Just stumbled across this post. I usually don't check the racing section since I'm not a racer.
Anyhow, I have replaced 3 transmissions in the last year 91-94's models. 2 with the same failure mode of 4th gear syncro spring coming out and completely chickletting the gear teeth on the cluster and 4th gear, 1 1988 with broken chain drive,
Big FMIC double pass direct in, direct out, ported, polished 2.0 head, 28lbs boost, tuned length exhaust header, 30lbs injectors, alum flywheel, 6 puck 215mm disk with plate, oil catch can for both intake manifold and compressor intake, No limited slip at the time.
Never dyno'd the car, but it screamed. I could peel tires whether trying or not on dry roads, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. 5th on wet roads or dry roads in the corners.
205/50-16 tires. nothing fancy.
Over the long haul the original 2.0 motor finally had enough and the piston rings were leaking. Excess piston play from previous owners K&N filter missing center section and pulling in dirty air and all the abuse 181,000 miles. Anyhow, the car wouldn't pass emissions this last time around so I put a stock 2.0 turbo motor into it.
Is it as much fun? No!!!!
I will eventually put all the go fast goodies back onto this engine, but for the time being I'm running 15-20lbs of boost and it's plenty. Especially with premium being $3.85G
If you can muster 400HP, go for it. But, from experience I was going thru 2 sets of tires a year. One set of winters and one set of summers,
Have fun. Life is to short.