Come on .. we all start somewhere.
Ryan's absolutely right.
Your best bet is an engine swap. Basically the steps are:
- Find the engine you want to buy. Ebay is a good search engine, but you have to be careful who you buy from as not all sellers are legit. If you want, you can post here if you think you've found a good one. Most of us can recognize if it's a fraud seller or if the engine looks good. I can't help you on the search terms - I don't know much about the 4cyl engines. Someone else can tell you exactly what kind of engine, but I'd personally suggest a BP turbo if you have the means.
- Order the engine and have it shipped to your door. Just DO IT! You can wait for the perfect moment, to collect all the tools, to save up enough ... etc. But nothing motivates like having an engine sitting in your garage / livingroom.
- Have someone knowledgeable take a look. Check the oil quality, cams, cylinders, manifolds, wiring harness (if included), sensors, oil pan, etc. If the engine looks bad, return it ASAP. Get your money back. If it looks good, sit on it.
- Keep reading various posts at this site, and collect the tools or parts you'll need for the swap. Things like spark plugs, possibly wires, gaskets, bolts, linkages, hoses, etc. You can reuse many of your components, but if they look questionable, change em now. Might be worth doing timing belt as well. Also consider sway bar endlinks (they always rust in place), axles, motor mounts, etc.
- If you're mechanically inclined, wait until you have $1000 sitting around and a week of free time, and start your swap. There are lots of swap guides. It's an easy swap, but it is still an engine swap. It's a lot of work. And if you run into trouble, you'll want some cash to replace broken tools, buy "specialty" tools (if needed.. ie. a really short 14mm wrench, bleeder/brake line wrench, etc), maybe clutch/flywheel, etc. You'll discover a lot along the way.
- If you're not, find a garage you trust, and meet with a mechanic. Explain what you want to do, and see how he feels. It should take a pro no more than about 8-10 hours for a complete swap.
Then, enjoy
real HP.
I myself did a KLZE swap (v6 1.8L -> 2.5L) and it was the best thing I've ever done.
This being said, if it's too soon to take on a project of this magnitude (and it will consume your thoughts for a good month or two at least), your next best bet would be:
Headers, high-flow cat, less restrictive muffler
Cold ram-air intake
Weight reduction
This could pick up
maybe 5-10hp, and shave a 1/2 second off your 1/4 mile.
Maybe.
EDIT: In fact the more I think about it, your best bet might be weight reduction. If money's no object, things like:
- AGM battery (14-26AH, heat rated)
- CF hood
- Remove the spare tire
- Lightweight wheels
- Remove A/C (if equipped, and if you can live without)
Every 100lbs you remove is the equivalent of adding ~5hp.