Should I build my motor?

[95GreenGSX]

So, I have less than a month to figure out weather or not to build my motor for this upcoming season. (2010) The turbo that is going on the car is a HX40 with a .70 a/r housing, erl manifold, jmf drag smim, etc.
Not 100% sure what brand parts yet but, here are a couple of options I have:

1. Build the head and leave the stock 50k mile short block. Build would include ~272 cams, springs, retainers, ported to match, e85, etc, etc

2. Build the motor and head. Build would include all above but with 280 cams, pistons/rods, 2.0L, 8.5-9.0:1, e85, etc

My car is auto so, if I go with option 1, ill have more money to spend on the trans. If I go with option 2, I will obviously have less. This will be for this upcoming season only, I will eventually get around to building the motor next season or with catastrophic failure (whichever comes first).

If there are any other suggestions, feel free to let me know. If you don't want to add any other comments a simple 1 or 2 would be fine. Thanks

Car pic.


Turbo pic

[skatershawn]

Turbo looks bangin...
i want it!!!
haha

Well i would go with option 2
i would trust the stock internals with the holset (if you plan on running high boost but if not whats the point in having it)

[needsy]

It depends a little on what you want to do with the car. Do you drag, road race, autocross...? I have heard the stock auto is pretty solid. If you drag it might be worthwhile to start there and get a higher stall and stuff, but otherwise I would build the engine first and put just a little money into the transmission and get a bigger cooler and little things like that.

[95GreenGSX]

Originally Posted by skatershawn

Turbo looks bangin...
i want it!!!
haha

Well i would go with option 2
i would trust the stock internals with the holset (if you plan on running high boost but if not whats the point in having it)

Haha, thanks. Im planning on 30psi+.

Originally Posted by needsy

It depends a little on what you want to do with the car. Do you drag, road race, autocross...? I have heard the stock auto is pretty solid. If you drag it might be worthwhile to start there and get a higher stall and stuff, but otherwise I would build the engine first and put just a little money into the transmission and get a bigger cooler and little things like that.

Honestly, I bought an auto for drag racing. I already have a trans cooler etc etc and the car is modded now. Im just debating on weather to build my bottom end or not. It would be beneficial but I have about 5 months to finish up the car and depending on how much money I have to put towards the car.
Im pretty moddest with my car. Id be happy with 11s with a stock bottom end and a built head with the new setup, even though if I push it I know I can run lower. If the motor was built, I'd be happy with high 10s low 11s.