technically speaking you can run a turbo motor w/out the boost, but it'll be all ****ed up. forced induction motors run lower compression, and thus lower power. it'd be like driving an anemic 300,000mi 4 banger. plus you'd have to adjust the fuel metering system to compensate for the lack of air. if it's a GN motor with EFI, this means a custom burnt chip.
i'd start looking at junkyards for engines and ecm's. this way you can do a quick rebuild and install. but be warned, any time you swap to a different engine there are issues. and yes a turbo motor is different from their N/A brothers. the exhaust, intake, control systems, etc are all different to just fit the turbo in there. also, the GN's had a problem with the heat off the turbo roasting the upper control arm bushing.
but they freakin move and are more than worth the trouble.
BTW, if you're at all mechanically inclined and have basic tools plus a good torque wrench, rebuilds are easy. i do leave the cam bearings and ring gaps to pro's as i felt it wasn't worth it to me to buy the single purpose/use tools. i was also getting the block bored, align honed, and prepped so it was at the shop anyway.
