Questions (solicitations of recommendations) on upgrade plans

[tim at unrealexpectations.ath.cx (stetson)]

I have some great plans for my 8v to have done so I can bring it to Cincy
this year but would like to ask some questions of the list and maybe
solicit a few opinions.

Here's what I have presently done:

	Fox intake (internally polished) and Audi 5k TB
	4-2 old school ex. man.
	Eurosport flex/downpipe
        2" Eurosport exhaust w/ hi-flow cat.
	16v rear end/disks swap

	Here are the plans(#) and questions(a,b,c) per catagory:

1.) Build a 3A or ABA bottom end/ JH head engine (it would be great to
    just drop in the entire 3A or ABA but I don't think I'll have enough
    time/knowledge to try futzing w/ the wiring necessary. My knowledge of
    either 3A or ABA is very limited -- heck, my JH knowledge is not much
    better!)

	a.) Since it'll be a complete engine/tranny pull I'm going to be
	    interested in a new clutch and flywheel install.

		i.) Is a lightened flywheel available in various weights
		    or just lightened(8.5 lbs.)/un-lightened(15 lbs.?)?
		    [I'd like to get something in between those weights.
		    11.5-12.5 lbs. Could it be done on a lathe if not
		    available for purchase?]
	       ii.) I've seen many references to a 16v pressure plate
		    being a good clutch upgrade. Are there any other
		    ancillary parts that would be necessary to fit this
		    upgrade on an 8v?
	      iii.) I've seen various types (and opinions) of clutches and
		    clutch manufacturers. Any that stand above the rest
		    from your experiences? Is the rep of Sachs clutches
                    deserved?

	b.) Since I have a spare JH sitting around (from a Jetta w/ pass.
	    side fuel management) I was thinking of getting it's head
	    worked up for the swap since it's unused ATM and that makes
	    the finished engine something that could be swapped in a day.

		i.) Any ball park idea what a P&P will run me? Should
		    I take the in/ex man. in w/ it to get port matching
                    done?
	       ii.) Would it be in my interest to get it shaved too?
		    (Would this get in the way of future turbo plans?
                    e.g. Too much compression?)
	      iii.) Any valve/seats/springs recommendations taking in
		    to account the possible future plans??

2.) I'll be mating the above engine w/ a (maybe rebuilt) 9A 3.67 final
    drive tranny that was pulled from a later 80's 8v Roc in a local
    boneyard. I'd like to do at least a bolt kit and 5th swap (.80 or
    .75) to it.

		i.) Any recommendations on vendors for tranny rebuild kit/
		    5th gear purchase? (I've looked @ Autotech for 5th
		    swaps, but think it could be done for less initial
		    expense w/ quality that is just as good. The challenge
		    will be to make the "special" tool. Anybody out there
		    already have one that they could shoot me the specs on?
		    [length, I.D., O.D., etc.])
	       ii.) While it's out and (maybe) torn up, are there any
		    other areas you think I should address besides the
		    bolt kit to combat SMS, 5th, and maybe a 80% LSD kit?
	      iii.) My present 4k has 90mm drive flanges and when the 9A
		    was pulled it came w/ 100mm drive flanges w/ axles
		    attached (they had no 3x square, BONUS!!!). Will I
		    have any problems w/ the size on the spline side of
		    the 100mm drive shaft?

	I'd like to work on the engine and tranny separately, mate them,
pull my existing JH, and plop the new setup in and tune. Then I can build
the other JH into something even weirder for the beater Roc.
	Does the sequence of events sound about right? There will be some
other things being done too (touch up of engine bay paint, install
new front motor mount from Eric, install the complete poly set I got from
parts4vws, etc.) but that's the extent of the plans so far.

Know of anything else I should consider while doing these things?

	Thanks for your time and consideration!

Tim

P.S. This may be something that damns me to "ghetto mod" hell by you, but
I've found that Duplicolor 500 degree ceramic spray paint in "Chevy
engine block red/orange" is a dead on match for my orig. mars red paint
job.

It's great to be smart 'cause then you know stuff, I think......