I dont know why no-one has mentioned a MIVEC engine from the mitsubishi FTO. With an RB30 head and forged conrods from HRT. My mates cousin has one putting out just under 1000rwhp on 2psi boost, but he just bought it...
ANYWAY
My serious advice, throw an RB25 with some work in it. I thrashed the living turd out of mine for 3 years and Chris is still doing the same with no major problems.
As for where to take it, I would have a talk to a few mech's and make your own mind up from there. Listening to other peoples views on any service industry is much like asking them if the eat more oranges than apples, everyone has a preference but neither is actually wrong as there are always good and bad days for each each fruit.
Rodney: There is no law saying you cannot describe a personal experience that is true. A Current Affair on channel 9 would not have many stories if this wasn't the case. It is perfectly legal for you to broadcast any personal experience that you so wish about a company if what you are describing is true, its not right for a truthfull post to be deleted in this manner. If im selling a product and it causes people to stop urinating, it cannot be taken as slander for the person who stopped urinating to stand in the street and tell other consumers the truth. ie "Smooth's Cola made me stop urinating, don't by Smooth's Cola unless you want to loose normal urine function".
I could get into more in depth legal crap, but im not that bored.
Good day.