Urgent: need help importing/running NTSC games on a PAL machine

[thegreatgonads]

All my pal copies of final fantasy have died, i was interested in getting a jap ps2 with copies of the games. this looked expensive lol. So i need to know how i can do the following.

1> Run japanese/NTSC ps2 games on my PAL console

2> Run japanese/NTSC ps1 games also

3> removed as you cant ask that bit here, H

I'm new to modding and importing so any advice is welcome.
please help

[Hawq]

Well unless you can read Japanese dont bother for FF games is the first & obvious comment. If you can though &/or plan on importing many games that arent text heavy theres a few ways to go about it, just remember to have either a tv that can take a ntsc signal or an rgb scart lead (one from the psx will do fine). OK the methods:
Mod chip:
The obvious first choice answer prices will vary & some countries say its illegal, some dont. It isnt of course.
Slide Card:
Couple of choices under this one, 3 if you count the exploit, you can buy a slide card with a swap magic disc to boot up imports or you can make your own slide card quite easily & if you have an aRV2 (not sure if the max works for it) boot up imports that way by sliding the tray open after the ar has loaded, closing the tray, locking it with the tool then starting without codes (the ps2 will be fooled into thinking the tray hasnt opened this way, its how all the slide card ways work)
Exploit:
Similar to the slide card but invovles putting a file onto a mem card & still has a fair bit of disc swapping involved

Personally i have the exploit loaded on a mem card but sometimes just use the arv2 if I'm not doing homebrew stuff. If you already have an ARV2 then making your own slide card is the cheapest way, it came with a disc of ps1 codes so you can boot the ps1 imports as well.

[thegreatgonads]

i have a few ps2's, ill probably try the modchip. will i be able to order one and fit it myself? or do i need a specialist to fit it.

more importantly, where can i order one?

[Hawq]

If you're good with a soldering iron & you get the instructions you'll be fine to install it yourself, as for where to get one theres lots of places around online but I'm not sure which is best as I've not used any of them myself, suggestions for good reliable places anyone? someone should have some

[thegreatgonads]

its really hard to find the best way i can run the NTSC games on my pal machine.

if i went with my original plan of importing a NTSC ps2 and the games i'm after, it would cost around $400+. works out £200+ in my currency.