I have more questions than I could ask here. I have a 2010 Yaris hatch that I'm not doing anything with. Bought it basically new (had 5k miles on it), for 17,000$. It has over 200k miles on it now. And it's worth like 2500$, even though it's in very good condition, no mechanical issues at all (never had a mechanical issue in it's life). It's been a good car, and this will be more of a hobby - for those who ask why.

But my primary questions are:
1. Any links to builds?

2. How do you align the engine back there? I've seen some people on the ShoGun forums move a Ford SHO (Taurus?) engine (a small 3/3.2L) back to the rear of the Festiva, and weld it in place. But nobody frequents their forums really...
But I don't know how to align an engine bay so the engine is perfectly straight. Like what are the measuring points? I'd like to 3800sc or 3400 Gm swap it. Cheap parts is ideal. Good torque back there is ideal. But I think the engine/trans would be too wide for the rear end of a Yaris. After it's centered left and right, do you have to make sure it's tilt (forward/backward) is centered as well?

3. How do people mount custom suspension? Even for gokarts/dune buggies. Do you compress the spring to the weight of the car, eye ball where it should mount up to, and then fabricate a mount for that (to the best of your ability)?


I can do wiring, shifter linkage, etc. Probably find someone to do my axles for me.
Really just getting the engine in there is going to be the hard part. My brother is a welder by trade, but not with cars :P
I just need a little guidance on getting it in there.

[This message has been edited by chriswf (edited 11-15-2016).]