Engine Build Recommendadtion Options

[N_Jay]

OK, we have recently hashed out head gaskets, Pistons, rods, and bearings.
A while a go it was oil pumps.

So what about a fresh build discussion.

I plan on building a decent 2.0 based street engine.
Goals are decent power, longevity and drivability.
Think fun reliable touring with an occasional autocross. (Kind of what a factory 2.0 was good for, but with a little more kick in the pants.)
AND reasonable price (Yes, that is always open to interpretation)

What is recommended displacement? Bore and Stroke?
What pistons, rods and cylinders? What compression?
What cam?
Guessing micro squirt or tuned up D-Jet.

What "tricks" are worth while for a few HP and/or drivability, longevity, etc.
What "tricks" are not worth while (or worst yet help one direction and hurt another)

How much worse would it be to start with a 1.8 base? (Heads, etc.)

[tomh]

light flywheel is always an easy not too expensive add on for a little more kick.

[stugray]

light flywheel is always an easy not too expensive add on for a little more kick.

Be careful with those recommendations.

Lightening the rotating mass does not necessarily give more horsepower.
Reducing the rotating mass of the engine gives an almost negligible difference as compared to removing the mass from anywhere else on the vehicle.

So removing mass from the rotating assembly is the lowest ROI as far as lbs/$$ goes.
Now if you are building a race car from the ground up then, by all means, reduce weight wherever you can, including the engine.

The best reason for reducing rotating mass is to minimize the forces on the crank and allow higher RPMs.
For the greatest effect, the best place to reduce the mass is the conn-rods, wrist pins, & pistons.

Reducing the mass of the flywheel (or crank) cannot give higher HP readings on an engine dyno (or the dyno operator is doing it wrong)
(let the flames begin :-)