Jeff! Hey man... but I should have welcomed you 'cause I was here first. :P
I was gone for a year because another guy hit me and his insurance took my ti. I'm trying to find another now, but keep finding automatics, blown engines, and California tops. Normally I wouldn't mind fixing a blown engine but now's a bad time for that.
i have a 97 318i 5 speed that will be 2jz'd as soon as i can sell my Lexus chassis.. so the parts are here for you at a decent price.. motor and/or trans.