Quote Originally Posted by WASP View Post
You'll achieve close to those power levels without doing much. If you buy a high km motor you are best to completely strip it down and build the bottom end too. The Rods and pistons used arent that durable for high boost applications. The low boost they are fine (up to 12 psi). Injectors, cooling, valve springs and plumbing are the main items that typically limit the stock motor. Get those sorted and you are well on your way. If you rebuild your engine for high boost then I would also look at upgrading the camshafts too.

I would personally start with an XR6T base but if you plan on changing the factory turbo or gearbox anyway this is less of an issue. High boost may also require your manual box to be upgraded or strengthened. The torque rating on the 5 speeder is only 500-550 ish nm I think. The later 6 speed is 650 ish. It will last for a while with a good clutch but you'll be way over on both.

Price-wise, non-turbo's BA-BF XR Utes typically go for between $4k to $8k (AUD), depending on kms and conditions. A manual non-turbo will be harder to find.
As for the turbo variants in the manual, they can fetch up to 25-50% more unless they are a pretty tired example.

Then the is this for $500 :-)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rock...ute/1230530751
gearbox i was really thinking about what you said about driveability and though i am a manual fan the zf 6speed may be my best bet, i saw some wreckers with them for like 550 to 600 dont know if that cheap or not cheap, also saw a bf mk2 f6 engine for 5500 with not many kms only like 70,000km which is like new. i was thinking of buying a roller or one that needs a rebuild on the engine as i can do alot of the engine work myself but if i bought only a roller i could go the route of f6 engine with mods and a zf 6 speed, just comes down to price of the f6 engine and if its worth it or just a normal xr6t would be more cost effective