Whats up guys!!
My engine died on me a couple weeks back. So I am going to have to rebuild it. I was thinking about buying a turbo kit. But, because I am going to have to rebuild anyway. I was think about going NA. If I rebuild the bottom end with 12.5 compression pistons, run a crane cam, with a ported intake, CAI, and a greedy header. How much horsepower do you think I will make?
Also, do you think I should just go my original plan, and run 8.6 compression and a turbo?

i went with a mix of both, 10.5:1 compression and turbo :-)

You won't be pushing near as much horsepower as if you went turbo. But thats not the point if you wanta go NA. The point is no one has offically ran low 15's to high 14's NA. Everyone is waiting to see that happen. The more all motors the merry, imo. Give it a shot. With 12.5 compression though there will be no turing back unless your pockets are deep and you can afford to do another rebuild with lower compression. 12.5 can be done with turbo but you'll probably only be boosting around 3-4 psi. Plus detination is a bigger factor with higher compression and turbo. And if you car is a daily driver, as most of our cars are, you better have deep pockets with 12.5 compression and turbo, cause you're gonna have to monitor your engine constantly. Up to you, but think of this. We have people on this board who are in the 12's and 11's with a turbo 420a. The fastest NA on the board is 15.5(SaberKahn and VX100 is a very close second). I wanta see some NA's run all motor high 14's. Thats my goal. I know it can be done. It will be done. 12.5 compression is big decission cause you're pretty much stuck with all motor vehical should you choose that route. Its gotta be something you really want to do cause the modifications are expensive and the power gains are minimal. But its all about the QM time when you're NA.

So you think the turbo is cheaper in the long run?

BTW, car is a daily driver

Yes and no. Every car is different blah blah blah. Who knows what will be cheaper and what will be more expensive. NA is more expensive right off the bat just for the simple fact that you can buy a Greddy Cat-Back, Greddy Header, CAI, and UDP, and bam...thats roughly the cost of a Star Stage 1 right there. So I guess you really gotta want to go all motor to do so.

i guess im going turbo

Good choice. There is nothing like boost!!!

i second that :D