Yeah, imagine the 524tD with 500lbs less weight, 2 doors, a 5-speed stick, and a tall-ratio rear gear. Should be a lot of fun indeed, especially if you crank up the boost and pump timing a bit. I hope I can find a way to figure out how the project turns out.

The new diesels are incredible--we have a 2004 Passat TDI with 136 hp and 247 lb-ft. That's only 53lbft less than a Mustang 5.0L HO!! And, it's coming from a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel that can cruise at 80 for 700 miles on one tank, getting 45 mpg. I find that just unbelievable. Even with an automatic, it takes off nearly as hard on a rolling start as my V8 745 used to. Plus, they're totally clean and smoke-free.

Now, the same cannot necessarily be said of my smoke-belching, 52-hp '81 Rabbit, but... : )