Hey i have the exact same car as you. I bought it with a box start .15 O.S cv-r i think it was. the engine was pretty old and difficult for me to start ( i was still new at this time) but whenever it did it was very strong in the car, enough to spin the wheels. I bought a fantom .12 not the 03 model, and havent been able to break it in as yet but it ALWAYS starts on one or two pulls. Making the engine fit was not a real problem for me, the only thing i had to change were my engine mounts to fit the pullstart assembly, other than that the engine should drop right in no problems. For a .12 its pretty big, the cooling head is large but it looks cooler through the windows when its driving. Just my 02cents, i think this engine will make me very happy cant wait to break it in.