If you are planning on doing a full engine build no matter which engine one you get, I would just stick with the KA in the car unless your block is no good. No need to spend money only to throw out most of the engine.
If you do go with the KA, you may want to look into the BC Stroker kit which bumps the displacement to 2.65L and comes with a better crank shaft than stock. If I remember correctly, the whole setup (pistons, rods, crank) is supposed to weight less than the stock setup letting it spin up faster and rev higher. It was supposed to be good for
at least 8k revs safely, but I never found anyone who tried it.
And if you do go the stroker route, dyno it before you throw on the turbo!!! I have always been curious what the kit would do to the curve, especially in the upper range where the KA falls flat due to bad balance of the crankshaft.
You are basically going the route I plan to go in a year or two with mine (have to start paying on a Z soon so one thing at a time) except I will be staying with the KA or swapping to a VQ or LS engine.
Whatever you decide, keep us updated with pics!!!
