I totally agree.........
Troy's car is simply amazing and defies logic. $400 wrecker motor, standard everything apart from bolt-on. He has been running about 230-260rwkw, using a TD-06, top mount manifold and ext.gate, for a few years and is on the limiter at every event. The engine is as strong as nails and is yet to show ANY sign of blow-by, smoke, etc.
Why spend $5,000-$12,000 building up an rb20, when it is proven to be a very tough motor in std form? If something was to fail, you'd just replace it for $400 + Labour
On the other hand, if you wanted more torque, off boost response, etc then the rb25det or rb30det would be the way to go. But in my opinion these aren't as strong as the rb20det, in STD form/internals; but they are both very strong in there own rights.
That's what Troy has been deciding for the last few years:
Spend a shit load of money, just to basically have more torque (maybe power)
or
Keep the rb20 std and replace it for approx $400 IF it ever lets go