transfer, or the seats? I've kinda eyeballed photos and I don't think it would but the seats might.

[Bitter]

Don't think the interior interchanges at all.

better off getting another rolla probably.

[RobMilkshakes]

The seats are the only possibility I can think of, but from what I've seen usually the seats that come in Celicas are more comfortable and are more bolstered than their Corolla counterparts from similar years.