My opinion may not be welcome here, as I love OLD SCHOOL stuff.
If what you're after is a lightweight rocket, why not just hop-up a Honda Civic? If it was my truck, I'd put some vintage speed equipment on the 261, let that sweet 6-cylinder rap fill my ears, and grin from ear to ear, even while being passed by every import on the road.
Heck, my wife drives an old (2001) Chrysler 300M that almost meets your criteria, and gets 28mpg highway.
But, it's all about what you want to do. As 4t6 says, have fun and enjoy it, whatever you decide to do.
I can't say it better than that. No rollcage, no crush zones, no air bags, speed limit still 65-70, it's all interesting Jim but many of us knew in our hearts (I think) that you'd go to a bent eight engine. Of course that's OK, it's your vehicle. Check out Grigg's sites for some real engineering and originality. I for one was hoping you would go along this path.
When you noted my faux pas in my last post regarding your project I had made the unforgivable mistake of not reading your posts completely, word for word, as reading any long posts are too boring for me.
Keep posting as IMHO you are very thorough and we all have much to learn from your particular journey. All the best to you and yours, Cosmo.
