You know, there is really nothing wrong with the N/A engine. It is a much cleaner setup, more room to work on and such an understressed engine it could last almost forever! With attention to breathing and a nice raise in compression, it could be made very strong.
I have an N/A and a turbo. My daughter drives the N/A and really likes it. She likes the turbo too, but her car has more drive around, useable torque. I rebuilt hers a year ago with stock stuff, but milled the head for a bump in compression. It was a pretty cheap rebuild.
I would say, stay with the engine you have. You can pour some money into it and have a very fun car. With a shot of nitrous, well, twice as much fun. There are enough goodies out there that would make your car a fast car and very reliable still. Headers, a must. You could spend the money on a set of cams, they seem to be very pricey, but cams are what makes the N/A engine breath and pull at the higher rpm's.
Spend the money on making your car handle, lower it and maybe a body kit. Turbo charging makes quite a bit of power, but at a reliablilty price and if you go crazy, at the expense of an engine. Build what you have. Get that experience, keep the better shifting transmission on the N/A, then after you have doen that, or while doing that, keep looking for a turbo car and after selling yours you can get a turbo that has all the right stuff already in it!
Just my opinion, but I am happy with both. They are still just rare enough to turn heads, but with a big enough following to still have a pretty good aftermarket supply.
Good luck and keep us informed.
Russ
|