So I am in the middle of my 2.5 / T5 build for my Pinto and I am at a point where I need some help.

The motor that is going into the car is a 2.5 Stroker motor from a Ranger, with a hydrolic-lifter (non-roller rocker) head. The motor has been bored .030 over, and the pistons replaced with flat-tops to get a little higher compression. I will be using an Esslinger street cam and adjustable timing pulleys. I will be using a Schoenfeld header and running 2 1/2" pipe all the way back. Behind the motor will be a Centerforce dual friction clutch and a T5 from a 2.3l Mustang so I have the proper gear ratios.

The head is currently at a shop being put on a flow-bench and ported, and the head was decked a little to get a little higher compression as well, so that is being done as well to help power.

My questions come to the ignition and carb / intake.

Currently, I was planning on running an Offenhauser intake, with a Holley 390 4-barrel carb, and the factory ignition. I read someplace (cant rebember where), that an MSD distributor would not fit under the Offenhauser intake. Can anybody confirm this? I know I would need the MSD box as well, and that's not an issue.

I was wondering if this choice of parts would be ideal for this motor. Would I be better off with a 2-barrel carb and a different intake? I really like the looks of the individual Weber carbs, but that set-up is way too expensive for me.

Can anybody give some advice on which direction I should go? If a 2-barrel will only be a marginal increase in power, I will just use the stuff I have. However, if we are talking a large percent increase, it may be worth it.

And no, please don't suggest a turbo / V8 for more power LOL

EDIT: Forgot to add that I am swapping out the 3.00's in the rear end for a Posi unit with 3.55's. Rear end is a Ford 8" from a Mustang II.

I have this setup for my buggy but I may put it on my '80 just for fun. I have the shorter Esslinger manifold instead of this home built version.
 

 
I expect it to drink gas & be tempermental at slow speeds but it's for my woodsbuggy & power should be amazing. Tuning IDF Webers is an art form in itself & you can spend a fortune buying emulsion tubes & jets. A good Holley 350 that's set up for a 4 banger with the adapter plate bolted to a knife edged turbo lower intake would be the ticket.
 
As for ignition there's nothing wrong with the Duraspark.

at minimun get the master blaster 2 msd coil .. i had a bad problem fouling out plugs in my overly cammed up 429 tbird and the msd coil solved that .... and yes i used it with the stock ignition ..

I was planning on upgradibg my coil if I did stick with the factory ignition, which I probably will use.

As to what I have, yes, it works (intake and carb), but I wasnt sure if there was anything I should invest in while I have the motor out of the car and easily able to wrench on it. I wasnt sure if the 2-barrel carbs were better from a power standpoint over the old-school Holley 390's.

I know I can get 500 CFM 2-barrels from companies like Holley and Demon, but I thjlink that will get a little too extreme for my application.

There is also a 350 2-barrel from holley, but that would require a new intake and carb. Would this really be worth the extra money? I have a feeling it's not, but thought I'd ask anyways.

Yes I am keeping it a carborated motor. I will probably start with the parts I have to get it going and should I deciede to upgrade down the road, I can.