[Tim Walsh]

hmm.. sounds very similar to my project. i started with a 2.4t ended up with a hot rod 2.4e+. I went with mfi but webers will make things easier.

pistons: a set of je's will cost about $900 and wil acomadate any cam profile you want, come in 85mm and can have the compression tailored exactly. I'm running @10:1 even if my race shop swears 10.2 is just fine.

cams: early E or solex will be great but don't discount aftermarket cams. I have a friend running crane 288 grind which is something like a solex with more lift. Mod-S might be interesting as well.

Ports: if you go any hotter you'll probably need larger ports if you have the 29mm ones like I had. I found a set of heads with 32mm ports and i'm running early e cams which are borderline. if i had more $$ to play with I would have them taken out to 34 (or 36 for s cams)