There is no difference in installation between JDM and USDM. Regardless of where you get it, plan on a full 120K maintenance update. I strongly recommend replacing the turbos while you have the engine out.
$2000 is a fair price for the labor. I spent almost $7000 including the cost of new turbos when I did mine and I did it myself.
If you take shortcuts you will at best be unhappy with what you end up with and at worst you will be setting up someone else with a bargain when they buy the problem car from you and finish it correctly so plan and budget accordingly. I have seen the HP rating between US and Japanese versions debated and I think it came down to there being no real difference. It had to do with derating it for the JDM market for tax reasons or such. Search and read for yourself. My JDM swap dynoed at 375 RWP with a basic tune and the stock NA exhaust at 15 psi on pump gas. I have not been back to the dyno since replacing the exhaust or retuning for larger injectors but the G-tech shows over 400RWHP on a half-assed launch. The value in a JDM engine is they tend to be low miles. Usually 50 to 65K. If you can find a US clip with low miles buy it but there are not a lot to choose from. Good luck and keep us posted. KKrofft
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