as far as a 17yr old, you got a nice car so far. I feel ya on the money+school issue though. I was in the same dilema that your in right now, after I graduated I had enough saved up and bought a fairly nice integra but insurance and lack of income are killing me and I hardley have any money to spend on my car. So as soon as spring comes I'm replacing a few maintenece parts and am going to sell it and use the money to fund a turbo hybrid project. I don't suggest selling your car but know what you want to do ahead of time, Put into perspective the cost of things, can you can really afford it? and most of all make connections with locals, give a favor, get a favor it deffiently helps!
the turbo D16 isn't that bad of a set up, you can check out more info here:
http://pub19.ezboard.com/fturbod16forumturbod16