Top work silverbullet!
I too have contemplated all the usual conversion routes But deep down (being old school mecahnic from OZ), I (like probably most of us on this forum) have often contemplated 'What would she? ..Just what would she be like?, ..with a warm cam, some simple tract work, tuned length extraction and fully closed loop Engine mangement system??
Probably just as expensive to do, ..and probably not as powerful, economical, and heaven forbid mabye not even as bullet proof?
But boy it would'nt half put mahoooosive grin across my face with a nicely stroked, big bore Megasquirted WBX ...burbling away under the back hatch. Just like nature intendid
I aplore your courage and committement to this great cause Silverbullet, as it is probably not everybody's cup of tea. Especially when there maybe(?) more popular options out there. But I for one will be more than willing to spend my hard earned cash on a modern purpose ground 'bumpstick', stroker crank, O/S 'slugs N jugs' and asscoiated head and 'case' work etc, over an alternative. Cos I think (just like you) there is still plenty of fight in the ol' boxer yet! And it is a great shame that there appears to have been very little interest in trying to optimise the 'old girl' (apart from tencentlife), like the old Aircooled little sister has been over the last 50 odd years.
So keep up the great work, and I am wishing all the best of luck and truly hope you realise the dream you are chasing (as I 'm sure you will), and you get the chance to reap all the rewards that it deserves. Because I for one am busy saving my pennies.
Note: Plus my missus will never clock a 'big block' WBX slowly morphing into life, deep within my garage ...like she would a scooby conversion!!
And it'll be twice as much fun ta-boot!!!