So, next weekend, I'm planning to pick up my next project car. It was originally a '90 VNT Daytona, but the engine and trans are gone. I'm on the fence about what to put in it. For starters, this will be a daily driver, so I'm only looking for something capable of ~250hp reliably. OK, maybe 300
I have several common blocks and a couple of tall deck blocks in the garage. But, I only have 2.5 cranks. I also have a set of 3.5" bore Wiseco forged T3 pistons (short compression height) that I got specifically for the TD blocks. I already have a set of race-prepped T2 rods, ARP head studs, and some other performance parts. To do this, I'd want to use a 2.2 crank, which will require some seriously long (ie, custom, $$$) rods. Like 6.6" by my calculations - that gives ~1.8 rod ratio. And, the pistons would need to be modified a little to reduce the dish. I'd love to put a T3 head on this, but I don't think I have the $$$ for that right now. Even with a 2.5 T3, I'd still need custom rods (the TD rods are basically long LW rods - not good for anything) so it would be too expensive for me right now to go T3.
At one point, I had my heart set on a 2.4/420a engine for my race car, but I gave up on that a couple years ago and sold everything off. I'd still like to do it, though. I could use the race-prepped T2 rods I already have, and get some forged pistons for it. I'd run the head stock and stock 420a intake, treadstone 420a cast turbo manifold and a mild turbo. Plus, using a 2.4 would allow me to run an A604. I've been wanting to get into re-calibrating those and this would be a good test-bed. It will be 5-speed first, though. Only downsides I can think of are the motor mount fabrication (not too bad) and getting the distributor setup on the end of the head (also not too bad). I also have a line on a PT 2.4 shortblock. But, no ideas on 420a heads yet.
Also, I've been toying with the idea of a supercharged/injected 2.5 using the turbo 1-pc/fuel rail/etc. Basically, swapping the turbo for an Eaton M90 and a header. The biggest downside to this idea is the massive amount of fabrication I'd have to do for the accessory and supercharger drives - lot's of custom pulleys.
Finally, I have a line on a 2.2 T2 CB shortblock for a decent price. Plus side here is, I have everything else needed to put this together. Basically, a near restoration. I'd use a T2 Garret rather than a VNT turbo, I think. I just don't have much interest in the VNT turbos.
FWIW, the rest of the car is very nice. Not concours or anything, but nice.
So, what do you think I should put into this VNT Daytona?
1) 2.3L Tall Deck, Big Bore 8v Turbo
2) 2.4/420a Turbo
3) 2.5 TD/CB Supercharged
4) 2.2 T2