The difference an engine makes

I am playing a huge map, but planets/habital on sparce, with 9 races, and 8 minors. the idea is to make the galaxy sead up quickly, then fight over areas, and terra formed worlds.  I cranked up colony ships, researched gravity, and translator, and by that time was able to trade for engine tech, as i launched my first Extra engine colony ship to venture down the one row of stars that was close to me..

Here is a screenie of me beating the drath, by a 1/2 week..  are traveling 4 sectors..  *(i guess each sqaure is a sector right?)

Just think how mad i would be if i was 1/2 week late!  I was thinking Ohh crap, as i saw them come into site as i was closing in..  So glad i made that trade that was a bit more costly, for that game changing engine..