Brad -sounds like you are a talented fab and wrench man! I'm interested in the cost of some of these tricked out motors, too. I am unique in that I too like to go fast, but only at a reasonable cost. I see way too many guys spending the cost of a house on some car that still doesn't even put it on the radar when it come to national speed or et and records.
Too many other diversions out there. I have an old '80 model that I pulled out of an old weedy yard, missing some parts, now found, and I would like to know what you recommend for a fun rebuild on it. 2.3 of course, and I am entertaining a turbo. Do you really need a turbo crank, or can you get by with stock? And it seems to me that the head is the path to power, and what is a good source for these heads and turbo pieces? I am not interested in going broke, but I will have some cash for fun!