[walfreyydo]

most of what I have seen and read is that 200 wheel HP is likely the (highly optimistic) ceiling of what you can do with an N/A and that is with expensive and extensive engine work (head porting, high compression pistons, sleeves, stroker build, MAF conversion, cams, etc). This is also the limit of the N/A trans (and possibly exceeds it)

The most cost effective option would be to take your N/A block, add 951 turbo pistons, valves and rods, and buy all the components/plumbing/hardware from a turbo part-out (including the left side engine mount). Run a FMU setup or piggyback setup + wideband for fueling, and dont run more than 6 lbs of boost or so. The NA blocks and transmissions seem to be pretty low priced and dispensible so if either blows on you, hopefully the cost to replace will be low (assuming your free labor of course).

In terms of your rod knock. Assuming you arent going the FI or expensive route above and you just want to rebuild your engine on a budget you can likely take the rods/crank from the other motor and put it in the current engine - assuming your bores and everything else are in good order on the knocking engine.

In terms of power adders for NA the best bang for the buck is MAF conversion and a custom tune (ideally with a standalone/megasquirt conversion). Offset cam key, OEM tube headers/exhaust are other low cost options. Cams dont have a great cost/benefit ratio, but are another option.