Mitsubishi 4G63TWhile Honda's four-cylinder engines are all about giving you that racing feel, Mitsubishi's 4G63T is all about power. Think of it as a four-cylinder 2JZ-GTE, and you won't be far off. This 2.0-liter JDM icon can be pushed to 1,000 hp thanks to its super-stiff cast iron block and strong internals, and it will be reliable while doing that. Oh, and unlike other JDM engines, it can fit various configurations, including AWD, RWD, and FWD. Thus, it is not uncommon to see it inside crazy-powerful AE86s and Civics, as well as kit cars.Mitsubishi's tour-de-force motor made the difference for the rally homologation special Lancer Evolution from 1992-2007, producing up to 280 hp in some versions, stock! With simple modifications like a revised cam profile, intake, exhaust, and ECU tuning, your project vehicle will quickly reach 400 hp at the wheels.Forced induction kits with larger turbos and forged internals can push that number to a supercar-beating 600 hp. Going past that figure will require significant modifications, but thanks to the strong aftermarket support, even that is doable.All of this power comes cheap, too. You can find a used 4G63T for as little as $2,750, which is a bargain considering the tuning potential. Before you go and splurge, though, it is important to note that the 4G63T spanned 20 years (1987-2007), and later versions are more advanced and reliable. Those will set you back more than $6,000, but you get a lot of engine for that money.Subaru EJ205Subaru's EJ205 is a direct answer to Mitsubishi's 4G63T. It was born in an era when the two brands dominated the rally scene and produced crazy road-legal homologation specials that could race with supercars and win. The two were similar in many ways, though the Subaru Impreza WRX had one important differentiating factor — an EJ20 boxer engine over the front axle. Perhaps the best of them all — at least for your project car — is the 227-hp EJ205.The 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four unit adorned the Impreza WRX from 1999 to 2006, competing directly with the 4G63T. Unlike its Mitsubishi rival, the Subaru engine had an aluminum block. Thus, it was lighter, and gave the Impreza a sharper front end, particularly when considering the lower center of gravity courtesy of the boxer construction. These qualities might prove crucial in a project car designed for driving on the track, especially a kit car. Still, the EJ205 is a popular swap for the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GT86 twins and even the classic Beetle, all of which come stock with a boxer engine.The EJ205 responds well to tuning, with kits that include a new intake, exhaust, turbocharger, and cams available as an aftermarket solution. It can't be pushed to the same heights as the 4G63T, mainly due to the aluminum block, but it should be reliable if taken care of properly. Besides, it is a bargain on the used market, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $4,000.